The Alt Weekly Roundup (7/22)

Posted: by The Editor

The Alternative Weekly Roundup is a column where our staff plugs a variety of new releases in a concise, streamlined format. Albums, singles, videos, and live sets. Check back each Monday to see what we were jamming the week prior.


String Machine—”Eight Legged Dog”

String Machine are a Pittsburgh solo project-turned collective that sound like if The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die came up playing folk rather than emo. The group will release their sophomore record on 8/2, but one of its singles “Eight Legged Dog” is an extraordinary introduction to their M.O.: breathlessly pretty verses that unfold into epic yet rigorously controlled swells. Think Alex G, Pinegrove, and Arcade Fire but with the energy of your favorite seven-member emo band.

Eli Enis | @eli_enis


The Menzingers—”Anna”

The Menzingers have a way of releasing songs that are so distinctly them without listeners getting bored. This is true for their new single “Anna,” a totally Menzingers-esque banger with a refined touch of production that sets it apart from 2017’s After The Party.  It leaves everyone wondering if Anna will return to Philadelphia anytime soon.

Kayla Carmicheal | @kaylacarmicheal


Blis—”Bad Weather”

Blis’ new single “Bad Weather” is both hoppy and sluggish, evolving enough to prevent it from turning stagnant. It feels like classic alternative rock, but could also be filed under math-rock. The video toggles between vibrant color schemes and grainy footage.

Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet


Hunny—Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

It’s been a long time coming for Hunny’s first full-length album, Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Recently signed to Epitaph, the group maintains the same charm of vocalist Jason Yarger’s sarcastically flippant tone and bassist Kevin Grimmett’s driving bass-lines that made me fall for them back in 2015. An alt-pop delight, Yx5 is contemplative (“Smarter Ways of Saying It”) and confident (“A Slow Death in Pacific Standard Time”) and the perfect mid-summer pick-me-up.

Olivia Keasling | @residentkilljoy


Alien Boy—”If We Don’t Speak” music video

A cardboard cutout is cherished and a basketball is twirled in Alien Boy’s busy video for “If We Don’t Speak.” The track is blended smoothly, with winding riffs drizzled throughout.

Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet


From Indian Lakes—”No One Else”

“No One Else” is the swirling new single by From Indian Lakes. It’s got the classic ambient-influenced indie pop sound we’d expect from the band, and it’s a reminder that they’re one of the most underappreciated acts around. 

Zac Djamoos | @greatwhitebison


Stress Fractures—Summer Vacation

With two original demos and two covers, South Carolina’s Stress Fractures have released their Summer Vacation EP in advance of their July & August tour where they’ll be teaming up with the rockers in Taking Meds. It’s a showcase of the diversity of the group’s potential—from their usual guitarist, Eric Smeal, taking on drums for the Gouge Away cover, to their bassist Liz Neyman showing off their screams for the same track. Stress Fractures never fail to impress.

Olivia Keasling | @residentkilljoy


The Alternative is ad-free and 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us produce more content and promote more great new music, please consider donating to our Patreon page, which also allows you to receive sweet perks like free albums and The Alternative merch.