The Alt Weekly Roundup (6/16/25)
Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
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.
Bursting – “Fake Out Luxury”
Chicago’s Bursting are back after only six months with a brand new single. December’s Bursting EP was woefully underrated, but the five-minute “Fake Out Luxury” should be able to correct the record, a winding blast of hazy alt rock that plays like a more accessible spin on your favorite Pile song.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Joey Valence & Brae – “WASSUP (feat. JPEGMAFIA)”
Even when Joey Valence & Brae are on the offensive, as on new single “WASSUP,” it’s clear they’re having an absolute blast. JPEGMAFIA’s feature is a ton of fun, too, a nice reminder that he’s far more versatile than his often off-putting industrial rap might imply.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Flatwaves – “Flowers Remember”
“Flowers Remember” is the second single off Flatwaves’ upcoming second LP Tell Me Secrets, set to drop in less than a month. It’s a blurry, relentless shot of shoegaze that pummels all throughout its five minutes, even as its hook is one of Tara Sullivan’s best yet.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Stay Inside – “Super Sonic”
What a long way Stay Inside’s come from their early garagey post-hardcore days. They’ve morphed over the years into one of the best bands in the emo-pop game, and “Super Sonic,” the latest taste of their yet-to-be-announced Tiny Engines debut, is just more proof. Warbly guitars and triumphant horns provide a jaunty background to Chris Johns’ reminiscences: “We were super sonic novas / on your sofa.” It’s been rewarding to watch Stay Inside grow into their sound, and there’s no reason to believe they’re slowing down anytime soon.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Rocket – “Crossing Fingers”
“Crossing Fingers,” like all of Rocket’s songs, feels familiar from the jump, like a song you remember on the radio from your childhood, but it never feels like a retread. In fact, it’s immediately one of the best songs of Rocket’s relatively short career, with a driving urgency to the track reflected in its chorus: “Honestly I think I’m running out of time.” As true as that might feel, Rocket’s only just getting started.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
The Alternative’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist
Each week we compile a playlist of songs our staff has been jamming. We post it on Fridays and then include it in each edition of the Weekly Roundup to make sure you don’t miss any of the great music we’re recommending.
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