The Alt Weekly Roundup (7/7/25)
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.
Welcome Strawberry – “desperate flower”
Welcome Strawberry’s been honing their eletronic shoegaze for years, and desperate flower seems poised to perfect it. The title track, the LP’s third single, blends dancefloor-ready percussion with wobbly, psychedelic riffs for a winning combination.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
crushed – “starburn”
Two years ago, the magnetic alternative/trip-hop duo of Shaun Durken (Weekend) and Bre Morrell (Temple of Angels) debuted their captivating EP extra life, which clearly stirred something in all of us with its boundless nostalgia. At the end of June, they returned with “starburn,” the first single off their upcoming debut album no scope, along with a music video directed by Luke Orlando (Magdalena Bay, Charli XCX). It’s a rueful cry to distant heavens while carefully rekindling hope in the face of uncertainty and despair and, with their looming LP due for a September release through Ghostly, crushed are as stunning as ever.
Loan Pham | x_loanp
Febuary – Run Like a Girl
Febuary’s back with their first material since last year’s self-titled record, a collection of pristine, dynamic screamo, and they’re simultaneously prettier and more melodic than on Febuary (see “I Hope Everyone Remembers What You Were”), even more unpredictable (“What a Douche!!!”), and sometimes both, like on the title track. They’re one of the fastest-rising bands in the genre, and Run Like a Girl shows exactly why.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Pleasure Pill – Hang a Star
The ‘90s Manchester influence runs deep on Pleasure Pill’s debut album Hang a Star. The San Diego rock band are kicking off a Britpop revival in America just as the legendary Gallagher brothers make their return to the stage with Oasis this past weekend. It’s the perfect summer soundtrack buzzing with rock and roll fervor and a healthy dose of psychedelic pop. Even in its familiarity, Pleasure Pill manage to hold their own; one of the best tracks, “My Way to You,” finds them sharing the sentiment “But it’s hard to be myself / can you see, can you hear, can you tell?” as it echoes the sonic strength of all the bands they were inspired by with pure admiration.
Loan Pham | x_loanp
Cats of Steinlen – I Breathe Next to You
Blending the volatility of skramz, the melodicism of ‘90s emo, and the aggression of post-hardcore, Cats of Steinlen cover a ton of ground over the three songs on their debut EP. Released through the always reliable Ungulates, I Breathe Next to You distills down everything great about each style into ten tight minutes. If they’re this fully formed on their debut, it’ll be fascinating to see where Cats of Steinlen go from here.
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.
The Alternative is 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us write about more great music and keep our site going, you can become a Patron on Patreon, which also allows you to receive extra content, sweet perks, and The Alternative merch, with levels starting at only $2 per month. Everything helps, and if you can’t afford to donate, consider sharing this article and spreading the word about our site! And if you want The Alternative delivered straight to your inbox every month, sign up for our free newsletter. Either way, thanks for reading!
