The Alternative’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2020

Posted: by admin

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Now that that’s over with, our staff put together our list of our most anticipated albums of 2020! Take a look and start to get hyped for all of these sick albums we have coming in this very important year (no pressure though). This year we will be doing a New Music Friday playlist every week on top of our Best of the Month playlists, so make sure to follow us on Spotify so you get to hear all these records the day they drop.

Also!!! We are now paying our staff for all of their contributions to the site, and our pay depends on your support, so if you like this list please donate to the site on Patreon and keep us doing all this awesome music recommending that we enjoy so much.


Photo by Sarah Knoll

Retirement Party

Retirement Party’s motto seems to be pop-punk, but make it zesty. On their debut record Somewhat Literate, they showed a predilection for crafting bass lines that feel predictable at first, then abruptly splinter in several directions. It’s an album for people who stumbled as they walked towards self-love; it’s about striving for your best, even when you feel restrained by woes like hypochondria or paranoia. As bleak as it gets at times, like when frontperson Avery Springer stated that they went a full day without stepping outside, it still manages to sound snappy. And that’s why I’m looking forward to hearing more of it. – Bineet


Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people sitting, guitar and outdoor

Photo by Tess Janssen

IDLES

IDLES nailed it on their sophomore LP, Joy Is An Act of Resistance. Tackling topics of toxic masculinity, immigration, and the importance of community. Lead singer Joe Talbot’s abrasive british vocals mixed with the vibrant, gritty guitars and bass made for an explosive record. The band came out with a live album last year, as well as two singles. Since the band’s rise in popularity since their last LP released, I hope to see them push the envelope further. They’ve nailed their identity as a band, and I hope to see them act more on celebrating that on their next release. – Sarah Knoll 


Photo by Sarah Knoll

Just Friends

Just Friends are more than a gaggle of amazing songwriters, producers, musicians and people. They bring new flavor and life to every single track and performance they do. On their 2018 release, Nothing But Love they fill the LP front to back with insane bangers. Celebrating love, friendship, and above all, resistance to the haters. Their groovy guitar licks, vocals, and attitude create this genre-blending sound that is unique to them as a band. A little bit of jazz, R&B, rock, SKA, punk, and more push the envelope further and further. In 2019 they signed to Pure Noise Records and released 2 singles, “Fever” and “Stupid” of which they elevated their production to make each instrument super crisp. The band has teased that they’re recording a third LP on social media, but no release date has been issued. If those 2 singles are any indicator of where the band is heading, LP3 should be an exciting burst of flavor and sound. – Sarah Knoll 


Image may contain: 4 people, beard and closeup

Touche Amore

Touche Amore’s Stage Four was probably their most vulnerable album to date. After lead singer, Jeremy Bloom’s mother died of cancer, he and the band released Stage Four in 2016. The album was vulnerable in both its lyrical content and instrumentals. On tracks such as “Flowers and You” and “New Halloween” the guitar tone is absolutely electric. Creating a nice balance between the emotionally dense lyrics and the slick guitars. In 2019 they celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their album …to the beat of a dead horse, but the band has yet to hint at any new music. I hope that they build off of the sound of Stage Four and continue to push that sound further in any new music. – Sarah Knoll 


Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor

Trace Mountains

The new project by Dave Benton, former member of LVL Up, is a bedroom pop delight. Their 2018 debut album, A Partner to Lean On captured these little moments of life in each track. The airy and wispy guitars mixed with the bright keys and twangy lyrics made for a really nice album. The band teased a single and on their bandcamp have something marked for a March 2020 release. If A Partner to Lean On is any indicator of what their sound and flavor is for this project, we can only hope that they push that further. Diving deeper into the sounds and making them the best they can be. – Sarah Knoll 


Image may contain: one or more people and people sitting

Photo by Phoenix Johnson

Petals for Armor

You’d think it would be difficult to be excited for something that is as cryptic as Petals For Armor, but it really isn’t. Paramore’s Haley Williams is  releasing solo music some time this month, and I couldn’t be more intrigued to hear what it’s going to sound like. The project’s Instagram is full of pictures and short videos; each don’t quite tell us what to expect, but their unknown nature stirs excitement. Williams’ took to Twitter saying “I’m putting out some music next year. With the help of my closest friends, I made something I’m going to call my own. It’s a really special project and you’ll get a taste of it in January.”  Her last release “After Laughter” was with Paramore, and it’s one of my top favorite records of all time, so needless to say I’m eagerly awaiting this release. – Ryan Bartlett


Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people sitting

Green Day

Green Day are one of the veteran torches still burning brightly amongst the sea of punk rock. Four years since their last record, Revolution Radio, the rioting trio are back to burn more rubber and remind everyone why they’re still selling out venues 12 albums later. Father of All Motherfuckers drops February 7th, with the cover art reflecting their critically-acclaimed 2007 record, American Idiot— the same hand that is cradling the heart-shaped grenade is still in frame, but the focus is on the scrawled out writing featured on its wrist, instead. Perhaps, it could symbolize the group going beyond what has been sonically expected of them since that 2004 record brought them to the spotlight. And if lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s words are anything to go by, that could be the direction they’re taking as he describes the new release as being a “soul, Motown, glam and manic anthemic that’s for all the punks, freaks, and punishers.” It’ll be fascinating to see if this record can steady the footing of the punk trailblazers once again. – Hope Ankney


Image may contain: 4 people, shoes and beard

Future Teens

Boston bummer pop band Future Teens has wasted no time getting back in the studio after their stunning sophomore effort, BreakUp Season, dropped last August. It was a record chalked full of the waxing and waning of adolescence in love and, you guessed it, heartache through the lens of perpetual vulnerability that they execute so well. As the group begins their writing sessions for their impending 2020 release, it’s difficult not to anticipate how both the delicate evocation of their sound and the emotional underbelly of co-vocalists Amy Hoffman and Daniel Radin will be elevated by the time their third project sees the light of day. If you can’t seem to wait that long for new material, Future Teens will be pushing tour dates this year for anyone to experience the delicate fusion of tough and tender that seamlessly intertwines within their sound while you anticipate the arrival of the group’s third installment. –  Hope Ankney


Rosie Tucker

There’s a refreshing ambience that radiates from Rosie Tucker— a personification and vivid illustration of characters, ideas, and themes that is sometimes pushed further back on the shelf regarding modern music. Yet, instead of leaving those concepts in the flickers of a shadow, Tucker thrusts them forward, fixating a spotlight on the forgotten or lost. The release of their debut, Never Not Never Not Never Not, last year allowed their music to carve its way into the forefronts of a scene in desperate need of an artist like them. With the announcement of a follow-up project on the horizon in 2020, it ushers in intrigue and thrill to what restless creativity will embody Rosie Tucker’s mind on the artist’s sophomore effort.  – Hope Ankney


Photo by Sarah Knoll

The Sonder Bombs

The chill-strung, pop-punk group The Sonder Bombs have been an anomaly since their debut record, Modern Female Rockstar, challenged the conventional model for music-making back last year. Not backing down from the niche sound that scatters them all over the artistic spectrum instead of concreting themselves into one corner, is what makes this group a machine worth paying attention to. The tropical undertones of a ukelele in harmony with the rowdiness of traditional pop-punk shouldn’t blend together yet this band brings it to life, and they do it so effortlessly. It makes one wonder what other genre-bending could occur if more groups took the risks and refused to stay confined to a scene’s foundational sound. The Sonder Bombs mix this rebellion with important topics such as mental health and sexism, and looking to 2020, the band’s sophomore effort only spurs the speculation of where they’ll be taking their genre-defying, non-compromising, and rambunctious presence next. –  Hope Ankney


Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, tree, grass, child, outdoor and nature

Photo by Jacquelyn Potter

Clever Girls

Burlington-bred, retropop-garage-grunge band Clever Girls just keep evolving as their musical journey unfolds— almost like they’re a pokémon being fed rare candies each and every time the group decides to drop something new. Their lyrics are identifying, painfully perplexing, and at times effervescent by design with a rock-solid instrumental to back it up. They bring a tentative boil to the scene’s landscape, and as the group head into writing sessions for their impending 2020 release, it’s worth wondering what form they will take next. In the meantime, experience the charismatic energy radiating from frontman Diane Jeans and the evolution of musicality yourself as Clever Girls kicks off the year with tour dates ranging from Feb-March. –  Hope Ankney


Image may contain: 1 person, shoes

Soccer Mommy 

The three singles Soccer Mommy released in 2019 represent a pretty decisive break from her earlier material. “Feed” is eerie and grungy, while “yellow is the color of her eyes” flirts with post-rock and “lucy,” by Sophie Allison’s own admission, has a “dark and evil” vibe. Taken together the three songs are a far cry from the lovelorn post-adolescent ballads of Clean. Which style will be predominant on Soccer Mommy’s next LP remains to be seen, but any would be an exciting and unexpected direction for one of indie rock’s most promising young stars. – Zac


Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor

Sky Ferreira

Full disclosure, Sky Ferreira’s been promising the release of her sophomore album, tentatively called Masochism although who knows, for about five years now. But we might have some reason to believe it, as last year saw both her first since release since 2013 and an instagram post confirming the album is done. We’ll see if it comes out this year, but if it does, and if the perpetually underrated Night Time My Time is any indication, it’ll be another pop masterpiece. – Zac


Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, indoor

Snail Mail

Snail Mail might be the best straight-up rock project around right now. 2016’s Habit would’ve been impressive from anyone, but it’s made even more so by the knowledge that Lindsey Jordan was only 17 at the time of the EP’s release. Her debut LP Lush, forty-minute burst of guitar-led, ‘90s-indebted indie rock, felt refreshing in spite of its simplicity — or perhaps because of it. It’ll be great to watch Snail Mail grow, and certainly her next release will be a crucial chapter in that story. – Zac


Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling

Photo by Sam Tassety

Really From

Really From managed to stand out in a wave of math-influenced emo bands by just straight-up diving into jazz territory now and then, and as such they’re one of the most fascinating bands in the genre. Although the band’s last release, 2017’s Verse, flew under the radar for most, it was easily one of the year’s prettiest albums. Verse was itself an expansion on their 2014 debut This is what you learned, and there’s no reason to doubt the band’s next album — which they’ve confirmed is coming this year — will be anything less than another level up. – Zac


Photo by Chelsea Pineda

Foxing

It’s tough to think of any other bands in recent memory who’ve made the sort of leap that Foxing made on Nearer My God. While 2015’s Dealer was a serviceable post-rock record, Nearer My God was a genre-defying instant classic, filled to the brim with falsetto hooks, bagpipe solos, and shimmery beats. None of it should work together — the run of the aggressive and glitchy “Gameshark” into the synth-led title track into the atmospheric nine-minute “Five Cups” ought to be absurd — but the band’s daring paid off in one of the most challenging and, more importantly, rewarding albums in recent memory. It’s hard to imagine how Foxing could top that, but they’ve more than earned my trust. -Zac


Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people standing

Worst Party Ever

Adding to my belief that Florida has the best DIY scene, Worst Party Ever. Their discography is rooted in sincere, detailed songs that are largely nostalgic and capture the difficulties of navigating interpersonal relationships. Their next release, here, online, is slated to come out in February on No Sleep Records. In the meantime, get familiar. – Lindsy Carrasquillo


Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling

Barely Civil 

Barely Civil’s 2018 debut record, We Can Live Here Forever, has quickly become one of my most listened to records recently since I saw therm live at Fest and on their tour on the way down. It’s an emotionally moving release that hits me different on different days. If the new songs I’ve heard live are any indicator, the next release is going to be just as personal, if not more, with carefully layered instrumentals and an ever building rhythm section that strikes at just the right time. – Lindsy Carrasquillo


Dogleg

Photo by Kris Herrmann

Dogleg

“Fox” exploded onto the punk scene being named Pitchfork’s best new track in November but behind it all, Dogleg has been working and reworking their debut album since before signing to Triple Crown. Touring nonstop, most recently with fellow breakout artist Glass Beach on the west coast, there’s an undeniable riotus energy tied to every moment of Dogleg’s discography, from their self-titled EP in 2016 to “Fox.” Unbridled, unhinged, pure rock and roll only. – Olivia Keasling


Image result for halsey video screen

Halsey

Yes, I’m The Alternative’s resident Halsey stan and I couldn’t be more excited to see what my personal favorite bedroom-indie gone pop princess has in store to solidify herself as one of the most successful upcommers since her first official release in 2014 with Room 93. Leading the new era with a call to action for anyone who still underestimates nonmen to bite her in single “Nightmare” (which, isn’t on the album—it’s just a song she said felt right putting out at the time), then rocking expectations with country pop lead-up tracks like “Graveyard,” “You should be sad,” and “Finally // Beautiful stranger,” she’s creating her own new path. It’s an album that “Changes its mind as much as [Halsey] does.”- Olivia Keasling


Image may contain: 3 people, people sitting, night and indoor

Heart Attack Man

One to hold onto his secrets, Eric wouldn’t give me much on ham’s plans for 2020, but what I can say is to expect a “weird hybrid”— an “obnoxious theatrical release that’s equal parts music and skits” that may or may not include a beatdown song…  Time will tell. – Olivia Keasling


Image may contain: 4 people, people standing, shoes and outdoor

Photo by Dennis Ho

Palomino Blond

Supergalore: a song title from this band’s last non-single release in September of 2018, that perfectly describes the mesmerizing sound of the Miami group. This year is Palomino Blond’s return: with a not only a full album towards the latter half of 2020, but a split and singles throughout to hold you over while you wait. We (The Alternative) got punked last year and had the group’s name among our most anticipated of 2019, but good things come to those who wait. – Olivia Keasling


Anxious

This Connecticut five piece became one of my favorite finds of 2019 with the release of their Promo 2019 EP back in the Spring and later their Never Better EP in Summer. “Seeds” found itself within my top ten songs of the year, solidifying Anxious as one of Triple B’s most promising new signees. Recently dropping a live recording of their performance on Axe to Grind, where they offered peaks into what a full record might entail with new tracks like “Basement,” “Grand Average,” and “Goodbye.” Punk’s not dead, and Anxious is the new wave. – Olivia Keasling


Photo by Chelsea Pineda

Ratboys

Following the success of their 2017 studio album GN, the Chicago-based indie rock combination of Julia Steiner and David Sagan have chosen to break new ground in 2020 with the upcoming release of Printer’s Devil on 2/28 via Topshelf Records. With two singles already floating around the internet, the new record emerges as a spiritual continuation of the band’s previous works, with Steiner’s enigmatic lyric-writing and floating falsetto vocals working in beautiful juxtaposition with both artists’ flippant, yet fitting indie guitar melodies. Both tastes of the new record, “Alien With a Sleep Mask On” and “I Go Out at Night”, feel like tracks pulled directly from a dream. The latter, being the more ruckus of the two, is an absolute indie punk experience that displays the band in sci-fi laced harmonious fervor, with an infectious and energy-inducing rhythm. The former single, without straying too far from the group’s typical artistic modus, is a testament to the emotional impact of Steiner’s songwriting prowess and will ultimately serve the artistic potential that I know Printer’s Devil will deliver to a fantastic new decade of music. – Shannon Mahoney


Image may contain: 1 person, dog and indoor

AJJ

At the start of the Trump administration, the rhetoric around the alternative arts and music community focused on a new stream of punk rock that would stem from the adversity that the country faced. Whether or not that prophecy was actually fulfilled following the snowball events of 2016, the upcoming album Good Luck Everybody by AJJ (out 1/17) is set to sit at the forefront of dissecting our anxieties as we plummet into another election cycle in 2020. The Phoenix folk punk outfit, who has been putting out works of art since 2004, has returned again to with a clash of countercultural rock music styles to serve as the anthems of a new decade in potential absurdity. With tracks like “Normalization Blues” and “Mega Guillotine 2020”, lead vocalist Sean Bonnette and cast juxtapose the timeline of American politics as it evolves right before our eyes, encumbered by 24-hour news cycles and an ever-growing shield of apathy and disgust that fuels ideology in this modern age. “Normalization Blues” ultimately views the end of the current presidential term as a dispirited divergence of the rebellion and outrage that seemed to peak several years ago amongst American counterculturals, and artistically serves as a more traditional taste of progressive folk on the record. Alternatively, “Mega Guillotine 2020” picks up on AJJ’s famous brand of grotesque satire to paint a picture of the upcoming election cycle from a common revolutionary counterpoint to partisan political trite. Emotional, truthful, and open: AJJ’s newest work is bound to be a cornerstone in another year of the same, old thing. – Shannon Mahoney


Image may contain: 1 person, standing and shorts

Adult Mom

Adult Mom’s songs are queer hymnals, a mashup of solitary bedroom ballads, country-inspired vocal melodies, and the most fun parts of new wave. Like their jangle-pop idols R.E.M., Adult Mom refuses to be just one thing. Their new album is set to be a departure from their early lo-fi releases– expect a polished studio sound, with lots of atmosphere, stacked vocal harmonies, synth, pedal steel, and their signature nylon-string guitar. – Harrison 


Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting, living room, shoes, table and indoor

photo by Jessica Flynn.

Gladie

Augusta Koch’s songwriting is instantly recognizable– her lyrics are self-reflective and her voice is idiosyncratic. Listening to her songs is like a therapeutic conversation with a good friend in an open field, making flowers out of weeds. Gladie is Koch’s project with a bunch of Philly indie-rock all-stars: Matt Schimelfenig of Three Man Cannon, Ian Farmer of Modern Baseball, and Pat Conaboy of The Spirit of the Beehive. Their upcoming release on Lame-O Records is sure to feature the same nervous energy and introversion Koch brings to all her projects. – Harrison


Image may contain: 1 person, guitar

Hospital Bracelet

“Sober Haha Jk Unless,” the new single from Hospital Bracelet, is a desperate letter written from the gutter of a cold Chicago sidestreet. The singer Eric Christopher howls over arpeggios and staccato chords, pleading for sobriety and closure. The song recalls the best of late 90s and early 2000s emo, bringing to mind The Get Up Kids and Dashboard Confessional. Keep your eyes peeled for their upcoming album; it’s gonna be a big year for Hospital Bracelet. – Harrison


Image may contain: 4 people, people sitting and beard

photo by: Natalie Piserchio

Spirit of the Beehive

The psychedelic shoegaze band Spirit of the Beehive put out their stunning third LP, Hypnic Jerks, back in 2018, boosting them from venerable Philly basement juggernauts to one of the most forward-thinking American rock bands of this era. Period. So far, the band have changed considerably on each record, and the unreleased songs they were playing live over the summer were also a far cry from the stuff on Jerks. Kaleidoscopic indie-pop is the easiest way I could describe it, or maybe like Animal Collective covering Mathew Lee Cothran songs. Suffice to say whatever they put out next will hopefully be revelatory, but even if it isn’t it will likely be leagues ahead of their gazey, experimental indie contemporaries. The Beehive don’t disappoint. – Eli Enis


Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, indoor

Nick Dinatale

Japanese Breakfast

Japanese Breakfast are finally due for a follow-up to 2017’s exceptional Soft Sounds from Another Planet, which was itself a follow-up to the brilliant Psychopomp (2016). The performance Michelle Zauner and her band put on while touring on Soft Sounds has stuck with me for the last year-and-a-half, and both of her records continue to stand out in a very crowded field of dream-poppy indie-rock. Japanese Breakfast are one of the biggest bands in the genre right now, so they probably had a bigger budget for this next project and more time to put it all together. I can’t imagine it’ll be anything less than fantastic. – Eli Enis


Terrible People

Terrible People were responsible for one of the Alt editors’ favorite albums of 2019, Like Clean Air, and since my interview with the band in May, I haven’t been able to stop listening to the album on a loop. I’m trying to resist the urge to refer to their catchy, cathartic approach to emo as a breath of fresh air, but it’s right there. Rather than dwelling in the dour, self-effacing tropes of emo, there’s a breeziness and sense of fun to the whole album. Rumor has it that there’s more news on the way about the band’s plans for 2020, but they’ve already hinted that they’re working on a new EP. I cannot stress enough how excited I am for new tunes from Singapore’s emo sweethearts. – Keegan Bradford 


Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, people on stage, people playing musical instruments and guitar

By Chloe Barkley

Snarls

Sometimes a most anticipated album is from an artist that you’ve been a fan of for a long time and you been waiting year, but other times you just hear a single and you are like wait, this is sick, I really want to hear this album. Snarls is one of those, because this single is sick, and I reallllllly want to hear this album. – Henderson


Image may contain: one or more people, people on stage and people playing musical instruments

Run the Jewels

Run The Jewels is a rap group made up of El P (NYC rap legend) and Killer Mike (ATL rap legend) and together they release fast paced political raps about the end of the world and how you suck and they rule. It’s basically the best thing ever. RTJ1 was a very good album and sounded like nothing at the time. RTJ2 was even better and RTJ3 was a masterpiece. RTJ4 should be on our plates very soon. – Henderson


No photo description available.

Posture and the Grizzly

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the last Posture and the Grizzly album was the best Blink 182 LP since Untitled, and I mean that in the best way possible! Everything that Blink did well, Posture is doing even a little bit better, and without the cringey content along the way. Supposedly they are working on a new record and I am very excited to see how it comes out. – Henderson


Image may contain: 1 person, indoor

Phoebe Bridgers

Phoebe Bridgers stunned the music world with the emotional intensity and pure shred on her debut LP, Stranger In The Alps, in 2016 and then followed that up with 2 of the most celebrated collaborative albums of the decade, Better Oblivion Community Center with Conor Oberst and Boygenius with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. In all of these projects she brought forward excellent songwriting and a witty sense of humor. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. – Henderson


Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing and outdoor

Covet

Yvette from Covet is probably the best guitarist on planet Earth, maybe even the galaxy. The ability and creativity that she shows in her playing employs multiple guitar styles and is stunning to watch, but there are many good players who can’t write a song, she is not one of those. This album is something music fans and guitarists the world over should be anxiously awaiting. – Henderson


Image may contain: 1 person

Frances Quinlan

We’re three singles in to Frances Quinlan’s solo effort, Likewise, and I’m smitten. The Hop Along vocalist and genre-defying songwriter delivers a full length of experimental and enchanting tracks that stretch into not just her imagination, but ours too. If her singles like “Now That I’m Back” tell us anything about this release, we’ll get a taste of her take on synths, digital beats, and a variety of fresh sounds that enhance her own. It’ll be a treat to slowly unravel the layers of Quinlan’s songwriting, from her explorations of relationships to her intricate song structure. – Amanda Starling 


Photo by Kyle Musser

Kississippi

From the moment Zoe Reynolds announced she was headed to the studio in Fall 2019, it was a guarantee that we’d go on another perfect emotional ride with her next record. Zoe has impeccable gift for delivering songs that are both pop-influenced with the emotional delivery of a emo, which she showcased on her debut album Sunset Blush. Zoe’s ability to dip into diverse sound and expose rich elements of herself mark for a gorgeous next chapter in her music. – Amanda Starling 


Photo by Lindsy Carrasquillo

Dikembe

Just a few teased tracks on Dikembe’s winter tour solidified that their 2020 release will merge together the band’s best qualities into their tightest form yet. New songs like “Throat” showcase the sort of leveling-up in the band’s louder, more kinetic sound that blends the best sonic elements of Mediumship and Hail Something. Vocalist Steven Gray said at a recent show that their next album has songwriting that he’s the most proud of. He’s right to be, because this record will without a doubt define the sound for independent music at the start of the decade onward. – Amanda Starling 


Image may contain: 4 people, people standing, sky and outdoor

Spanish Love Songs

Schmaltz hit me hard and Brave Faces Everyone is more of exactly what I loved about that album. Spanish Love Songs perfectly blends mordern pop punk with a classic orgcore sound that we don’t hear often enough anymore. And they back it up with densely emotional lyrics and vocal deliveries to the point that it would feel manipulative if you didn’t know how genuine they were. – Scott Fugger


Photo by Lindsy Carrasquillo

Virginity 

Virginity’s With Time came out of nowhere last year and dominated my listening habits pretty much as soon as I heard it. Luckily, the band hasn’t been coy about the fact that they are planning to follow it up with new music as soon as possible. Despite the fact that With Time started as a personal project with no intention of even a public release, the members of Virginity have thrown themselves headfirst into the band and I am so excited to see where it takes them. – Scott Fugger


Image may contain: night, text and outdoor

The Front Bottoms 

Yes, I still like The Front Bottoms. Well, maybe “still” isn’t the right word because I didn’t actually become a fan until 2018, which is part of the reason I have a stronger affinity for their more recent releases than those who have been around since their self-titled album or Talon of the Hawk. The recently released “Camouflage” is one of their strongest songs ever, blending the sounds the band has had throughout their career in a way that I think even OG fans would appreciate. If this is an indication of the progression that will shine through on a new album, it has the potential to be their best yet and win back some older fans while picking up new ones as well. – Scott Fugger


Image may contain: one or more people, people playing musical instruments and guitar

Perennial 

I have no idea what Perennial’s sophomore album will sound like and I am totally fine with that. To pigeonhole their sound is a disservice. They generally fall into experimental post-hardcore, but are so much more than that and can do whatever the fuck they want. Perennial’s music oozes passion and energy and that’s all that really matters. This new record is sure to be a banger. – Scott Fugger


Photo by Kyle Musser

Julien Baker

Is Julien working on a followup to her past 2 absolutely stunning LPs? I’m not really sure, but something has to be coming soon and no matter what it is, I can’t wait to hear it. Julien has the vocal range and emotional volume that leaves entire crowds in gasping silence, and she has only shown the ability to grow that exposed solo style to this point. Will she release some full band tracks like we saw on Boygenius and her past bands? Will it be more tearjerkers? Please tell me that I’ll find out in 2020. – Henderson


Photo by Sarah Knoll

Beach Bunny

Beach Bunny were that rock band that everyone was talking about. Kind of like Snail Mail or Soccer Mommy in years past, in 2019 Beach Bunny went from underground prospect to blowing up in a big way in what seemed like a matter of days. Now that they’ve caught fire on TikTok (which is awesome for a emo/indie band I have to say), and released some singles that were absolutely perfectly nailed, they seem set to take it to the next level in 2020. – Henderson


Diet Cig-7175

Photo by Chelsea Pineda

Diet Cig

Diet Cig burst onto the punk scene with poppy punk tracks with sugary hooks and cutting venomous lyrics on their debut EP and followed that up with a LP that built on the sound and brought them from NY basements to big stages around the country. Alex and Noah have been back in the studio and their followup should certainly further expand on their past successes, but I also wonder if they will be experimenting with something new. – Henderson


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.