Browsing through the many year-end lists, I stumbled upon plenty of share-worthy releases that, for one reason or another, I either overlooked or simply forgot to write about. I also had some bookmarked gems lying around that are absolutely wantlist material but somehow got lost in the shuffle. Here are some of them.
This wraps up my year, see you again soon. Happy 2026!
Beauty || I’d Do Almost Anything For You
On their debut album, this Red Bank, New Jersey trio leans into late-’70s pop rock à la Cheap Trick and ’90s power pop like Fountains of Wayne. Definitely more than a couple of hits on this one.
Natalie Bergman || My Home is Not in This World
It’s easy to see why I missed this one, as it’s not really the kind of music I usually gravitate toward. Still, this finely produced record sounds gorgeous coming out of the speakers, and Bergman (of Wild Belle) makes it awfully easy to fall for her voice. Probably the most pop-leaning release on this list, wrapped in warm ’60s sepia tones.
Big Modern || Big Modern
Believe it or not, we don’t write about every punk release coming out of Australia. That said, missing this dynamic, post-punk-leaning Sydney quartet was definitely an oversight.
Boy Commando || Comet
Fucked Up’s Mike Haliechuk makes his solo debut with a surprisingly rich mix of alt pop and power pop. A record that would sit comfortably next to Joel Cusumano’s stellar Waxworld, while also sounding like Bob Mould and Evan Dando swapping half-finished song ideas.
Bugg Music || Very Sick Very Cute
Cutesy yet punchy garage debut from Sydney. Equal parts pop and punk, and seriously fun. Also worth checking out their lo-fi Wartmann Demo Session with Ishka Edmeades.
Easy Sevens || Guitar Music
A lo-fi outlaw country/blues project from Will Boone that oozes ragged charm.
Flippeur || Élastique
Wrote about this band’s single ahead of the album, and what I said back then still holds true: Flippeur sound like a garage pop band halfway through mutating into an egg punk band—and getting gloriously stuck in between.
Garbage Mitts || Bumper Shine Life
Found this EP lying dormant in my Bandcamp bookmarks, with zero excuses as to why it never made the cut. Excellent, hooky garage punk from a Winnipeg band that allegedly wears parkas in the summer.
Geishas of Doom || Generator Sessions
This collective of Dutch underground legends plays strictly by their own rules. Recorded in the middle of nowhere, this session might be their most exhilarating accumulation of noise yet. Also: very loud.
Gosh Diggity || Good Luck! Have Fun!
The album art looks like a console video game, and honestly, this record contains enough 8-bit chiptune moments to double as a soundtrack. Mostly, though, it delivers a batch of mighty fine and catchy indie punk tunes.
Home Front || Watch It Die
It’s easy to understand the hype around this band. Maybe it was the hype, or maybe it was the street punk / new wave / post-punk blend that initially put me off, but then a song like For The Children (Fuck All) clicks, and suddenly, I think I get it.
In Debt || In Debt
This pop punk five-piece operates somewhere between The Copyrights-style pop punk and the melodic punk rock often found on Dead Broke or Dirt Cult releases. The 54-second La La La is a lesson in minimalist perfection.
Joint Pains || Ouch
Melvic Centre were one of my favorite discoveries of 2025, and Joint Pains features half of that band. These Australians sound a bit like Alkaline Trio and Samiam, just as much like The Lemonheads, and are absolutely worth your ears.
Kissland || Girls Mignon
Short, fast, loud, trashy hardcore from Melbourne. Take a deep breath and prepare for eleven exhilarating songs in eight minutes. Wow.
Kristiina || Muistatko kuka on Kristiina?
I was completely unaware of this project by Kristiina Tuhkasen and Joni Ekman, and with zero defense mechanisms in place, these alt-pop bangers swept me away immediately.
(LA’s) People Talk || About Things
(LA’s) People Talk boast an all-star rock ’n’ roll lineup (with members who’ve played in Alice Bag, Exploding Flowers, Redd Kross, Love Dolls, Jawbox, Shudder to Think, Sweet 75, Jimmy Cliff, Roddy Radiation, The Shakes, and The L.A. Times), and it’s a shame this record—tracked back in late 2011 and finally mixed last year—has been gathering dust for so long. The horn arrangements are a killer touch and give these songs an extra jolt of life.
Monetaries || Away From the World
Butterflies-in-your-stomach-inducing twee indie pop debut from Indonesia.
Bob Mould || Here We Go Crazy
Blogging about new music comes at the cost of sometimes sidelining familiar faces. So when you notice Bob Mould has a new record out, it’s tempting to shove it to the bottom of the listening pile—after all, you think you know what you’re going to get. That kind of complacency is dangerous, though. We really shouldn’t take for granted how special it is to have musical heroes still kicking ass four decades into their careers. Here We Go Crazy is packed with exactly that: kickass songs. (See also: Superchunk.)
Parent Teacher || Doombloomer
We’ve covered this NYC lo-fi bedroom pop project before, but this release bubbled under during some busy weeks. A laid-back listen with plenty going on beneath the surface, and it deserves far more ears.
Nell Smith || Anxious
An excellent, alternative-leaning pop record recorded last year and released posthumously after its 17-year-old creator died in a car accident. Knowing the context makes this record hit hard.
Snocaps || Snocaps
This renewed collaboration of the Crutchfield sisters (here joined by MJ Lenderman) combines some of the best parts of their other musical projects (Swearin’, Waxahatchee) and is an absolute delight.
Stay Put || Ultimate Disc
I loved the singles Stay Put released in the early twenties, but somehow missed that the UK outfit dropped their full-length debut this summer. It’s goooooood—punchy alt pop in the vein of Liquid Mike.
Macie Stewart || When the Distance is Blue
And now for something completely different. This predominantly instrumental record combines piano and string improvisations with field recordings, resulting in something mesmerizing and beautiful—perfect for your next hyperfocus work session.
Superchunk || Songs In The Key of Yikes
Blogging about new music comes at the cost of sometimes sidelining familiar faces. So when you notice Superchunk has a new record out, it’s tempting to shove it to the bottom of the listening pile—after all, you think you know what you’re going to get. That kind of complacency is dangerous, though. We really shouldn’t take for granted how special it is to have musical heroes still kicking ass four decades into their careers. Songs In The Key of Yikes is packed with exactly that: kickass songs. (See also: Bob Mould.)
Time Thieves || If You Survive
Wow. This EP—featuring members of Hospital Job, Sass Dragons, The Gunshy, and Manipulation—hits the sweet spot between loud and tender. Think Dinosaur Jr. crashing into Weezer around the Pinkerton era.
Tommy || Demo
This sounds more like a debut album than a demo. Raw yet melodic garage punk from a Minneapolis trio firing on all cylinders.
The Untamed Youth || Git Up and Go
Throwback surf rock ’n’ roll from these Missouri veterans, who started out as high school kids back in ’87. Features members of The Go Nuts, The Whippersnappers, and Los Straitjackets.
Wavers || Look What I Found
The press release says: “Wavers is a huge-hearted indie rock band influenced by DIY punk, beloved friends, changing seasons, and our world in decline.” I agree. And given how much this indie punk record stands out, I have no idea why I missed it. Liverwalk should be the anthem for your next fart walk.
Tanner York || Welcome to the Shower
How did I miss this impressive debut packed with lo-fi power pop gems? Tanner York clearly has a treasure trove of ideas—think a warped mix of Sharp Pins, 2nd Grade, and The Lemon Twigs—and you can bet we’ll be keeping a close eye on what comes next.