NEW FEATURE! There are more wantlist-worthy releases than time to cover them all. Loose Ends is our monthly fix for the great records that slipped through the cracks. Expect a key track and quick take on each release, and a link to add it to your shelves.
Big Bruiser || 2 song Promo
New super poppy garage punk rock project featuring members of Teini-Pää, Axe Collector, Band Argument, Big Blue World, and GOLD.
Cassie || Change My Image
Insanely grateful to whoever made this collection available for streaming. These early ’80s studio recordings from Isle of Wight punky power pop band Cassie will send fans of The Shivvers, The Go-Go’s, and the Cichlids into a small frenzy.
Michael Cipolletti || Grandpa’s Request
Uni Boys’ new LP is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026. This compilation of demo recordings and covers by the band’s Michael Cipolletti is more than enough to enjoy in the meantime.
The Cynz || Confess
The coming-of-age moment for Cyndi Dawson and Henry Seiz’s NYC rock band? Expect a high-octane mix of punk snarl, classic-rock muscle, and emotional honesty that proves their evolution is far from over.
Dead Drugs || Hate Bomb EP
And the award for lowest of the lo-fi garage rock-‘n’-roll goes to Illinois one man band Dead Drugs.
Dragon Chopstick || Demo
A seven song debut EP of catchy poppy punk created by members of Cocks, Small Thing, Stiglitz, and Megadriver. The cover of Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi is a nice bonus.
Eep-Oop! || Sorry
If the name Eep-Oop! doesn’t already put a smile on your face, wait until you hear the extremely fun blend of melodic ’90s punk rock and contemporary indie punk this Seattle outfit delivers on their debut album Sorry (out on CD via Mom’s Basement and on LP self-released). RIYL: Pkew Pkew Pkew, Jeff Rosenstock, RVIVR.
EH, MERTXE! || Reza al Pop
Seven sharp, punky cuts of straight-up rock-’n’-roll from this Spanish trio, out now on Folc Records.
Eric and the Happy Thoughts || Happy Thoughts
Remember The Happy Thoughts’ self titled 2011 LP on Hozac Records? Here are the demos Eric LaGrange (The Romance Novels,The Cave Weddings, The Perennials) recorded back in 2007 in an Indiana barn.
FORMA || FORMA
A truly exciting post-punk band from Bilbao, showing a strong pop sensibility across this 7-song debut tape, available via Dispear, Polze de la mort, DDT, and After Post.
FUCKFUCKFUCK || FUN
The one-word review is right there in the title. These Amsterdam punks rip through ’70s hard rock’n’roll boogie, teasing mayhem for any venue they set foot in.
Niels Gore || Widen The Gap
Throwback late ’70s punk that lines up all too neatly with the current societal climate. I just wish this wasn’t A.I.-generated.
Hopscotch || Ride Home b/w Where You Are
Very promising scrappy lo-fi underground pop from this Californian duo.
The James Hunter Six || Off the Fence
Their first LP for Easy Eye Sound finds the British singer-songwriter and his band in peak form—rhythm and soul craftsmanship with a ragged edge (and a rare Van Morrison duet).
Melting Palms || Head in the Clouds
Jangly and classy dream pop and psych-y shoegaze goodness from Hamburg.
Nuevos Hobbies || Necesito Nuevos Hobbies
In the midst of winter, it sure is nice to hear some sunny and jangly power pop tunes on this latest EP from Spanish Nuevos Hobbies. Hurrah! Musica does the release, so you know it is the good stuff.
Power Pants || PP14
Installment 14 of this prolific and consistently fun mutant punk project is here. Just because we didn’t write about every release doesn’t mean we weren’t listening and enjoying.
Sargent Baker || Loose Ends
Believe it or not, this garage rock ’n’ roll record from Torquay (Australia) landed on our desk right after we settled on Loose Ends as the name for this monthly feature. Perfect timing, perfect fit: great rockin’ stuff that really shouldn’t be overlooked.
Sista Brytet || Sista Brytet
Apparently, the birth of this record almost killed the band, but in the end, Sista Brytet more than once find the sweet spot between pop punk and power pop here.
Langhorne Slim || The Dreamin’ Kind
A name that’s actually too big for our blog, but his latest LP is too good to ignore. Equal parts roaring rock record and campfire confessional, The Dreamin’ Kind tears down old walls to build something louder, freer, and more soulful than ever.
Vista Blue || Yesterday
Mike Patton used to play in The Robinsons back in the ’00s. Having his current band rerecord that material turns out to be a smart move, resulting in pure old-school pop punk glory.
Whiskerman || American Hell Pt. I
From protest anthems to soulful grooves, this is a wall-of-sound reckoning with capitalism, identity, and the fractured promise of America. Part 2 will follow later this year.