Release Recap: 4/24/2026 – 4/28/2026

To all the Release Recap enjoyers, this will be our last one of the 25/26 school year, but don’t worry. There will be something coming over the summer!

Something Worth Waiting For – Friko
Genre: Indie Rock, Chamber Pop
RIYL: Horsegirl, Racing Mount Pleasant, English Teacher

I know I play the pretentious early adopter card rather often, but this time I’m totally serious. My first experience with Friko was in the summer of 2023 when I saw them open for Black Midi in Nashville, and even then, with only a single and some live recordings released, I knew they had something. Ok, now that you know I’ve liked this band longer than you, let me talk about how amazing it is to see them really finding their sound. While their first studio album was good, this one is just so much better. Between the epitome of indie rock guitar riffs, the stints of chamber pop vocals, and the newer folky moments, I just cannot get enough of Friko. Please, please give this album a listen!
-Z

“Nosedive” – Man/Woman/Chainsaw Single
Genre: Art Rock, Indie Rock
RIYL: Dove Ellis, English Teacher, Black Country, New Road (Post-Isaac Wood leaving)

Here I go again, claiming I was an early adopter, but for this band I’m not trying to claim that I was early, more that I have no idea how this is the second single, ramping up to their FIRST album. They do have an EP from 2024, Eazy Peazy, that I was recommended by a good friend, but I feel like this band has been around for so long, and yet still no studio album. But this is the second of two singles released in preparation for their album, Cannonball, releasing in August of this year. This is an artsy, very indie, rock song with some really fun string sounds and a lovely vocalist that come together so nicely. An amazing song, from a band that have had a consistent stand in my rotation for years. If you are a fan of singles, give it a listen, or maybe wait for the album to come out in August.
-Z

“Snout” & “Canine” – scrumper
Genre: Screamo, Post-Hardcore, Art Punk
RIYL: Clay Birds, In Loving Memory

Now for my Bandcamp screamo/post-hardcore recommendation of the week I have these two singles from the female lead four-piece from Illinois named scrumper. I’d love to say I knew this band long before I wrote this, but that would be a total lie. I was scouring through the screamo releases from last week, and after coming across a lot of not amazing releases, I stumbled upon this gem. If you are looking for some fast paced, artsy, very DIY, screamo then this is an easy must listen!
-Z

“Septum Ring” – Arcadia Grey
Genre: Pop Punk, Emo, Emo-Pop
RIYL: Dear Maryanne, Riley!, Equipment

I’ll admit this song kinda falls into the cringy emo song basket, but I just can’t stop myself from loving it. “My septum ring / Your septum ring / My septum ring / Look they’re holding hands” is the main example of this, and after my first listen I honestly didn’t love it, but it has really grown on me. Yeah it may be a little cringey and a little corny, but you know, what emo music isn’t? This is an amazing recommendation directly from my boss, Kathryn, and I’d say we both would say it’s a good listen, especially alongside their other single, “Donnie Darko Polo.”
-Z