By Peyton K.
In an age where trending tracks come and go like the Bcycles on campus, it’s nice to look back and admire the music that didn’t get algorithmically pushed into our lives.
Now that we’re about halfway into the year, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the exceptional music that’s been released so far. I can definitely say that it’s been a strong year for music, especially in the metalcore and emo spheres. While compiling all my favorite releases so far, I was surprisingly reminded how so many releases that have felt like they’ve been around for ages have only come out in the last few months or so.
It was difficult to deliberate how many releases to include in the list, but I’ve settled on 10 of them (with some honorable mentions at the end…). They are listed in chronological order of release date.
sherane – Sherane
Release Date: January 3rd, 2026
Genre: Metalcore, Screamo adjacent…
RIYL: I Promised the World, holder, concealer.
Favorite Song: “only yours”
About: Named after a song off Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city”, Sherane came bursting onto the current metalcore scene with their first show in October of 2025. With multiple members already being in other talented bands in SoCal, I knew Sherane was going to be big. But regardless of prior bandmember status, this is a very strong first release. “sherane” boasts the sound quality of a seemingly polished and veteran band, while also managing to avoid overproduction and retain the band’s big sound. No compressed GarageBand demos here. They’re able to pull from metalcore influences such as RECON and Drawing Last Breath, while also letting smaller screamo influences shine through (lullaby, one year later). If you’re into metalcore and haven’t listened to this release yet, you just got your homework for the day.
Links to Listen:
I Went Through This Experience Smiling – Youth Novel
Release Date: January 17th, 2026
Genre: Screamo, Post Hardcore
RIYL: To Be Gentle, Frail Body, Hopesfall
Favorite Song: “Saunter Forth” or “Mecha Codeine”
About: Their first release in five years, “I Went Through This Experience Smiling,” is Youth Novel’s comeback album. I was interested in the release of this album, as I was curious how the band’s sound would change now that they only have one original member remaining. Although the album does vary from Youth Novel’s earlier work, it’s not necessarily a bad thing (not at all, in fact). Although still retaining much of Dickinson’s guitar style, their sound switches from screamo to more post-hardcore-inspired. With smooth production, gripping guitar riffs & drumlines, and strong lyricism, this is a must-listen for screamo and post hardcore fans alike.
Links to Listen:
The Human Condition – Any last words
Release Date: February 10th, 2026
Genre: Post Hardcore
RIYL: sinema/I Promised The World, holder, Saosin
Favorite Song: “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw orgies”
About: Despite loving the subgenre, the post-hardcore revival that we’ve seen over the last year has not gripped me as hard as other coinciding subgenre revivals. That being said, “The Human Condition” by Any last words may be the album to somewhat sway my position. Being the band’s first EP, it incorporates all the elements of post hardcore that I like, while also including a few breakdowns that appease the metalcore fan in me (see “Get out of my snake mister boot”). The band is also exceptional at performing live, definitely one to catch if you frequent Southern California.
Links to Listen:
If I Could Tell Myself That, I’d Say It Everyday – Slinger
Release Date: February 13th, 2026
Genre: Emo, Second Wave Revival
RIYL: stella, First Day Back, The Ritornello Form
Favorite Song: “Rabbits Burrow”
About: Bay Area emo band Slinger impressed me greatly with this release. Although only 3 songs, “If I Could Tell Myself That, I’d Say It Everyday” manages to jam-pack its 11-minute runtime with enough skill and melodic earworms to warrant its place on this list. The guitar work is phenomenal, and the three songs will transport you to a warm summer day. This release is the slow car ride back from the beach, still sandy and smelling slightly like salt.
Links to Listen:
The Coming Strife: Dusk’s Cold Embrace – Various Artists
Release Date: February 28th, 2026
Genre: Metalcore
RIYL: Metalcore. Just the entire subgenre.
Favorite Song: “Moonlight Guides My Faith”
About: While not necessarily a single release from one band, this compilation from The Coming Strife Records is…insane to say the least. Boasting songs from 13 different bands (including familiar names such as Crowquill, xSERAPHx, and Four Winds Away) on the label, this is modern metalcore wrapped in a 48-minute bundle. Although all bands boast the same record label, the sonic variation on this release is impressive.
Links to Listen:
Shards of Shattered Memories – Hereswhereitallends
Release Date: March 16th, 2026
Genre: Metalcore, “Jamcore” as they like to call themselves
RIYL: Dance of the Seventh Crow, End This Day
Favorite Song: “One last goodbye”
About: This has been a long-awaited release for me after the band’s single “We Bare Bears” from last year. Let me say, this album was worth the wait. HWIAE is not afraid to play around with speed, guiding listeners from faster, technically impressive guitar sections to slower, chuggy breakdowns. They’re also not afraid of including samples or a tasteful ear-breaking 808, which I can respect. What is more obvious than the band’s passion for their work is how much fun went into making this album, as seen by the playful intro and breakdowns on a song like “Jamcore”. With this being the band’s first EP release, I’m very intrigued to see what’s next in the cards for Hereswhereitallends.
Links to Listen:
Demo – DeltaIndiaEcho
Release Date: March 24th, 2026
Genre: Whitebelt, Mathcore
RIYL: The Sawtooth Grin, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Tower of Rome
Favorite Song: “I Lost My Virginity on Abbey Road”
About: Can’t remember the first time I heard about this band, but I can say I’m glad I did. Although being their first and only release, and retaining a total time of 6 minutes 42 seconds, this demo packs a punch. DeltaIndiaEcho sprinkles a little bit of post hardcore, whitebelt, mathcore, and sasscore all across their 4 tracks. The variety in vocal performances, paired with the technically skilled guitar playing, places this band in the top 10 for me. It’s one of the more impressive first releases I’ve seen in a bit, and the band has a promising future ahead of them if they continue to experiment and refine their sound even more. Solid.
Links to Listen:
This Room Could Be Heaven. – concealer.
Release Date: March 31st, 2026
Genre: Metalcore
RIYL: withpaperwings, Norma Jean, Skycamefalling
Favorite Song: “Claymore”
About: Although the band is not new to the game, “This Room Could Be Heaven” is concealer.’s most polished work yet (and first full-length album). Considering the band is from Florida (a haven for new and old talent in metalcore), it’s no surprise this release has already made shockwaves. Concealer. hits it out of the park with Hill’s skillful and polished (yet raw) vocals front and center, harsh chugs, and striking guitar riffs. This is also the band’s first time incorporating lows into their sound, but you wouldn’t be able to guess it from a first listen. While speaking on this release, the band has said they wanted to “push the boundaries of what makes a metalcore album’. And push they did, including unconventional sounds such as doors, humming, kitchenware, and random everyday noises, which were then broken down through granular and spectral synthesis and hidden throughout the record. I love experimentation, I love variety in mood and energy, and I love powerful vocals. Therefore, I mark this as a must-listen of the year.
Links to Listen:
Self Titled – Parting Gift
Release Date: April 12th, 2026
Genre: Screamo
RIYL: Noragami, my stuffed rabbit, Arranged in April
Favorite Song: “Tear me apart”
About: So many great first releases from newer bands this year, and this is another one of them! I gave this release a listen the day it came out, and knew it was going to be a hit. Parting Gift balances both singsongy and screaming vocals very well, with some songs bringing me back to the peak of the more recent screamo revival. While taking some of their inspiration from 90s emo, they put their own spin on it, making it something new, not replicated. They also hail from the Bay, so they get extra points in my book for that.
Links to Listen:
That Time Unicorns Killed Everyone… – HiHungryImDad!
Release Date: April 15th, 2026
Genre: Mathcore
RIYL: Told Not To Worry, The Great Redneck Hope
Favorite Song: “Sensei, Am I A Whitebelt Yet?”
About: Breaking into the scene with this as their first release, HiHungryImDad! nails it with their piercing vocals, staticy guitars, and versatility. They sprinkle in some math, some sass, breakcore (surprisingly), and some metalcore throughout, making the short runtime worth every second. Their tasteful breakdowns and speedy rhythms may have you convinced that they are veterans. The cover art and intro song are what initially drew me in, but in the end, the whole album got me captivated. If you’re a fan of mathcore or even sasscore, this is a new release that should not fly under your radar.
Links to Listen:
Conclusions + Honorable Mentions
This year has been a good one for new music so far, as shown by those 10 top releases. However, there are many more amazing releases, so many that trying to cram them all into one article would be close to impossible. Here is a Topster with some of my other favorites to close us out. 🙂
