Album Reviews | Crucial Rhythm

Two hikers walk across a grassy hillside under a clear blue sky, with distant mountains and a calm, open landscape.

chandol - Mercurial

chandol has released his brand new album, Mercurial.

Samuel Stevens

1 day ago3 min read

Close-up of a woman's face with a tear and the word fine in gold on her cheek.

Julie Neff - fine.

Julie Neff will release her debut album, fine., on July 10, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

2 days ago4 min read

Blonde woman in a blue ruffled outfit lies on blue feathers; fashion cover reads Love Department by Seanna Pereira.

Seanna Pereira - Love Department EP

Seanna Pereira is set to release her debut EP, Love Department, on July 10, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

2 days ago3 min read

Person curled up on a wooden bench in a warm-toned room, sitting quietly and looking pensive.

Coco Smith - You Won't Get My Message but You'll Hear It

Coco Smith is back with her latest album, You Won't Get My Message but You'll Hear It, out July 10, 2026, via VHS Records.

Samuel Stevens

5 days ago3 min read

Glowing blue-purple swallowtail butterfly on dark background, with small text reading the green swallowtail.

she's green - swallowtail EP

Shoegaze outfit she's green are back with their third EP, swallowtail, out on July 10, 2026, via Photo Finish Records.

Samuel Stevens

5 days ago3 min read

Dark, moody scene of a huge concrete structure overgrown with vines, surrounded by rocks, plants, and shallow water.

The Plot In You - The Plot In You

The Plot In You is back with their self-titled sixth album, out July 10, 2026, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

6 days ago3 min read

Two mirrored nude female figures, silver on black and black on white, with MIKSO text centered.

MISSIO - Love & Heartbreak

MISSIO have released their sixth studio album, Love & Heartbreak.

Samuel Stevens

Jul 33 min read

Five musicians pose on a red-lit stage with guitars; FAI LACI and ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM text on the cover.

Fai Laci - Elephant In The Room

Fai Laci have released their debut album, Elephant In The Room, on June 26, 2026, via Easy Eye Sound.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 264 min read

Tattoed man in black poses against a dark photo collage wall with THE GALLERY text, moody and introspective.

Sasha Allen - The Gallery

Sasha Allen is set to release his debut album, The Gallery, on June 26, 2026, via AWAL.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 254 min read

Grainy black-and-white silhouette of a person in darkness with HEAVEN SENT ME text centered.

Alan Vuong - HEAVEN SENT ME EP

Alan Vuong is back with his latest EP, HEAVEN SENT ME, out June 26, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 254 min read

Sincere Engineer - Probable Claws

Sincere Engineer are back with their latest record, Probable Claws, out June 26, 2026, via Hopeless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 244 min read

Girl sits alone on a chair facing a cross on a bare wall in a dark room, with DEAR GOD text below.

The Pretty Reckless - Dear God

The Pretty Reckless are back with their latest offering, Dear God, out June 26, 2026, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 244 min read

Lindsay Schoolcraft album art shows a crowned woman in a pale dress with dark wings on a peach background.

Lindsay Schoolcraft - Harrowing

Lindsay Schoolcraft is back with her latest album, Harrowing, out June 19, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 163 min read

Person in a shiny black leather jacket covers his face with both hands against a plain white background, in a dramatic pose.

Des Rocs - To Hell and Back

New York City rock 'n' roll artist Des Rocs is back with To Hell and Back, his third studio album, set for release on June 12, 2026, via Sumerian Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 113 min read

Woman in a forest wrapped in a patterned blanket, looking up; text reads ISKWĒW with Cree symbols above.

LOV - iskwêw (ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ)

Indigenous singer-songwriter LOV will self-release her debut album, iskwêw, on June 12, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 104 min read

Dark abstract forest with a lone tree glowing red-orange on a hill, long shadow, and SLEEPING WITH SIRENS text at bottom right

Sleeping With Sirens - An Ending In Itself

Sleeping With Sirens are back with their eighth studio album, An Ending In Itself, out June 12, 2026, via Rise Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 103 min read

Album cover with a woman sitting in a dim room, titled Wandering Star by Haylie Davis.

Haylie Davis - Wandering Star

Singer-songwriter Haylie Davis will release her debut album, Wandering Star, on June 5, 2026, via Fire Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 43 min read

August Burns Red - Season of Surrender

Pennsylvania metalcore outfit August Burns Red returns with their eleventh studio album, Seasons of Surrender, out June 5, 2026, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 33 min read

Smiling young girl in white dress hugged from behind by an adult woman outdoors.

Satya - Yellow House

Singer-songwriter Satya delivers her debut album, Yellow House, on June 5, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 24 min read

SAINT AGNES: woman in white shirt and black tie, black gloves, red wing, blue-gray background.

Saint Agnes - Your God Fearing Days Are About To Begin

Saint Agnes will release their sophomore album, Your God Fearing Days Are About To Begin, on May 29, 2026, via Spinefarm Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 273 min read

Four people pose in red lighting, blurred by motion, against a dark red background.

Marmozets - CO.WAR.DICE.

After seven years, Marmozets return with their third record, CO.WAR.DICE., via Nettwerk on May 22, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

May 183 min read

Woman in a white dress stands in a sunlit field, arms outstretched. Text: "The Wild West Brettyn Rose" above. Calm and serene mood.

Brettyn Rose - The Wild West EP

Rising Canadian country artist Brettyn Rose has readied her debut EP, The Wild West, which is out now.

Samuel Stevens

May 83 min read

A dark figure with a flaming sword stands over a person on an altar in a dim, ominous setting. Text: "BLACK VEIL BRIDES" and "VINDICATE".

Black Veil Brides - Vindicate

Black Veil Brides are back with a brand new album, Vindicate, out May 8, 2026, via Spinefarm Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 73 min read

Person in a dimly lit, monochrome room lies dramatically on a concrete bench. Ceiling lights cast geometric shadows, creating a surreal mood.

Sace6 - brutalist

Sace6 will release their debut album, brutalist, on May 8, 2026, via Sumerian Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 52 min read

Frozen Soul - No Place of Warmth

Frozen Soul are back with their latest record, No Place of Warmth, out May 8, 2026, via Century Media Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 44 min read

Monochrome scene with a joyful crowd. Person with raised arms. "Young the Giant" and "Victory Garden" in colorful, bold text above.

Young the Giant - Victory Garden

Young the Giant will release their sixth studio album, Victory Garden, on May 1, 2026, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 303 min read

A woman in a black top and blue jeans sits on a checkered floor in front of a jukebox. Text above reads "Honky Tonk PHD."

Krislyn Arthurs - Honky Tonk PhD

Country singer-songwriter Krislyn Arthurs will release her debut album, Honky Tonk PhD, on April 24, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 223 min read

Stylized bird with vivid red and orange crest, colorful body, and a small human figure inside. Black background adds contrast. Mysterious mood.

YONAH - Bird of Miracles

Indie rocker YONAH will release his debut album, Bird of Miracles, on April 24, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 212 min read

Close-up of a smiling person with hands near their mouth against a red background. Text reads "UNADULTERATED" and "AN ALBUM BY ROMAN CANDLE."

Roman Candle - Unadulterated

Hardcore outfit Roman Candle have readied their debut album, Unadulterated, for release on April 24, 2026, via Sumerian Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 213 min read

A skeletal figure with a scythe looms over a crowd, UFOs beam people up. Text reads "The end is not the end" amidst flames and chaos.

Atreyu - The End is Not the End

Atreyu are back with their tenth studio album, The End is Not the End, out April 24, 2026, via Spinefarm Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 203 min read

A girl sits on a bed with pink curtains, holding a star pillow. Text reads: "god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!" Stars surround her.

LØLØ - god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!

LØLØ is back with her sophomore album, god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!, which is out now.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 192 min read

Black and pink text on a black background reads "BLACKPINK" at the top and "DEADLINE" at the bottom, separated by a thin pink line.

BLACKPINK - Deadline

BLACKPINK have released their latest EP, Deadline.

Chelsea Stevens

Apr 182 min read

A rainbow-colored corridor with red columns and a black-and-white checkered floor leads to a white dome structure, set against a dark background.

ISTA - In Sound To All

Psych rock outfit ISTA are back with their sophomore album, In Sound To All, out April 17, 2026.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 163 min read

Stylized figures in eerie clothing stand with creepy expressions. Background is dark with purple text: "The Dead Ends." Mood is unsettling.

The Last Ten Seconds of Life - The Dead Ones

Deathcore band The Last Ten Seconds of Life are back with their eighth album, The Dead Ones, on April 17, 2026, via Metal Blade Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 143 min read

Close-up of dark, textured reptile skin pattern, possibly a crocodile, with a mysterious and rugged mood. Background is blurred.

Wage War - It Calls Me By Name EP

Florida metalcore outfit Wage War are back with a heavy-hitter EP, It Calls Me By Name, out April 17, 2026, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 133 min read

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