Album Reviews | Crucial Rhythm

World's First Cinema - Something of Wonder

World's First Cinema are back with their debut album, Something on Wonder, out July 11, 2025, via Fearless Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jul 73 min read

A blue gargoyle on a throne above a skeleton in a fiery, ruined landscape. Text: "PRISONER" at top, "Kill The King" at bottom. Dark, ominous mood.

Prisoner - Kill The King

Canada's Prisoner have released their second album, Kill The King, which was released on June 20, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 303 min read

Pleasure Pill plays guitars outdoors near a house, with one person standing apart. Clear blue sky. The text "pleasure pill" is visible.

Pleasure Pill - Hang A Star

Indie rock band Pleasure Pill have readied their debut album, Hang a Star, for release on June 27, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 263 min read

A hand with rings touches tarot cards around a central ornate card with a red "7." The background is dark and smoky, creating a mystical mood.

Deadlands - Seven EP

Metalcore duo Deadlands are back with their latest EP, Seven, out June 27, 2025, via Spinefarm Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 253 min read

Grim reaper with red eyes holding a scythe, looming over an armored figure. Text: "PIG PEN" and "MENTAL MADNESS" in bold red. Dark background.

Pig Pen - Mental Madness

Canadian hardcore supergroup Pig Pen have readied their debut album, Mental Madness, out June 27, 2025, via Flatspot Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 242 min read

Drawing of a castle with red paint splatters, set on rocky terrain. Surrounded by black border with text: "Freeze the Fall" and "The Red Garden."

Freeze The Fall - The Red Garden EP

Kelowna-based rock band Freeze The Fall return with their sophomore EP, The Red Garden, out June 18, 2025, via 604 Records.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 172 min read

Robin Cisek with blonde hair poses energetically against a shattered glass backdrop. Text reads "Tempered - Robin Cisek" in bold, metallic font.

Robin Cisek - Tempered EP

Edmonton-based Métis singer-songwriter Robin Cisek is back with her sophomore EP, Tempered, out now.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 112 min read

Olivia Lunny in a black dress lies on a patterned black-and-white tile floor. Her long hair is spread out, creating a relaxed and artistic mood.

Olivia Lunny - VELVET & DENIM

Manitoba’s very own Olivia Lunny has returned with her latest offering, VELVET & DEMIM, out now.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 103 min read

Three people in white outfits hold boomboxes. One wears a robot helmet and holds a sign: "GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ARTIST, PLEASE SPARE SOME CHANGE."

The Messenger Birds - GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ALBUM IT'S ALL A BLUR

The Messenger Birds will release their new EP, GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ALBUM IT'S ALL A BLUR, on June 13, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 92 min read

A person lies on a staircase in a dimly lit green-tinted setting. Large white text reads "A DOOR LEFT OPEN," creating a mysterious mood.

Orthodox - A Door Left Open

Orthodox have returned with their fifth album, A Door Left Open, out June 6, 2025, via Century Media.

Samuel Stevens

Jun 33 min read

Surreal creature with cosmic symbols and eye above, surrounded by golden light. Text: "Rivers of Nihil" on ornate black border. Mystical mood.

Rivers of Nihil - Self-Titled

Rivers of Nihil are back with their self-titled album, out May 30, 2025, via Metal Blade Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 293 min read

Collage of puddles and raindrops on pavement, a colorful fountain, and an overcast urban street. Water reflections create a calm mood.

Illuminati Hotties - NICKEL ON THE FOUNTAIN FLOOR EP

Illuminati Hotties is back with their latest EP, NICKEL ON THE FOUNTAIN FLOOR, out May 30, 2025, via Hopeless Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 283 min read

Alicia Moffet with long brown hair and bangs stares intensely against a blue background. Her expression is serious, with bold makeup tones.

Alicia Moffet - No, I'm Not Crying

Alicia Moffet has returned with her third studio album, No, I'm Not Crying, out May 30, 2025, via Cult Nation/Sony Music.

Samuel Stevens

May 283 min read

Sophia Warren in a leather jacket leans against a textured wall in a purple-lit room. "Sophia Warren Adesso" text is visible, mood is moody.

Sophia Warren - Adesso EP

Sophia Warren is back with her sophomore EP, Adesso, out May 30, 2025, via Tigris 33/UMG.

Samuel Stevens

May 272 min read

A person hanging upside down by the feet in a wooded area, wearing a green top and denim shorts. The words "Pressure" and "Julia Wolf" appear.

Julia Wolf - PRESSURE

Julia Wolf returns with her sophomore album, PRESSURE, out now via girls in purgatory and AWAL.

Samuel Stevens

May 253 min read

Mistine with a guitar stands against a dusky sky, silhouetted by trees and palm silhouettes, conveying a serene, contemplative mood.

Mistine - i guess this is where we're at

Singer-songwriter Mistine is releasing her debut album, i guess this is where we're at, on May 23, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

May 222 min read

Collage of musicians practicing in a studio, playing drums and guitars. Warm lighting, casual setting. Text: "OLD NEON RESOLUTION".

Old Neon - Resolution EP

Old Neon are back with a new EP, Resolution, out May 23, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

May 202 min read

FRANK with short hair in deep shadows gazes upward. The dark setting creates a mysterious and introspective mood.

FRANK - My Darkness Is Not Pitch Black EP

Indianapolis-based artist FRANK has entered the scene with her bold debut EP, My Darkeness Is Not Pitch Black, out now via Absorb.

Samuel Stevens

May 193 min read

Futuristic sculpture in a desert landscape under a bright blue sky with the moon. Colorful flowers in the foreground add vibrancy.

Arrows In Action - I Think I've Been Here Before (Side A)

Arrows In Action have released the first half of their two-part album, I Think I've Been Here Before, out now via Nettwerk Music Group.

Samuel Stevens

May 163 min read

Two people in reflective vests run through a field at night, with a bright comet in the sky. Text reads: I Don't Want to See You in Heaven.

The Callous Daoboys - I Don't Want to See You in Heaven

The Callous Daoboys are back with their third studio album, I Don't Want to See You in Heaven, out May 16, 2025, via MNRK Heavy.

Samuel Stevens

May 153 min read

Maddie Regent in a blue dress sits on a pink bed outdoors, holding a pink rotary phone. Text reads "On the phone with my mom."

Maddie Regent - On The Phone With My Mom

Maddie Regent has readied her debut album, On The Phone With My Mom, out May 16, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

May 143 min read

White leaves and fruit in a cyanotype style on blue background. Text reads "farmer's wife" and "faint illusion." Dreamy, ethereal mood.

Farmer's Wife - Faint Illusions EP

Farmer's Wife is back with their latest EP, Faint Illusions, out May 15, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

May 132 min read

Four glowing abstract forms resembling flowers with radiant stems on a dark background, creating a mysterious and ethereal mood.

Theo Bleak - Bad Luck Is Two Yellow Flowers EP

Theo Bleak is back with her latest EP, Bad Luck Is Two Yellow Flowers, out May 15, 2025, via Polymoon Music.

Samuel Stevens

May 122 min read

Sam MacPherson - American Dream Trajectory

Sam McPherson is back with his sophomore album, American Dream Trajectory, out now.

Samuel Stevens

May 102 min read

Sleep Token - Even In Arcadia

Sleep Token has returned with their much-anticipated fourth album, Even In Arcadia, out May 9, 2025, via RCA Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 94 min read

Harrison Lipton in sunglasses stands with a dog in front of a white and green RV. They're wearing a light outfit and brown boots. Calm setting.

Harrison Lipton - Between Us There Runs a Tether

Soft-rock artist Harrison Lipton is back with his sophomore record, Between Us There Runs a Tether, out May 7, 2025, via AMUSE.

Samuel Stevens

May 63 min read

Surreal art: A child stands on a horse, hands reach for a floating baby. Orange and pink tones with abstract patterns and calm mood.

Shunkan - Kamikaze Girl

Shunkan has returned with, Kamikaze Girl, their first album in five years, set to be released on May 6, 2025, via Rite Field Records.

Samuel Stevens

May 53 min read

Lights with white hair stands by a large billboard displaying "A6" and a face. The setting is an open field at night, with a moody tone.

Lights - A6

Lights is back with her sixth album, A6, out May 2, 2025, via Virgin Music.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 303 min read

Demonic skull with cityscape and fiery tones, featuring a baby and text reading "Back From Hell." Dark, intense atmosphere.

Caliban - Back From Hell

Metalcore titans Caliban are back with their thirteenth album, Back From Hell, out April 25, 2025, via Century Media Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 243 min read

Rusty horseshoes form a pile on a purple background. "Heart Attack Man" and "Joyride the Pale Horse" appear in orange graffiti-style text.

Heart Attack Man - Joyride The Pale Horse

Heart Attack Man are back with their fourth studio album, Joyride The Pale Horse, set for release on April 25, 2025, via Many Hats Distribution.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 243 min read

Stephen Stanley stands in darkness, head wrapped in a cloth that is on fire, creating a mysterious and intense atmosphere.

Stephen Stanley - trustfall

Rising singer-songwriter Stephen Stanley is back with his second full-length album, trustfall, out April 25, 2025, via Capitol CMG.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 222 min read

Abstract purple-toned art of a face surrounded by hands, suggesting distress. Text above reads "Face Yourself" and "Martyr." Dark, intense mood.

Face Yourself - Martyr EP

Transcontinental deathcore collective Face Yourself are back with their latest EP, Martyr, out April 18, 2025, via Sumerian Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 163 min read

Sawyer Hill with long hair in shadowy lighting, wearing a dark jacket over a light shirt. Moody atmosphere with brown tints in the background.

Sawyer Hill - Heartbreak Hysteria EP

Sawyer Hill is back with his latest EP, Heartbreak Hysteria, via AWAL, out April 18, 2025.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 153 min read

Comic-style cover art with fierce-looking characters in dynamic poses. Explosions in background, bold text "ANIMETAL" at the bottom. Energetic vibe.

Within Destruction - ANIMETAL

Within Destruction are back with their sixth studio album, ANIMETAL, out April 11, 2025, via Sumerian Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 102 min read

Trousdale in vibrant outfits sit on a couch, appearing relaxed. Blurred foreground, windowed background. Text reads "TROUSDALE".

Trousdale - Growing Pains

Trousdale are back with their sophomore album, Growing Pains, out April 11, 2025, via Zula Records.

Samuel Stevens

Apr 103 min read

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