Plenty of great records were released in April, so here are our favorite albums of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!
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The Aces – When My Heart Felt Volcanic
The vibrant, shimmery indie pop rock of The Aces’ When My Heart Felt Volcanic is captivating and undeniably fun. This debut full-length is characterized by ’80s-influenced guitar timbre and catchy songwriting, blending the ever-present throwback elements with fresh, modern-day production. Standout tracks include “Just Like That,” “Strong Enough,” “Last One,” and “Lovin’ Is Bible.” When My Heart Felt Volcanic will appeal to fans of Paramore’s After Laughter, Fickle Friends, and Scavenger Hunt. Click here to listen.
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The Wonder Years – Sister Cities
The emo-tinged alt-rock outfit The Wonder Years has unleashed their sixth studio album titled Sister Cities. Sister Cities offers the six-piece’s trademark brand of poignant lyricism and hard-hitting musicality, continuing to efficiently blur the lines of alt-rock, emo, and their pop punk roots. Standout tracks include “Sister Cities,” “Pyramids of Salt,” and “Raining in Kyoto.” Sister Cities is sure to satisfy followers of Moose Blood, Citizen, and A Will Away. Click here to listen.
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Varsity – Parallel Person
The sophomore album Parallel Person by Varsity finds its strength and uniqueness in tasteful simplicity, characterized by entrancing compositions, daydreamy vocal performances, and catchy melodies. It’s perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Standout tracks include “A Friend Named Paul,” “Must Be Nice,” “Gordi, You’re a Saint,” and “Krissy.” Parallel Person is sure to attract listeners of Camp Cope, Queen Moo, and Wavelight. Click here to listen.
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nothing,nowhere. – ruiner
nothing,nowhere. recrudesces on ruiner with their signature emo acoustic sound mixed with hip-hop elements to craft a record that is catchy, heartfelt, and endlessly replayable. From the plucky guitar melodies of the opener to the howling vocals of the closer, this album is sure to twist your heart and is well-deserving of repeated listens. Standout tracks include “hammer,” “waster,” “sayer,” and “reminiscer.” ruiner will appeal to followers of Jeremy Zucker, Chase Atlantic, and EDEN. Click here to listen.
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Charmer – Charmer
Charmer’s debut full-length, out via No Sleep Records, is moody and emotional through upbeat anthems and downtrodden slow burns. The intricate guitar melodies, boisterous percussion, and layered vocals intertwine with heartrending lyrics to make this self-titled release truly impressive. Standout tracks include “Floral,” “Bummer Summer,” “Nurse Joy,” and “Topanga Lawrence.” Charmer will attract fans of Kayak Jones, Hot Mulligan, and Dryjacket. Click here to listen.
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Underoath – Erase Me
After signing on with Fearless Records, Underoath unleashed their eighth studio record Erase Me, their first album in nearly eight years. Erase Me is characterized by heavy-hitting vocal performances, clamorous drumming, and soaring guitar refrains that assure fans the band still has it in them. Standout tracks include “Rapture,” “It Has to Start Somewhere,“ and “On My Teeth.” Erase Me will capture fans of blessthefall, The Devil Wears Prada, and Silverstein. Click here to listen.
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Hinds – I Don’t Run
The fabulous new album I Don’t Run by Hinds will be running through your mind non-stop. With sweet vocal harmonies, fuzzy distortion, and rollicking guitars, I Don’t Run is an unforgettable slice of garage pop and kickass girl power. Standout tracks include “New For You,” “The Club,” “Echoing My Name,” and “I Feel Cold But I Feel More.” I Don’t Run is sure to satisfy followers of The Big Moon, Snail Mail, and Alvvays. Click here to listen.
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Settle Your Scores – Better Luck Tomorrow
The new Settle Your Scores record Better Luck Tomorrow, aptly released on Friday the 13th, is vivacious and exciting pop punk you don’t wanna miss. Better Luck Tomorrow is defined by its classic pop punk composition and spirited energy. Standout tracks include “Zero Hour,” “Keep Your Chin Up and Your Expectations Down,” and “No Ragrets.” Better Luck Tomorrow will interest listeners of WSTR, Homebound, and Sleep On It. Click here to listen.
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Fiddlehead – Springtime and Blind
There’s a particular rawness and intensity delivered on Fiddlehead’s latest record Springtime and Blind. Springtime and Blind offers up shredded guitar themes and plenty of memorable hooks but also stripped-down, more emotional moments. Standout tracks include “Poem You,” “Spousal Loss,“ “USMA,” and “Lay Low.” Springtime and Blind will appeal to fans of Superheaven, Transit, and Narrow Head. Click here to listen.
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Heavy Things – Glimpse
MORE GREAT ALBUMS
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niiice. – Try to Stay Positive
Standout tracks include “RVR WTR,” “Scared of the Dark,” and “Ef U, Pay Me.” Try to Stay Positive is for fans of Gramma, Inconsistent, and Unturned. Click here to listen.
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Kississippi – Sunset Blush
The colorful new album Sunset Blush from Kississippi is an undeniable triumph through its stunning guitar work and emotional lyricism. Standout tracks include “Cut Yr Teeth,” “Mirror Kisser,” and “Lash to Lash.” Sunset Blush is for fans of Ratboys, Great Grandpa, and Remember Sports. Click here to listen.
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Pennywise – Never Gonna Die
Standout tracks include “Live While You Can,” “Never Gonna Die,” and “Won’t Give Up the Fight.” Never Gonna Die is for fans of NOFX, Bad Religion, and Rancid. Click here to listen.
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Dr. Dog – Critical Equation
Standout tracks include “Go Out Fighting,” “Listening In,” and “Heart Killer.” Critical Equation is for fans of Fruit Bats, Dawes, and Cotton Jones. Click here to listen.
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Hawthorne Heights – Bad Frequencies
Standout tracks include “Just Another Ghost,” “Pink Hearts,” and “The Suicide Mile.” Bad Frequencies is for fans of Senses Fail, The Used, and Taking Back Sunday. Click here to listen.
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DMA’S – For Now
Standout tracks include “In the Air,” “For Now,” and “Break Me.” For Now is for fans of Gang of Youths, Methyl Ethel, and Kingswood. Click here to listen.
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Giraffes? Giraffes! – Memory Lame
Standout tracks include “Hug of Death,” “Heretical Doses,“ and “Putzing Around the Underworld AKA The Loser’s Journey.” Memory Lame is for fans of Three Trapped Tigers, LITE, and Sleeping People. Click here to listen.
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Eels – The Deconstruction
Standout tracks include “The Deconstruction,” “Today Is the Day,” and “You Are the Shining Light.” The Deconstruction is for fans of Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, and Calexico. Click here to listen.
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Cold Fronts – Fantasy du jour
Standout tracks include “Aftermath,” “Stayin’ In,” and “Trying Not to Break.” Fantasy du jour is for fans of Surf Dads, WATERS, and Team Spirit. Click here to listen.
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Animal Flag – Void Ripper
Standout tracks include “Lord of Pain,” “Void Ripper,” and “Why.” Void Ripper is for fans of Sinai Vessel, Runaway Brother, and Slaughter Beach, Dog. Click here to listen.
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Hey Ocean! – The Hurt of Happiness
Standout tracks include “Sleepwalker,” “Amsterdam,” and “The Hurt of Happiness.” The Hurt of Happiness is for fans of Said the Whale, Mother Mother, and Arkells. Click here to listen.
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food
Standout tracks include “Hunnybee,” “Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays,” and “American Guilt.” Sex & Food is for fans of Deerhunter, Foxygen, and Tame Impala. Click here to listen.
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Dusted – Blackout Summer
Standout tracks include “All I Am,” “Dead Eyes,” and “Seasons.” Blackout Summer is for fans of Eternal Summers, Nap Eyes, and Preoccupations. Click here to listen.
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The Brummies – Eternal Reach
Standout tracks include “Drive Away (ft. Kacey Musgraves),” “Takes Some Time,” and “Set You Free.” Eternal Reach is for fans of Blank Range, Arlie, and Yoke Lore. Click here to listen.
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Laura Veirs – The Lookout
Standout tracks include “Everybody Needs You,” “Margaret Sands,” and “The Canyon.” The Lookout is for fans of Neko Case, Laura Gibson, and Julie Byrne. Click here to listen.
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Grouper – Grid of Points
Standout tracks include “Driving,” “Parking Lot,” and “Breathing.” Grid of Points is for fans of Mount Eerie, Julianna Barwick, and Forest Swords. Click here to listen.
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From Ashes to New – The Future
Standout tracks include “Broken,” “Crazy,” and “My Name.” The Future is for fans of Linkin Park, Cane Hill, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Click here to listen.
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Lume – Wrung Out
Standout tracks include “Unending,” “Loss Leader,” and “Shudder.” Wrung Out is for fans of Teenage Wrist, Cloakroom, and Gleemer. Click here to listen.
Extended Plays
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Tango Moms – Views Of
Tango Moms just released their exciting and catchy new indie rock EP titled Views Of. Standout tracks include “Relief“ and “Sweet Talk.” Views Of is for fans of The Noise FM, Pacific Radio, and The Technicolors. Click here to listen.
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Hemingway – Enjoy Your Life
With raucous distortion and poignant lyricism, the new EP Enjoy Your Life from Hemingway is sure to interest any alt-rock, emo, and indie punk fan. Standout tracks include “Dream” and “Spoon.” Enjoy Your Life is for fans of Retirement Party, Who Loves You, and Charmer. Click here to listen.
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My Sister’s Fugazi Shirt – Double Date
Standout tracks include “Finding Old Recordings of Ghost Hunting on My Laptop at 1 AM” and “The Part In the ‘Such Great Heights’ Music Video Where They Turn Up the Emo Knob.” Double Date is for fans of Coffee Eyes, Worst Party Ever, and Casey Bolles. Click here to listen.
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Triple Sundae – Peace of Mind
Standout tracks include “Indecisive” and “Fabricated.” Peace of Mind is for fans of Fast Fade, The Burnt Tapes, and Our Lives In Cinema. Click here to listen.
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The Weekend Classic – Better Health
The spectacular new Better Health EP by The Weekend Classic is filled to the brim with energy, angst, and emotion. Standout tracks include “Mutual Interest“ and “Bleed.” Better Health is for fans of Gold Route, Bedroom Talk, and Hold Close. Click here to listen.
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Mainland – Villains
Standout tracks include “Villains” and “Rituals.” Villains is for fans of DREAMERS, WATERS, and Junior Prom. Click here to listen.
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Alice Merton – No Roots
The energetic, playful new No Roots EP by Alice Merton will have you chanting along to every chorus. Standout tracks include “No Roots” and “Hit the Ground Running.” No Roots is for fans of Florence + the Machine, Lena, and Ofenbach. Click here to listen.
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Wallows – Spring
Standout tracks include “Let the Sun In” and “These Days.” Spring is for fans of Declan McKenna, Hippo Campus, and Beach Weather. Click here to listen.
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Forts Like Vana – This + This = That
Standout tracks include “Love You Right” and “Again.” This + This = That is for fans of Mainland, Waterparks, and Vesperteen. Click here to listen.
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Fully Involved – Insulince
Standout tracks include “Tend to You“ and “At Least You Have Your Health.” Insulince is for fans of Who Loves You, Retirement Party, and Nervous Dater. Click here to listen.
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Geographer – Alone Time
Standout tracks include “So Low” and “Read My Mind.” Alone Time is for fans of JR JR, CRUISR, and Tanlines. Click here to listen.
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Cave People – Kingfisher
Standout tracks include “Wait” and “Try.” Kingfisher is for fans of Three Man Cannon, No Thank You, and Cherry. Click here to listen.
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Haley Blais – Let Yourself Go
Standout tracks include “Remove Tag” and “Small Foreign Faction.” Let Yourself Go is for fans of Ella Grace, dodie, and Rusty Clanton. Click here to listen.
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Destroy Boys – Crybaby/Vixen
Standout tracks include ……… “Crybaby” and “Vixen.” Crybaby/Vixen is for fans of No Parents, The Soaks, and Junkie. Click here to listen. (Guess this is more of a single, oops, lol)
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Magic Giant – In the Wind Acoustic
Acoustic renditions of songs from Magic Giant’s 2017 album In the Wind. Standout tracks include “Set on Fire” and “Hideaway.” In the Wind Acoustic is for fans of The Mowglis, Grouplove, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Click here to listen.
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Knuckle Puck – Shifted
Acoustic renditions of songs from Knuckle Puck’s 2017 album Shapeshifter. Standout tracks include “Conduit” and “Gone.” Shifted is for fans of Like Pacific, Homesafe, and The Story So Far. Click here to listen.
Featured Singles
- “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer
- “Torn Apart” by Of Virtue
- “Mewn Darnau” / “Halen” by Breichiau Hir
- “Sky Full of Song” by Florence + the Machine
- “Threat” by Wrong Turn Again
- “I’m Okay” by Honest Men
- “Cool Kid” by Beside the Bridge
- “About You Now” by A Summer High
Let us know what you think of April’s releases down in the comments below!
Our Alt Col Picks are curated lists of the best albums and EPs for each month! We keep a schedule of upcoming releases and pick our favorite ones at the end of the month, giving them a spotlight here and on Twitter. To be featured in one of our lists, hit us up on our contact page or Twitter, though nothing is guaranteed. (We rarely make exceptions to include past releases, so if your album came out in June, we might be hesitant to include it in July or August, for instance.)
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