Johnny Minardi's genre-blurring project continues to resist easy categorization, and Kinda Hard leans into that restless energy. Mixing pop-punk immediacy with hip-hop production and emo confessional energy, bilmuri delivers hooks that stick and production that surprises. The whole thing moves fast, with barely a track that overstays its welcome. An artist finding his confidence and having a blast doing it.

The Lincolnshire singer-songwriter's debut full-length arrives with real anticipation behind it, and she largely delivers. Humberstone writes with a cinematic specificity about anxiety, disconnection, and the specific loneliness of being young and overwhelmed, and her production choices match the emotional texture of the songs. It's not an easy listen, but it is a compelling and emotionally generous one.

Originally a tour-only limited pressing from the bands' 2025 co-headline run, this expanded eight-song version gets a proper Ipecac release with two new tracks and fresh Mackie Osborne artwork. It's a genuine collaboration, not a split, both bands writing and playing together throughout. The result leans toward Melvins' sludge sensibility, with Barney Greenway's vocals adding a grindcore ferocity that makes the whole thing wonderfully unhinged.

The Phoenix indie-rock veterans have spent over a decade building a devoted fanbase through sheer prolificacy and creative honesty, and Joy Next Door is one of their most polished efforts. The album balances big-hearted melodies against more introspective lyrics, finding the band in confident creative form. Anthemic but never slick, this is exactly what The Maine do best when they're firing on all cylinders.