I swear, each month it becomes harder and harder to rank the top five newly released albums and singles. October has had to be the hardest to comb through, with several artists releasing banger after banger and bop after bop. Alas, after many hours and too many in-depth self debates, I was able to round up my favorites for October.
ALBUMS
1. Thrive - Cassadee Pope
Every now and then comes an album that hits you hard when you need it the most. An album that thoroughly heals you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. An album full of tracks that speak the words you want to say. It has been a hot minute since an album has impacted me the way Cassadee Pope's latest solo release has made me feel. Cassadee Pope perfectly blends in some Hey Monday nostalgia along with a country-rock twist that her solo career is known for. Pop-punk and country have never sounded so smooth together, creating a sound that is nearly as legendary as Dolly Parton. Every single listen-through feels like the very first listen, when I was walking home from work with my headphones at max volume, nearly in tears and a smile plastered on my face. The way I felt listening to Thrive is the way I want to live every day of my life, and for that, the title definitely well suits the album.
2. Manic - Wage War
Before I even had the chance to listen to Manic I had so many people bombard me asking if I listened to the new Wage War album. Immediately I realized why-- because it absolutely SLAPS! There is zero doubt that Manic is the best album to come from Wage War yet. Within the first 30 seconds, I was hooked, dropping everything for the next 36 minutes so I could just soak in all the euphoria this album creates. Composed of catchy choruses, moving melodies, banging breakdowns, riveting riffs, and bomb bass lines; I just can't get enough! An album that has not one skippable track and an instant source of inner peace.
3. The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood - Ice Nine Kills
Once again, Ice Nine Kills have slashed their way into my metalcore heart. Two things about me: I love metal and I love everything horror. This seems to be common amongst the metalcore scene, and Ice Nine Kills have been using this to their advantage, creating captivating music based on classic and cult favorite horror movies. It truly is no wonder a sequel to the first The Silver Scream was in such high demand. The only thing better than the tracks that make Welcome to Horrorwood is the marketing that was put into such a horrifyingly addicting album. Everything from the lyrics to the rhythm to the way it was marketed was an absolute work of art. In fact, I can't think of any album in the past ten years that has been marketed as well as The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood. The only question remaining: What will Ice Nine Kills slay next?
PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING
4. Horizons - Starset
When it comes to concept albums, you can always count on Starset to deliver. Horizons is the next chapter in Starset's story, and the talent this band has goes far beyond the horizon. It is so easy to follow this band wherever, for they have us sonically in a trance like the pied piper-- only we will follow willingly. There is no hesitation to listen to the in-depth storytelling when it is well told not just lyrically, but instrumentally. I would argue that lyrics are not even needed to get a grasp on the bangin' plot. I mean, sure, well-written lyrics help us follow along, but the melody is what takes us home on this album. Melodic to the core and had me craving for the next release. The story must continue, but for now, I am happy to reread and relisten to Horizons.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING
5. Halloween Mixtape - Magnolia Park
The last time a debut album has moved me as much as Halloween Mixtape was 2015, with As It Is's debut album Never Happy Ever After. Why do I mention this? Well, Never Happy Ever After is still one of my top albums six years later and As It Is are within my top 5 bands of all time. When I listened to Halloween Mixtape, excitement tingled through my nerves and coursed through my veins. I felt a rush of euphoria that was followed by a strong hunch that Magnolia Park will be a name I will be obsessed with for a long, long time. In 20 years or so it is quite possible you will find me jamming Halloween Mixtape, living in nostalgia and feeling absolutely blessed that I was able to listen to it on repeat. This album is not just for October, but all year round, complete with chilling pop-punk riffs-- the riffs that dreams are made of. Starting an album with a track titled "The End" is a bold move, yet Halloween Mixtape proves that the end may only just be the beginning. If this is the direction pop-punk is going, then I think everything will be alright-- just as Motion City Soundtrack promised.
SINGLES
1. "Skeleton" - Set It Off
I have been patiently waiting for the next Set It Off era ever since Cody Carson (vocalist) made vague tweets stating how excited he was about his latest lyrics, so when "Skeleton" finally dropped I was absolutely stoked. "Skeleton" was very much worth the wait, offering some of the best vocals, lyrics, and melodies heard to date. Transitioning to a neon orchestral-pop rock era, Set It Off is becoming everything that I ever wanted out of Cobra Starship-- and I am a self-proclaimed Cobra Starship Apologist. Banger of a bop is an understatement, for this hit single has cracked my ribs and made me whole. Literally, the rhythm is breathing air into my lungs, as I sing the lyrics out loud. I have a very strong hunch that this new era will be my skeleton.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING
2. "27 Club" - Trophy Eyes
"Some of my friends sell drugs, but I just sell sad songs for the ones who feel alone. You can count on me when it all goes wrong." Trophy Eyes did not need to apologize for putting our money up their noses, for they can do whatever they want with my money if it means to continue creating absolute bloody bangers. If there is anything we can count on it is for Trophy Eyes to produce quality music and after a brief hiatus, the band is back once again to rock our world. It almost felt as if a hiatus never happened, for at first listen "27 Club" filled the gap. It takes a lot for me to cry to music, but this song had me bawling-- with happiness that is. Instantly I was thrown in for an adrenaline rush, imagining how cool it would be to mosh to this song. It was a given that "27 Club" was going to make this list from the amp feedback at the beginning, yet I was unprepared for how obsessed I would be with this comeback.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING
3. "Change" - Between You And Me
Between You And Me have once again secured their spot on the monthly round-up with their latest single "Change." A sing-a-long bop with the energy of a power-through anthem such as "S.I.N.G." by My Chemical Romance and "Wild Wild World" by Set It Off. What is a power-through anthem? Any song that gives the motivation to keep continuing on while talking about the world at hand and how we can hold on for the future. Not only does the melody get in my head, but this killer tune is doing actual positive change by bringing attention to the current global climate crisis in their music video. The future is mostly unknown, but I can predict that not only will Armageddon make a future round-up, but that this new album will thoroughly change the world for the better, one song at a time.
4. "Coffins" and "Feel Nothing" - Never Coming Home
Much like As It Is in September's round-up, we have one artist, one slot, and two songs. Both "Coffin" and "Feel Nothing" were released on the same day and both songs have the same energy, leading me to include both in this month's round-up. Watching these pop-punk youngsters grow makes my heart smile. While the members have yet to graduate high school their bangers constantly ace my expectations. The production on both "Coffins" and "Feel Nothing" has significantly improved from "South Station", as well as the actual talent coming from each member. Everyone in Never Coming Home pulls their weight, bringing legendary riffs and criminally amazing vocals to the table. I am not sure how, but I am getting The Wonder Years meets As It Is vibes and I fully support this merge. If this is the direction Never Coming Home is taking then I can't wait for the future. The next generation of alternative music is in good hands, and here is the proof inside the pudding.
5. "Obsessive" - Scarlett O'Hara
You may remember we reviewed this single, but the answer is yes: we are still obsessed with "Obsessive". The brand new scent from this track has yet to wear off as I am still headbanging to this track. A timeless tune filled with riveting riffs and catchy lyrics has me betting this will become a metalcore classic. Brodeocore is going to be the next big thing, and to find out why you can check out the music video below and read my full thoughts on our review.
So how did we handle October? Let us know your thoughts on this month's round-up as well as what we should be considering for November.
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