Thirty days hath September, meaning 30 opportunities for new music to drop. As the weather gets cooler we slip on our flannels and beanies, getting prepared to warm up with pumpkin spice lattes and sweet new releases. After careful deliberation and one too many inner debates, here are our top five albums and singles for the month of September.
ALBUMS
1. Eternal Blue - Spiritbox
Spiritbox have successfully broken into the metalcore scene, overthrowing what we know and claiming the throne for themselves. Spiritbox has been on my radar since I first heard their single “Holy Roller,” which makes an appearance on Eternal Blue, yet this band has been proving they reign supreme since 2017 with their self-titled EP. It comes to no surprise that this new metalcore band would march their way up to legendary status with their debut full-length, Eternal Blue. Eternal Blue is packed with a multitude of vocal and instrumental techniques, adding dimension to an already diverse sound. The flow is continuous from the first track all the way to the very last note, yet each track has the ability to stand on its own. Extremely well put together and I absolutely can not wait to see what the future holds for Spiritbox.
2. Montero - Lil Nas X
When it comes to any genre from pop to rock, I am known to have a soft spot for incorporating components of R&B into the sound. The R in R&B stands for rhythm, and Lil Nas X surely brings the rhythm with his debut album, Montero. Lil Nas X is definitely not a one-hit-wonder, but he sure is doing wonders when it comes to blending elements of R&B, rap, rock, and pop into one truly addicting album. If I had to pick one album to throw on at a party it would be Montero, for my hips have not stopped dancing and the positivity is always throwing, even when Lil Nas X is covering personal matters within the message of his music. Unlike Eternal Blue, Montero does not have that perfect flow from track to track, yet the danceability and absolutely addicting melody and choruses very much make up for the lack of perfect flow.
3. The Band CAMINO - The Band CAMINO
Once again, The Band CAMINO has me swaying my hips and crying along to solid tunes, this time with their self-titled album. Take your standard pop-emo and mix it with an indie-rock and electro-pop twist and you get a sound that is 10x better than The Maine. If you have read our previous round-ups, then you know how much we love The Maine. The Band CAMINO just hits all the feels with an early indie rock/pop-emo feel from the early to mid-2000s. Definitely not a sound expected from a band who formed in 2015, yet I am thriving all the same. If you want to cry, smile, and dance in your bedroom with a glass of wine and a good album, then this is the release for you!
4. Flux - Poppy
In 2020, Poppy transitioned from pop to metalcore, and the alternative scene ate her sound up. She even had the chance to tour with scene royalty, Bring Me The Horizon. Flash forward to the present and once again Poppy has come to deliver an alternative kick with her latest release, Flux, proving how much she truly deserves to be in rock. Poppy’s vocals are reminiscent of Against The Current, her vocal range truly reaching her prime within these nine tracks-- even keeping up with her screaming technique from her previous album I Disagree. While lyrically I felt some tracks could have been stronger, her melodies have me headbanging and the technical elements are advanced enough to outweigh any opinion I may have lyrically. Besides, it is easy to sing-a-long. As much as I am a sucker for in-depth lyrics, if I can catch the words easy enough to sing along to the first listen through I will be hooked and happy.
5. The Rain Just Follows Me - Hawthorne Heights
So cut my wrists and black my eyes, because Hawthorne Heights is for emos, producing yet another album that brings me back to my prime scene years. It is the rawring 20s after all. Pouring out vibes from the inner depths of 2005 is Hawthorne Heights’ eighth studio album, The Rain Just Follows Me. This album successfully merges the best of modern pop-punk and the prime of emo culture into one intense album to headbang, bop, and cry to. Multiple times while listening I had to check what year it was because Hawthorne Heights have not lost their touch, including the same sensational beats, riffs, and vocals that they have had since the very beginning. Lyrically I feel at peace with my eyeliner and scene hair, ready to overcome my fears and the world as a whole. For an album to inspire this much throwback energy yet also feel new is a power I find myself craving.
SINGLES
1. “Split Personality” - Hot Milk
Hot Milk has been slipping under the radar, yet they truly are a band not to miss out on. That being said, I found myself fully alert when coming across their single, “Split Personality”, which is off their latest EP “I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD.” A power-pop-punk banger with electro-pop elements, bringing the same strength Tonight Alive once did. A newer artist to the scene, yet they are quickly making their presence known. If I had three words to describe this track it would be loud, energetic, and sucker-punch. One can physically feel the force from both the power-pop punching melodies and contrasting vocals from both Han Mee and Jim Shaw, delivering that perfect one-two combination leaving the listener breathless, yet begging for more.
2. “ILY, HOW ARE YOU?” and “IDC, I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE.” - As It Is
These two tracks are so intertwined that it is nearly impossible to discuss them separately. In fact, As It Is released both tracks at the exact same time, making these two the latest we have on new As It Is. Unfortunately, we still have yet to hear of an album announcement, but on the bright side we have two new absolutely amazing singles that technically count as one bangin’ release. Even the music videos are connected, hence why both make the number two spot. From pop-punk to pop-rock, As It Is never ceases to impress. Patty Walters has found his sweet-spot vocally while the fans finally get a taste of Ronnie Ish’s vocal abilities. Whatever formula the trio have founded, it sure is addicting as shown through each of these singles. Relatable moments turned into relatable lyrics, all thrown on top of catchy tunes. If these new releases mean anything, I can only predict As It Is will be reclaiming the crown of rock.
3. “Leaving This World Behind” - Starset
When it comes to theatrics within rock, Starset has that scene nailed. Mixing orchestral pop-rock with electronic elements, Starset shoots beyond the stars with their single “Leaving This World Behind.” Much like the rest of their discography, a whole story is being told both lyrically and instrumentally. A sci-fi fantasy tale about the minutes before leaving everything you know behind and starting from scratch someplace you’ve never traveled to before. While this tale is science fiction, “Leaving This World Behind” also doubles as a metaphor for moving on to the next phase in life.
4. “Monday” - The Regrettes
Hate Mondays? “Monday” by The Regrettes is the only Monday that we do not dread. In fact, this song can even pick you up from the typical Monday blues. A fun pop-punk single will have you singing and smiling with your head in cotton candy clouds. An upbeat, fun melody about trying to pick up the pieces after an existential crisis. We all need a pick-me-up, especially lately, and this track not only will remind you that it will be fine, but will remind you you’re alive lyrically, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
5. “I’m Sorry Did My Knife Hurt Your Back” - For Lack Of A Term
Living up to the Fall Out Boy worthy title is the latest release from For Lack Of A Term, “I’m Sorry Did My Knife Hurt Your Back.” New York alt-rock band, For Lack Of A Term surely does not lack the talent as they keep impressing us single after single. I was hooked from the hi-hat intro, hanging on to the catchy beat until the last note. Ryan’s vocals sliced into my heart, leaving my jaw dropped in awe. Add in fun bass and guitar riffs and you get a painfully amazing song about the bittersweetness of a break-up. Perhaps this single has more in common with Fall Out Boy than just a long title. While this song is not about candy, we are craving for what may come next.
How did we do with our picks for September? Be sure to let us know how we rank against your picks! We would love to hear from y’all!
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