Speaking of Bilmuri, This Wild Life released a great cover of “Better Hell” from the last record. I think a songs ability to move between genres with ease speaks volumes about how well the song writing is, and this is a great example.
Category: Music
Bilmuri is Kinda Hard
Bilmuri has a new record coming out in mid-April titled Kinda Hard. I wish I had thought to include in this my Most Anticipated list. The new song is alright. I think it’s likely to grow on me within the context of the whole record.
Eternal Youth – The Starting Line
I’ve been revisiting Eternal Youth this week, which is the first LP from The Starting Line since 2007’s Direction. I think the clear highlight of the record is “Circulate”. The song thumps along while the lyrics invite you to be on the floor in the pit. It is very fun.
I didn’t really give this record much time when it came out last year in part because I think the mixing for this record really misses the mark. Everything is muddled together, including the vocals and the guitars. I still think that, but as I’ve gone back to it this week, I’ve found a few other great songs on this record like “I See How It Is”, “Eternal Youth” and “Granted” in particular.
Another thought that occurred to me this week is how the mixing and the album art really mirror one another. That muddled mix really feels like its just had all of the color and life sucked out of it, much like the brutalist black and white concrete architecture on the cover.
2026 most anticipated
2026’s Most Anticipated Albums
Poppy, Empty Hands, January 23rd
It looks like Jordan Fish and Stephen Harrison are back along for the new Poppy record. Very excited for this one. Poppy has such a unique career. It won’t shock me if she doesn’t make this sort of music forever, but I’ll enjoy it while she is.
The All-American Rejects, Sandbox, February
Honestly, I can’t believe this record isn’t out yet. The lead single “Sandbox” was released in *April*. I can’t believe that this is their first LP in over a decade! The last LP, Kids in the Street, is my favorite record of theirs.
New Found Glory, Listen Up!, February 20th
Again, a band I love. I’ll be the first to admit that the last several records have been overall lack-luster, but theres definitely bright spots on every record. The lead single, “100%” has a great, classic NFG guitar lick. Looking forward to the release.
A Day to Remember, Big Ole Album Vol. 2, Unknown Release Date
I loved the first volume, and I am really looking forward to the second. The album roll out for the first volume was really great and unique in the modern times too; the band released physical copies several weeks before it made it on to stream platforms. What a great way to get fans to reward fans that were going to buy the record anyway. The band have mentioned a handful of times interviews or live that the record is slated for this year.
mewithoutYou, Live vol. Three, Unknown Release Date
As written on their website “mewithoutYou live on through a triptych of live albums.” These records have been wonderful, and some of my favorite mewithoutYou songs haven’t appeared on them yet. Here’s to their inclusion in vol. Three.
The 1975, Untitled, Unknown Release Date
Theres been a lot of reporting around the next The 1975 release, including that it may be a double album, and one of them may be called DOGS. The 1975 are probably the most important rock back of the last 15 years or so, and I can not wait for them to continue their streak.
Radiohead, Untitled, Unknown Release Date
Now, Radiohead haven’t said that they’re releasing anything, but they have started touring again recently, and it’s been ten years (!!!) since A Moon Shaped Pool. Fun fact: that record has the track-listing alphabetized.
The Maine, Untitled, Unknown Release Date
This band continues an untouchable run of records, starting with 2015’s American Candy. Since the release of their last LP, 2023’s self-titled record, the band has released the single “Touch”, which I liked. Its a bit of an odd song; I wonder if thats the direction for the new record, or just something to get out of their system.
The Menzingers, Untitled, Unknown Release Date
The band has started teasing an announcement on their social media accounts, so I expect we’ll have something early in the year. I didn’t quite connect with the last record Some of It Was True as much as the previous releases, but it was still good. Hopefully the new records release prompts me to go back to that record.
Cartel, untitled, unknown date
Theres not a ton to go off of here, other than Will Pugh has said in a few interviews that theres a new record coming this year. I like the singles they released a few years ago, and I am generally a fan of everything they’ve released.
The Wonder Years – Burst And Decay Live at The Keswick
The Wonder Years have posted a video of a show from their Burst and Decay tour from earlier this year. I’m very happy to see this. These renditions are great, and I wasn’t able to make it to a show. Clearly, this is the next best thing.
Favorite Albums of 2025
Once again, my favorite records of the year. Presented in no particular order.
Tsunami Sea – Spiritbox
This record was my most played of the year. It took a while for me to love, and for a while I thought the middle of the record lagged a bit. No more. This record is an achievement
Never Enough – Turnstile
Turnstile had a lot to live up to following Glow On, and this is a bit of a Glow On pt. 2. Thats okay. It’s a great record. The videos of their concerts I’ve seen during “Birds” in particular look like the best pit in the world.
Lonely People with Power – Deafheaven
Deafheavens best record since Sunbather. Enough said.
Dyed (2008–2023) – The Maine
This is a great concept for a “b-sides” style of record. The whole thing is good too! Even my referring to it as a “b-sides” record is underselling it.
Live, Vol. Two – mewithoutYou
I continue to love this band. mewithoutYou forever.
I’ll also note that there will be a third release next year, and the first two volumes didn’t include my favorite songs. I am excited for that as well.
Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… – AFI
I’ve written a bunch about this band and this record already, so I’ll keep it brief. This record continues to hold up as I’ve gone back to it in recent weeks. Its a great breath of fresh air into a band that didn’t need it.
No One Was Driving The Car – La Dispute
Another great fanatic record from La Dispute. “Top – Sellers Banquet” might be my favorite song of the year.
Big Ole Album, Vol. 1 – A Day to Remember
This record is great. Heavy, poppy, fun, even stupid at times (I’m looking at you “All My Friends”). This band has become a great vertex for the scene – I mean look at all the folks on the cover that helped make this record. Lastly, the release cycle was super interesting for this record too. They had released the physical record (vinyl, CDs, etc) a month or two before the digital release. I think thats a great way to “reward” fans ahead of the larger release, and I hope they repeat it with volume 2.
2021 Music Listening Stastics
Top Artists
1) Every Time I Die – 3282 minutes
2) The Maine – 1987 minutes
3) A Day to Remember – 1987 minutes
4) Manchester Orchestra – 1728 minutes
5) Bo Burnham – 1632 minutes
Top Albums
1) Radical, Every Time I Die – 2294 minutes
2) Inside, Bo Burnham – 1725 minutes
3) XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time, The Maine – 1484 minutes
4) The Million Masks of God, Manchester Orchestra – 1365 minutes
5) Tickets to My Downfall, mgk – 1140 minutes
Top Songs
1) “Sticky”, The Maine
2) “April 7th”, The Maine
3) “Post – Boredom”, Every Time I Die
4) “A Colossal Wreck”, Every Time I Die
5) “AWOL”, Every Time I Die
2022 Music Listening Stastics
Total Minutes: 37415
Top Artists
1) The 1975 – 4949 minutes
2) The Wonder Years – 4448 minutes
3) Foo Fighters – 2999 minutes
4) Underoath – 2756 minutes
5) My Chemical Romance – 1493 minutes
Top Albums
1) Voyeurist, Underoath – 2125 minutes
2) The Hum Goes on Forever, The Wonder Years – 1361 minutes
3) Wasting Light, Foo Fighters – 1277 minutes
4) Notes On a Conditional Form, The 1975 – 954 minutes
5) Jackpot Juicer, Dance Gavin Dance – 877 minutes
Top Songs
1) “Summer Clothes” – The Wonder Years
2) “Oldest Daughter” – The Wonder Years
3) “Wyatt’s Song (Your Name)” – The Wonder Years
4) “Damn Excuses” – Underoath
5) “Hallelujah” – Underoath
2023 Music Listening Stastics
Total Minutes: 35144
Top Artists
1) Hot Mulligan – 3431 minutes
2) blink-182 – 3079 minutes
3) The Maine – 1893 minutes
4) The Used – 1709 minutes
5) Fall Out Boy – 1674 minutes
Top Album
1) ONE MORE TIME…, blink-182 – 1940 minutes
2) The Maine, The Maine – 1475 minutes
3) Toxic Positivity, The Used – 968 minutes
4) You’ll Be Fine, Hot Mulligan – 905 minutes
5) Why Would I Watch, Hot Mulligan – 811 minutes
Top Songs
1) “EDGING” – blink-182
2) “ONE MORE TIME” – blink-182
3) “MORE THAN YOU KNOW” – blink 182
4) “how to exit a room” – The Maine
5) “Shhhh! Golf Is On” – Hot Mulligan
2024 Music Listening Stastics
Total Minutes: 33354
Top Artists
1) Bring Me The Horizon – 2257 minutes
2) Slipknot – 1667 minutes
3) blink-182 – 1402 minutes
4) Green Day – 1190 minutes
5) mewithoutYou – 1101 minutes
Top Albums
1) POST HUMAN: NeX GEn, Bring Me The Horizon – 1598 minutes
2) ONE MORE TIME… Part-2, blink-182 – 1171 minutes
3) The Fear of Fear, Spiritbox – 874 minutes
4) Saviors, Green Day – 665 minutes
5) The Hum Goes on Forever, The Wonder Years – 661 minutes
Top Songs
1) “Cellar Door” – Spiritbox
2) LosT – Bring Me The Horizon
3) sTraNgeRs – Bring Me The Horizon
4) “Jaded” – Spiritbox
5) “AmEN!” – Bring Me The Horizon
At Ken 