Dead Kennedys’ ‘Frankenchrist’ Is Sadly Relevant at 40
Dead Kennedys’ Frankenchrist is a full-scale assault on Reagan’s America–the hypocrisy, seedy undercurrent beneath the slogans, and institutional racism.
hardcore punk
The 10 Best Punk and Hardcore Albums of 2025
The best punk ranges from pop-leaning emo to potent noise, shoegaze, and hardcore to Revolution Summer-inspired politically minded blasts of righteous anger.
Militarie Gun Don’t Need God to Save Them
If you loved Militarie Gun’s previous work, you will be singing along after a few listens this time, too. It’s an excellent, aggressive indie record with genuine heart.
Deaf Club’s Justin Pearson on Permanent State of Happiness
Deaf Club’s Justin Pearson, legendary frontperson of hardcore’s the Locust, reflects on the state of the world and permanently courting controversy.
Big Life’s State of the Union Address Is a Pointed Critique
Detroit punk veterans Big Life channel the righteous fury of classic Washington DC and SST hardcore on their latest. It’s one of the best punk records this year.
Deadguy Deliver the Best Type of Hardcore on New Album
Deadguy’s new LP sounds like a demolition derby locked inside a meat locker, and someone wired the walls. The record feels brilliantly averse to compromise.
Turnstile Balance on the Edge with ‘Never Enough’
Turnstile’s Never Enough lies somewhere between the working man’s folk-rock earnestness of the bygone SoCal era and the synth-washed ambience of the cover.
Scowl Expertly Blend Alt-rock and Hardcore
On Are We All Angels, Scowl seamlessly weave in alternative rock influences on a crossover-ready set of melodic hardcore bangers.
Melodic Hardcore’s Stunning Mid-2020s Resurgence
Hardcore has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity since 2020. Subsequently, the past two years have brought a revived interest in melodic hardcore.
Myanmar Hardcore Rebels Cacerolazo Amp Up the Volume for Revolution
Born out of the chaos of post-coup Myanmar, Burmese punk collective Cacerolazo’s debut LP rails against the brute forces of injustice and dictatorship.
Goth Punks AFI Get Their Flowers in New Biography
AFI’s resilience and innovation take center stage in Andi Coulter’s new biography, which is every bit as deserving of praise as more heralded peers.
Hüsker Dü’s ‘New Day Rising’ Still Sparkles at 40
Hüsker Dü’s New Day Rising provided equal parts muscular intensity and melody as the band laid the groundwork for the future of alternative music.