You know what it is. Here's the best singles of the week.

Slow Crush – Thirst

The title track of Slow Crush’s forthcoming third record, ‘Thirst’ is undoubtedly going to quench one’s need for some proper good shoegaze. Once again demonstrating their fantastic ability to present a cohesively shimmering sound that’s full both both substance and juxtaposition, ‘Thirst’ is a wonderful sonic elixir of both drear and dreams; an intoxicating solution that’s potent with the potential romance but slightly bitter with the taste of previous and future regrets. The global shoegaze scene may have become suddenly saturated since the release of Slow Crush’s last record, but here, it’s undisputable that the Belgian band reign supreme amidst a community they helped revive. – Dan Hillier

President – In the Name of the Father

Mysterious masked band President’s debut single ‘In the Name of the Father’ has everything you could want from a modern metalcore track, with chugging riffs, atmospheric synths, distorted vocals and electronic breakdowns aplenty. President are making significant waves within the rock and metal community and with fans speculating that lead singer of President could be Busted and Fightstar frontman Charlie Simpson or a member of Sleep Token, there is a air of mystery around these exciting newcomers that some may argue is missing in today’s rock and metal scene. –  Ez Luscombe

The Dirty Nil – Spider Dream

The second track to be taken from their upcoming record The Lash – released July 25^th via Dine Alone Records – ‘Spider Dream’ is a far cry from the high flying riffs and cartwheeling energy one would typically associate with The Dirty Nil. But that’s not say this is far removed from character of this band. With the track’s inspiration stemming from those kind of nightmares that jolt you awake sweat-soaked and weirdly enough Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary on The Beatles, ‘Spider Dream’ is a breezy yet oh-so uneasy tune in the key of jangly silken stings and a creeping sense of ennui. It’s a wonderful little track, and despite it’s contrasting nature against what one would expect from The Dirty Nil, it’s a song that still carries The Dirty Nil’s raging heart. – Dan Hillier

As December Falls – Bathroom Floor

‘The perfect breakup doesn’t exist’ was what As December Falls wrote on Instagram a few days ago. ‘Bathroom Floor’ is the result of it, all about the anger and rage you get after a breakup, finally understanding that you deserved better. It has that vibrant pop vibe and the type of catchy chorus that gets stuck in your head. The music is almost as exhilarating as it is powerful, through its captivating instrumental and the energetic vibe. Bethany Curtis’ voice leads you on an electric journey, singing ‘I should have known better, I should have known more’ with a heavy emo influence. The repeating style of the chorus has this magic trick to keep you on track, and will probably make you want to sing along with it. The quartet proves here, that, the simpler, the better. Songs don’t always need to be that deep to be good but being relatable to everyone’s lives is a good way to get you on board. – Emma Forni

War Within – Hell In Your Absence

There’s a certain style, a brand, a sound of metalcore that conjures up visions of the glory days, chaotic shows in basements with bands like Converge and Poison The Well conducting chaos amongst a sea of bodies. In the midst of overproduced, soulless metalcore there remains bands devoted to that sound of raw, emotional heaviness and Dundee’s own War Within are one of those. ‘Hell In Your Absence’ is the band’s newest track and sounds like it could have been on a Trustkill sampler from 2002, in the most complimentary way. There’s tinges of the classic H8000 sound in the riffs, some early Killswitch worship in the clean vocals towards the end and really all that’s missing is a descrated angel statue on the artwork to sum up a fantastic slab of metalcore which hopefully is the first taste of more music from the Scots. – Chris Earl

The None – At Hope

Forget about the familiar names, the back catalogues, and baggage behind The None. One listen of ‘At Hope’ tells us that whatever came before, nothing matters but what’s assaulting our sense in real time, spitting in the face of subtlety and saying in under three minutes what most artists struggle to get across in an entire career. A raucous crusade against neoliberal apathy and political smoke and mirrors, every word hits like broken glass and stings long after the feedback fades. – Tim Dorning

Dream State – Bittersweet Scars of My Past

Welsh rockers Dream State have been consistently putting out emotional electronically tinged post-hardcore since 2014 and ‘Bittersweet Scars of My Past’ is a scathing example of why they are still front runners in the UK scene. With their trademark emotive lyrics, Jessie Powell’s expected clean and moving vocal performance and the dynamics of ‘Bittersweet Scars of My Past’ ranging from mellow electronic passages to thrilling metalcore breakdowns courtesy of Aled Evan’s, Dream State’s success is understandable and their latest single is just another indicator of their success. – Ez Luscombe

Atlas : Empire – Happy As Lazarus

Channeling the good-natured and enchanted prog of bands such as Agent Fresco, Good Tiger, Closure In Moscow and even Arcane Roots, it’s impossible not be as chuffed as a certain resurrected saint when listening to this. The new single from emo-tinged alt proggers Atlas : Empire, ‘Happy As Lazarus’ is a delightful time that’s as musically inspired as it is warm and forward thinking. Whilst the track might be documenting our blind dependence on toxic technology and our inevitable doom because of it, it’s impossible not be charmed by the feel-good factor that permeates this song. Perfect listening for both enjoying this warm Spring sunshine whilst trying not to think about how it’s due to a changed climate that will ultimately engulf us all. – Dan Hillier

Pelican – Gulch

Pelican descend from their spot atop post metal’s Mount Rushmore to bless us with the fourth single from Flickering Resonance, their seventh full-length that is out now via Run For Cover. Breaking with tradition to lean into the euphoric side of their signature sludge symphonies, ‘Gulch’ is a concise yet expansive way to open an album, taking its time to get to the point but making it emphatically when the time comes. – Tim Dorning

Vextide – Mass Ruin

Vextide are described by their frontman as being “roadman metal” and ‘Mass Ruin’ is well in line for being the deathcore diss track of the year so far. They’re relative newbies to the scene, having only formed last month with this single track to their name, yet the breakdowns are ridiculously heavy, the traditional hardcore elements on the track will resonate with old and new fans of heavy music alike, and the vocals are a furious tirade. ‘Mass Ruin’ is an underrated gem, and Vextide are a refreshing partnership of genres and may even be your new favourite band if you’re that way inclined. – Ez Luscombe

Sixth Wonder – Ropeburn

‘Ropeburn’ opens with a moody, introspective spoken word section, underpinned by layered synths and clear drum work that immediately set an unsettling yet compelling tone. Sixth Wonder waste no time flipping the switch though, launching into crushing screams and relentless, heavy guitars that hit with full force. That same synth-driven, technical edge runs throughout the track, whether it’s weaving through chaotic riffs or complementing the dual-layered screams that have become a hallmark of the band’s sound. Clean vocal sections offer a momentary reprieve, but it’s the unexpected use of falsetto that truly elevates the track, adding a unique push and pull between lighter moments and crushing heaviness. ‘Ropeburn’ is a confident, multi-level track that showcases Sixth Wonder’s ability to balance aggression with nuance. It’s another strong entry in their catalogue, and if this is a sign of what’s to come, we’re in for something special. – Vee Richardson

Fallujah – Step Through the Portal and Breathe

The last single before an album drops is a precarious one, because hopefully you’ve been drawn in by the first and had your interest cemented by the second. While never make or break, the final single can dictate the hype levels in the closing weeks and judging from ‘Step Through the Portal and Breathe’ by tech-death veterans Fallujah, the anticipation is going to remain high. A classic blend of all of the elements that make Fallujah great, the machine gun drums batter your skull while vocalist Kyle Schaefer delivers a fantastic performance in both death growls and combines wonderfully with Scott Carstairs for the haunting melodies. Not the easiest band to listen to but if you enjoy music that can make your eyes go in different directions, then the upcoming album Xenotaph is certainly one to watch judging from this track and its preceding singles. – Chris Earl

All of these tracks and more can be found in our Essential Playlist.

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