AP&R playlist: crunchy indie, buzzing pop and Australian post-hardcore

You’re welcome: We’ve made finding new songs by rising bands easy. Each week, we’re gathering the best from the underground and offering it to you in one concise list. Scroll below and check out our Spotify Discover playlist, featuring these tracks and more!

In return, we want to hear your favorite. Let us know which new songs you’ll be spinning for the rest of the weekend in the comments!

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1. UPSAHL – “Drugs” (feat. Two Feet)

For fans of: Bishop Briggs, Tessa Violet and Ashe

Alt-pop princess UPSAHL shared a new version of her hit “Drugs” featuring guest vocalist Two Feet. The singer-songwriter brings his trademark soulful and sultry vocals that are sure to grab your attention immediately. The song also went viral via TikTok and was shared in over 200,000 videos. UPSAHL will be supporting Two Feet this spring alongside RIZ LA VIE across North America. Tickets are available here.

2. Claud and Del Water Gap – “My Body”

For fans of: Beach Bunny, the Greeting Committee and ROLE MODEL

Both hailing from Brooklyn, indie singers Claud and Del Water Gap collaborated to create their bittersweet and transparent single “My Body.” The track isn’t the first work the two have made together, previously sharing the hit cover “Never Meant To Call.” 

3. Sleep Signals – “Fireproof”

For fans of: Escape The Fate, Ice Nine Kills and Motionless In White

Minneapolis hardcore quintet Sleep Signals are expanding their audience through nonstop tours and unbeatable live performances, opening for the likes of Memphis May Fire, Escape The Fate and Ice Nine Kills. They shared their brand-new “Fireproof” video from their forthcoming EP 2020, due out May 8. Preorders are available here, and you can grab tickets for their EP release show in Oroville, Washington, at Orange Hall here. 

5. Inertia – “Heavy Eyes”

For fans of: Ocean Sleeper, Issues and Notions

Sydney post-hardcore quintet Inertia bring the heat in their new single “Heavy Eyes” from their forthcoming EP Connexion, due out April 17. The heavy rockers will be hitting the road with fellow Australians To Octavia and Alt. to perform three dates of a triple headliner. Tickets and dates are available here. 

5. Disq – “Gentle”

For fans of: Calpurnia, girl in red and Parquet Courts

Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, this Midwestern garage-rock quintet recently shared their grungy single “Gentle” from their forthcoming album Collector via Saddle Creek Records. This track shares characteristics of crunchy and punk-infused rock like Twin Peaks and Finn Wolfhard’s former band Calpurnia. Disq’s LP is due out March 6 and may be preordered here. The group are heading out on their first-ever headlining tour across the U.S. following a show at this year’s SXSW. Pom Pom Squad and Girl Friday will support the band, and tckets and dates are available here.

6. Max Leone – “Cautious”

For fans of: FLETCHER, Cautious Clay and King Princess

Singer-songwriter Max Leone shared his simply sweet and introspective single “Cautious” via Darkroom Records. Buzzing synth and poppy vocals make this a song you won’t be able to get out of your head. Leone also shared his debut single “First Grade” earlier this year. Both tracks will appear on the singer’s forthcoming EP, which explores the loneliness experienced by navigating a new city and trying to make it independently. 

8. To Octavia – “They Tell Me They’re With Me”

For fans of: Of Mice & Men, Miss May I and the Devil Wears Prada

Melbourne hardcore quintet To Octavia shared their new heavy-hitting single “They Tell Me They’re With Me.” This track features catchy hooks and an emotional chorus tackling the universal struggle of loneliness. They’ll be hitting the road supporting the Brave on the Break Out tour throughout Australia with Sleep Talk and Bad/Love. Tickets and dates are available here.  

8. Tribe Friday – “Freaky”

For fans of: The Strokes, MGMT and the Fratellis

Straight out of Sweden, Tribe Friday offer a unique garage-rock feel mixed with crunchy indie to deliver their heaviest, and perhaps sexiest, song to date. “Freaky” sees lead singer Noah Deutschmann describing his night with an older lady and will appear on their forthcoming EP Chasing Pictures, due out March 27. If you enjoyed this track, you can stream their other single “Talk So Loud.”

9. gnash  – “fear”

For fans of: FINNEAS, Alec Benjamin and EDEN

Known for his delicate vocals, singer-songwriter/producer gnash teamed up with Dave Lubben (Halsey) to create “fear.” The song serves as the third single from his forthcoming EP, due out in the spring as the followup to debut LP we. The song will win over Billie Eilish fans with lyrics so soft, you can’t help but tune in. He also started 2020 off strong by releasing “hungover & i miss u,” also set to appear on the EP.

10. Haunting Portraits – “Everybody Knows The Rules”

For fans of: Movements, As Cities Burn and Circa Survive

Haunting Portraits have a powerful story to tell in “Everybody Knows The Rules,” the lead single from their new EP available today. That Which Looks Far Away features five original tracks and all the guitar riffs and melodic vocals post-hardcore fans desire. Their new EP can be purchased here.