new songs march 27
[Photos via Pink Laundry, The Foxies, GroundCulture]

AP&R playlist: Goth disco, hardcore and synth pop

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!

Read more: All Time Low strip things down for intimate in-studio acoustic set

1. Hardcastle – “Growing Pains”

For fans of: HUNNY, Nightly and the Band CAMINO

Nashville quartet Hardcastle recently shared their indie-pop track “Growing Pains,” addressing those relatable feelings of how hard it is to get older and feel like a fully functioning adult through a catchy chorus and even catchier hooks. The song is reminiscent of nostalgic indie rockers such as Wallows and HUNNY. The band are currently using this time of self-isolation to work on their debut EP.

2. The Foxies – “Call Me When Your Phone Dies”

For fans of: tiLLie, Wanderer and SAINTE

Nashville trio the Foxies shared their anthem “Call Me When Your Phone Dies” as a message to all the fuckboys out there through their signature bright pop-rock sound they describe as “goth disco.” The track will appear on their forthcoming EP, Growing Up Is Dead, due May 29. The group are looking into tour dates and hope to hit the road with new songs as soon as performances are rescheduled. You can keep track of upcoming tour dates here

3. John-Robert – “Urs” remix (feat. Sachi DiSerafino of Joy Again)

For fans of: Wallows, COIN and the 1975

John-Robert shared the new remix of his original hit “Urs” with Sachi DiSerafino (Wallows co-producer) from Joy Again. The delightfully simple and sweet indie-rock remix will take you back to a young relationship you may have never even had with both vocalists’ powerful yet controlled melodies. “I love ‘Urs’ because it’s a sweet and fun song to listen to, so in my remix, I decided to take it to a completely different place, and I had a great time doing it,” DiSerafino says of the collab. 

4. Carlie Hanson – “Daze Inn”

For fans of: Billie Eilish, Charlotte Lawrence and Chelsea Cutler

Carlie Hanson combines light and airy vocals overtop trap beats to create her pop masterpiece, “Daze Inn.” Featuring an eerie and colorful music video, Hanson brings the ’70s to life in an old hotel room. This is the perfect track for anyone who’s run through all of Billie Eilish’s discography and is looking for more light vocals combined with heavy instrumentals. 

5. City Mouth – “Coping Machine”

For fans of: Motion City Soundtrack, In Her Own Words and Hot Mulligan

Chicago’s City Mouth effortlessly combine pop-punk feels with indie-rock vibes to create their new single “Coping Machine” accompanied by an intergalactic music video with some cute alien creatures. Influences from older bands such as Motion City Soundtrack and more recent stars such as the 1975 make this DIY band truly stand out. City Mouth are set to share their new album, Coping Machine, April 24, which is available for preorder here.

6. GroundCulture – “Trauma Can Teach”

For fans of: SHVPES, Afterlife and Lotus Eater

U.K. hardcore quintet GroundCulture shared their new track and music video for “Trauma Can Teach.” The riff-heavy track features powerful vocals and a shredding bass that will make you reflect on the past and how you’ve grown. “Every single situation that broke you and made you feel empty is the very reason you’re as strong and brave as you are. Absorb your blessings,” the band say about the song. The track comes from their forthcoming album, How Well Do You Really Know Yourself?, due out May 1 via Hopeless Records. You can preorder it here

7. The Alpha Complex – “Bad For You”

For fans of: 3 Doors Down, Shinedown and Hinder

The Alpha Complex (featuring members from Motograter) are delivering pure rock to listeners everywhere with sounds from early 2000s bands such as Hinder and Puddle Of Mudd with a modern twist. The new project shared their debut single “Without You” in late December, offering up a rock-metal fusion.

8. Cailin Russo – “Assume”

For fans of: Ashe, ROLE MODEL and CYN

Cailin Russo shared her breathy, synth-pop track “Assume” as the first single since the release of her EP, The Drama. Her delicate and emotional delivery will certainly leave fans wanting more as the artist enters a new era. Reminiscent of light pop ballads such as those from ROLE MODEL and Ashe, a music video for “Assume” is on the way and will be out April 7. 

9. Kill The Ideal – “Let’s Get Excited”

For fans of: YONAKA, Hot Milk and Carry The Crown

U.K.’s Kill The Ideal recently delivered their new rock track, “Let’s Get Excited.” This song features heavy bass and electrifying guitar solos sure to appease any classic-rock fan seeking nostalgic sounds. The band are currently working on an EP exploring dark concepts such as bullying and the topical concept of panic-buying goods due to the coronavirus. Vocalist Ash Wilson is a staff nurse currently working on the frontlines of the National Health Service, and proceeds from the band’s single will be donated to the NHS.

10. Pink Laundry – “Like It Like This” 

For fans of: DREAMERS, lovelytheband and Imagine Dragons

Judah Akers, frontman of Judah & The Lion, recently shared a heavy-hitting track from his new solo project Pink Laundry with his debut single “Like It Like This.” The song pivots from the optimistic pop you’re used to hearing from Akers to a harder synth-laden track with robust rock vocals. Knowing that his new material didn’t fit in with his other band, he decided to create a separate place for electro-rock tracks. “It’s fun making music that has no boundaries, no pressure and complete child-like recording,” he says of the process. “Making these rock songs up in my loft at the house will be something that I’ll never forget.”