New releases today: Rock (All)

Review: Described as "the bastard child of a Ramones/Strokes one night stand", London's Bad Nerves take the early 60s rock n' roll power pop that birthed the later punk scenes and bend them into an ouroboros of tail-eating, hook-laden punk rock swagger. Following on from their 2020 self-titled debut full-length, their aptly titled sophomore effort ("that was never meant to exist") Still Nervous arrived in 2024 armed to the teeth with fuzzier riffs, bigger hooks, more breakneck pace and an endorsement from Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. Boasting cuts such as the mega anthem 'You've Got The Nerve', this is as to-the-point, unpretentious and garage-punk as it gets.

Review: Turn of the millennium wild child and poetic indie darling Peter Doherty hasn't released a solo album in nine years, but that all changes with Felt Better Alive on Strap Originals. It's a confident return from the playful guitarist and evocative lyricist with his usual penchant for idealised but real stories of life in Arcadia and plenty of signature melodic hooks all shining through. His guitars are often wistful and come with plenty of lovely strings, but there are more raw and jangling grooves like 'Pot Of Gold' and off-kilter pub sing-alongs like 'Ed Belly' making this a vivid listen for fans of the Libertines and Babyshambles man.

Review: With the untimely and tragic passing of Chester Bennington in 2017, it was the natural presumption that Californian nu-metal turned alt rock megastars Linkin Park would cease to exist. Surprising their avid fanbase by announcing news of their reformation with Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong, as well as new drummer Colin Brittain (Rob Bourdain opted not to join the reunion), From Zero offers a nod to their original band name Xero whilst simultaneously ushering in their new era. Sonically, the band are doing their utmost to both pay credence to their heavier origins while naturally rerouting towards their newfound vision. Serving as follow up to 2017's pop-oriented and critically panned One More Light, the understandable decision to re-embrace aspects of their nu-metal motifs is commendable, whilst modifying and building upon their past sonics to craft comfortable musical bedrock for the new voice of their band. Comparing to prior albums may be inescapable for diehard fans with the material owing humble countenance to the Linkin Park of yesteryear, while this deluxe edition expands upon the original version's somewhat succinct (or rushed) 11 tracks over 30 minutes with an additional three bonus cuts as well as five live versions.

Review: Billy Nomates has been on quite a journey since seeing a Sleaford Mods show in her native East Midlands persuaded her to return to making music. Her first appearance, guesting on the Sleafords' 'Mork & Mindy' single, and Geoff Barrow-produced debut album were definitely hailing from the rough and ready school of scrappy, DIY post-punk. Metalhorse, her third long player to date, is an altogether more mature affair, leaning on the influence of her live band - bass player Mandy Clarke (KT Tunstall, The Go! Team) and drummer Liam Chapman (Rozi Plain, BMX Bandits) - to delve further into blues, folk and piano-led compositions. A concept album revolving around an abandoned funfair as a metaphor for life itself - "some rides are nice to get on and some rides aren't" she says - it's a fascinating listen and not, perhaps, what you might have been expecting.

Review: While many would chalk California's Papa Roach up to being another flash-in-the-pan late 90s/early 00s nu-metal outfit who had a few major singles and nothing more, dig a little deeper and their consistency and longevity makes them quite the exception to the rule when compared to their once peers in other forgotten groups such as Spineshank. Gearing up for what will be their 12th full-length studio album to be released later in 2025, serving as follow up to 2022's Ego Trip, the band have opted to reissue their much adored ninth LP Crooked Teeth. Originally released in 2017, the record has been praised for its sonic balancing between the more radio-rock oriented sound of their latter-day output and the dusting off of their rap-metal "old school" style prevalent on cuts such as the lead single title-track that swings from grooving hard rock to full on digitally produced rap bars, while a further signalling to their past selves in the modern era comes from the guest feature by hip-hop/pop-punk/pop star Machine Gun Kelly on 'Sunrise Trailer Park'.

Review: Tune-Yards return with their sixth album, and it's one of their most rhythmically infectious to date. Created by Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner in a post-pandemic haze, Better Dreaming embraces danceable liberation, self-love and anti-fascist joy and it is all inspired by a desire to move, both physically and emotionally. Grooves run deep here as lyrics confront modern chaos and encourage dancing through the dark and dreaming of better futures. The duo let songs flow with raw instinct and reconnect with their early drum-loop roots, meaning that the result is a fresh, funk-laced art-pop record that works on the body as well as the mind.

Review: Although forming in 1987, the initial tenure of New York City hard rock heroes Tyketto was a simple case of wrong place, wrong time. 1991's debut album Don't Come Easy was a moderate success, boasting the hit single 'Forever Young' and taking them on the road with Whitesnake, but by the time they would submit their second full-length to Geffen Records, it would be outright rejected due to label's increasing interest with the grunge scene and a desire to leave "hair metal" and all of its intersecting genres in the 80s. With a myriad of lineup changes, even featuring Steve Augeri on vocals for a spell before his time in Journey, the band would eventually dissolve until 2004. One reunion tour would lead to another, and as of 2025, they're still playing shows, with the vast majority in attendance likely there to hear the barrage of bangers this overlooked AOR-meets-glam metal debut offers.

Review: Countdown Records was founded by Eddie Piller, Maxine Conroy and Terry Rawlings and captured the essence of the mid-80s Mod revival and New Wave scene while pushing acts like Makin' Time, The Prisoners and The Kick towards mainstream recognition. Despite its innovative approach, the label struggled due to the collapse of Stiff Records and the corporate dominance of the era. However, the label's influence lived on through Piller's Acid Jazz label and this compilation showcases the best of Countdown's legacy with plenty of classic tracks and rarities. It's presented with a stylish Modernist design that coincides with a book that delves deeper into its history.