With so many cash grab nostalgia tours coming into town, it can be easy to think that listening to new music is somehow not cool anymore. The truth is, new music has always been cool, it’s just you that hasn’t been this whole time. Not to worry, though. We’ll fix this like we fix every single other problem in your life: with a hefty dose of newly released tracks hand picked by the Hard Times staff.
Bad Moves ‘Outta My Head’
DC power pop heroes Bad Moves are set to release their third album ‘Wearing Out The Refrain’ in just a few short weeks. The teaser tracks we’ve heard so far have only served to cement the band as one of the best in their genre. Their latest, ‘Outta My Head,’ is the exact kind of song you’d expect to play over the closing credits of the best summer of your life. So, ya know, maybe next year.
The Menzingers ‘Second City’
The beloved Chicago based punk label, Rise Records, is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a compilation album filled to the brim with new tracks from their storied roster. Former signees, The Menzingers, have just shared their contribution to the absolutely stacked project in the form of the excellent and appropriately titled new track, ‘Second City,’ an ode to the label’s home base.
Enumclaw ‘Grocery Store’
Indie rock newcomers Enumclaw have been steadily making a name for themselves since their debut album in 2022. Armed with viscerally catchy hooks, jagged guitars, and a rhythm section that could cause a building to collapse, it’s no wonder why their star is on the rise. Their sophomore album, ‘Home In Another Life,’ will whisk you back to the early aughts, but hopefully with less of whatever it was you were doing back then.
Vomit Forth ‘Negative Penance’
No, your computer isn’t dying, that’s just how impossibly fast the blast beats are in Vomit Forth’s latest single ‘Negative Penance.’ While we’re not sure we can legally call what they’re doing ‘music,’ we can say that without a doubt it is impressively heavy. We’re not responsible if the breakneck speed of this one causes you to literally ‘vomit forth,’ but we highly recommend you contact your medical professional if that ends up being the case.
Sylvan Esso, The Postal Service ‘The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Sylvan Esso Remix)’
It seems as though we’ve been celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Postal Service’s sole album ‘Give Up’ for about 30 years now. Well, the party isn’t stopping anytime soon now that Sylvan Esso has entered the chat. In honor of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service’s recently extended joint tour, the duo has released their mind-bendlingly chopped remix of the latter’s ‘The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.’
Oasis ‘Live Forever – Monnow Valley Version’
When two rich white men have beef for nearly two decades, love can work miracles. A presumably giant dump truck of money probably doesn’t hurt, either. In addition to announcing their first tour dates in 16 years, Oasis have also released a treasure trove of ‘Definitely, Maybe’ outtakes including a full length discarded version of the album recorded at Monnow Valley Studios. Welcome back Oasis. We really hope you ‘Live Forever’ this time, but we’re buying ticket insurance either way.
Because we know you’re now clamoring for even more music, we’ve compiled these and a fuckton more songs into a handy playlist for you. Click here to listen and dazzle your friends with your newfound relevancy.