THE WEEK IN LISTEN(ED) 1/6-7/6/26
I will be trying not to put too much punk and punk-adjacent music as the pick of the week, but the latest record from Philadelphia’s Poison Ruïn just took me this for a ride this week. Their unique blend of black-tinged metal, dark wave and streetpunk along with doomy, dungeon-synth is something which may not sound like it will work on paper, but in this case, it truly does.
Listen: Serpent’s Curse
Mandy, Indiana - Urgh - Noise, UK, 2026
An album which garnered a lot of underground media coverage upon release, this record alienated me upon my first listen with its chaotic sound, and it was only after catching their performance on Jools Holland… that I was brought back to the record. Based between Manchester and Berlin, with vocals primarily in French, Mandy, Indiana is a group with a wide range of influences, evident throughout Urgh, and are unrestricted in their unique sound, careening between aggressive, techno-charged industrial sounds, pushing the boundary for noise rock as a whole.
Listen: Magazine
Lasso - Parte - Punk, Brazil, 2024
A band I discovered researching for the Brazil episode of Condense(d) at the start of may, and have found myself returning to regularly. Angry and energetic hardcore played at a blistering place, attacking with precision, the bands style comes through loud and clear amidst the chaos. Whilst I could have gone for any of their records as I have been listening to all four of them back this week, I opted for Parte, their latest release, featuring 14 excellent tracks in 17 minutes.
Listen: Pavor Eterno
An Slua - Sure Look It - Punk, Ireland, 2025
Rarely a week has gone by since the release of this album that I have not listened to at least a few of the tunes, but this week I found myself once again playing the excellent LP in full on repeat. One of the best albums in the wider genre to be released in the last few years, Sure Look It is pure Irish Oi! catharsis. The lyricism throughout is extremely representative of both current and long-standing Irish political troubles, all the choruses are immediately chant-able, and the recording throughout is perfect. A brilliant debut full length from the current leaders of Irish punk.
Listen: Agrarian Agitation
Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial - Indie, USA, 2016
A bit of a throwback here to one of my favourite albums from 2016. Band leader Will Toledo recently released a re-recorded version of the album, featuring the addition of some more Christian lyrics and the removal of all swear words, amongst other changes. Naturally, I have no interest in this new version, but it did bring my back to listen to the original recording a few times during the week. Still as good as ever, with so many of the choruses representing peak adolescent angst and anxiety, and fantastic instrumentation throughout.
Listen: Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales
Radio
A particularly fantastic show from the long-time NTS host and DJ Lupini this week. Spanning genres such as ambient, post-rock, contemporary jazz and electronica, all linked together with her characteristic happy-gloomy style, two hours of listening which works in almost any scenario. Personal highlights include songs by OGMA and Tara Clerkin Trio.