Here’s a roundup of the latest music that just dropped (and what’s coming next)!
Lowertown: Worst Friend
Lowertown have unveiled ‘Worst Friend’, an endearing, country-leaning cut off their upcoming album Ugly Duckling Union. “This song was written with our folk inspirations at heart, June and Johnny Cash, Dylan and Baez, trading verses about reaching the point where a lack of self awareness of one’s shortcomings and accountability for one’s mistakes can lead to pushing everyone away and your inevitable downfall,” the duo commented. “Self sabotage, inner darkness and aimlessness are common themes on Ugly Duckling Union.”
Speaking about the song, the pair say: “This song was written with our folk inspirations at heart, June and Johnny Cash, Dylan and Baez, trading verses about reaching the point where a lack of self awareness of one’s shortcomings and accountability for one’s mistakes can lead to pushing everyone away and your inevitable downfall. Self-sabotage, inner darkness and aimlessness are common themes on Ugly Duckling Union.”
Don’t miss Lowertown at HI-FI on May 8th. GET TICKETS.
Marc Broussard: Chance Worth Taking
Powerhouse soul singer Marc Broussard goes all in on Chance Worth Taking, his first full album of original blues songs marking a definitive creative pivot for the acclaimed Louisiana singer-songwriter, out April 17th via Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records.
Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith alongside Calvin Turner, the stunning 14-track collection reunites Broussard with Bonamassa, who takes the helm to contribute master fretwork and mesmerizing guitar solos on 10 tracks, including three songs co-written with Broussard. This stellar creative circle is rounded out by Josh Smith, who features on and co-wrote four tracks, and Calvin Turner, who joined forces with Broussard to co-write 10 of the album’s original songs and contributes to the album’s lush string and horn arrangements.
Though Chance Worth Taking marks a stylistic pivot, it remains unmistakably Broussard. His signature “bayou soul” vocal, equal parts grit and grace, anchors the album, tying together brawny shuffles, pleading soul-blues, horn-driven blues-rock, and Mardi Gras–infused funk.
Don’t miss Marc Broussard at HI-FI on May 10th. GET TICKETS.
BARELY ALIVE: OVERDRIVE
Barely Alive released their new high-energy dubstep/brostep single “OVERDRIVE” in April 2026 The title track of their 2026 tour of the same name is part of a “new era” for the duo, blending modern, heavy bass with a 360-degree, laser-focused live experience. The song is available on all streaming platforms.
Don’t miss BARELY ALIVE at HI-FI on June 12th. GET TICKETS.
Enter Shikari: Lose Your Self
With zero announcements or teasers from the band, Enter Shikari surprise released their brand new album on Friday, April 10th! Lose Your Self (released via So Recordings) spans 12 tracks exploring themes of desolation, futility and complete despair at the state of the world, but with glimmers of hopefulness and optimism threaded throughout. Whilst the likes of major pop stars including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber who have famously released albums out of the blue over the years, Enter Shikari have managed to not only release Lose Your Self digitally, but also physically, unlike their predecessors. As of Friday, April 10th, this accomplished and ingenious body of work is available to stream and also buy in CD and vinyl format worldwide. Listen here.
Frontman Rou articulates, “We’re delighted to present LOSE YOUR SELF, and give people the chance to hear a Shikari record like never before – as a cohesive whole.
We want people to go on a proper journey with this album, and see where it takes them.
No lead up, no singles, and no explanation. Forcing the listener to actually listen, without being drip-fed ideas out of context, or spoon-fed explanations. We simply present it all, for the listener to immerse themself in. Releasing in this way was also a decision to not be distracted by chart races, or accolades and “things”. We got the No.1 album on our last record. This is simply about the music being presented in a natural way. Despite turning out to be one our darkest and heaviest albums to date, it also preaches hope and offers answers. Shikari will always offer hope, because without hope there is no action. We’ll just always offer it with a dose of realism.”
Don’t miss Enter Shikari at HI-FI Annex on June 17th. GET TICKETS.
Toadies: The Charmer
The Charmer, Toadies first full-length studio album in nearly a decade, also happens to be one of the last records recorded by famed engineer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey) before his death in 2024. The raw, guitar-driven collection places the platinum-selling band firmly back in the Alternative Rock pantheon that sparked their early success, while sounding right at home with the dozens of younger contemporary rock bands they’ve influenced.
Don’t miss Toadies at HI-FI Annex on September 19th. GET TICKETS.
The Bends: Smoking In Bed
The Bends release their brand new single, “Smoking In Bed” via Warner Records. The track follows the band’s previous singles “Tango” and “Lips” and is about bassist Chase Perkins’ relationship with ADHD drugs. The song pairs a rough, slightly unsteady electric guitar riff with a glitchy beat, adding a layer of modern edge and grit to the overall sound, marking the next page in the band’s new chapter.
Chase Perkins says, “The verse lyrics were originally about my love-hate relationship with ADHD drugs like Adderall and my struggle to balance needing them to get through life while having to simultaneously deal with their side effects. I thought it would be interesting to personify the drug as a romantic interest and see how painting the medicine in that light would alter my perspective towards the subject. I’m discussing how it would keep me awake late and how writing music was one of the only viable ways to deal with the strung-out side effects. It’s an abstract description of my shaky relationship with Adderall.”