This is one of the best LPs I've heard this so far this year, and definitely the best debut I've heard in a long, long time. These kids took some tried-and-true influences "Weezer, Jawbreaker, brevity” and created something that's familiar and exciting all at the same time, with a sense of melody of weariness that's well beyond their years. Buy this LP from 6131 and tell 'em I sent ya. Oh, Joyce Manor also has a split with Big Kids on the way via Brick Gun Records / Solidarity Recordings, and will be touring the east coast for the first time ever pretty soon with Lemuria and White Wives.

Another non-hardcore west coast band that's putting out records on a hardcore label (I promise this isn't intentional). I don't know much about Forming, but what I do know is that they play catchy, crunchy rock songs a la Cheap Girls, Lemonheads, etc. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but when it's done this well it's hard to not take notice. Their 7" is available for free download here, and you can buy it from Vitriol Records here. Do both of those things.

Gruff Beard Records is supposed to release this EP sometime soon. I've had it for a few weeks now and it picks up right where their excellent demo left off: tons of tight melodies, great choruses and an unabashed love for 90s punk that anyone wanting to feel nostalgic should have no problem loving. Kristia has a great voice, a voice you might be familiar with (she's been covering punk songs on YouTube for a while now) I recently played a new song from the EP called "Enjoy The Ride" on the Punknews Podcast, and the reaction was awesome. This band is going places.

I know this JUST got posted, but we might as well enjoy as much of this band as we can before they become massive. The Cans' upcoming LP Sit Resist is phenomenal, and "Master of Art" is a big reason why. If you're at this site, you know this band, so let's just watch (or rewatch) and agree (or reagree) that they're one of the best things going in this scene. So buy the LP already.