2026/07 Listening Log

Genre: Indie Rock

Cheekface seem unable to make a bad record. This album, just like most of their previous releases, is full of cheerful, catchy and uplifting tunes. High sing-a-long factor in the choruses, and silly yet deceptively deep lyrics with the usual deadpan delivery from Greg. Can’t help but love this, and there’s nothing else quite like it.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Metallic Hardcore

A very angry and extremely heavy album, with genre-perfect gravelly coarse vocals and powerful, punchy production. The grooves on this thing are so insanely thick and juicy, and even though the band strays into pop-metal territory every once in a while on their choruses, the sheer power of the chugs and breakdowns throughout the record more than makes up for it. I think this might be my favorite album of the month so far. It's only a tad too long, which brings down my score a bit, but damn I love this.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Alt/Prog Metal

A one-man project apparently, which in itself is impressive. It's a shame the music is quite uninteresting.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Groove Metal

I was very into Devildriver for their first two or three albums back in the day, but haven't really enjoyed their music since. On this album however, they seem to be switching up to modernize their approach to songwriting a bit, and I have to admit that I think this is the best they've sounded in a long time. Unfortunately, the album is way too long at 50 minutes, and the best songs are all up front. Still enjoyable but definitely loses its momentum along the way.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore

A knuckle-dragger of a hardcore record which doesn't really have any obvious redeeming qualities beyond its sheer heaviness and the distinct "start-stop" way the band writes their songs. Luckily it's over in a flash at barely 20 minutes of runtime so you don't have time to get bored.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Hardcore Punk

The best of the best in this genre just makes you wanna lose your mind. This doesn't. It's a decent, rolling, raw punk record which is consistently enjoyable but still doesn't make me wanna smash stuff at any point. It's cool, I can enjoy it, and it won't make me instantly bored, but only barely so.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Blues Rock

While Jack's previous record No Name was one of my favorite records of 2024, this unfortunately can't compete with it. Don't get me wrong, there's good stuff here. The little solo guitar flares especially, which always put a grin on my face. But the songs just aren't as engaging, and the production is way worse.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Hard Psych/Stoner Rock

One of those awful situations where I would probably be very into the album if only the vocals were different. The music itself is very creative and memorable, but the robotic and flat clean vocals just simply ruin the tone and attitude of the instrumentals for me. Hate when that happens.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Alt Metalcore

I knew when I heard Loathe for the first time a couple years ago that they're quite a special band, and I had their 2020 record I Let It In And It Took Everything on regular rotation. This new album right here completely surpasses everything they've ever done. It is probably the most creative and sonically diverse metal record of the year, all without being too saccharine or sheepishly trying to appeal to a certain demographic. It sounds unique, modern, uncompromising, pure, and still manages to smash your face in regularly. It's really good!

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Progressive Metal

I haven't really been blown away by any Protest The Hero record since their sophomore release Kezia, but this one might even surpass my fondness for that album. This is a wildly energetic and uplifting piece of alternative progressive metal that is incredibly infectious, technically impressive, and bursting with personality. It's a bit eclectic, but that's just PTH doing what they do.

Tier: A
(Awesome)

Genre: Japanese Slam/Cyber Metal

This is the record you wanna check out this month if you want something weird and unique without the usual pretension, and is still technically impressive, works musically, and goes absolutely hard as fuck. You could definitely call this novelty if you want, but I call it personality.

Tier: B
(Better than average)

Genre: Thrashy Death Metal

Powerful OSDM which just absolutely barrels through its barely 27 minute runtime. The grooves are undeniable, the mood is absolutely perfect, and the production is nice and punchy. One of the best pure metal albums of July '26. The only thing I'm missing is slightly more powerful vocals, but that's a nitpick. Very, very good stuff.

Tier: A-
(Awesome)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

I can recognize this as being very technically impressive music, and even be into it in parts, but it's a bit too noodley and guitar-wankey for me. They sacrifice a bit too much of the groove and power that I prefer in this genre.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Metalcore, leaning towards Hardcore

A perfectly fine metalcore record which is brought down by really flat and unengaging vocals. The instrumentals can pop from time to time, but then go back to being simply a bit of a dud. Shame.

Tier: C
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Black Metal / Crust

I honestly couldn't focus on the music at all while listening to this, due to the severely blown out production. I can admit that it's genre-appropriate, when an entire album is this hard to listen to you've already lost me, regardless of how good the music is.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Metalcore

This falls squarely into what I call pop metal; They're very good at composing melodies and sentiment, but fail completely at being heavy or menacing. In other words, the pop is strong, the metal is weak, and I absolutely cannot stand that combination.

Tier: C-
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Hip-Hop / Rap

More my speed as far as beats go, but Vince's whiny nasal voice is not that appealing. Has a couple of standout tracks that I dig but not loving the album as a whole.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Rap

An album by a very talented lyricist with very hit-and-miss beats underneath. A lot of it sounds quite warped and jazzy, and there are definitely more rollers than bangers. Whack's vocal timbre doesn't tickle my ears in the same way certain other artists do, but the quality of the whole package kind of makes up for that. Enjoyable, but I need to be in the mood for it.

Tier: B-
(Better than average)

Genre: Ambient

I've known of Boards of Canada ever since I really started getting into music, but this album just falls right in line with everything else I've heard from them. The atmosphere is great, hauntingly beautiful even, and yet I always get bored within five minutes. It's not them though, it's me.

Tier: C+
(Cool, but not my thing)

Genre: Deathcore

To be honest, this felt like a mess. The way this band writes their songs simply does not appeal to me at all.

Tier: D
(Didn't remember anything)