Elizabeth Weiss/RYM Magazine
From alternative debuts backed by major labels to Latin projects rooted in regional authenticity and hardcore records reaffirming the power of raw execution, this week’s new music reflects an industry balancing heritage, virality, and long-term artist development. Here are the 10 releases setting the tone for the week.
1. Violet Grohl – “THUM” / “Applefish”
Label: Republic Records (via Aurora Records)
Producers: Justin Raisen
Executive Summary:
With her first official solo release, 19-year-old Violet Grohl steps decisively out of the shadow and into master artist territory. Released via Republic Records through her independently owned Aurora Records, “THUM” and its B-side “Applefish” establish a deliberate duality: jagged, ’90s-leaning alt-rock on the A-side and cinematic restraint and steadiness on the flip. Produced by Justin Raisen, known for sculpting sounds for artists across indie and experimental pop, the tracks signal major-label investment in raw, traditional-leaning alternative rock at a time when Gen Z audiences are rediscovering rock-driven authenticity. The Super 8–style video directed by Nikki Milan Houston reinforces a cohesive aesthetic vision. With prior live exposure alongside Foo Fighters and festival credibility at Glastonbury Festival, Grohl’s debut positions her as a 2026 alternative breakout with both narrative intrigue and institutional backing.
2. Sarah Kinsley – “Fleeting (EP)”
Label: Verve Forecast / Fontana
Producers: Sarah Kinsley, Jake Aron
Executive Summary:
New York’s Sarah Kinsley follows her critically acclaimed debut with “Fleeting,” a five-song EP that sharpens her orchestral-pop identity while expanding her emotional palette. Produced alongside longtime collaborator Jake Aron, the project leans into cinematic synth and intimate lyricism, culminating in the focus track “Truth of Pursuit.” With co-sign visibility from Chappell Roan, Kinsley represents the rising class of self-directed alt-pop pioneers who blend classical music theory with streaming-era vibrancy. The EP reinforces Verve Forecast’s strategy of developing sophisticated, cross-genre pop voices with long-term catalog potential.
3. Jon Z – “Recuerdos”
Label: Warner Music Latina
Producers: TBA
Executive Summary:
Puerto Rican hitmaker Jon Z releases “Recuerdos” as the fifth preview of “Humilde,” marking a reflective pivot as he approaches a decade since “0 Sentimientos.” Nostalgia-driven visuals and autobiographical lyricism align with the Latin urban market’s current appetite for storytelling. Fresh off a Premio Lo Nuestro nomination, Jon Z sustains catalog dominance on Spotify even in an era of virality. In a streaming landscape increasingly rewarding narrative authenticity, “Recuerdos” functions as both brand consolidation and emotional recalibration ahead of the March album drop.
4. Dustin Lynch – “Getaway Car”
Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville
Producers: Petey Martin, Pete Hammerton
Executive Summary:
Multi-platinum country star Dustin Lynch doubles down on the country-dance crossover lane with “Getaway Car,” further blurring the line between Nashville tradition and nightlife production. With sleek programming from Petey Martin and Pete Hammerton, the track underscores a growing trend of country artists embracing EDM-adjacent sounds without sacrificing the radio viability country leans on. As Lynch extends his Wynn Nightlife residency and continues chart traction, this release reinforces a commercial reality that country’s next chapter may live equally in festival fields and club booths.
5. Aria Vega & Ryan Castro – “CHÉVERE (premium_remix)”
Label: Warner Music
Producers: TBA
Executive Summary:
Barranquilla’s Aria Vega elevates a viral regional hit with “CHÉVERE (premium_remix)” featuring Ryan Castro. After organic social traction and Billboard Colombia Hot 100 placement, the remix reflects a broader Latin industry strategy to amplify grassroots Caribbean-inflected records through co-signs. Vega’s “Costeñita Core” aesthetic taps directly into coastal Colombian identity branding, an increasingly globalizing niche as Afro-Caribbean rhythms dominate global Latin playlists.
6. Converge – “Love Is Not Enough”
Label: Epitaph Records
Producer: Kurt Ballou
Executive Summary:
Massachusetts metalcore architects Converge return with a short but sweet, 31-minute fine-tuning of their artistic vision. Produced by guitarist Kurt Ballou, “Love Is Not Enough” strips back the orchestral vibe of recent projects in favor of jagged riffs and moodiness that asks to be answered to. In a heavy music climate flirting with spectacle and polish, Converge’s renewed style underscores a truth: extremity, when executed with precision, remains commercially and culturally viable in the hardcore ecosystem.
7. TIMØ – “Canto Pa’ No Llorar”
Label: Universal Music Latino
Producers: Mauricio Rengifo, Andrés Torres, TIMØ
Executive Summary:
Colombian trio TIMØ deliver their second studio album, channeling 2000s Latin pop nostalgia through organic instrumentation and emotional transparency. Featuring collaborations with Juanes and festival momentum, including Lollapalooza Argentina, the project taps into a resurging desire for live-band authenticity in Latin pop. Designed as a front-to-back listening experience, the album strengthens TIMØ’s positioning as crossover-ready ambassadors of Colombia’s next wave.
8. Bleachers – “You and Forever”
Label: Dirty Hit
Producer: Jack Antonoff
Executive Summary:
Bleachers preview their forthcoming LP with “You and Forever,” a track that leans into romantic optimism while maintaining citified grit. With Jack Antonoff continuing his omnipresence across pop’s upper tier, Bleachers serve as both a creative outlet and a brand extension of his personal work. As Antonoff’s production résumé stretches across Grammy winners, this release reinforces his dual identity: behind-the-scenes and front-facing artist.
9. Angel Du$t – “COLD 2 THE TOUCH”
Label: Pop Wig Records
Producer: Brian McTernan
Executive Summary:
Baltimore’s Angel Du$t expands hardcore’s perimeter on “COLD 2 THE TOUCH,” blending swaggering rock ‘n’ roll with heavy beat intensity. Produced by scene veteran Brian McTernan and featuring collaborators including Negative Approach artists, the album underscores hardcore’s current renaissance where tradition and experimentation coexist profitably on touring circuits and vinyl markets alike.
10. Carol Ades – “That’s My Girl”
Label: Forge Records
Producers: TBA
Executive Summary:
New Jersey-born, L.A.-based Carol Ades continues refining her theatrical alt-pop voice with “That’s My Girl.” Known for queer coming-of-age themes, Ades operates within a growing songwriter-first pop lane that prioritizes emotional lyricism over algorithmic trends. As audience demand grows for narrative-driven, identity-forward pop, Ades represents a catalog-building artist.
About the Author
