Media Monarchy plays Idlewild, Kneecap, Soft Play and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for July 14, 2025. ♬
The Dopamines – “Wedge” // “For Heaven’s Sake Pt. 2” // “The Doctor” (Vinyl)
’80/20′
Rad Girlfriend Records – October 18, 2024
*The Dopamines – “Wedge” // “For Heaven’s Sake Pt. 2” // “The Doctor” (Vinyl) https://radgirlfriendrecords.bandcamp.com/album/80-20 // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dopamines // “Guess what this ain’t my job.” Introducing ’80/20,’ the highly anticipated new album from the acclaimed punk rock band, The Dopamines. Recorded by Grammy-winning producer Chris Dugan (Green Day, Weezer), this album marks a triumphant return to the scene after 7 years for the Cincinnati-based quartet, renowned for their raw energy, blistering melodies, and unapologetically honest lyrics. “80/20” perfectly encapsulates the true sound and character of The Dopamines.*
*****
Idlewild – “Stay Out Of Place”
‘Idlewild’
V2 Records – October 3, 2025
*Idlewild – “Stay Out Of Place” https://youtu.be/UN17xBeX4Nc // https://idlewild.ffm.to/stayoutofplace // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idlewild_(band) // The lead single to preview ‘Idlewild,’ the upcoming first new album in six years by Scottish alternative rock band, Idlewild. Due on October 3rd via V2 Records.*
Big Special – “God Save The Pony”
‘National Average’
SO Recordings – July 4, 2025
*Big Special – “God Save The Pony” https://open.spotify.com/track/3QrvKxTmQWIpI9cGE3HakK // https://lnk.to/NATIONALAVERAGE // From ‘National Average,’ the just-released surprise drop sophomore album by UK duo, Big Special. Available now via SO Recordings. Featured on last year’s “So American” and the #BestOf2024 with “Trees”!*
Blush – “X My Heart”
‘Beauty Fades, Pain Lasts Forever’
Kanine Records – August 1, 2025
*Blush – “X My Heart” https://blushblush.bandcamp.com/track/x-my-heart // The lead single to preview ‘Beauty Fades, Pain Lasts Forever,’ the upcoming album by Singapore band, Blush. Due on August 1st via Kanine Records.*
*****
Kneecap – “The Recap” (w/Mozey)
Digital Single
Heavenly Recordings – June 23, 2025
*Kneecap – “The Recap” (w/Mozey) https://kneecap.bandcamp.com/track/the-recap-ft-mozey // https://www.kneecap.ie // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemi_Badenoch // Here’s the latest single by the always in trouble activist band from Belfast, available now via Heavenly Recordings. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is behind the inspiration of the song with lyrics like: “Get me Kemi’s money and give her our thanks”. They also say in the song that the politicians “career is going to rot” and references Margaret Thatcher, as well as Badenoch’s attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party’s election loss. The song signs off with: “Onwards and upwards, free Palestine.”*
Neckscars – “Dancing In The Stars”
‘Unhinged’
Sell The Heart Records – August 1, 2025
*Neckscars – “Dancing In The Stars” https://neckscars.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-in-the-stars // https://linktr.ee/Neckscars // The lead single to preview ‘Unhinged,’ the upcoming album by NYC trio, Neckscars. Due on August 1st via Sell The Heart Records.*
Electric Frankenstein – “Spittin’ Blood”
‘Spittin’ Blood’ (7″ Vinyl)
Boxer Face Records – June 6, 2025
*Electric Frankenstein – “Spittin’ Blood” https://boxerfacerecords.bandcamp.com/track/spttin-blood // The title track of the just-released 4-song 7″ EP by North Carolina punk band, Electric Frankenstein. Available now via Boxer Face Records.*
*****
Burnt Tapes – “Little Sister” (w/Hannah Hermione Greenwood of Creeper)
‘New Lungs’
Wiretap Records – August 7, 2025
*Burnt Tapes – “Little Sister” (w/Hannah Hermione Greenwood of Creeper) https://wiretaprecords.bandcamp.com/track/little-sister-feat-hannah-hermione-greenwood-creeper // From ‘New Lungs,’ the upcoming album by London punk band, Burnt Tapes. Due on August 7th via Wiretap Records.*
Westside Cowboy – “Alright Alright Alright”
Digital Single
Heist or Hit & Nice Swan – June 17, 2025
*Westside Cowboy – “Alright Alright Alright” https://soundcloud.com/westsidecowboy-sc/alright-alright-alright // Here’s second single by new UK band, Westside Cowboy, available now via Heist or Hit & Nice Swan.*
Headstones – “Daylight Lightning”
‘Burn All The Ships’
Dine Alone Records – September 19, 2025
*Headstones – “Daylight Lightning” https://headstones.bandcamp.com/track/daylight-lightning // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headstones_(band) // The lead single to preview ‘Burn All The Ships,’ the upcoming album by Toronto band, Headstones. Due on September 19th via Dine Alone Records.*
*****
Teenage Bottlerocket – “Post Mortem Depression”
Digital Single
Pirates Press Records – June 20, 2025
*Teenage Bottlerocket – “Post Mortem Depression” https://teenagebottlerocket.bandcamp.com/album/post-mortem-depression // https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-concert-tickets-18-vaccinated-1000/story?id=77939060 // Here’s the new digital single by Laramie, Wyoming punks, Teenage Bottlerocket. Available now via Pirates Press Records. They were on the bill at $1,000 ticket for the unvaxxed concert in Florida in May 2021.*
Freezing Cold – “Backlight”
‘Treasure Pool’
Don Giovanni Records – August 1, 2025
*Freezing Cold – “Backlight” https://freezingcold.bandcamp.com/track/backlight // https://linktr.ee/Freezingcold // The lead single to preview ‘Treasure Pool,’ the upcoming album by New York band, Freezing Cold. Due on August 1st via Don Giovanni Records.*
*****
Wargirl – “Goodthing”
Digital Single
Clouds Hill – June 20, 2025
*Wargirl – “Goodthing” https://wargirl.bandcamp.com/track/goodthing // https://wargirlband.com // Here’s the just-released digital single by Long Beach band, Wargirl, available now via Clouds Hill.*
Soft Play – “Cheer Up London”
‘Are You Satisfied?’ (10th Anniversary Edition)
BMG – August 29, 2025
*Soft Play – “Cheer Up London” https://youtu.be/9qv5zgVcxQU // https://townsendmusic.store/products/artist/SOFT+PLAY // From the upcoming 2xLP 10th Anniversary Edition (combining the LP with tracks from the expanded edition CD for the first time), of Slaves’ (now Soft Play’s) 2015 album ‘Are You Satisfied?’, due on August 29th via BMG.*