Now that we’re into November, much of what we’ll be seeing for the Five Songs You Must Hear list will feature songs setting up albums for 2026. Time to get ready for what’s coming next.
1. Edgehill, Doubletake
Boycott Heaven (Severance/Big Loud Music)
Recommended If You Like: Weezer-ish bands
Here’s a trio made up of guys from various parts of the US–Virginia, Long Island, and Indiana—who connected as students at Vanderbilt University. You’ll hear the Weezer/Pavement/Dinosaur Jr. influences immediately. The band is getting traction at radio right now.
2. Joyce Manor, All My Friends Are So Depressed
I Used to Go to This Bar (Epitaph)
RIYL: Happy songs about sad people
Joyce Manor came out of Torrance, California, in 2008 and has six albums with a seventh on the way early next year. They have a folk-punk song that sometimes veers into acoustic territory. You won’t have to listen very hard to hear the Smiths/Morrissey influences.
3. Closet Judas, Overmorrow
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Existentialist rock
Is Waiting for Godot still part of the high school English curriculum? Samuel Beckett’s 1952 play featuring the characters Vladimir and Estragon has been performed countless times and also converted into song. Closet Judas says that this is his favourite play, so he used it as inspiration for this track. “Overmorrow,” by the way, is the word that describes “the day after tomorrow.”
4. Autumn Kings, Hellbound
Single (Hopeless Records)
RIYL: Next-gen Canadian rock
You might have run across Autumn Kings’ (est. 2015, LaSalle, Ontario) last song, Sleep When I’m Dead. They’re back with a single that should get them more high-profile opening gigs with the likes of Bush, Sublime with Rome, and Pop Evil. They love their Metallica and Linkin Park, and it shows.
5. Sleep Theory, Gravity
Afterglow (Epitaph)
RIYL: Breakout rockers
Memphis has the blues, but can the town rock? Sleep Theory proves that it came. The group has just been added to Papa Roach’s Canadian tour, which starts in Vancouver on November 25, adding to an opening slot resume that also includes Shinedown and Falling in Reverse. Dave Draiman of Disturbed is a fan.
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