Our Favorite Singles of April 2026

Hi! Long time no see. I’m very excited to get back to doing these again. I'm sorry I missed March, as a lot happened in my personal life, but I’ll give you my top three releases from that month right here: “Millionaire” by Pippy, “everything, everything”/“family tree” by static brian, and “The Win (Homo-erect THIS!)” by Kiss Like Missiles. Now that we got that out of the way, THERE WAS SO MUCH GREAT MUSIC IN APRIL! Many of my favorite artists released some of their best work, and I also discovered a bunch of new artists while curating this list. As always, listen to each of these songs, and I hope you find something that speaks to you :) 

AMERICAN SPIRIT - YANKEEGIRL

rock, punk, riot grrl

YANKEEGIRL is an all-girl rock quartet based in New Paltz, NY. You may already be familiar with them, as they were featured in our second issue following their debut self-titled single. Their sophomore single, “AMERICAN SPIRIT,” leans further into punk, channeling their rage against the world. It’s rawer, messier, and louder than before, making you excited for their future releases. The bassline drives the song throughout, and the singers, Izzy and Lindsey, adopt a rough, riot-grrl vocal style. It’s a step up from their previous single. The guitars blare through the speakers, sounding super crunchy and grungy. The lyrics comment on “smoking” the “American spirit” in the context of our country's violent imperialism against the rest of the world. The song is riddled with satire and irony. One of my favorite lines is “got a phantom limp dick and I’m gonna fuck the world with it.” Truly a track you can mosh out your frustrations of the world to. You can find the song here and find YANKEEGIRL on Instagram @yankeegirlband!

SFX - fxris & stomping plastic 

electropop

stomping plastic was a mutual of mine when I was more active on the old fanart account I started at 15. I revisited the account last month to catch up on all the art I missed and found out they make music now, so, of course, I had to take a listen to their most recent song. I fell in LOVE. stomping plastic is a multimedia artist from LA, and fxris is an upcoming producer. This collaboration on an electronic party song will take you out of this world. The song immediately captures your attention with a softer synth and stomping plastic’s vocals. It builds with overlapping synths and fxris’s vocals. The vocal overlap of the two artists transitions the listener into the heavily layered chorus, with cut-up vocals and a driving bass that pushes the audience to take a spot on the dance floor. The entire song is a textured soundscape, perfect for a night when you want to take your mind off the world and life’s struggles. The lyrics reflect this sentiment, urging the listener to let themselves go to the music. Truly a great single, and I cannot wait to see what's in store for both artists. You can find the song on major streaming platforms, and both artists, @stompingplastic & @fxrisonline, on Instagram!

Single Cover Photo by Sara Lynn

quarter gallon - The Bad News First 

indie rock

The Bad News First is one of my favorite bands I’ve found on this magazine journey. Honestly, one of the few things keeping me interested in the indie-rock/pop genre is watching how this band grows into their sound. Their latest single, “quarter gallon,” is definitely one of their most interesting songs yet. Departing from the more pop sound of previous singles, the single begins with an ethereal synth intro, drawing the listener into a sonic environment you can get lost in—it's almost dreamlike. The guitar comes in, evoking a bittersweet feeling. The vocals just keep getting better with each release. Along with layered guitars with a clean-ish tone that scratches my brain just right, the lyrics speak of going on a long drive. I interpreted this song as sentimental, speaking to nostalgia and moving on from something, or even somewhere in your life that may be holding you back. This is a perfect tune to listen to on a late-night drive when you’re contemplating your life. The Bad News First is definitely growing into their sound, and I’m so excited to see what's in store for them. You can find them and their music here!

Kneehighs - julia casablancas

experimental electronic, hyperpop

julia casablancas is a Brooklyn-based musician who constantly experiments with genres and sounds. Her latest single, “Kneehighs,” proves that no matter what she experiments with, it will be a masterpiece. The track starts with synths and julia’s vocal runs stealing the spotlight. Even with heavy autotune and effects on her voice, her vocals stand out beautifully. Once the beat comes in, it drives the song through its high, fast, and low, slower points. The breakdown toward the middle of the track weaves together multiple synths, beats, and vocal runs, experimenting with a wide range of sounds. You truly will hear a new part of the melody every time you listen to it. There are many hidden treasures throughout the single. She nails a futuristic, dreamlike sound, creating an overall beautiful piece of music. You can find her and her music, including “Kneehighs,” here! 

Through The Gate - Don’t Tell Iris

indie rock, alternative

Boston band Don’t Tell Iris finally released their first single of the year, and it clearly shows their evolution in sound since their debut last year. “Through The Gate” follows some of the same lyrical themes seen in their music: story-driven, mystical, and foreboding. However, “Through The Gate” is more whimsical and a bit lighter than their previous singles. It starts with an acoustic guitar, and lead singer Olive’s voice takes the stage, grabbing the listener's attention. She is truly a talented vocalist, and this track showcases it. The harmonies, especially, are ethereal. When the chorus bursts through with electric guitars, the listener feels all the emotions. As the song builds, violins and even a spoken-word voicemail in the second verse blend beautifully into the music. This single truly feels fantastical and reminds me of songs on the Tinker Bell movie soundtracks (specifically the 2008 one). You can find the song on all major streaming platforms and follow @donttelliris on Instagram. 

Album Cover Art by Nico Lownheitz

over anything - midrift 

shoegaze, alternative

San Francisco trio midrift has made themselves prominent in the scene of shoegaze, emo, and alternative rock over the past year or so, and there’s no question as to why. With the release of their debut studio album, silhouette,coming out June 5th of this year, they have released a few singles, with one of the most recent ones being “over anything.” “over anything” taps into their more grungy inspirations, yet still keeps the melodic tendencies of their sound. Of course, the fuzzy, almost crunchy, messy guitars drive the sound, allowing the song to consume you. The verses are softer, with more monotonous vocals, and then the listener is thrown into a chorus with raw, almost screamy vocals, which creates dynamism throughout the single and keeps the listener engaged. The lyrics speak of trying to be there for the person you love, no matter how hard it is to keep yourself afloat. It’s a headbanger and a professional yearner anthem. Perfect for stadiums, which I hope will soon be able to fill. You can find the song on all major streaming platforms and find midrift @midriftofficial on Instagram. 

Single Cover Art by Father Koi

archangel (feat. 8485) - Father Koi

indie pop

Father Koi’s bio states “magical girl music” on every platform you can find her, and it’s hard to disagree. One of her latest singles, “archangel,” features artist 8485. The track instantly begins with angelic synths, creating a beautiful instrumental to lose yourself in and setting the stage for both vocalists and the beat. Both Father Koi & 8485’s vocals are charming and complement each other so well. Verse two and the end of the song feature breakdowns that are so satisfying. The build-ups are definitely worth it, which can sometimes be hard to achieve without sounding basic, but they create a captivating tune. The song’s lyrical content seems to reflect an inner battle with oneself – trying to become the person you want to be but feeling like you’re failing. It’s beating yourself up about all the mistakes you make, because you know you can do better. This song is definitely one of my favorite finds of the entire year so far! You can find both Father Koi & 8485 on Instagram @fatherk0i and @warehost, and find the song on all major streaming platforms!

Single Cover Photo by @bymercelis

I Grew A Beard - LoudEye

indie rock

LoudEye is a New York City-based indie band that draws inspiration from 2000s indie rock and classic rock. Their latest single, “I Grew A Beard,” truly exemplifies the growth they’ve had since their first single was released in 2024. This is probably some of the best performances we’ve seen from the boys across the board. Lyrically, the band touches on the troubles of growing up, the struggle to feel comfortable with yourself and how you present yourself to others, and how others may influence those decisions. The song starts with a single mellow electric guitar and Jason singing. It eventually builds into a full instrumental and gets rougher, especially in the vocals. You can tell there’s passion behind the music—I truly LOVE it when I can hear that on the first listen. There is a great guitar solo that leads us into the bridge. The chorus emulates The Strokes in the least annoying way possible (I know people are tired of them, but trust me, they can inspire great stuff!), and even hints at 60s classic rock inspiration with the harmonies in the background. Truly a great track that is getting me very excited to see where the band goes next! Find the song here and keep up to date with them @loudeyeofficial!

Single Cover Artwork by Stacia Phalen

Violence - Hands First

industrial punk

Hands First is a Brooklyn punk band that closely mirrors what’s happening with punk sounds in NYC. Their single “Violence” exemplifies this perfectly. It’s loud, coarse yet polished, and it captures the listener's attention. The bass drives the track heavily, with tight drumming and super-fuzzy guitars throughout. There’s a buildup to the vocals that echoes an almost post-punk/gothic style, making the lead singer sound almost robotic. There’s a mysterious, eerie feeling throughout the song, creating both apprehension and curiosity. The guitar and bass subtly build the vocals' volume and intensity as the track progresses. This is a truly electrifying headbanger, and I’m so excited to dive into Hands First’s discography and hopefully catch them at a show soon. You can find “Violence” here and keep up with Hands First on Instagram @handsfirstband.

No Dice - Pippy

indie rock

Pippy is one of those bands I stumbled upon at a random show that piqued my interest. I truly fell in love with them, and as they release more music, I’m eager to go to another show! Their latest single, “No Dice,” is the second single from their self-titled debut album, which comes out May 15th. “No Dice” is a great rhythmic track you can dance your heart out to at one of their shows or in your room alone. The bass line starts the track and stays front and center throughout. The guitars slowly build on top of each other until the drums come in and tie it all together, picking up the tempo before lead singer Kaley comes in with the vocals. The vocals embrace a cool, nonchalant attitude that comes off as sarcastic and self-aware. All the moving parts of the band create interesting rhythms, speeding up and slowing down at different points in the song. The guitar solo that comes before the outro is definitely one of the moments on the track that took me by surprise. It’s truly a great single. I cannot wait to hear all of Pippy next week! You can find the song on all major streaming platforms and follow them @pippyband. 

Bang the drum slowly - They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? 

alternative 

I’ve been saying for the past two years that Philly bands are creating some of the most interesting and experimental music I’ve heard, bending genres to their will in ways you couldn’t even imagine. “Bang the drum slowly” by They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is a perfect example of the experimentation coming out of the city. I genuinely have a hard time describing the sound. The track goes through so many different sounds, rhythms, and paces that I kept getting surprised by the direction it took. They mix experimental electronic sounds with synths, creating the song's calmer, more retrospective aspects. The guitars almost sound like synths, but they’re overdriven; you can truly feel the grit in your bones. If the listener were to skip to random parts of the song, it may sound like different songs. However, it all melds together with an overall weepy yet inspirational mood, keeping the listener on their toes. I’m so glad I got sent this single, and I cannot wait to hear more from the band. I will keep this song on repeat. You can find the song here and keep up with them @they_shoot_horses_dont_they!

Run Around Baby (demo) - En Plastic

synth-pop 

Another day, another great Philly band. Eccentric synth-pop duo En Plastic recently released two demos of songs they’ve been working on and couldn’t wait to share. They sent me the B-side of the single, “Run Around Baby," which you can tell they had fun creating. This track is a blast from the ’80s in the best way possible. Although it's over five minutes, it never feels like it falls off or gets too repetitive (I hope I convinced you all with short attention spans not to be scared of the duration). This is a great club anthem that keeps you on the dance floor and leaves you disappointed when the song ends, because you’ll wish it had played all night. The song starts slow and anticipatory and builds into an explosive chorus. Both the verses and the chorus feature a fun call-and-response between Sophia and Corinne, creating a bigger-than-life sound. They sing about constantly being disappointed with a relationship, feeling like nothing is progressing and that they keep going in circles without fixing anything. I cannot wait to see how they polish this one for an official release! You can find the song on their Bandcamp or download it here. You can keep up with them on Instagram @enplasticband!

You’ll Be Just Fine - UR SO

indie rock

New York band UR SO has been making their way around the state, blessing the ears of all who stumble upon them. Their newest single, “You’ll Be Just Fine,” captures the band’s playful spirit seen on their social media and at their shows. There’s a groovy bass line and a guitar riff that invite listeners to start dancing. There’s a bit of attitude in both the instrumentation and the vocals. Lead singer Django has grit in his voice that adds an almost sassy edge to it all. The entire song feels crunchy, with overdriven guitars and a textured vocal effect on Django’s voice. When listening to it, I can imagine the crowd dancing and moving all around at one of their shows. You can find the song on all major streaming platforms and follow them @ur_so_band!

Stars - Miss Teen America 

gothic rock

If you’re in the New York City DIY scene, you’ve probably heard of goth band Miss Teen America, and for good reason. “Stars” was released a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been obsessed with it! A gasp quickly engrosses the listener, and clean guitar tones follow promptly. It's soft, a little moody, almost sparkly, and intoxicating; you’re instantly immersed in their sonic landscape. It’s dramatic and melancholy, as the lead singer, TJ, sings stunningly about a soldier falling in love with an enemy while he’s overseas. This is the story explored on their upcoming debut album, For God and Country, which comes out this Friday, May 8th! They will also be performing an album release show that same day in Brooklyn at The Sultan Room; tickets are available here! You can find the song on all major streaming platforms, pre-save the album here, and keep up with them @msteenamerica. 

Burnout - Fare Evasion

pop-punk, alternative rock

“Burnout” by NYC-based Fare Evasion is a Warped Tour-esque summer anthem. It channels the sounds of angsty late-90s and early-2000s alt rock and pop-punk, especially the guitar tones and riffs, which truly remind me of Blink-182 but with a fresher take. There’s a mix of clean and dirty guitar tones that create a sense of vivacity throughout the track. Lead singer Chris reiterates throughout the song a feeling that we Gen Z and Millennials know—the American dream is dead, or perhaps never truly existed. Specifically in New York, people were promised that if you did all the right things and got a good-paying job, you could buy a nice house on Long Island and live happily ever after, which is, of course, impossible now. He rejects this way of living with the chorus “So go to school, get your degree/Then find a job it’s what you need/And pay your bills, nothings for free/Another burnt out L.I. dream.” You can listen to the single here and follow @fareevasion.band on Instagram to keep up with them!

Taught Me the Game - No Stupid Questions 

rock, Americana, indie folk

You know those songs that immediately hit you with a wave of nostalgia and make you miss everyone you’ve ever known? “Taught Me the Game” by NYC-based band No Stupid Questions is one of those songs. The band draws inspiration from a range of rock and folk sounds, offering a refreshing take on classic American rock. It’s a ballad riddled with jangly, sparkly guitars, creating an out-of-this-world feeling. There’s true passion in lead singer Brian’s voice as he reflects on his relationship with his father as they both grow older and life continues to change. It’s undeniably an emotional song you could cry to while stargazing and reflecting on your own relationships. You can save the song on all major streaming platforms and follow the band's journey @nostupidquestionsband!

Single Cover Photo by Chris Alderfer

Spacey - The Rose Hips

indie rock, pop

California duo The Rose Hips know how to craft a chill, sit-by-the-beach song, as seen in their debut single “Spacey.” The glittery, twangy guitar invites you in, creating a calming, summery vibe. There’s a bit of a groovy sound when the wah pedal is used occasionally. Lead singer Dane comes in with his smooth voice, explaining that he believes in himself to make his dreams come true, no matter how delusional he sounds. His voice grows grittier and more passionate as the song progresses. This song is for fans of mid-2000s indie pop or rock. Anything with that airy feeling of being on top of the world! You can find the song here and follow them @itstherosehips. 

Again, hope you found something that you fell in love with! I’m starting to do album and show overviews again. Please send me things you’re interested in, whether you're a band/artist or just a music lover! The DM’s on Instagram are always open, and the email is sofia@unchartedmusicmag.com :P