Our Favorite Singles of July 2026

Hello, I knowwww it’s September, but things kind of got lost in July and August. I could go on a whole sob story about all the awful things I went through, but I’m not a fanfiction writer on Wattpad or AO3. Things also got crazy because I’m finishing a really cool thing that I hope to announce in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I finally got our favorite July singles here for you. There are so many different types of songs, ranging from party-pop hits to soft, moody shoegaze ballads to raging, politically aware punk anthems. We also go a bit international in this list, which is super cool! Another great set of songs is leaving me distressed about the list I’ll have to make for 2026 overall at the end of the year because ALL OF THESE ARE SO GOOD! Anyways, here is the list:

SWEET TOOTH - Friend 

punk, indie, garage

Friend is one of those bands where I never know what to expect from their releases, yet I know whatever they put out will be good. Their latest single, “SWEET TOOTH,” further proves this. As the lead single for their upcoming album THIS MACHINE MAKESFRIENDS, it creates a lot of excitement for the new project and era of the band. The song has the same indie-punk feel as their previous work, but it's more elevated and polished, leaning into dance-punk inspiration, specifically the 2000s revival sound. Under two minutes, the track is explosive with angst and grit. The bassline stands out most in this song, making it danceable. Paired with Josh Turner's low, almost sultry verse vocals, it creates a post-punk, moody feel. The listener is then led into a fiery chorus with loud, crunchy guitars and rough, screamy vocals that push the song into a grungy, punk sound. I truly love how Friend balances their many genre inspirations into one blended sound, always creating something so unique. I’m so excited for the rest of the album! You can find “SWEET TOOTH” on all streaming platforms. Look out for their studio album coming out November 13th! You can find Friend on Instagram at @friend.phl to keep up with their releases and upcoming shows!

Tell Me You Love Me - eevie echoes & The Locations

punk, ska, grunge

I love it when a band isn’t shy about letting their sound span genres, taking inspiration from a different one with each release. eevie echoes & The Locations are a perfect example. Although they tend to lean toward punk and ska, they draw inspiration from many subgenres and eras within those sounds. In “Tell Me You Love Me,” you can hear the straight-up, raw ’70s punk emanating from the song. Yet there’s a fresh sound to it as well, making it perfect for a Warped Tour compilation CD. The fast-paced, upbeat single comes as the band announces they’re currently recording a new album. There’s a grit in eevie’s voice that I truly love as she sings of lesbian love and lust, and how those two concepts can get confused for one another when you become almost obsessive with someone. The tight drumming adds to the urgency she feels to be with this person, creating a rhythm that makes the listener want to get up and dance. The track is super catchy, especially with the awesome harmonies in the background of the verses and in the chorus. There’s a nice build-up to the bridge, changing the melody of the vocals and the rhythm of the guitar, giving a release of the tension built. If you like what you hear, consider donating to the band to help them record their upcoming album via PayPal or Venmo @eevieechoes! I’m excited to hear what they have in store for us. Find “Tell Me You Love Me” here and follow the band at @eevieechoes to keep up with them!

Cover design by @a38.special

Off with your head!/Think about nothin - Jay Veil

punk

Finding a true punk who is genuinely unafraid to say how they feel can feel rare these days, but Jay Veil proves they still exist and, now more than ever, are willing to write about everything that is wrong with the world. With his two newest singles, “Off with your head!” and “Think about nothin,” Veil expresses his frustration with systems that make people feel and act dumb and lazy. “Off with your head!” speaks to how everyone isn’t thinking because they’re scared or because of propaganda from the government and its capitalist systems, leaving the population doing nothing about our worsening conditions. The song is a burst of sarcastic energy. The same goes for “Think about nothin,” which addresses people who purposefully become ignorant of the issues around them. Both songs have an indie-rock quality in the guitar tones, but the fast playing still gives off the angsty energy needed for a punk song. There’s a filter on Veil’s frustrated voice that almost feels like mimicking a speaker spewing propaganda. The latter song has some fun ad-libs between the chorus and second verse, singing “la la la,” reiterating that people willfully ignore things to stay comfortable. Both songs complement each other very well, and I’m very happy to be hearing more from Veil! You can find him at @jayveilsucks and his music here to support him!

Album cover artwork by @tvv.tyler & photographed by @briannabalducci

Wet Brain - TVOD

post-punk

Brooklyn-based post-punk rockers TVOD have graced us with another amazing single from their upcoming sophomore album, The Farm. “Wet Brain” is a danceable and sadly relatable tune. Lead singer Tyler Wright sings about the despair of numbing yourself to get through life's pain and slowly losing your mind. You can hear the desperation and frustration of wanting to break out of this numbness in Wright’s voice. He wants to feel something and function properly again. The song is short yet catchy; it’s been stuck in my head since its release! I love the synth and guitar tones; they work really well together, giving it an ’80s sound. The outro is one of my favorite parts of the track, as the last two lines of the chorus repeat overlapping Wright singing the lines “I want to be a real human being/Praying to God when I’m high on the weekend/Like a dog when I got you to believe in/In the pouring rain trying to catch a feeling,” which truly exhibit the song’s melancholy. Another great single that is getting me even more excited for the upcoming album! You can find the song here, pre-save The Farmhere, and follow them on Instagram @televisionoverdose to keep up with them!

Photos by @c.c.hancock and edits/design by @sayhellolola

God Save the Party - Le Bang

pop, dance-rock

Get transported back to a house party in the late aughts/early 2010s with Le Bang’s comeback single “God Save the Party.” Drawing on the electropop of the indie-sleaze internet era, Le Bang creates a carefree, nonchalant yet flashy, fun atmosphere in the 2 minutes and 45 seconds they capture. The track opens with a high-pitched synth and lead singer Lola Lancon speaking in French. We then move into the first verse, with a punchy bassline driving the song and Lancon’s sweet, popstar voice keeping listeners hooked. The chorus is catchy and will genuinely be stuck in your head for days (an entire month in my case). The second verse throws you a curveball as bassist Stavros Lari starts to rap, reminding listeners of other songs from the era. The bass gets heavier during this verse, adding a fun mood shift before the song returns to the chorus. It's such a fun and danceable track that I can imagine wealthy Manhattan kids going crazy at one of their house parties in their parents' penthouse. You can listen to “God Save the Party” on all major streaming platforms and find the band on Instagram at @lebangband to keep up with any new releases and shows!

crack in the window - sunvale

midwest emo

July through November, in my opinion, is the perfect season for Midwest emo music. When I listened to sunvale’s newest single, “crack in the window,” it brought me to tears, I knew it would be on repeat for the next few months. This track is so beautiful and one of sunvale’s best yet. It opens with lush acoustic guitar and an earworm rhythm. Then her voice comes in, sounding better than ever, as she poetically sings of missing a love who never gets to be by her side for long. It builds nicely as instruments slowly enter, like a shaker, the bass, and percussion, creating a satisfying jangly texture. The bass is one of my favorite parts of the composition, as it contrasts with and complements the guitar well. “crack in the window” builds into a beautiful chorus of layered sounds that create a melancholy, bittersweet, magical feeling that more Midwest emo bands and artists should strive for. It truly raised my expectations for the genre, and I’m so excited to see what sunvale delivers next, as she recently hinted at recording an album. You can find “crack in the window” here and follow sunvale on Instagram @sunvale.mdwest!

Cover artwork by @someshi_idid

Mothman - Out by Lucy

rock

I think this may be the first Canadian band I’m covering, and I’m sorry to the Canadian scene for not knowing you rocked like this! I need to keep up with y’all more. Anyways, Ottawa rock band Out by Lucy released an amazing single called “Mothman.” It’ll take you back to the 90s with its twangy, almost country-esque acoustic-and-electric-guitar combo that drives the track. It starts with the acoustic, making you believe it’s gonna be an acoustic ballad, and then rocks you into a soft rock hit as the rest of the instrumentation comes in. The singer, Harry Mees, is truly talented; his voice will genuinely leave you in disbelief as he sings about feeling like an outcast and a weirdo. There’s not only lots of personality and passion in his vocals but also in the song’s composition. I love how the acoustic guitar still comes through throughout the track, since most songs like this lose it with instrument layering. The track is super groovy, and it feels like the perfect song for a warm bar on the side of the road in a tight-knit town. I love the change of pace and the almost anticipation of the song ending. It’s such a great song that I wouldn’t think I’d fall in love with, so please listen to it even if it doesn’t seem like your thing; you won’t regret it! You can find the song on all major streaming platforms, and you can follow the band on Instagram @outbylucy to keep up with them!

Cover artwork by Jacob Curry

Thousand Yard Stare/Abacus - Khamsin

shoegaze, post-rock

I love randomly discovering bands from other cities and local scenes around the country. When I found Nashville’s Khamsin, I was super intrigued by their sound, especially their recent double single “Thousand Yard Star/Abacus.” Both songs have that emo angst and lyrical self-reflection, and they play off similar themes, at least as I interpreted them. Starting with “Thousand Yard Stare,” we are immediately thrown into a moody, grungy, fuzzy guitar frenzy. It’s punchy yet on the slower side. Lead singer Jacob Curry sings about feeling unseen and wanting someone’s attention, but no matter what he does, he is neglected and starts to feel numb. You can almost feel the sentiment in the instrumentation, like a distant memory fading. The instrumental layers blur into one another, creating a melancholy atmosphere. “Abacus” is faster and a bit more upbeat. The guitars feature nice-sounding effects and a complicated, almost math-like riff. The drums and bass create a strong rhythm as Curry sings about being self-critical and constantly tracking mistakes. Both tracks make a great way to end the summer. You can listen to the singles here and follow the band on Instagram @khamsinband!

Cover artwork by @armanmasudi

Keep out of Reach - Black Corollas 

shoegaze 

Indonesian shoegaze project Black Corollas reached out to me a couple of months ago to share some songs they’ve released, and I am so grateful I checked them out. Their music creates a bigger-than-life atmosphere that is overwhelming in the best way possible, and their latest single, “Keep out of Reach,” is a perfect example. It starts with moody, distorted guitars. It's calm, sullen, and sad. There’s a synth that almost sounds like a harmonica, echoing throughout the melody. A guitar riff at the beginning drags you into the song, commanding your full attention. Soft, harmonized vocals come in, singing about two people drifting apart and feeling the presence the other left behind. I like the touch of co-ed vocals in harmony, as it shows both sides of the relationship feel this way and yearn for each other, yet cannot be together. Another amazing shoegaze song to listen to this Fall. You can find “Keep out of Reach” on all streaming platforms and follow the band @black.corollas to keep up with releases and shows!

wounds - hostile

indie rock

We have another amazing single from the indie alternative musician hostile that showcases their vulnerability and ability to evoke feelings in every listener. The song opens with a beautiful, fingerpicked acoustic guitar riff. hostile comes in with what is probably their strongest vocals yet, singing about missing someone so much it feels like they never left. They delve into the relatable feeling that no matter how hard they try to forget them, they see this person everywhere. The song slowly builds with electric guitar and drums into a satisfying chorus and second verse. The harmonies are lovely. After the initial build-up, brief pauses disrupt the melody here and there, letting the energy dissipate and then return in a really interesting way. I love this track because it takes sounds from earlier in the decade in the indie genre and, instead of just copy-pasting, brings something new and meaningful to the table. You can find “wounds” on any major streaming service and keep up with hostile on Instagram @beenhostile!

Uh-Huh - HOT SEAT

punk, indie

Philadelphia has some of the best, most compelling, and eccentric bands coming out of the DIY scene, and I’m genuinely loving it so much; it’s making me consider moving there (sorry, not sorry to all those New York or nowhere peeps). HOT SEAT is a more recent find from that scene, and I’m loving their single “Uh-Huh.” The song opens with a fun, funky bass-and-guitar intro that showcases the band's quirky personality. Lead singer Molly Bearden enters the track with strong, punk vocals, commanding the room. There’s so much character in her voice throughout the single, which is why I love it so much. The guitars are dirty, and the drums are fast and punchy, creating a danceable yet moshable rhythm. I can totally imagine people two-stepping to the chorus. I’m excited to see what else they've got in store. You can find “Uh-Huh” anywhere you stream music, and you can keep up with HOT SEAT on Instagram at @hotseatbandphl!

Baby You’re the Star of the Show - The Curtain Call

emo, pop punk

I know a lot of people think anything heavily inspired by the mid-2000s mainstream emo sound is redundant, and I mostly agree. However, The Curtain Call proves you can use this sound, give it a fresh take, and make it your own. This is particularly evident in their latest single, “Baby You’re the Star of the Show.” The vocals on this track immediately reminded me of Bert McCracken of The Used. There’s a range throughout, from almost whiny, angsty vocals to a rougher scream. Angst is written all over this track. It will immediately make you reminisce about your teen years during your “this-is-not-a-phase-mom” phase, which actually was never a phase. The lyrics are clever and remind me of Gerard Way’s lyrics on Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and Hayley Williams’ lyrics on Riot! The guitars are sharp, the bass is heavy, and the opening is a great introduction to the song, with drums that’ll make you want to headbang until your neck snaps. It's fun, nostalgic, and will spark the old, pop-punk, black-smudged-eyeliner-wearing you out of its cage. You can find the single on all major streaming platforms and follow the band @thecurtaincallmusic on Instagram to keep up with them!

Cover artwork by @staciaphalen

Instinct - Hands First

punk

Have you ever listened to a song and it felt like a hit-and-run? Like you couldn’t even process what you just heard; you just know it was a crazy experience? That’s kind of how I felt with Hands First’s single “Instinct.” Luring you in with an entrancing synth loop, Hands First gets you locked in as a faint electric guitar enters. Then everything gets louder as lead singer Camden Phalen comes in with hard-hitting, rage-filled vocals. It genuinely feels like a punch to the gut. The rawness of the vocals also comes through in the lyrics about being frustrated with the current state of the world and how it goes against our human instinct to live; money shouldn’t control our lives. I like how the band leans into the repeated synth throughout the song, yet it doesn’t take away from the dynamic, aggressive guitars and drums. Another amazing song from the band, and I’m excited to hear what’s coming from them next. You can find “Instinct” here and follow the band @handsfirstband on Instagram!

Hair - Crab

indie rock, art rock

New York City band Crab has a knack for crafting songs that feel bigger than this world, capturing the specific feeling of what they’re writing about. Their latest single, “Hair,” is no different. Embracing nostalgia, lead singer Paul Anderson sings of wanting to be with someone so badly that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. The harmonies with synthesist and vocalist Kasey Johnson are ethereal as always, adding a truly magical feel to the track. It's meditative, yet it has a very interesting, textured composition, especially with the overlapping guitar and synth tones. There’s also a nice buildup of sounds into the more explosive chorus; the whole song is rich with many different sounds that create a sentimental feeling. I can imagine this being played in the background of a coming-of-age movie from the 2010s about a group of kids having their last adventure before graduating. You can find “Hair” here and follow Crab to keep up with shows and new music on Instagram @crab.www!

LUNGS - Cussing

indie, pop, rock

As I always say, I LOVE when bands introduce themselves to me and send over music. New Jersey duo Cussing messaged me with this song attached, and I fell in love with it! “LUNGS” is a fiery, punky pop single with dirty, grungy guitars and infectious melodies and vocals. The programmed drums give it that rock, indie-sleaze sound you would’ve heard in 2012. It's danceable and catchy; a great introduction to their EP, HAVE YOU SEEN CUSSING?, which came out in August. The track starts off strong with Stephanie Douglas’ commanding vocals that draw listeners in immediately. The chorus has a fun rhythm that’ll be stuck in your head for days. The guitar solos are strong, adding the edge the song needs. My favorite part is the breathing sequence that adds to the beat. Very fun, carefree track! You can find “LUNGS” and HAVE YOU SEEN CUSSING?” here, and you can find the band @cussing.nj!

As always, I hope you guys found a few songs you truly love! Next week I’m hoping to get August top singles to you, plus a couple of show overviews and an album review that are long overdue… see you then!