Do you want more music beyond just the oldies? Well, in that case, you’d better start carrying around a calendar of the upcoming major music releases. Here, we got you covered for February 2025!
These are the most interesting new albums in the alternative music sphere. And while many of these punk, indie, or post-punk bands have been around for a while, we can only hope for innovation and a bunch of new, great songs.
10 Most Important New Releases of February 2025
10. Q Lazzarus – “Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus”
Everyone loves a good mystery. And everyone loves a creepy, sorrowful song. Q Lazarus provided both these things. The upcoming documentary about the singer’s life post “Goodbye Horses” fame is set to answer questions about why there were few further releases or news about the singer.
More than just an oddity, “Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus” could answer how one can produce such a hauntingly beautiful song. That in itself is worth paying attention.
9. Sam Fender – “People Watching”
Sam Fender has been fashioning himself into the modern, British Bruce Springsteen for a while. And he’s acquired plenty of fans along the way. While this writer feels a little underwhelmed, Fender has certainly shown a great deal of ambition. The main single received alright reviews, and there’ll be excitement for the whole album. Is this his “Born to Run?” Probably not!
8. Mdou Moctar – “Tears of Injustice”
One of the most exciting guitar players active today, Nigeria’s Mdouc Moctar, will follow up the well-received “Funeral for Justice” with its acoustic counterpart “Tears of Injustice.” The official press describes this as the grief which follows the outrage. I would expect the unplugged interpretation to add new angles and colour to this already impressive set of songs.
7. Panda Bear – “Sinister Grift”
The careers of Animal Collective and its member Panda Bear are two of the most interesting ones in recent decades of indie rock. You would’ve expected a fair deal of experimentation with this one. But if the singles “Ends Meet” and “Ferry Lady” are anything to go by, Panda Bear has been listening to plenty of 80s tropical pop and is looking to share the good vibes on “Sinister Grift.”
6. The Wombats – “Oh! The Ocean”
Frankly, a band like The Wombats were a few people’s first choice of indie-rock band to survive in the long run. The indie discos may be closing left and right. But The Wombats are proving resilient and determined.
Do they still wanna dance the night away to Joy Division and celebrate the i-rony? Nah, early indications suggest that the blues has finally caught up to The Wombats and their sound. Good!
5. Killswitch Engage – “This Consequence”
Killswitch Engage’s musicians were supposed to be modern metal gods filling out arenas. The plan has worked in part. The band will hope to get back to winning ways with “This Consequence.” Early singles suggest that this will be a balancing act between metal tactics and radio-friendly rock. Let’s hope for more of the former.
4. Modern English – “1 2 3 4”
Modern English may have the back catalogue to comfortably go out and tour the world. But the group’s not resting on its laurels or turning a blind eye to modern events.
The single “Not My Leader” was a new-wave protest song. We’re likely to get more righteous anger mixed with beautiful melodies on “1 2 3 4,” the band’s first new album in nearly nine years.
3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – “IC-02 Bogotá”
For better or for worse, Unknown Mortal Orchestra is one of the most influential bands in alternative music today. The 11-minute funk jam of “Earth 1,” the first release of “IC-02 Bogotá,” suggests that we’re in for a lighter, groovier affair than the group’s patented psych-rock gloom.
2. Yo La Tengo – “Old Joy EP”
Yo La Tengo is an indie rock institution at this point. Recent releases announced that the trio remains just as excited about playing new music but quite disenchanted with the world at large.
If the 2024 single, “Leaving Home”, is an indicator, the six-song set that makes up “Old Joy” will focus more on the band’s excellent, subtle interactions that have required years to get just right.
1. J Mascis – “What Do We Do Now”
One of the premier figures in alternative music, J Mascis, is set to release the physical version of the new album “What Do We Do Now.” On the new record, Mascis’ vocals are as low-key as ever, and the songwriting rivals some of the best work done throughout Dinosaur Jr.‘s career.
It’s a friendly, familiar voice, alright. But J Mascis, like many of his contemporaries, has existential dread taking up his time.
While the tone is darker than some fans would want, the songs and performances are satisfying. Mascis, one of alt-rock’s heaviest, most-inspired guitarists, rivals himself with acoustic-based releases like “What Do We Do Now”, which only help to make his back catalog stranger, and more exciting.
