The Most Anticipated Albums Of 2022 (Part Three)

This is part three of four. If you haven’t read part two yet, check it out here.

2021 was the year many musicians showed us the works they created during the 2020 pandemic. And since the pandemic is still (somewhat) raging around the world, it’s giving musicians even more time to perfect their craft. 

In 2022, we’re getting several great albums some several great bands and artists, but out of all the albums that are coming out this year, these are the ones you need to keep your eyes on. Here are the most anticipated albums of 2022, in no particular order.

Kendrick Lamar

Album: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (Aftermath/Interscope/PGLang/Top Dawg)

Release Date: 5/13

Holy shit it’s out! Quickly, stop reading and listen to Kendrick Lamar’s fist album since 2017’s DAMN. Last year I put this album on my most anticipated records of 2021 since there was some hope of a new Kendrick album that year. We were wrong. But this year, he did officially confirm that his long-awaited fifth album would be out by 2022. Get stoked and bump this one loud.

Dance Gavin Dance

Album: Jackpot Juicer (Rise)

Release Date: 7/29

Dance Gavin Dance’s upcoming tenth album Jackpot Juicer has a lot of hype surrounding it, but it now holds a special place in fans’ hearts. It is the last studio album to feature longtime bassist Tim Feerick who mysteriously passed away last month. So while you’re rocking out and jamming to these groovy post-hardcore tunes, keep Tim’s memory in your mind while you’re doing so. Rest easy, Count Bassy. We love you.

Flogging Molly

Album: TBA (Rise)

Release Date: TBA

Celtic Punk legends Flogging Molly are scheduled to drop a new album sometime this year. No one knows when it’ll drop, but from what we heard on their latest track “These Times Have Got Me Drinking”, which reminiscences their early sound (think Swagger era), it’s gonna be a blast. Check it out when it drops this year through Rise Records (Dance Gavin Dance, Polyphia, Tiger Army).

Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Album: We Do Our Own Stunts (Self-Released)

Release Date: TBA

English dance-punks Does It Offend You, Yeah? haven’t been fully active since 2012, minus a one-off gig in 2015. But to everyone’s surprise, they’re back with a new album coming out sometime this year. It’s not sure yet if this is a short reunion like in 2015 or if they’re fully back permanently, but I’m hoping for the latter.

Joyce Manor

Album: 40 oz. To Fresno (Epitaph)

Release Date: 6/10

In early April, Californian indie punk trio Joyce Manor announced their sixth album called 40 oz. To Fresno. If you love their short, punky songs, you won’t be disappointed with this record. These nine songs are sure to get you through this summer, and the rest of the year. Frontman Barry Johnson said in a press release, “This album makes me think of our early tours, drinking a 40 in the van on a night drive blasting Guided By Voices and smoking cigarettes the whole way to Fresno.” Get it when it drops June 10.

Alexisonfire

Album: Otherness (Dine Alone)

Release Date: 6/24

Finally. After 13 years, we are getting a new Alexisonfire album. The Canadian post-hardcore gods are back. Alexisonfire have been back since 2015 doing shows, but 2019 had the band drop a new song. Fast forward three years and now we’re getting that fifth album. Otherness was self-produced by the band in the span of a week, writing it at the Dine Alone Records clubhouse. “The biggest difference is the space we are all in. We were all really thrilled to make a record, and it was such a respite from what was going on in the world. It felt like life could be beautiful,” guitarist Wade MacNeil told NME. Welcome back, Alexisonfire. We missed you greatly.

Counterparts

Album: TBA (Pure Noise)

Release Date: TBA

While no word yet has come out on Canadian hardcore troupe Counterparts’s next record, we do know that it is done. Theprp.com reported back in January that their seventh album is “done”, with the band saying so on Twitter with “our record is done eat shit u fucking losers.” So far the only thing we’ve heard off this record is a song called “Bound To The Burn” which the band premiered during Four Year Strong’s Christmas show last December. Check the live version (which is the only version as of publishing) below.

Senses Fail

Album: Hell Is In Your Head (Pure Noise)

Release Date: 7/15

So…what happened to those two albums we were promised back in 2021, Senses Fail? Eh, that’s water under the bridge, because Hell Is In Your Head, the post-hardcore group’s eighth album is coming out mid July on Pure Noise Records (The Bouncing Souls, Koyo, Prince Daddy & The Hyena). It will be the band’s first album with new drummer Steve Carey, who replaced Chris Hornbrook in 2018. And so far from what we’ve heard, it’s gonna be a banger.

Pierce The Veil

Album: TBA (Fearless)

Release Date: TBA

Pierce The Veil have been inactive for a long time. The once beloved post-hardcore quartet were riding high, until accusations were made against drummer Mike Fuentes in 2017. It was then in 2020 that the band confirmed that Mike left the group in 2017 and would not be drumming on their next album, whenever that comes out. Better question is, is there a fifth album coming? The answer is yes. Back in October 2021, the band were hitting the studio with Mutemath frontman Paul Meany as producer to work on LP5, which is coming out on PTV’s longtime label Fearless Records (Chase Atlantic, The Pretty Reckless, Windwaker).

Watashi Wa

Album: People Like People (Tooth & Nail)

Release Date: 5/20

Call it a comeback. Underrated Christian pop/rock band Watashi Wa have returned with a brand new record, their first album in 16 years titled People Like You. It will be coming out next week through Tooth & Nail Records (Emery, Off Road Minivan, Slick Shoes). “It was the right time,” frontman/producer Seth Roberts affirmed in a press release. “I felt called to do Watashi Wa again — as if this was what I was supposed to be doing. In the past, it was often difficult. Now, the songs came out easily. When I was writing, it just was Watashi Wa. These days, my perspective on music is similar to the freedom I had when I was younger and first started the band. Things in the world pushed me towards it even more. I thought, ‘Why not just do Watashi Wa again?'” He then stated, “When we broke up, we were in our early twenties, but we’d been together for almost ten years. I was young, immature, and jaded. My ideas were naïve, because I thought I couldn’t do this if I was the only original member. I never thought the first Eager Seas album was a Watashi Wa album even though we put it out under that name. Fast forward, I’m at a different place. My kids are older. I have more life experience. Once I began writing, I asked myself, ‘Why wouldn’t this be a Watashi Wa album?’ All of those old roadblocks in my mind aren’t there anymore. I tried to focus the vision on what Watashi Wa to me. It was always a bigger vision of how we’re all connected. It was based on positivity. This body of work is rooted in faith and optimism.” The album is packed full of collaborations, featuring acts like Relient K, Noise Ratchet, Anberlin, Gasoline Heart, and Dogwood. Get ready for the return of Watashi Wa.

Look out for part four which will come out soon!

Acceptance Return With New Song And EP, Sign With Tooth & Nail Records

For the first time in three years, we’re finally getting new material from Acceptance.

The pop rock band are dropping a new EP called Wild out July 24 on Tooth & Nail Records (Copeland, Off Road Minivan, We Are The City). This EP marks the band’s newest  release since their 2017 comeback album Colliding By Design which came out on Rise Records (Fire From The Gods, Jetty Bones, Sevendust).

The Seattle quintet will release their new song “Cold Air” next Friday, June 19. You can pre-save the track here. They also wrote a lengthly statement about the song on their social medias, which you can read all of it here on their Facebook.

 

Prenatt’s Picks: 100 Artists To Check Out In 2020 (Part 10)

It’s here, the final one of 2020. After lack of motivation and Animal Crossing caused numerous delays, I can wrap up this series properly.

Here at Punk Goes Prenatt, for the past 10 weeks, I gave you 100 artists that you needed to tune your attention to throughout 2020. This list featured numerous acts from numerous genres.

This is part ten of ten. If you didn’t read the previous list, click here.

Doja Cat

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Out Now: Hot Pink (Kemosabe/RCA)

For Fans Of: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Santigold

Meet the new Nicki Minaj. Doja Cat, real name Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini, first rose to popularity with her joke song “Mooo!” went viral in 2018. In the span of two years, she dropped her debut Amala in 2018 and her latest record Hot Pink back in November. The record is a major change in her style, trading in her dancehall vibes for pop and funk. She even appeared on the Birds Of Prey soundtrack with the killer track “Boss Bitch.” Oh, and to give her some scene cred, “Bottom Bitch” samples Blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?”, so that’s something. She’s collaborated with acts like Tyga, Gucci Mane, and even  Nicki Minaj herself on the remix of her big hit “Say So.” Her Hot Pink tour was postponed due to COVID-19 and hopefully it’ll start later this year.

Song to Listen to: “Say So”

Off Road Minivan

Hometown: Red Hook, NY

Out Now: Swan Dive (Tooth & Nail)

For Fans Of: Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice

When he’s not busy kicking ass in the metalcore band Fit For A King, bassist Ryan Tuck O’Leary is throwing it old school with his other project Off Road Minivan. The alt rock quintet bounce between 90’s grunge and heartfelt emo vibes. Think Dashboard Confessional meets Thrice; that’s a good description of their sound. ORM formed in 2018 and have released one EP and one full-length album called Swan Dive which dropped earlier this month on Tooth & Nail Records (Alexander Fairchild, Hearts Like Lions, Mae.) The band have done shows with Chase Huglin, Blis., and Davey Muise & The Sons Of Zero. So if you’re a fan of FFAK, why not check out the glorious tunes of ORM.

Song to Listen to: “YOU”

NOT A TOY

Hometown: Denver, CO

Out Now: J Cash – Single (Fearless)

For Fans Of: AJR, grandson, twenty one pilots

The Denver-based collective NOT A TOY are quite mysterious. Formed from the ashes of the rock band Shatterproof, NOT A TOY are here to wow you with their charm. They don’t consider themselves a band, but as a collective of four creatives. They don’t just make music, they make their clothes, their videos, and even their artwork. Simply put, NOT A TOY are one of the most fascinating groups to appear in the scene in a very long time. You might’ve heard of them when they were announced as the newest act to join Fearless Records (Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, The Pretty Reckless, Underoath) during their Fearless At Home livestream earlier this month. As their label puts it, “If Kanye West and Pharrell joined forces to produce a rock group co-fronted by Jesse Rutherford and Lana Del Rey, it might sound something like Not a Toy.” NOT A TOY are not to be toyed with.

Song to Listen to: “J Cash”

Black Pumas 

Hometown: Austin, TX

Out Now: Black Pumas (ATO)

For Fans Of: Durand Jones & The Indications, Leon Bridges, St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Tears For Fears. The Black Keys. City Morgue. What do all of those bands have in common? They’re all duos, and so is this band: Black Pumas. The soulful R&B duo have only been around for three years and have already done so much. One of those accomplishments was being nominated for Best New Artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards back in January. While they didn’t win, one of them does have one under his belt. Guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada won a Grammy with his previous band Grupo Fantasma in 2010 for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. In 2019, the duo signed with Dave Matthews’s record label ATO Records (The Bronx, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Primus.) So far, they’ve done shows with Norah Jones, Toadies, and Anderson East. With COVID-19 hitting the country, the duo are using their spare time to help out various venues and record shops in their city with some fundraisers.

Song to Listen to: “Colors”

Alex Lahey

Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Out Now: Sucker For Punishment – Single (Nicky Boy/Dead Oceans)

For Fans Of: A.W., Courtney Barnett, Paramore

If Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance loves your stuff, that means you’re doing something right. He got chills when he heard her rendition of their classic hit “Welcome To The Black Parade” for Triple J’s recurring Like A Version series. That’s one of the many growing highlights in the musical career of 27-year-old singer-songwriter Alex Lahey. Influenced by The Killers and Dolly Parton, Lahey’s career skyrocketed with the success of the 2017 track “Every Day’s The Weekend,” which went gold in her native Australia. She’s even making some small waves in the pop-punk community when she appeared on a previous Prenatt’s Picks band Stand Atlantic’s reimagined song “Skinny Dipping.” She’s done shows with Liam Gallagher, The National, and Cyndi Lauper, and if COVID-19 lets up later this year, she’ll be touring with City And Colour in October. But for real, check out her MCR cover, it’s amazing.

Song to Listen to: “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself”

DRAIN

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Out Now: California Cursed (Revelation)

For Fans Of: Absence Of Mine, No Option, Vamachara

“[DRAIN] could prove to be one of hardcore’s biggest names in the immediate future.” That’s what British music magazine Discovered said about the Cali hardcore punks when reviewing their new album California Cursed. Formed in 2014 and barely consisting of any original members (drummer Tim Flegal is the last one,) the quartet have hit several incredible milestones. For example, they achieved international press, did a photo shoot with Santa Cruz skateboards, and signed with the legendary hardcore label Revelation Records, the label behind Sick Of It All, Gorilla Biscuits, and Texas Is The Reason. They’ve done shows with Slapshot, Vein, Cruel Hand, Power Trip, and Gulch. Simply put, DRAIN is your friend.

Song to Listen to: “California Cursed”

Vaines

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Out Now: Summer’s Over – Single (Hopeless)

For Fans Of: gnash, Lauv, Troye Sivan

Meet the most overlooked artist on Hopeless Records (The Dangerous Summer, Lil Xtra, ROAM.) Jared Gaines, the man behind Vaines, had a horrible childhood and developed an over-the-top personality to cope, thus allowing his creativity to blossom into songwriting. That’s where Vaines was born. And while his music sounds poppy, he isn’t attached to labels. “I used to make metal music, then I made rock songs, then I made pop songs, and now I make whatever I want,” he told All Access Music. “I rapped as a kid so now if I feel like it, I’ll rap on a song. I’ve grown into the artist I’ve wanted to be for years and I fully expect my sound to continue to evolve as the years go by. If you hear too much of the same thing from me, I’ve failed myself as an artist and you should burn me at the stake.” He signed with Hopeless last year. Definitely check out Vaines when you can.

Song to Listen to: “Summer’s Over”

Bob Vylan

Hometown: London, UK

Out Now: We Live Here – Single (Venn)

For Fans Of: Bad Brains, Ho99o9, Scarlxrd

Meet Bobby and Bobb13, the incredible minds behind London’s heavy-hitting hardcore-rock-rap-grime act Bob Vylan (yes they’re named after Bob Dylan.) NME described them with, “Melding the attack of grime with the bite of punk, Bob Vylan couldn’t be further from their folksy namesake; instead, they take on gentrifying yuppies, gap-yah enthusiasts and amateur film photographers with paralysing lyrical venom.” They’ve done shows with Slaves (UK) and Gallows, and if COVID-19 wasn’t fucking up everyones’ plans, they were scheduled to play 2000trees this July with The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, Creeper, and Lizzy Farrall. Bob Vylan might be playing next year for the makeup dates.

Song to Listen to: “We Live Here”

Dealer

Hometown: Springbrook, Queensland, Australia

Out Now: Saint – EP (Stay Sick)

For Fans Of: Bury Your Dead, Misery Signals, Vein

What happens when you combine the former and current members of Alpha Wolf, Capture The Crown, Northlane, Iconoclast and Codeine King? You get one of Australia’s greatest supergroup. Vocalist Aidan Holmes (ex-Alpha Wolf) and his merry group of men go hard every single time, and they’re not giving you a second to catch your breath. To be quite blunt, their shit hits hard. Dealer have played with Varials and Spite, and they just had to cut their US tour with Spite and UnityTX short due to…you know. New dates will be unveiled soon. Because one thing’s for sure: nothing fucks with Dealer.

Song to Listen to: “Tourniquet”

Ash Bricky

Hometown: San Joaquin, CA

Out Now: Rats, Mice, And More… (Self-Released)

For Fans Of: Jeff Rosenstock, Laura Stevenson, Neutral Milk Hotel

Sometimes you find an artist you like in the most peculiar way. I discovered singer-songwriter Ash Bricky from YouTuber Movieunleashers, well known for his Starters series, who animated his video for “Chowchilla Song.” Sounding like a crust punk version of Car Seat Headrest and Neutral Milk Hotel, Bricky might be young, but his songs sound like they were crafted from the soul of an old punk. He mixes in several genres with his style, adding in ambient, folk punk, indie, avant-garde, and emo. Give him some time before you see him at The Fest, he’ll fit in just fine.

Song to Listen to: “Chowchilla Song”

Well that’s it, 100 bands across the span of (nearly) 10 weeks. I hope you enjoyed this list as much as I did making it. If you want to read last year’s list, featuring Capstan, Year Of The Knife, Beach Bunny, shortly, and Spanish Love Songs, click the links provided underneath each band. Hope to see you all soon!