Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded playlist of our new music picks is available to members on Spotify and Apple Music, updated throughout the week.)
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They ran through a five-song set.
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21st May 2025
Support: BLDSUGR
Words: Matthew Williams
One of the many joys about going to festivals, is the depth of bands that are available to watch, however, that also means that there will be inevitable clashes. Armed with that knowledge, I went to watch a different band on Sunday afternoon at Desertfest, as I knew that I had the pleasure of seeing Alphawhores later in the week.
It appeared that a few others had applied my weekend logic, as we piled upstairs into Lloyd & Platt and Kamera in Chorlton for a night of music. Now, take a breath and some ear plugs if you get to see support BLDSUGR, as my word, does singer Lolly have a set of lungs on her. Whether its soft mellow moments or barking out some high-pitched squeals, she certainly gives it her all in an animated fashion.
The Birmingham trio, with Leigh on guitar and Jake on drums, have a unique sound based around punk, doom and gothic melodies, allowing Lolly to apply her full vocal range, and as a person with “a master’s in literature” which she never shuts up about apparently, they are a quirky bunch. With songs like “S.W.R.M” and “The Depths” they tell a mixed bag of stories as the singer expresses herself fully.
There are elements of 90’s grunge in some songs, but I felt that the high-pitched squeals were a bit over the top and unnecessary on times, because she has a good and varied tone, used in a very theatrical way. “Mania” and “Carmilla” have a cool punk vibe to the guitar riff, before she explains about the viral success of “The Ant Burns Under the Magnifying Glass”. They finish off with “I’m Not The Same” and a new song of their upcoming EP called “The Fields” which sums up their feistiness perfectly.
Ambling up through the crowd, Alphawhores just look so damn cool as they walk onto the stage. They have a few mic issues to begin with but Massiel shouts out “How you doing guys?” just before Juan Carlos says, “we are Alphawhores from a small country called Panama” and they lead with “Same Team”.
They are an intriguing duo, as they blend stoner/sludge but with shifting melodies and emotional vocals from both. The cymbals are certainly getting a working over from Massiel who is constantly smiling as he sings and plays drums. “You Could have been Something (But instead You are You)” has some wonderful, harmonised vocals with a small drum fill midway that mixes well with the guitar riffs. “T-REX Masseuse” has a trippy beginning and her vocal gets lost a bit in the mix at times, but the smooth heavy solo is a pleasure to watch.
They play my two favourite songs next with “House of Doom” having a sumptuous introduction, leading to a haunting yet seductive vocal. The guitar part is equally wonderful ahead of “Pirate Mode” which due a broken drumstick, is re-started, but the meaner, moodier notes aid the zippier transitions with the guitar at times sounding like a bass. They dedicate their next song, “I Can Manage” in an ironic way possibly, who knows, to the crew and management team, and the dual vocals work powerfully alongside some bluesy sounding rhythms.
They are certainly one of those bands who bring a fresh and distinctive sound to the scene, as a fuzzy guitar tone from Juan Carlos emerges on “The Glass Between Us” alongside a heavier and hypnotic drumbeat. “Beautiful Music, Awful Person” is a quite beautiful track, and I was intrigued by Juan Carlos playing with some buttons on top of his Orange Amp Head, as they alter his sound impressively.
Then, they change instruments for a few songs and immediately Massiel’s vocal is more dynamic as he sings the wonderful “Days of Sin” followed by “Raw Nerve”. They switch back after two songs, but it’s great to see the skillset of both musicians and shows how they understand each other and their instruments. “Bloodsport” elevates their music to new levels, with awesome soundscapes over the vocal range.
The show has demonstrated what happens when two people work harmoniously as one, and just before they finish with “Stay Normal” they end by telling us they’ve started writing their third album and will be back. And on this evidence, they’ll be playing in bigger venues than this next time.
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A couple of months ago, Compton club funkateer Channel Tres flipped the Crystal Waters classic “100% Pure Love” on his single “Medicine.” Today, he’s got another new track. As far as I know, this one doesn’t interpolate any early-’90s bangers, though it does have some of that feeling. It’s a heady house track with a…
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After a global summer spent supporting Metallica on their record-breaking stadium run and dominating the European festival circuit, the Swedish kings of theatrical metal are reclaiming their own stage. Avatar have officially announced the “Don’t Go In The Forest ’26” tour—a massive headlining trek across Europe and the U.K. set for this November and December. Joined by rising Danish death metal outfit Neckbreakker, the tour marks the final chapter of a monumental year that has seen the band ascend to the absolute top of the heavy metal hierarchy.
Lead singer Johannes Eckerström, the charismatic mastermind behind the band’s clown-faced persona, is promising a show specifically designed to combat the “cold, wet, and dark” reality of European winters.
“We all know what it’s like, and we know exactly what you’ll need,” Eckerström said in an official statement. “This time around, we will do everything within our power to make you feel lucky to participate. We live by but one ethos: Better than ever.”
The tour follows the overwhelming success of their tenth studio album, Don’t Go In The Forest, which was released last October via Black Waltz Records. Produced by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther), the record further solidified the band’s uncanny ability to blend melodic death metal with groove, hard rock, and avant-garde theater.
Avatar remains one of the most consistent units in metal. Formed in 2001, the lineup of Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson has remained nearly unchanged for over a decade.
This stability has translated into major commercial success. Their previous effort, Dance Devil Dance, featured the hit single “The Dirt I’m Buried In,” which topped Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. With Don’t Go In The Forest, the band has doubled down on their signature “freakshow” aesthetic, pushing their theatrical production to its most ambitious limits yet.
Tickets for the headlining run go on sale Tuesday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time with tickets available at this location. Given the band’s current momentum after the Metallica tour, fans are encouraged to act quickly, as many of these mid-sized theater venues are expected to sell out immediately.
When do tickets go on sale? Tickets for all November and December 2026 dates go on sale on May 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time.
Who is supporting Avatar on this tour? Danish death metal band Neckbreakker has been confirmed as the sole support act for the entire European leg.
What is the band’s latest album? Avatar’s tenth studio album, Don’t Go In The Forest, was released in October 2025 and serves as the primary inspiration for this tour’s production and setlist.
STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of Avatar’s touring schedule and our review of ‘Don’t Go In The Forest’ on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast with Scott Penfold. Visit LoadedRadio.com or download our free app now.
Swedish metal titans Avatar have announced a 23-date European headlining tour for late 2026. The trek follows their massive summer run with Metallica and supports their latest album ‘Don’t Go In The Forest.’ Tickets go on sale May 26.
Will Avatar’s theatrical production be too big for these theater stages after playing stadiums with Metallica, or is the intimate “freakshow” exactly what the fans need? Let us know in the comments.
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Though they are currently enjoying the mystery and speculation over who it is.
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Samantha Fish has released a new music video for “I’m Done Runnin’” from her upcoming live album Paper Doll Live, which arrives June 12 via Rounder Records.
Recorded at Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theatre, Paper Doll Live marks Fish’s first official live album. The release captures the energy and intensity of her live performances in front of a packed crowd and features guest appearances from Nashville gospel group The McCrary Sisters.
“There’s a fire that comes across in live performance that doesn’t always translate in studio albums,” Fish said. “The stage lays all of that bare.”
Fish added, “If Paper Doll was a declaration of artistic power, Paper Doll Live is the sound of that power unleashed.”
The album follows the success of Fish’s 2025 studio release Paper Doll and showcases the live chemistry that has helped establish her as one of the top performers in contemporary blues rock. Emerging from Kansas City’s blues scene, Fish has built a reputation for her high-energy concerts and commanding guitar work while drawing inspiration from artists ranging from Prince and Leonard Cohen to Mississippi Hill Country blues traditions.
Fish will continue touring throughout North America and Europe in support of the release.
May 22 – Ledyard, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino **
May 23 – Beverly, MA – The Cabot
May 24 – Nashua, NH – Nashua Center for the Arts
May 27 – Patchogue, NJ – Patchogue Theatre
May 28 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
May 29 – Lebanon, NH – Lebanon Opera House
May 30 – Augusta, NJ – Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest
May 31 – Buffalo, NY – Babeville
June 19 – Grolloo, Netherlands – Holland International Blues Festival
June 20 – Dortmund, Germany – Musiktheater Piano
June 21 – Chiari, Italy – Istituto Salesiano “San Bernardino”
June 23 – Loceri, Italy – Parco Urbano
June 25 – Rubigen, Switzerland – Muhle Hunziken
June 27 – Vienne, France – Jazz à Vienne
June 28 – Erlangen, Germany – E-Werk Kino
June 30 – Mannheim, Germany – 7er-Club
July 1 – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-Saal
July 2 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
July 4 – Helsinki, Finland – Puisto Blues
July 7 – Warsaw, Poland – Klub Hydrozagadka
July 8 – Gdynia, Poland – Podworko Art
July 23 – Rochester, NY – Party in the Park
September 11 – New Braunfels, TX – Brauntex Theater
September 12 – Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
September 13 – Houston, TX – Heights Theater
September 16 – Colorado Springs, CO – Phil Long Music Hall +
September 17 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater +
September 19 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues & Brews
September 20 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues & Brews
September 23 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre +
September 24 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre +
September 25 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont +
September 26 – Grass Valley, CA – Center for the Arts +
September 27 – Menlo Park, CA – Guild Hall +
September 29 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall +
October 1 – New York, NY – Buddy Guy Event at Radio City Music Hall
October 3 – Everett, WA – Kings Hall +
October 4 – Sandpoint, ID – Panida Theater +
October 31 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go ***
** with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
*** with Jesse Dayton
+ with Zac Schulze Gang
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