Picks of the Week! 7th March 2025

Happy Friday punks! Take refuge from the chaos of the world and listen to our picks of the best new releases!

Dew Claw: ‘Wall‘

Starting things off with a cool little ditty from Dew Claw- ‘Wall‘ is the lead single from the upcoming album ‘E.L.F’. The song itself has a gentility and melodic touch that reflects the lyrical message of old heartbreaks impacting new relationships and the role patience can play when supporting someone we love. The video is a real gem with a different and more humorous tone that sees two of the band- founding member Stephen Hunking and fellow musician Chris Xefos- wrestling with the impacts of aging whilst trying to maintain rock star activities. Hey- being a punk is a physical exertion! Since 2004, Dew Claw has been the music project of Hunking, through which he has explored themes of life, love, parenting, and personal musings. Over the past two decades, Stephen has released four full-length albums and various singles and EPs under the Dew Claw name in collaboration with various other musicians. ‘E.L.F‘ is out on 9th May via Dromedary Records.

Strange Neighbors: ‘Hate Me Less‘

If you love that laid back 90s Alt sound with it’s heavy bass lines, bursts of guitar hooks and crystal clear female vocals, then you will LOVE this new track by Strange Neighbors as I do. ‘Hate Me Less‘ is a break-up song sung from the breaker-upper’s perspective, ultimately holding out hope there’s no bad blood. The ending of the tumultuous relationship is met with more sympathy than bitterness – a hope that all parties can shake hands and ultimately walk away unscathed. The track builds up the musical tension adding a bit more meat as the song goes on until we crescendo into the four piece giving it their all. Along with the new track comes the announcement of the band’s sophomore album, ‘People Pleasers Pleasing People’, which is due out April 18th, 2025 via Mint 400 Records. You can stream the new track HERE.

Pleaser: ‘Begging Guitars‘

Something a little more raucous now with Danish punks Pleaser. Their new album ‘Begging Guitars‘ is out in May and the band have just released the lead single and title track from the album. A powerful vocal from double lead vocalists and guitarists Annie Nyvold and Suo Fei provides the centrepiece for much of the song, but the intense guitars and drums give this a real 70s raw punk feel. Of the track, the band say: “The song presents the subjects of letting go and not expecting or indulging in perfection from oneself or others.” The band are certainly not static, they combine numerous genres from metal and emo, to classic punk and rock. You can stream the new single HERE and pre order the album HERE.

Seances: ‘Forgiveness‘

Something for you indie heads now, this track from new wave DIY recording outfit Seances is like a combo of The Cure, Joy Division, David Bowie and 00s indie bands like The Strokes or The Libertines. Singer and bassist, Eric Arsnow is inspired by the bands he was exposed to working at a local record store years ago, and has channelled a lot of the things he loves into his own recording project. “The nice thing about Seances emerging from its gloomy cocoon at the beginning of the year is that there’s so much more to explore in 2025” explains Arsnow. “I’m also about halfway through writing the second Seances’ record. I’m still pulling from the very first trove of ideas I captured on my phone and I am excited about sharing them. At this point, I’m just getting started.” The animated video is also a triumph reflecting the songs’ narrative of two spiritual entities trying to have a long distance relationship in the after-life. The track is taken from the debut LP ‘Power is a Phantom‘ which is out now. Listen/stream/buy HERE.

Violets: ‘The Tower‘

Bringing together members of Naked Raygun, The Methadones and Blood People, the new project Violets has long tentacles in Chicago’s punk rock history. The quintet  are due to release their self-titled debut EP on 2nd May and in the meantime, we can listen to single ‘The Tower‘- a crunchy, catchy anthem that showcases vocalist Aly Jados’ range and the tight riffs that come from a group of musicians who have been on the scene for a long time and know what they’re doing. Pre order the album HERE.

Raue: ‘Escape‘

California duo Raue (pronounced Roo-ay) – comprised of  Paige Kalenian on guitar and vocals and Jax Huckle on drums- have released their grunge-esque track ‘Escape‘ and it’s a heavy but intricate banger! Their upcoming EP ‘Too Scared to Explain‘ sees the band display their intentional intensity, aiming for a sound and a feel that is authentic and relatable. Paige describes the record as “vulnerability through a poem” blending themes of emotional limbo and self-reflection. ‘Escape‘ is the first track to be shared from the EP and it’s a track to get lost in- sweeping and rousing, this duo create more noise and depth with just the two of them than some people would be able to create with an orchestra. Stream the track HERE.

Another Damn Disappointment (A.D.D.): ‘Runnin’ Dry‘

Sacramento punk heroes Another Damn Disappointment (A.D.D.) are back with the new album ‘Bedlam‘, set for release on April 21 via the band’s own label imprint Disappointed Records. The album is the last to feature founding member/bassist Casey Marsullo, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2016. Lead singer Joshua Thompson was able to finish the lyrics and record the vocals later, ultimately completing the album with support from the band. In anticipation of ‘Bedlam‘s release, the band have dropped single ‘Runnin’ Dry‘ which is a classic pop punk track galloping along at breakneck speed as vocalist Thompson sings about the passing of time and finding the strength to put one foot in front of the other day after day. It’s certainly no disappointment- the band are back to form with their first new studio release since 2009’s ‘Relentless‘. Stream the new single HERE.

That’s all for this week folks! Hope you found something you like and if you want to keep up to date with all things Punk Rock Philosophy, make sure you subscribe to the site so you get a teeny little notification when a new post is up!