Just Before The Drop: #11
Featuring: A Day To Remember, Yungblud, Anberlin and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Yo, it’s us again – Lukas & Adi.
New week. New music. New f*ck’n HITS.
This week’s setlist? Packed with personal emotions. We vibed hard with this one – it’s super versatile, full of contrast, and hits on all the stuff we love most: melodic hooks, raw-ass vocals, and infectious arrangements that just won’t let go.
It gets fast, it gets heavy, it even gets a little funny – but above all, it kicks butt.
Let’s not waste time. Let’s dive in. 🖤 👇
Say My Name
by Novelists | picked by Lukas
This is my this week’s absolute number one; on and on in the loop. From the opening notes, this track captivated me with its catchy, ethereal, and nostalgic vibe. It features compelling riffs and perfectly balanced vocals of Camille. She joined the band in 2023 and her addition has ushered in a significant revolution, forging a new style and identity for Novelists. You can spot it with each new track, one by one.
To me Say My Name exudes a vibe reminiscent of early Paramore tracks, both sonically and visually (Camille’s hair? 😆). The song's soaring melodies and atmospheric quality create a beautiful, almost weightless sensation. While not overwhelmingly heavy, it delivers powerful moments, highlighted by Camille's screams, building the bridge between the opening part to the very end. Talking about the opening - a perfectly composed melodic entrance, interlaced with a slick drum skit and layered with floating lead guitar lines. It’s one of those intros you can play over and over again without getting tired of it.
This is the 4th uncovered track from their upcoming album CODA, releasing this May. So far, each of this new songs are super versatile, much different from the other. This can only assure us that the next French Novelists long-play will be something worth picking and unforgettable. Can’t wait!
I’ll tell you something — I’ve already added this one to my Top 10 tracks of 2025. So far, it’s only sharing space with Blackhole by Architects. That’s how serious it is.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
No Believer
by Sakoya, Trash Boat | picked by Adi
What happens when two military veterans decide to make music?
Throw in a powerful vocal and clear early-2000s rock/metal influences, and you’ve got Sakoya - a band from Indiana, teaming up with Tobi Duncan from punk rock outfit Trash Boat to drop an energetic and melodic banger that wouldn’t feel out of place on modern rock radio.
Sakoya is back after a short break, and honestly, they’re sounding sharp. The track’s driven by a catchy lead riff and Duncan’s aggressive vocal delivery, giving it real edge and personality. Some folks might even pick up a bit of Nickelback vibes in there - and yeah, that’s a compliment. Who doesn’t secretly (or not so secretly) love Nickelback anyway?
All My Friends
by A Day To Remember | picked by Lukas
Another one that I cherish a ton this week. It’s a standout track from A Day To Remember's latest album, Big Ole Album Vol. 1, which dropped digitally on March 21, 2025 (this last Friday).
And as we already teased when earlier singles dropped - this album really does showcase the band’s dynamic range. It blends that unmistakable ADTR energy with some fresh, unexpected twists - and yep, we weren’t wrong one bit. The best part? It’s super accessible. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just jumped in off a random playlist, tracks hit like you’ve known them for years.
All My Friends exemplifies this fusion, highlighting the band's classic style with a melodic approach that resonates widely. Some fans have noted a country influence in the track, particularly in its songwriting and the final production, while still retaining pop-punk verses. You should definitely check it!
All Star
by nothing, nowhere | selected by Adi
A good cover should bring something new to the original - and that’s exactly what nothing,nowhere. did with All Star by Smash Mouth.
They took a track known for its goofy, feel-good energy and dragged it into completely uncharted territory. What was once playful and light suddenly becomes dark, haunting, and painfully emotional. You’ll feel uneasy. And that’s the point.
And while it’s technically just a cover, it’s also the perfect excuse to dive into the world of Joseph Edward Mulherin - an artist who fearlessly bounces between rap, punk rock, and emo aesthetics.
He’s straight edge, openly talks about his struggles with depression and anxiety, and has shared stages with bands like Neck Deep or Fall Out Boy. Now that you’ve got a taste of where he’s coming from, go explore his catalog.
Trust us - it’s worth the trip.
Paperthin Hymn
by Anberlin, Matty Mullins | selected by Lukas
Do you know Anberlin? Do you know Matty (the Memphis May Fire’s vocalist)? So check this out, they united to reimagine the biggest hits from Anberlin palette.
Paperthin Hymn originally featured on Anberlin’s 2005 album Never Take Friendship Personal, appears as a refreshed version infuses the song with a new energy while preserving its emotive core. The collaboration showcases a seamless blend of Stephen Christian's distinctive vocals and Mullins' dynamic range, adding depth and intensity to the beloved track. It’s super interesting that Matty did only cleans here, and if you know what he is capable of, you would be surprised how it eventually evolved.
This reimagined Paperthin Hymn stands as a testament to Anberlin's enduring legacy, inviting both longtime listeners and new fans to rediscover a classic through a fresh lens. Finally, it’s incredible that after so many years these songs still feel so fresh, catchy and so original. Please check the full album… and the old one, of course!
Survivor
by APOC, The Day We Left Earth | picked by Lukas
This one came outta nowhere and instantly got my attention. Survivor, the fresh collab between APOC and The Day We Left Earth (that we’ve featured couple issues ago), dropped just a few days ago - and damn, it smashes hard.
From the get-go, it feels super engaging - heavy, cinematic, and emotional. APOC brings that fierce, unfiltered vocal energy, while The Day We Left Earth lays down their signature post-apocalyptic vibe - think synthy breakdowns, dark ambient textures, and layers of sound.
Speaking about the build. What really stands out, though, is how well-layered this track is. You’ve got fast, aggressive bursts swung into moody downtempos, versatile vocal shifts (growls, cleans), and even some slick electronic injections.
Hot Mess
by TheCitylsOurs | selected by Lukas
The title might be Hot Mess, but trust — this track is anything but chaotic (well, maybe a little). It’s polished, fresh, and catchy as hell. You can smell the summer energy coming off it - clean melodies, sun-drenched hooks, but just when you think you’re safe with your small bottle of light, it punches in with those sharp, heavy bursts. It’s one of those songs that could fit both your beach playlist and your gym PR session. But that’s just one side of the story.
Hot Mess comes from the band’s just-dropped record Will You Still Love Me?, and this album? It’s a genre blender in the best way possible. You’ve got post-hardcore, metalcore, alt-pop, emo rock, even some electronic textures sprinkled in. One moment you’re headbanging, next moment you’re hit with a chorus that sounds like it belongs on alt-radio. And somehow, it all holds together.
It’s a record that feels like a reflection of now - chaotic but cohesive, emotional but playful, aggressive but melodic. And vocally, it’s got a wild range: soaring cleans, gritty screams, and even spoken-word-like passages (rap maybe?). This band really found their voice here - you can feel the confidence. Must hear!
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Afterlove
by Afterlove | picked by Adi
Spring is here - and with it, new ideas started blooming in Mirza Radonjica’s head like flowers breaking through the snow.
That’s how AFTERLOVE came to life - a fresh project where the Siamese frontman joins forces with Zac Allen (If Not For Me) and Zack Baker (Rain City Drive) to deliver a 7-track record called Copenhagen Closure. The whole thing kicks off with the title track, Afterlove and it sets the tone perfectly. AFTERLOVE was born out of a simple love for massive vocals and wall-of-sound guitars.
The idea was simple: don’t overthink it — just write songs that feel good.
And you can feel that throughout. If you’re into crushing riffs, huge melodic hooks, and production that hits just right, this whole EP is gonna be a straight-up pleasure to blast on repeat.
Hello Heaven, Hello
by Yungblud | picked by Adi
This is one of the most ambitious tracks I’ve ever released.
That’s how Yungblud introduces Hello Heaven, Hello - a near 10-minute epic that feels less like a song and more like a full-blown ambient journey into the depths of human desire and fear. And maybe… into the next chapter of his career.
The British artist - known for collabs with Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, and a whole alt-rock revival wave - is teasing a new album coming in the first half of the year. And with a move like this? He’s clearly not chasing radio plays.
Releasing a near-10-minute track in today’s streaming landscape is a bold, almost rebellious choice. Even Yungblud admits his label warned against it. But he doesn’t care:
Risk is the greatest tool an artist can use. Putting everything on the line in pursuit of creative evolution - that’s what I call real art.
So here’s the question - do you prefer Yungblud in his punk-leaning I Think I’m Okay era with MGK and Barker? Or are you ready to follow him into this new, sprawling sonic space? Either way - press play and decide for yourself.
Scared To Die
by Our Last Night | selected by Adi
Scared To Die is the fourth installment in a series of tracks recently released by the guys from Our Last Night. They’ve been steadily unveiling pieces of their concept album, Left Alone, dropping a new chapter every few weeks - each one accompanied by a music video. These clips are all part of a bigger picture, building toward a full visual story, with the audio version landing on their upcoming full-length, set for release this May. It’ll be the fourth studio album from the New Hampshire-based band.
If you’re into deeper cuts that tell a story, this one’s for you. Fans of the band are already hyped - and the next few weeks are only going to crank that anticipation up as they roll out the remaining pieces of the puzzle.
And finally, the full playlist!
You can play it along, or just save within your Spotify account. Stay safe, Lukas & Adi.