Nicole Brice
Oct 24, 2026
From Oregon to Italy and Beyond!
Is there anything better than finding your next favorite song? We sure don’t think so! Here at Mixed Alt Mag, our inbox is always overflowing with new music, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether it’s a fresh release that just dropped or something we missed from earlier in the year, we’re constantly surrounded by incredible tunes waiting to be heard. We’re true music lovers—every genre gets our attention and respect, no matter how niche or mainstream. So go ahead, dive into these picks. Who knows? You might just stumble on your next musical obsession. Let’s get listening!
Release Date: September 24, 2026 / Genre: Acoustic Rock
Tyler Berd – Oh My Stars (single)
Let’s talk about Tyler Berd, straight out of Portland, OR. He’s the frontman for bellwire, and he’s taken his solo show all over the country, playing sad and funny songs on a nylon-string guitar. The vibe? Sly, surreal, and definitely influenced by folks like Neil Young, Jonathan Richman, and even the poetry of Charles Simic. If you catch him live, he might give you a quick, punchy 20-minute set—or he might go on for three hours if the mood strikes.
During a recent summer, Tyler’s friend Anastasia (Soft Bones) stopped by to visit him and his wife in Portland. Musician Michael Hurley had passed away a few months earlier, and not long before that, Tyler and his wife had the chance to literally sit at Hurley’s feet during one of his final shows at Laurelthirst. That night inspired Tyler and Anastasia to pay tribute to Michael by singing his most tender, openhearted song, “Oh My Stars”. Staying true to the original—and to the long tradition of duets from the past and onward—Tyler’s rough, reedy voice is paired with Anastasia’s aching, pristine harmonies on “Oh My Stars”. It’s a phenomenal tribute to an even more talented musician. Go stream it today.
Release Date: April 4, 2026 / Genre: Rock & Metal
Fiori Del Male (The Flowers of Evil) - Allarme rosso nel golfo persico (Red Alert in the Persian Gulf) (single)
Thirty-five years on, “Allarme Rosso nel Golfo Persico” hits just as hard as ever. Fiori del Male / Nunzio Ciccone wrote this song back in 1991 in Scampia, Naples, right in the middle of the first Gulf War. What’s wild is that the lyrics haven’t been touched—they’re exactly as they were then, a snapshot from a tense moment in history, now finally seeing the light of day, and they resonate now more than ever.
This song hits hard—right from the jump, an intense alarm sound blasts in and grabs your attention. Then the synths creep in, layering tension before the drums finally kick things into high gear. From there, the track just takes off and doesn’t let up. It’s loud, it’s raw, and it’s perfect. It blends metal energy with rock attitude, but what really sets it apart is the messaging. The lyrics dig deep, tackling heavy topics that need attention today. A key idea in this song is the shift from a geopolitical red alert to a personal feeling of being lost: “Che mi sono perso” / “I’ve lost myself.”
Dentro ogni uomo c’è
la sua tempesta
Dentro ogni uomo Ha
la sua guerra in testa
Inside every man there is
His own storm
Inside every man there is
A war raging in his mind
There is truth in those lyrics. There is power in the truth. The band poured a lot of heart into this one, and it makes for a very important listen. Honestly, it’s the kind of song you want to hear live, just to feel that wall of sound wash over you. It’s more than a song; it’s a masterpiece, and after reading the full lyrics, thanks to Nunzio, I'm more convinced than ever that this song is a profound piece we need in music.
The band’s story is a journey in itself, weaving through Scampia, Milan, and even London, before coming full circle back to Italy in 2026. This September, Fiori del Male brought “Allarme Rosso nel Golfo Persico” to the stage at Teatro Ariston di Sanremo, showing that even after all these years, their musical message is landing with a whole new crowd, and it is needed now.
Dive into “Allarme rosso nel golfo persico” today. If you don’t speak Italian, jot down the lyrics, and then translate them. They are mighty.
Release Date: April 1, 2026 / Genre: Alternative
Kailan McGee – Lady of the Moon (album)
Let’s pivot now to Kailan McGee, hailing from Cobourg, Ontario—an artist who just came onto our radar, but who has been getting acclaim all over.
Back in January 2025, McGee dropped her debut album—an incredible, genre-hopping ride with 21 original tracks. The record didn’t just turn heads; it practically took over, with 13 songs charting in both Canada and the US. Awards noticed too: she snagged a CIMVA (Canadian Independent Music Video Award) nod for her "Long Live the Night" video and racked up three New Music Award nominations, including Artist of the Year and Country Song of the Year.
Fast forward to 2026, and McGee took home Country Artist of the Year at the New Music Awards—no surprise, given how she blurs genres and builds entire worlds with her songwriting. Her music is just really good, and I am so glad I discovered it.
After that multi-genre adventure, McGee switched things up and dove headfirst into the world of concept albums.
On April’s Pink Moon, she dropped her strongest project yet: Lady of the Moon, a concept album where each of the eight tracks follows a different phase of the moon. The whole album is set against the mythic backdrop of Germany’s Black Forest, filled with legendary creatures and mysterious sightings—all centered around female characters in tune with the moon’s own feminine energy. McGee didn’t just write songs; she built an entire universe from scratch, pouring over 70 pages of notes into plotlines, character arcs, and poetry.
Usually, when we do an album review, I break down each track, but not this time. Put on headphones, press play, and don't skip an entire track. Listen to it all. It’s not just an album; it’s an experience.
Release Date: June 12, 2026 / Genre: Melodic Hardcore
Side Over – Loves You EP
Let’s talk about Side Over’s Loves You EP. These guys have roots going back to 1989, coming up in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania scene—back when flannel shirts and basement shows ruled the world. If you were into underground melodic hardcore in that scene, you probably knew their name.
Side Over made a name for themselves in the mid-Atlantic hardcore circuit, sharing sweaty stages with heavyweights like Sick of It All, Biohazard, and Earth Crisis. They dropped some classic cassette demos in the early ‘90s, but unfortunately, the band called it quits in 1994, before releasing a full-length.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the remaining members decided to get back together after the sudden passing of co-founding bassist Neil Husvar. They played a memorial benefit show—Hardcore for Husvar—that brought out old friends and new fans. It was emotional, loud, and everything you’d hope for in a hardcore reunion.
The energy from that night carried forward, and in 2026, Side Over finally released Loves You—a re-recorded collection of those early songs, plus fresh tracks like “Scars” and “Sorry.” Released on June 12, 2026 via La Société Expéditionnaire, the EP captures both the nostalgia of their ‘90s heyday and their modern energy. For longtime fans and newcomers, it’s proof that Side Over hasn’t lost their edge—and still has plenty to say.
Go stream it now.
Release Date: July 17, 2026 / Genre: Emo / Grunge / Shoegaze
Dreams to Sell – Vacant (includes three tracks)
Rounding out the list, let’s talk about Dreams to Sell. Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, these folks are serving up a wild mix of emo, grunge, and shoegaze—honestly, just hearing those genres together is enough to get any music nerd’s heart racing. They’ve already released a good bit of music, with more on the way, and if you haven’t hit play yet, you’re in for a ride. I gave them a spin, and wow—get ready to feel something.
Take “Vacant,” for example—this one starts off mellow, loaded with atmosphere, and those hollow, echoing guitar tones really set the mood. A heavy sense of longing runs through the track, but just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the pace picks up, the fuzz pedal gets stomped, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in an explosion of sound. It’s loud, it’s gritty, it’s got this perfect somber edge, and honestly, it hits just right if you’re into that blend of melancholy and muscle. In fact, the breakdowns in this song remind me of one of my favorite bands, The Twilight Sad.
Up next is “Barriers,” the second track off the single, and let me tell you—it’s textbook emo in all the right ways. The vocals are on point, switching effortlessly between raw vulnerability and just enough bite to keep things interesting. The guitar has that perfect crunch, laying down thick, nostalgic riffs, while the drums keep things locked in with a steady, thumping groove. The occasional scream adds an extra edge. If you’re a fan of classic emo, this one will hit you right in the feels. Honestly, it’s the kind of song that could easily land on your next late-night drive playlist.
"The Altar" is the final song on this release, and it rounds out the three tracks perfectly. A steady, thumping bassline opens the song with pounding drums, then it slows a bit into a steady groove before the song starts exploding in parts. It’s heavy, it’s got a great groove, and it’s loud. My type of song. The bassline really carries this song. I love a heavy bassline.
Go stream “Vacant” now on your favorite platform.
