Sludgeworth — the Chicago punk band who came of age alongside Naked Raygun, Steve Albini, and Ministry in the city's legendary 1980s underground scene — are returning with their first new album in 35 years. Three and a half decades after their debut LP What's This? rattled punk kids everywhere, the veteran outfit is coming out of dormancy, ready for the Second Time Around, out now on Red Scare.

Mermaid Island’s self-titled debut LP is out now on Anxious and Angry! Already earning praise from New Noise Magazine, Guitar World, Loud Women, and IDIOTEQ, the album has quickly established Mermaid Island as one of punk’s most exciting new voices. Tracks from the record have received airplay from KEXP, while punk icon Frank Turner recently selected “Ice Cream” as one of his favorite new songs on Double J’s Short Fast Loud. Guitar World also praised the track as “the anthem of our times.”

After a 15-year hiatus, The Arrivals return with Payload — their first new album since 2010’s Volatile Molotov out on April 17, 2026 via Recess Records. Check out the new single “Just Like My Brother”

Hold You Hard‍, the new album from Sam Russo is about how love grows, fades, and changes shape and is out now on Red Scare Industries.

Indie-punk veterans Elway are back with their new LP, Nobody’s Going To Heaven — out October 10 via Red Scare Industries.

90's Chicago Alt-Rock underdogs, FIG DISH, are back with their first new music in 27+ years. Feels Like The Very First Two Times out now on Forge Again Records. Listen to “Science Goes Public.”

Leeds-based brass-infused noisy art punks Volk Soup released their debut LP 10p Jazz, on Friday, October 3 via Dipterid Records and Cruel Nature. Watch a live set from Cafe Etch on YouTube.

SMUG LLC is the latest solo project from Juno-nominated Canadian musician Drew Thomson, best known as the frontman of acclaimed band Single Mothers. His debut EP, New Exciting Doom, is out now via Anxious and Angry.

Tired Radio, the emotionally-charged punk/alt/emo band has released their highly anticipated full-length album, Hope In The Haze on Red Scare Industries. Check out singles “Great Escape” and “D.R.E.A.M.”

The Methadones features Dan Vapid (Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales), Simon Lamb on guitar, Pete Mittler on bass, and Mike Soucy on drums. New music coming soon!

Featuring members of Naked Raygun, The Methadones, and Blood People, Chicago’s Violets released their debut EP on May 2, 2025. Check out the first single “The Tower.”

’90s indie greats, Triple Fast Action, released 32 rare tracks on new comp entitled, Triple Fast Action, via Forge Again Records, remixed by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth). Check out the track “Mooner.”

The Gunshy Returns with Hurricane Umbrellas,
produced by Sean Bonnette of AJJ and features members of Magnolia Electric Co. and Signals Midwest. Out December 5. Watch: "Buzzer Beater.”

Gina Barcal is stepping into her own spotlight with the release of her debut solo EP, Midwest ‘til the End. The self-released collection captures Barcal’s unique blend of Americana grit, country soul, and alt-pop storytelling—and marks the arrival of a bold new voice in roots music.

Sara Jean Stevens’ new EP, Lovesick, will be released on Friday, February 14, 2025. Listen to her singles “Thaw” and “Fourteen Carat Mind.”

Aud Whitson’s debut EP, A House that Can’t Get Quieter, (recorded entirely on an iPhone) is out NOW. Listen to “Loose Ends” and “Nine Lives.” "absolutely stunning... mind alteringly good" – Paul Silver

Chicago punk label Red Scare Industries’ 20 Years Of Dreaming And Scheming features The Menzingers “Second City,” Laura Jane Grace “Baby, Baby,” Dead To Me, The Falcon, Sludgeworth, and more to celebrate 20 years.

Godspeed… A Tribute To Pierre Kezdy of Naked Raygun has covers from Hot Water Music, Face To Face, Swingin’ Utters, J. Robbins (Jawbox), Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), The Bollweevils, The Methadones, Pegboy, and more. Stream/buy/donate here.

“The Brokedowns make scruffy, silly punk that satisfies,” writes Leor Galli of the Chicago Reader. Watch the video for “Obey The Fumes” and "Samurai Sword Decontrol" off Maximum Khaki, out now on Red Scare Industries.

Essential is the new full-length from The Bollweevils, out now on Red Scare Industries. Watch the videos for “Predisposition” and "Resistance.”