Currently Listening: This Week’s Singles (06/19/2026)
Is it just me or are there more singles released nowadays than albums and EPs? Maybe this was always the case but with streaming it’s more obvious. Anyway, this morning I decided to actually listen to some of these new release singles and provide some (possibly pithy) thoughts on them. I’m not doing any research or anything, just listening, so I’ll probably get some stuff wrong.
“The Body of an American” by Dropkick Murphys & Shane MacGowan
I’m guessing that this is something that either the Dropkick Murphys worked on with Shane MacGowan before he passed or it was something that he had started recorded but never finished/released. It’s not bad, pretty typical modern DKM.
“I Don’t Fuck With You - Live in LA” by Katelyn Tarver
I’m missing some joke or reference here. This is so silly. Maybe if I did some research I’d discover that this is some cover. Oh well…
“Better Than That Now” by Automatic 7
Automatic 7 making a comeback in 2026 was not on my bingo card for this year but I welcome it! So far their new singles have been great, especially “Better Than That Now.” The obvious comparison point for Automatic 7 is Social Distortion and I think that still fits. Good stuff.
“Shot In the Chevy” by Jesus Jones
To this day, I unapologetically and unironically love Jesus Jones’ 1991 album Doubt, so I was super curious to hear what the band sounds like in 2026. What I was not expecting was a ballad. That said, “Shot In the Chevy” is a good little song filled with social commentary.
“Normal People Freak Me Out” by Sweet Teeth
When the opening chords of “Normal People Freak Me Out” rang out, I felt like I was on Beavis & Butthead getting all excited over a song that rocks. Good shit!
“What’s New On The Beat Scene” by Perennial
Does this band always rap?
“Forgotten Favorite” by Velocity Girl
Wait, Velocity Girl is back? “Forgotten Favorite” sounds like what I remember of Velocity Girl–fuzzy guitars, breathy vocals, and early 90s indie rock sensibilities. Great stuff!
“Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon)” by Julia Jacklin
This is kind of dreamy, ethereal indie rock / indie pop.
“86” by Rough Dreams
Rough Dreams is a very underrated band and this is a fun Green Day cover.
“Joe” by Mara Connor
I can’t remember where I discovered Mara Connor. Her voice reminds me a bit of Caitlin Rose. This is a pretty, Americana ballad.
“Born To Break Even” by Doghouse Rose
This has a very Epi-Fat sound to it. Fun little skate punk rock number with excellent vocals.
“Girl Math” by Cali Rodi
For some reason, I thought this was going to sound like Beach Bunny and maybe it does a bit. Either way, this is good indie pop.
“Phone Booth” by Hazel English
Spacey, kind of breathy vocals on this indie pop ballad. I love the lyric, “Wherever you go, You’re still in my head.”
“The Book of Love” by Dean McMullen
Musically, this reminds me of Ben Lee, just with breathy vocals. Lots of singers with breathy vocals lately. Is this the dude from The Lightning Seeds? He kind of sounds like him. Hey, this no research thing is kind of fun. I’ve got no clue what’s going on.
“Better Believe” by Eddie Vedder & Guitars Over Guns
I stopped keeping up with Pearl Jam after Vitalogy and have not followed any of Eddie Vedder’s solo career. That said, I did recently discover his cover of “Save It For Later” which was incredible. I bring this all up to say that I had no idea what “Better Believe” was going to be. It’s a ballad and it’s not bad. There is a pretty dope bass solo though.
1. “The Body of an American” by Dropkick Murphys & Shane MacGowan
2. “I Don’t Fuck With You - Live in LA” by Katelyn Tarver
3. “Better Than That Now” by Automatic 7
4. “Shot In the Chevy” by Jesus Jones
5. “Normal People Freak Me Out” by Sweet Teeth
6. “What’s New On The Beat Scene” by Perennial
7. “Forgotten Favorite” by Velocity Girl
8. “Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon)” by Julia Jacklin
9. “86” by Rough Dreams
10. “Joe” by Mara Connor
11. “Born To Break Even” by Doghouse Rose
12. “Girl Math” by Cali Rodi
13. “Phone Booth” by Hazel English
14. “The Book of Love” by Dean McMullen
15. “Better Believe” by Eddie Vedder & Guitars Over Guns