New Rock Roundup Vol 52

Published by

Fox Reviews Rock

on

1st Jun 2026

This is our brand new weekly feature (Normally) on a Monday! The New Rock Roundup will rank the latest releases spanning across the world of rock music. With entries from rock, metal, metalcore, punk, pop punk, alternative and indie!

There will be a brief explanation about why I (Fox) enjoy the song in question from each category before I rank them at the end in terms of my own preference. I would love to hear your own person ranking as well as why you agree with or disagree with my comments.

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New Rock Roundup

Rock

Westislonely – Bad Dog.

This is a really beautiful song, yet there are lyrics and comparisons to being treated like a dog! It is a strange dynamic but the tone is really great! It’s found a way onto my liked songs for a reason!

Westislonely – Bad Dog (All Rights Are Retained By Westislonely)

Metal

Of Virtue – What’s It Like To Be Happy?.

At times it is like they took all the repeatable bits of a pop song and turned up the danger. They still somehow kept all the fun. With pounding drums and an addictive chorus, this song is going to get a lot of air time!

Of Virtue – What’s It Like To Be Happy? (All Rights Are Retained By Of Virtue)

Metalcore

Dont You Dare – Burning Out.

With the slow build up you would be forgiven for thinking it was going to be a run of the mill song. It soon progresses though, with heavy bass during the chorus that I love. With mostly clean vocals with the odd switch up to harsh, it keeps things fresh. Granted the breakdown later on is heavy heavy heavy.

Dont You Dare – Burning Out (All Rights Are Retained By Dont You Dare)

Punk

Western Addiction – The First Witch.

San Francisco Punks Western Addiction bring us this sub 2 minute hit! With jangly riffs that I would not normally associate with the genre this is a really interesting song! It’s quick paced, but never loses the non punk like elements.

Western Addiction – The First Witch (All Rights Are Retained By Western Addiction)

Pop Punk

Double XP – 1 HP.

FUN! This song is one of those that I could listen to in the background without paying attention and it would still make me happy. This is not taking any major leaps in progressing the genre, but it is superb. The chorus does the job and then some, and the bass is really great!

Double XP – 1 HP (All Rights Are Retained By Double XP)

Alternative

Return To Dust & Mat Mitchell – Hey Ya!

I have always wanted to hear this song (Originally by Outcast) transformed into an alt rock song! I got my wish. By and band I LOVE too! There is a layer of expansiveness added here that I think you will love. Let me know!

Return To Dust & Mat Mitchell – Hey Ya! (All Rights Are Returned By Returned To Dust & Mat Mitchell)

Indie

Fierce Friend – Make Me Forget You.

I do love an Indie song that has that usual vibe but goes off the beaten track with quite the sombre lyric set! Your mates are going to love this song, so why not be the cool one for a change and get it on your playlist first!