5 New Bands to Disturb your Playlist this February
Once again, we’re spotlighting our favourite new discoveries this month. Powered by your picks, this series shines a light on the next wave of bands ready to make their mark. Massive thanks to everyone who contributed — let’s dive in.
Frozemode
Frozemode is a London alt-rap trio bringing punk, rock, grime and hip-hop together into high-energy, in-your-face music. Formed during lockdown after a late-night phone call, the band, made up of I.V.GATLIN, Cho-Hollo and Lisong, writes sharp, honest songs about everyday life, combining heavy guitars, catchy sound and bold storytelling. Their music carries a rebellious, “fuck you” attitude, blending chaos and melody in a way that grabs attention from the first note.
Since their debut in 2022, Frozemode has built a strong reputation through the mixtapes Demode 1, Demode 2 and their latest release, Demode 3, alongside standout live shows at The Great Escape and a BBC Introducing stage appearance at Reading & Leeds. Tracks like ‘Stick Dat’, ‘LOOKING AT US’ and ‘Hollowman Ting’ highlight their powerful mix of grime, punk and rock.
Recently announced for 2000trees Festival, Frozemode is set to keep growing and take their bold, genre-blending sound across the UK and beyond.
LUST
LUST is a San Diego–based metalcore band known for their aggressive riffs, tight rhythms and raw, visceral energy. Their recent single, ‘Offline’, demonstrates the band’s evolving sound, combining intensity with moments of melody and dynamic songwriting. Bold and uncompromising, the track delivers punishing breakdowns that hit with full force — an absolute whirlwind of controlled chaos from start to finish.
The band also expanded their reach through a featured appearance on boygrim’s track ‘close the blinds’, showcasing their versatility and growing presence within the heavy music community.
In February, LUST delivered a high-energy performance at The Banshee in San Diego, translating their studio intensity into a live experience that resonated with fans. With new music and collaborations on the horizon, LUST continues to cement their place in California’s heavy music scene, building momentum both on stage and online.
Lake Drive
Lake Drive is a fast-rising pop-rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bringing cinematic emotion, colour and drama back to modern music. Formed in 2023, the group channels the chaos, romance and beautifully broken moments of life into songs that feel like a coming-of-age movie, blending vulnerability with energy and spectacle. Drawing inspiration from artists like The 1975, The Band Camino, The Wldlfe and The Maine, Lake Drive has forged a sound that is hyper-stylized, emotionally charged, and unmistakably their own.
The band recently signed with iconic label Hopeless Records, marking a milestone in their rapidly rising career. Their debut single for the label, ‘Tell Me All About It’, has already proven to be a success, capturing listeners with its heartfelt lyricism and infectious hooks. With this release, Lake Drive invites audiences to join them in a world where honesty, fun and emotional depth coexist.
Death of Youth
Death of Youth is a London-based hardcore band fusing the intensity of modern hardcore with the emotional depth of screamo, emo and early 2000s post-hardcore. Since forming in 2018 as frontman Rob David’s bedroom project, the band has built a reputation for raw, honest lyrics paired with a crushing wall of sound, drawing comparisons to Touché Amore, Departures and La Dispute.
Following early EPs Between Chapters and Suburban Dystopia, and the 2021 compilation Some Demons Never Die, the band returned in 2024 as a full lineup with Joe Arnold (guitar), Carlos Zelaya (bass) and William Page (drums). Their debut album, Nothing Is The Same Anymore, expands their sound while addressing social and political themes alongside deeply personal reflections on trauma and loss. Released earlier this month, the record marks a defining step forward for the band, with standout tracks including ‘Rumination’, ‘Fix Your Heart or Die’ and ‘The Inverse of Patriotism’ highlighting both their emotional weight and sonic intensity.
Between Cities
Between Cities is a Dutch alt-rock duo turning raw emotion into sweeping, guitar-driven soundscapes. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Nick Jongenjan and drummer/backing vocalist Gijs de Waal, the pair fuse the urgency of post-hardcore with melodic clarity, crafting songs that are as cinematic as they are immediate. Their music balances heavy riffs with emotive hooks, creating a tension that draws listeners in while staying firmly rooted in memorable melodies.
Working with UK producer Dan Weller has elevated their sound, helping them refine their identity while maintaining the intensity that defines the band. Their recent single, ‘Beyond This Grave’, co-written with Lucas Woodland of Holding Absence, channels heartbreak and resilience, connecting deeply with audiences.
From sold-out Dutch tours opening for The Dirty Daddies to European support dates with Hands Like Houses, Between Cities is rapidly building momentum. With new music on the horizon, the duo is set to expand their reach while pushing the boundaries of contemporary alt-rock.