Last Updated on October 5, 2026
It’s one thing to carve out a corner for yourself in a specific genre or style. But when you can find new messages and, simply put, things to say, it’s proof of an artist or band’s potential staying power. That is the case for the three artists featured this week with new songs.
Girl Tones “Pretty Face”
Hot off a Just Like Heaven performance, rock duo Girl Tones is taking down conformity on “Pretty Face” off their debut album, Precious, out Nov. 6 via Parallel Vision and Big Loud Rock. The single is produced by Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant, who worked on the entirety of Precious.
With a swirl of fuzzy guitars, thumping drums, and an incredibly catchy chorus, Girl Tones tackle the sad reality of pursuing acceptance by hiding yourself.
“Why try to fit in? What does it really add up to?” said Laila Crowe (drums). “We tracked this one later in the process,” added Kenzie Crowe (guitar/vocals). “It’s heavy, and it puts a stamp on things. To me, it makes a declaration, ‘Listen, we’re not here to play.’”
True to their intentions, Girl Tones turns “Pretty Face” into something of a call to action. What first starts as a slow march to the chorus turns into an elephant sprint of a pace, where the lyrics that touch on facades and “hiding behind the lace” are given more weight thanks to the instruments.
In terms of what “Pretty Face” means for Precious, it’s clear the two sisters are locked in for a self-assured debut.
Visit Girl Tones on their website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Pretty Face” the new single from Girl Tones.
Fujiya & Miyagi “Lowest Common Denominator”
Ahead of their upcoming album, New Shiny Object, out Oct. 30 via Impossible Objects Of Desire, electronic outfit Fujiya & Miyagi are bringing back post-punk with lead single and album opener, “Lowest Common Denominator.”
While the rest of the album went through multiple versions over the past four years, their common denominator – if you will – has been prioritizing what has worked best for them, or “melodies that really touched people,” as David Best (guitar/vocals) put it.
That’s exemplified by the new song, which kicks things off with a smooth bassline that’s unabashed worship of the late ’70s UK post-punk scene. From there, they take full advantage of the no-wave-inspired sound they’re chasing, with each member playing their instrument with the sort of precision you’d find in a dangerous science lab.
As for those melodies that Best was talking about, the overall delivery matches what Fujiya & Miyagi were going for. The hushed singing of lines like “If I come a little closer / Do I get a little warmer?” operates on the same level of precision that the instruments are on, setting a great precedent for the rest of New Shiny Object.
Visit Fujiya & Miyagi on their website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Lowest Common Denominator” the new single from Fujiya & Miyagi.
Karen Dió “Choke”
Amid a steady rise to the top, Brazilian singer-songwriter Karen Dió is reflecting on how fleeting life can be with her new EP, fugaz. Coming off the EP is “Choke,” a roaring takedown of people who don’t know how to stop running their mouths.
Meaning “fleeting” or “short-lived” in Portuguese, fugaz aims to address Dió’s reflections on how far she’s come as her name grows bigger on the international stage. “This EP is about me dealing with that in the last couple of years,” said Dió. “A reminder to myself that life is not about what is about to happen, but what is happening right now because that’s all we have.”
In the case of “Choke,” Dió’s brand of punk music remains intact, especially since the lyrics are about as confrontational as you can get. In between the guitars and drums acting more like a repeated knife-stab motion than a march, Dió dishes out several hard-hitting lyrics.
Lines like “Round and around I’ll give you the rope so you go and hang yourself with what you say” leave little to the imagination, with the sentiment of choking on your words always abundantly clear.
For an artist who finds ways to reflect on life while remaining true to what made her so distinct, Dió proves that she’s just getting started.
Visit Karen Dió on her website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Choke” the new single from Karen Dió.
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