Rock BOPS this week are leaning into emotion, distortion, and release. From brooding alt-rock and heart-on-sleeve songwriting to pop-punk energy and raw rock catharsis, these five tracks are driven by honesty and urgency. Big feelings, loud guitars, so let’s get stuck in.
Highroad No. 28 – Likethelast
Highroad No. 28 turn emotional weight into an empowering pop rock moment
Likethelast carries that rare balance of darkness and lift, brooding guitars and restrained tension that never collapse inward. It is reflective without being heavy, a slow-burning rock track that sits with doubt, connection, and resilience, letting emotion unfold rather than forcing a climax.
Formed in Australia, Highroad No. 28 have long been rooted in introspective heavy rock, and the current solo-led era reconnects the project with its core identity. This track highlights their evolved sound, blending melodic depth with atmospheric texture, and stands out as one of the most intimate moments on their latest record, proof that endurance can sound quietly beautiful. Check it out below.
James Zero – Baby, You’re No Kryptonite
James Zero blends vulnerability and powerful pop punk with fearless conviction
Baby, You’re No Kryptonite fuses pop-punk urgency with electronic edges, driven by grief, memory, and forward motion. The track hits hard emotionally while staying sharp and modern, using contrast to amplify its impact rather than soften it.
Based in Pennsylvania, James Zero operates at the intersection of emo, pop-punk, and electronic rock. His songwriting draws from personal loss and survival, and this release shows an artist confident enough to turn pain into propulsion, setting the tone for a bold new chapter. Would love to see this live, too.
Less – Hellya!
Less channels raw emotion into unapologetic rock energy
Hellya! is a release in every sense, loud, direct, and emotionally charged, capturing the moment frustration turns into self-assertion. It thrives on intensity, skilfully using rock – with a wonderfully DIY production – as a tool for honesty rather than polish.
Raised in Italy, Less brings a deeply personal perspective shaped by movement, loss, and self-discovery. Her sound blends raw rock expression with emotional storytelling, and this track marks a clear step toward a more powerful, rock-oriented direction that refuses to dilute its message. More of this please.
Sonya Rising – Drown In Ashes
Sonya Rising fuse heaviness and melody into a striking rock stunner
Drown In Ashes is a cathartic modern rock track that leans into themes of destruction and renewal. It balances crushing weight with melodic clarity, creating a sense of release that feels earned rather than forced. It’s dark, bold and wonderful.
Hailing from Chelmsford in the United States, Sonya Rising draw inspiration from nu metal and alternative heavyweights, shaping a sound that is both aggressive and emotionally resonant. This debut single signals a band unafraid to confront intensity head-on while keeping their songwriting grounded and purposeful.