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Monthly Music Crush: Reliqa, LIZI, Winona Fighter, Haywire 617, Windwaker & MxPx
As the end of the year looms ever-closer, new music releases are starting to become a bit fewer and farther between to close out 2026...but that doesn't mean there isn't still an insane array of awesome new tunes out on the world to devour.
This year as a new month commences, I've been rounding up six of my fave recent releases from the past few weeks (or so), sharing a bit of love from across the world and genres with fresh stuff that's been kicking around in my speakers of late.
For the final time this year, this time around we've got some recent tunes from Reliqa, LIZI, Winona Fighter, Haywire 617, Windwaker and MxPx.
Check 'em all out below and if you want to listen to my somewhat chaotic curated playlists that feature all of these songs and more, I've got you covered on Apple Music, YouTube and Spotify as well:
Photo Credit: Jack Fontes
RELIQA
Single: Serum
(Immortal Music Group/Nuclear Blast)
Sydney luminaries Reliqa have returned, not only with a recent new track Serum, but they also announced their sophomore album High Risk Thoughts, set for release on February 12 next year.
The first taster from High Risk Thoughts, Serum is packed full of dark pulsations, swooning melodies and modern nuances that all flourish around vocalist Monique Pym's commanding presence.
"Serum’s sound represents a sort of bridge from where we were to where we are now. So it felt apt to have it not only open the new record but also mark its announcement to the world. It's low and menacing with a mechanical edge (heavily inspired by the Danish prog legends VOLA), but we’ve also loaded it with some fun twists and turns, all part of our long-held goal to condition our listeners to expect the unexpected and be open-minded. This is the only song on the record that we’ve been consistently playing live for some time now and the reception has been full of energy, giving us high hopes for the rest of the album’s verdict." - Monique Pym, vocalist
Reliqa will be touring North America for the very first time next February and March supporting Northlane. As they continue to transform from Australia's best-kept secret to one of their most exhilarating, exuberant and electric exports, Reliqa are undeniably a figurehead for showing that doing things your own way can achieve very amazing things.
LIZI
Single: That Thing You Do!
When I was about 15, I was in my high school choir (please form an orderly queue to high five me for being cool). For a concert that year, our choir sang a bunch of songs including That Thing You Do! from the 1996 Tom Hanks movie of the same name...and I secretly always thought it was a banger. And you know what? I still do. Performed by the fictional band The Wonders in the movie, the song was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, and was also actually penned by the late Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne.
In 2026, Los Angeles-based punks LIZI have given That Thing You Do! a rollicking makeover, dropping their cover version just last week, complete with a music video directed by drummer Jenna Terranova, and featuring the trio decked out in deep-red matching mod-esque suits just like the original movie's costumes.
"One of the greatest movies ever made! It was so much fun recording this cover and making the video! This was the first official music video I directed and edited. Go check it.” - Jenna Terranova
Originally forming in Italy as Lizi And The Kids, LIZI are now based in Los Angeles and have firmly established themselves in the West Coast's punk and rock scene. The group have previously teamed up with the likes of Gilby Clarke in the past and have a bunch of fun tunes to devour like Loser (feat. Viboras), Material Girl and much more!
WINONA FIGHTER
Single: LEECH
(Rise Records)
Approaching the release of their sophomore album Brutal & Extremely Underrated (set for release in January via Rise Records), Nashville-based act Winona Fighter commemorated the new LP's announcement by recently releasing their latest single LEECH; an emotive powder keg of 90s-hued alternative drive and sharp melodies that is as thematically cognizant as it is hard-hitting.
Fresh on the heels of their acclaimed 2025 debut album My Apologies To The Chef, Winona Fighter's brand new era is already shaping up as an evolution in the best way possible, linking their hard-hitting earlier style with a fresh coat of sonic paint. The group also dropped an accompanying music video for LEECH, directed by Hannah Hall, seamlessly capturing the lyrical content within.
“In true Winona Fighter fashion, we put our blood, sweat, and tears into the making of this record. Our goal was to evolve as a band while still delivering the hard hitting and melodic songs we love to make. Please enjoy at full volume.” - Austin Luther, bass
Still yet to make their official debt in Australia, Winona Fighter will take the stage at Warped Tour in Orlando later this month, before joining Taking Back Sunday at their 12th Annual Holiday Spectacular in New Jersey in December, and kicking off 2027 with a big headline North American run.
Photo Credit: Rolling Stone
HAYWIRE 617
Single: FLEX YOUR HEAD
(Roadrunner Records)
Another band who will be onstage at Warped Tour in Orlando later this month, Boston hardcore act Haywire 617 will also then head out to Australia for some headline shows starting later in November, and conclude their down under adventures supporting Rise Against and Dropkick Murphys in late November and early December.
A band who have carved up a formidable reputation for their relentless touring (playing 96 gigs in 101 days across all North American states in the summer of 2025 alone), Haywire 617 have also established a wholesome rep for flying the flag for DIY and regional bands along the way.
If you like your hardcore with a bit of Oi!, melodic shenanigans and raw street punk chaos, Haywire 617 are undoubtedly already on your radar. And last month, the band dropped their new album I Don't Wanna Say Goodbye, which also featured a deliciously raucous number, and my personal fave, FLEX YOUR HEAD.
In actual punk fashion (which is kinda rare these days sadly), Haywire 617 decided to film an impromptu and guerrilla pop-up music video shoot in late October...in New York's Times Square. A huge crowd and inevitable chaos ensued, but before the NYPD could shut it down, the band did manage to play through 1.5 songs, getting FLEX YOUR HEAD and part of another track filmed before the cops pulled the pin.
“It feels like you’re living outside of society’s rules...like all these missing puzzle pieces from under the couch all link up under a bridge and light shit on fire.” - Austin Sparkman, frontman, speaking with Rolling Stone of the band’s penchant for playing unconventional venues in the past.
WINDWAKER
Single: low
(Civilians/Fearless Records)
Endlessly defying genres and taking names with their immersive style, Windwaker recently unveiled their anticipated third studio album smile, you're on camera, out now via Civilians and Fearless Records. A collection of infectious and relatable material, smile, you're on camera opens proceedings with low, commencing with a cinematic synth flourish before catapulting you into metalcore-meets-rap duality.
Showcasing frontman Liam Guinane's vocal range, switching between rap, harsh and buoyant falsetto, low would stupefy a mosh pit as easily as a packed nightclub, balancing electronic choruses and snarling aggression without breaking a sweat.
As a whole, smile, you're on camera ruminates on the weight of time and growth, struggles and sacrifice for the better life and authenticity in spite of a world full of superficial and sinister characters and bad actors. It's a collection of catchy, energetic and heartfelt songs. The album offers a more guitar-forward and gritty, analog-focused backdrop compared to its predecessor, while encapsulating the eclectic signature sound of Windwaker up to this point.
Having just wrapped up a national headline run, joined by The Pretty Wild, RinRin and DREGG, Windwaker will finish up a home run of a year supporting Beartooth in North America, and kick off 2027 supporting Bury Tomorrow in Europe and the UK.
Photo Credit: Sarina Solem
MXPX
Single: Panic Attack
A band who once soundtracked my high school parties, American punk rockers MxPx continue to grow their legacy 30+ years after forming, most recently dropping a brand new track Panic Attack, and also announcing the upcoming release of their 12th studio album Living in the Chaos, which will release on January 29.
A kinetic mix of riffs, earworm melodies, bounce, and the signature vocal stylings of Mike Herrera, Panic Attack feels instantly both familiar and fresh, channeling MxPx's classic sonic DNA with some sparkling modernity. Ultimately? It's fun as fuck, but it also has some relatable and relevant undertones about the insanity of life, coupled with a buoyant reminder that you aren't alone in all the chaos.
Complete with an accompanying music video, directed by longtime collaborator Darren Doane, Panic Attack is the first step towards a new album from MxPx since their 2023 LP Find A Way Home, and it's very clear the band are once again firing on all cylinders creatively with this latest cut.
MxPx will finally return to Australia in early December performing at Good Things Festival, joining the likes of Limp Bizkit, Simple Plan, Spiritbox, Bad Religion and many, many more. It's been 13 years since MxPx have performed on our shores, and chances are high we'll be treated to some old and new favourites next month!
