Welcome to AP A-sides, where we’re highlighting the very best songs from the past week. Every Friday, the AP editors will wade through the daunting number of tracks released daily, narrow down their favorites, and give them to you in one playlist. Because the definition of alternative is constantly in flux, there are no rigid parameters to our selections — just tracks we’re obsessively talking about and listening to on repeat. This week’s playlist features artists diverse in genre but singular in sound, including Sematary, Black Polish, GASKET, Retail Drugs, Genesis Owusu, and more.
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Check out our picks below, and stay informed about everything coming out in October with our monthly album release calendar.
AP A-sides – October 31, 2025
- Black Polish – “ABOUT YOU/SUNRISE”
- Chat Pile and Hayden Pedigo – “The Matador”
- Julia Wolf – “KILL YOU OFF” (feat. 2DUMB and BBY GOYARD)
- GASKET – “PUREST EXISTENCE”
- Genesis Owusu – “DEATH CULT ZOMBIE”
- PinkPantheress – “Noises + JT”
- Retail Drugs – “Demon Town”
- Sematary – “EEYORE” (feat. xaviersobased)
- Telescreens – “Nothing”
- The Two Lips – “if you said”