(UN)HEARD: SEPTEMBER EDITION

Autumn is here, and apparently so is everyone’s new album. For the second edition of (UN)HEARD, Danielius, Viltė, and Svajotojas share what’s been occupying their ears lately. And for the second time in a row, two of our authors independently chose to review the same album. We promise they weren’t copying each other’s homework. Here it is: nine recommendations, three distinct voices, and no obligation to agree.

Danielius Zukas

Host of Pasroviui and Audio asmenukė at estakada99

EGOMAŠINA – Sunkumas

Album · September 10, 2026 · Self-released · Lithuania

Even though EGOMAŠINA have always moved between post-punk sounds, synths, and drum machines, it’s been six years since they last made an album focused entirely on that sound. During that time, they’ve delved heavily into psych rock, with ATAKA (2021) and Nejuokinga (2024) driven by haziness and heavy garage-like guitar riffs. With their fifth album (and supposedly their last), Sunkumas, they’re back, probably with their strongest material yet. They don’t stray too far from the psychedelic sound they’ve mastered over the years, but this time they approach it more through krautrock. The repetition, monotony, and synths let you drown in a wave of sounds and go with the album’s flow. My personal favorite is “Patogu, patinka,” easily the best song on the album. Especially its flow and the chorus lyrics – bound to be cemented in your head for some time.

Gilla Band – Pugnello

Album · September 25, 2026 · Rough Trade Records · Ireland

Ever since this album came out, I’ve been obsessed. There are so many things happening over its 40-plus minutes, so many different sounds, a truckload of noise, enough to cause a panic attack or blow the listener’s eardrums. But the strangest part is how everything works together. That’s what Gilla Band are known for. On this album, they lean further into industrial rock, use more electronics, and bring in more personal themes, including vocalist Dara Kiely’s recent schizophrenia diagnosis, which becomes one of the album’s main topics. They also seem even less afraid to push their sound further – and they do it very well. While it may be less accessible to people who’ve never listened to their music before, it’s their best work to date. “Giraffe” is perhaps my personal stand-out on the tracklist. While it sorta follows in the footsteps of their previous album, Most Normal, it still makes plenty of bold moves. Midway through, “Giraffe” takes a turn toward dance-punk – enough to get your hips moving.

Protomartyr – Hotel Usona

Album · September 25, 2026 · Domino Recording Co. · United States

Protomartyr are Detroit’s long-standing post-punk musicians, and they’ve just released their seventh album, Hotel Usona. They’ve always brought a certain level of drama to their music, along with, as far as I remember, the darker colors that paint its world. This time, strings and keys add to that drama, making everything more powerful and grand, and creating this cool, gothic atmosphere that makes the whole album awesome. “Lavender – Gospel” was probably the track that stayed with me the most. It’s kind of a calm, comedown-like track, but it still retains that grandeur and touches on themes of weapons and destruction. It works well, gives you space to breathe, and maintains your interest at the same time. A worthy listen. (Runner-up – “Sounds We Cannot Hear,” also a must!)

Viltė

Writer for estakada99

Curbside Lambsear – Put Rings On All My Fingers To Weigh Down My Hands

EP · September 11, 2026 · Scenic Route Records · United Kingdom

Without my dear friend Ambre, I wouldn’t have found this amazing EP. Otherworldly is the first word that comes to mind after the first listen. It’s heavy, but not too much. It slows you down, but isn’t depressing. It reminds me of fog in the early morning and the feeling of not being fully awake to experience the world around you. Hypnotizing in a way that doesn’t make you reveal your subconscious. The beats, repeating lines, and lyrical melodies make everything so atmospheric. “No Ordinary Word” had the biggest impact on me, with its heavy-limbed drums and thick bass. The lyrics “Can’t fight, I’m reeling / It creeps back up, everyday” feel so perfect for this fall.

EGOMAŠINA – Sunkumas

Album · September 10, 2026 · Self-released · Lithuania

It feels so good to hear the familiar funkiness of EGOMAŠINA this fall. The ever-changing beats and sometimes confusing lyrics brighten up even the rainiest, coldest days of September. The music just sucks you into an alternative world, somewhat similar to Alice in Wonderland, maybe? Or that could just be me. Nevertheless, those groovy beats make you want to dance. My favorite track was “Paleisk jau” because of its repeating backing vocals and catchy drums.

Ministerija – Chimera

Album · September 30, 2026 · Self-released · Lithuania

Discovered this release purely by accident. I heard “Gėlės” on Spotify shuffle and instantly became obsessed, couldn’t stop listening to it. Then I decided to check when the album was released, and kaboom – the last day of September! This album really stood out to me because of its vocals. They feel so haunting and full of raw emotion. I have to admit it’s been a while since vocals alone moved me this much. I bow my head to the vocalist Vega. The drums also add so much emotion and power to the songs, it’s fascinating. The album is perfect for keeping calm in dramatic situations if you have a chaotic mind (I know I do!).

Svajotojas

Host of Ūkanota at estakada99

Ratatat, KUNZITE – SECRETS

Album · September 18, 2026 · Sol System Records · United States

A new and innovative work from two projects connected by Mike Stroud, who plays in both Ratatat and KUNZITE. Ratatat are not new to the game and have most notably worked with Kid Cudi. On SECRETS, we get a surprisingly satisfying, smooth ocean ride and a Hotline Miami-inspired soundtrack for the season. The cover art proves my point! It’s fresh, low-stakes, fuzzily soft, psychedelic, even popcorn-tasting: reminiscent of the not-so-distant past, but with very present-day sound and lyricism. It easily lets you keep afloat and picture a carefree life, whatever season or stage of life you’re in. Gives you a palette to paint your day with their music.

Boy Harsher – GET MEAN

Album · September 18, 2026 · Atlantic Records · United States

The current leaders of sad dance, darkwave, and dark synthpop have just presented a new album. And, as I’ve expressed on my show, it didn’t fulfil my expectations: I wanted something more innovative and interesting to dig into from the Northampton-based duo. Still, I do feel the project is good. It’s more mellow, softer to my ears, with familiar patterns and synth arrangements, and it still fits perfectly into a late-night bar/club crawl. Nobody would probably complain about these tunes whilst drinking a Long Island and wondering why the guy (or girl) in the back hasn’t approached them and yapped about the whole history of estakada99 again.

BASTA TGTK & MRDECAI. – TU GYVENI TIK KARTAIS

Album · August 28, 2026 · KAIFAS RECORDS · Lithuania

Holy moly. This guy… phew! Matas Baranovas is the man behind BASTA TGTK, moving between R&B, rap, and a new wave of underground music. Skillfully and playfully navigating, always two steps ahead, coordinating both the flow of his words and the energy of the crowd, sounding both young and surprisingly experienced, this fella really knows his stuff. I first saw him at the PDF festival, which he won, then heard his more sophisticated, trap-like sound on BLOGIO MOKSLAS with Nevidonas. Now the Vilnius-based rapper drops a brave, slick, and really meticulous album. A lot of nuance, wordplay, and introspection about a (possibly) ordinary man’s everyday life. Worth a listen to catch and understand what’s fresh and exciting in Lithuanian rap.