Collaborations are key for several of the best new music releases from Milwaukee artists. Check out these 15 albums, EPs and songs this June, listed in alphabetical order.
“Fatigue,” PLYTME
The rapper and singer contradicts the title of his latest single, offering an energizing and sleek track loaded with atmosphere and feeling.
“Have a Thing, Miss Your Moment, Wait for the Revival,” Brett Newski
The prolific Newski welcomes fellow Milwaukee acts like Vanity Metrics and Chris Haise Band on his latest album, where the Lou Reed influence is especially strong in Newski’s voice for clever album opener “The Last Time Again,” before Newski throws a curveball with a heart-racing country toe tapper in “Paper Crowns” that recalls early Johnny Cash.
“I’m KRP Baby, Tell Me How Are You?,” Kia Rap Princess
We’re good Kia, thanks for asking, now that you’re back with some new music. The four-track EP continues KRP’s carefree, feel-good sound with opener “No Frontin’,” with production that pays homage to classic Pharrell, before welcoming a couple fun guest appearances from fellow accomplished Milwaukee rappers Kaylee Crossfire and SteveDaStoner (on “Been Getting Money” and “Get Some Bread,” respectively).
“Jim’s Song/Drifter’s Wife,” Max Niemann and the Fellow Travelers
Followers of raucous local rock trio Diet Lite know how distinct Max Niemann’s voice is, but he’s doing something decidedly different with the Fellow Travelers, offering folksy, ’70s-style Americana (you’ll hear traces of Dylan and Young) on these two tracks.
“Jungle This Jungle That,” 414JungleBaby
We just had to include the rapper’s infectious single “Yo Baby!” – a real Milwaukee song of summer contender – in our must hear Milwaukee music roundup last month. But we are even more thrilled that the other nine tracks on album “Jungle This Jungle That” are just as intoxicating, with sticky Autotune-drenched vocal hooks that stretch out like taffy, and plenty of irresistible beats. And while several tracks are a blast like “Baby,” “Jungle This Jungle That” is a great showcase for the rapper’s emotional range, with heartfelt vulnerability on songs like “Play a Beat.”
“Look at My Roof,” Mocity and Paperstacks
Two Milwaukee hip-hop veterans team up on this track, bringing the best out of each other with smart wordplay set to production that recalls early Kanye West.
“Outlier,” The Crosses
Influential local punk and metal band Die Kreuzen was ahead of their time in the early ’80s, earning accomplished fans like Dave Grohl and Wisconsin’s Butch Vig, thanks in part to Dan Kubinski’s apocalyptic vocals. Following a Die Kreuzen reunion in the 2010s, Kubinski began fronting a spin-off group The Crosses to carry on the Die Kreuzen legacy, but has emerged with new music that show his voice is as wonderfully frightening as ever, with blistering guitar and drums to match.
“One Call, That’s All,” Mulva and Dead, Dead Swans
Two Milwaukee acts team up to offer an early Weezer-style single that deserves to be local celebrity attorney David Gruber’s new jingle.
“Saturn,” Shower Beers and Gold Steps
Local pop punk band Gold Steps add some sweetness on this hand-clap seasoned pop punk track off the New York-based Shower Beers’ new album.
“Shine On,” Kyle Feerick
There’s a soulfulness that practically glows on Feerick’s latest album, evident in the organ-and-sax accompaniment of “Nothing Lasts,” the hopeful piano and strings of “What’s There to Say,” and the warmth of his voice and words across all nine tracks.
“Stasis 1946,” 5pm To Nowhere
Single “Stasis 1946” continues to illustrate 5pm To Nowhere’s gift for catchy power pop, but there’s a weight to the words- a plea for instance of “being whole someday” – that suggests growing lyrical depth.
“The Future,” Secret Menu
Combine the Strokes’ distorted vocal cool with driving drums more in line with Foo Fighters and you get this rocking single that’s also a cautionary tale fitting for our divisive times.
“There Is No Tomorrow,” IshDARR and Canis Major
After celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his breakout mixtape “Old Soul, Young Spirit” last year – a project that brought a new wave of national attention to Milwaukee’s hip-hop scene – IshDARR has returned for the next chapter on this seven-track project with soulful production by Major (XXXTentacion). It doesn’t take long for IshDARR to embrace the sentiment of the title, with a dizzying flow delivered with effortless ease on opener “How I Used.”
“The Rumors Are True,” DC The Don
DC The Don is one of the few rappers fusing the heart-on-the-sleeve sentiment of emo with creative maximalist production. On “The Rumors Are True” – his first album on Universal Music Group’s Republic Records – he makes an incredibly convincing case that’s he the very best at what he does, offering the sort of sonic thrills you’d expect from Travis Scott but with significantly more emotional substance. There’s a hunger for what DC The Don is doing, and it just might turn him into a superstar.
“World In You,” Myya and Grace Weber
Milwaukee-born Weber offers some of her most radiant vocals to date – which given her catalog is quite the feat – on this slick electronic pop track from Toronto-based producer Myya.
“Must-Hear Milwaukee Music” runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com for review consideration. Follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 15 best new Milwaukee music releases to check out for June 2026
Reporting by Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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