Summer means a lot of different things to different people. To some it means late night hang outs, while to others it brings to mind thoughts of working constantly, or endless days with friends, but here at UTG there is one thought we all share when the hottest of seasons arrives: New music. After looking over the lengthy release list for the coming months, We thought it best to compile a list of what excites us most to help guide your seasonal shopping. Click past the jump, take a look, hear some new tunes, and see what albums made the cut for our most anticipated Summer albums of 2012.

James Shotwell (Founder/Editor)

1. Pierce The Veil – Collide With The Sky

Selfish Machines is amongst the best albums to be produced by the hard alternative rock scene in the last decade. This being their follow-up, I’m hoping things only get better.

2. The Word Alive – Life Cycles

3. A$AP Rocky – (Title TBA)

4. Mixtapes – Even on the Worst Nights

5. Spenzo – TBA

Tyler Osborne 

1. Such Gold – Misadventures

2. Mixtapes – Even on the Worst Nights

3. Yellowcard – Southern Air

Yellowcard have always been one of my favorite bands, and I’m really excited to get a brand new record from them to round out my Summer. When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes was a fantastic comeback album for the band, however I feel like it didn’t get the attention it deserved due to it coming out in February (Yellowcard is most appreciated in the Summer). My gut instinct tells me this is going to be the album that comes out at the end of this Summer that is going to piss a lot of kids off because they’re going to become obsessed with it and when school comes around all it’s going to do is remind them of late summer nights with best friends.

4. With the Punches – Seams and Stitches

5. I Call Fives – I Call Fives

Summer Dark Horse – With the Punches

Brian Lion

1. The Contortionist – Intrinsic

2. Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – Tree Of Tongues

This album has been pushed back so many times, it’s driving me fucking crazy. Alas, it’s finally actually coming out. The three tracks I’ve heard so far are basically three of the best songs I’ve heard so far this year. Such a perfect blend of so many different styles. If you haven’t checked out “The Zoo”, get on it, ya big dummy!

(Stream a new song RIGHT HERE)

Summer Dark Horse – Exotic Animal Petting Zoo

Dane Sager

1. Motion City Soundtrack – Go

I’ve never not enjoyed everything I’ve heard from Motion City Soundtrack. It’s like a James Bond movie; even at their worst, they’re still a lot of fun.

2. The Offspring – Days Go By

3.The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten

4.Owl City – The Midsummer Station

5. Linkin Park – Living Things

Adrian Garza

1. Such Gold – Misadventures

2.  Make Do and Mend – Everything You Ever Loved

Based off of what’s already been released, MDAM has made it apparent that they’ve really stepped it up in terms of diversity. I feel like this album has some real game changing potential to it.

(Stream a new song RIGHT HERE)

3. Flatfoot 56 – Toil

4. Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten

5. The Early November – In Currents

Summer Dark Horse – KOJI

Kriston McConnell

1. The Word Alive – Life Cycles

What can I say about The Word Alive? I love this band. Not only have they put together great songs on their past releases (Deceiver, Empire EP), they are passionate about what they do and it’s easy to see when you’re watching them live or even reading their posts on Facebook. What I have heard so far sounds amazing and I have no doubt this will be their best album yet (and possibly my personal favorite of the year).

2. Memphis May Fire – Challenger

3. Pierce The Veil – Collide With The Sky

4. Miss May I – At Heart

5. In This Moment – Blood

Michael Meeze

1. The Early November – In Currents

Easily my most anticipated summer release. When it has been over six years to hear from one of your favorite bands, you best believe their new album would be your most anticipated release. Working with Rise Records and harboring new passion, TEN are going to release one hell of a record. From the songs we have heard so far, it is difficult not to be overtly impressed by Ace Enders’ voice.

(Stream a new song RIGHT HERE)

2. The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten

3. Yellowcard – Southern Air

4. The American Scene – Safe for Now

5. Go Radio – Close the Distance

Summer Dark Horse – The American Scene

Grant Trimboli

1. Such Gold – Misadventures

Having been fortunate enough to already travel through this band’s Razor & Tie release, I can already proclaim this album to be amongst the best punk releases of the year. Hands down. Such Gold are punk’s golden child.

2. A$AP Rocky – (Title TBA)

3. Pierce The Veil – Collide With The Sky

4. The Word Alive – Life Cycles

5. The Early November – In Currents

Which albums are YOU anticipating the most? Comment below and let us know!

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Tyler Osborne

Live in DC, grew up in PA. I specialize in writing, filming and taking pictures about punk, pop-punk, and hardcore music, and I also have a huge background in film as well. When not on the site, i'm running my own internet radio show, ToZ's Edge Radio (www.facebook.com/tozedgeradio). I also love stage diving and goldfish.

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