The Big 4-0
“No Paper. No Scissors.” is our signature rock playlist, bringing you the latest in new, indie, and underground rock music since day one of Expand Your Playlist with a variety of styles and categories of the Rock music genre.
With some years releasing more or less playlists from this series, the rock music genre has been present throughout most of our playlists since the beginning. This is the 40th playlist of the “No Paper. No Scissors. Rock Playlist!”. Normally we limit the playlists to 10 songs, but for this special occasion we added 4 more to this edition with New To EYP Artists such as Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Double Negative, Pistols At Dawn, The Gems, Andy Darling, and Violet Grohl. Also on this playlist are songs by some of our recent favorite bands such as Normandie, Anchor Lane, Starbenders, Madison Violett, Honey Revenge, Marisa and the Moths, and including our EYP Staple Artists The Dollyrots, and just added as a Staple Artist, Karen Dió.
If you’re craving something that hits harder than the mainstream feed and actually feels curated worth discovery, press play and let this set carry you.
Scroll below for the playlist, available on Spotify and Youtube.
If you enjoy this and other genre playlist series we create, and you’re curious about the current indie music scene, plus you’re in a band and want to be featured, send us your music!
No Paper. No Scissors…. On Instagram!
This playlist series now has it’s own presence on Instagram at @nopaper.noscissors . If this is your preferred playlist series, give us a follow and we’ll dive deeper into the rock music we feature, which we don’t normally cover on the main IG account.
PLAYLIST: No Paper. No Scissors. Rock Playlist! #40
INFO: 14 Songs / 44m 42s
GENRES: Indie Rock / Alternative Rock / Grunge / Punk / Metal / Hard Rock
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Music in this playlist by…
BRIGITTE CALLS ME BABY
“There Always”
@brigittecallsmebaby
Brigitte Calls Me Baby is a Chicago-based alternative rock band blending new wave, jangle‑pop, and post‑punk into a dramatic, modern sound. Formed in 2022 by vocalist Wes Leavins and a group of Chicago musicians, they quickly gained attention after opening for Inhaler and Muse and releasing their debut EP “This House Is Made of Corners.” Their music pairs Leavins’s crooner‑style vocals with tight, punchy arrangements, earning praise for its emotional intensity and cinematic flair. The band released their full-length debut “The Future Is Our Way Out” in 2024, solidifying their rise in the contemporary rock landscape.
In March of 2026, they released their latest full-length album “Irreversible” featuring the opening track and today’s featured selection, “There Always”.
DOUBLE NEGATIVE
“The Vampire”
@doubleneagtiveuk
Double Negative’s “The Vampire” is a moody, modern alt‑rock track built around dark atmosphere, sharp guitars, and a slow‑burn intensity. The Bolton‑based four‑piece, formed in 2024, leans into a brooding, cinematic style on this 2026 single, released March 13, 2026. The song’s tension comes from its steady pulse and shadowy tone, pairing emotional weight with a polished, contemporary rock edge.
PISTOLS AT DAWN
“You Forever”
@pistolsatdawnofficial
Pistols At Dawn formed in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been active since 2015, building a reputation for hard‑hitting, anthemic rock that blends modern alt‑rock polish with classic hard‑rock intensity. Their lineup has included Jon Sookdew Sing, Adam Jaffe, Will James, and Gabriel Cuevas, a quartet known for tight musicianship and a big, arena‑leaning sound. The band’s catalog features songs like “Not Sorry,” “Bones,” “Monster,” “Uninvited” (featuring Stitched Up Heart), and “Jungle,” all of which showcase their signature mix of soaring hooks and heavy rhythmic drive. They’ve also gained attention for charting on Billboard and Mediabase rock charts, a notable achievement for an unsigned band, and for releasing well‑received projects such as the Nocturnal Youth EP (2021) and Ascension (2022). Their growing profile includes millions of streams, strong media buzz, and tours alongside major modern‑rock acts, positioning them as one of Atlanta’s standout rising rock bands.
NORMANDIE
“Mayday”
@normandieofficial
Normandie formed in 2013 in the city of Örebro, Sweden, originally featuring vocalists Philip Strand and Johan Lindström alongside guitarists Joel Felix and Håkan Almbladh, bassist Stefan Timmerholm, and drummer Jesper Malmberg. Over time, the band shifted from their early post‑hardcore roots—especially after the departure of their unclean vocalist—to a more melodic, atmospheric alternative‑rock direction. Their current lineup centers on Philip Strand (vocals), Håkan Almbladh (guitar), and Anton Franzon (drums), with later additions like bassist Lucas Englund helping shape their modern sound. Normandie has released multiple EPs and albums, including their breakout debut Inguz in 2016, which marked a stylistic turning point and expanded their international audience.
They debuted on Expand Your Playlist in 2018 with their song “Enough”. They return in 2026 to EYP with their latest song “Mayday” of their EP “SIDE EFFECTS PT.1”.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Enough” – (2018)
“The Bell” – (2019)
“Jericho” – (2020)
“Hostage” – (2021)
“Sorry” – (2024)
STARBENDERS
“Summon My Heart”
@starbenders
Starbenders—an Atlanta‑born glam‑rock band known for their fusion of 70s glitter, 80s new wave, and modern alt‑rock—lean fully into their dramatic, nocturnal style on “Summon My Heart,” released in February 2026. The song pairs Kimi Shelter’s haunting, theatrical vocals with pulsing rhythms and swirling, atmospheric production, creating a sense of emotional spiraling and romantic obsession. Lyrically, it explores longing, madness, and the magnetic pull between two people, repeating the incantation‑like phrase “call my name” over thunderous, cinematic instrumentation. The track appears on the “Summon My Heart / Forever Mine” single and showcases the band’s evolution toward a more polished yet still feral sound.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Cold Silver” – (2025)
“Saturday” – (2026)
THE GEMS
“Happy Water”
@thegems.music
The Gems—a Swedish hard‑rock trio made up of Guernica Mancini, Emlee Johansson, and Mona “Demona” Lindgren—released “Happy Water” in March 2026 as the explosive final track on their sophomore album Year of the Snake. The song is described by the band as a “Motörhead‑inspired banger” about Vietnamese moonshine, a snake‑infused liquor also called “happy water,” and thematically leans into letting go, playing with fire, and embracing chaos. Critics and music outlets highlight the track’s raw rock‑and‑roll energy, its swaggering riffs, and its role in showcasing the band’s evolution beyond their Thundermother origins. The single arrived just as The Gems were gearing up for the release of Year of the Snake—an album that has already seen strong chart performance and reinforces their status as one of modern hard rock’s most exciting rising acts.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Firebird” – (2026)
MADISON VIOLETT
“Restless Mind”
@venomous.violett
Madison Violett is one of our local Los Angeles finds as she hit our radar in 2025 with her song “Circling” as a music submission to our “Submitted For Your Approval” playlist. Madison stands out as one of the most promising young voices in the modern alternative and metalcore scene, blending 2000s post‑hardcore nostalgia with the polished heaviness of 2020s metalcore. Now she has made a claim to a spot on our NPNS playlists whenever she has a new single out. This is her latest single “Restless Mind”.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Circling” – (2025)
“Counting Daggers” – (2025)
“Killswitch” – (2026)
ANDY DARLING
“KGB Daughter”
@andy_darling_ae
Andy Darling (often stylized AnDy Darling) is described in recent profiles as a “meta musician”—an artist who blends pop, hyperpop, punk, R&B, and jazz influences into a fluid, experimental sound. She began making music at age 11, a foundation that shaped her emphasis on emotional maturity, persistence, and self‑driven artistry. After moving to the U.S. during the pandemic, she experienced a period of creative expansion, gaining greater independence and a deeper understanding of the music business, which she credits with reshaping her identity as a recording artist.
Darling is also known for her collaborative spirit, expressing enthusiasm for working with other musicians while still prioritizing her solo career. She cites a wide range of genres as influences—punk rock, hyperpop, R&B, and jazz among them—reflecting her eclectic approach to songwriting and production.
Her latest track, “KGB Daughter” is a high‑energy pop‑punk/alt‑pop track released by AnDy Darling on March 13, 2026, blending Slavic‑themed storytelling with fast, dance‑ready production and a sharp, rebellious vocal delivery.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Slavic Hood” – (2025)
HONEY REVENGE
“Hot Commodity”
@honeyrevengeca
Honey Revenge returns to EYP with their latest song, “Hot Commodity”. It is an energetic alt‑pop/rock track built on glossy production, punchy rhythms, and confident, self‑assertive lyrics that highlight the band’s vibrant, youthful sound.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Airhead” – (2023 / 2024)
“Rerun” – (2024)
“Are You Impressed?” – (2024)
“Recipe For Disaster’ – (2024)
“Risk” – (2025)
THE DOLLYROTS
“Attention Span”
@thedollyrots
EYP STAPLE ARTISTS, The Dollyrots returns to EYP for the first time in 2026 with their latest song “Attention Span”.
“Attention Span” is a fast, hook‑driven pop‑punk track released by The Dollyrots on March 13, 2026, showcasing their signature blend of sugary melodies, high‑energy guitars, and playful punk attitude.
As you see below, we have featured a plethora of The Dollyrots songs over the years, making them one of our Top Staple and go to bands when compiling a playlist, especially a rock music one.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Get Weird” – (2015)
“Come And Get It” – (2015)
“Be My Leia” – (2015)
“I Do” – (2017)
“Walking On Sunshine” – (2017)
“Everything” – (2019)
“Do You Love Me” – (2019)
“Animal” – (2019)
“Stay (I Missed You)” – (2020)
“I Know How To Party” – (2020)
“Make Me Hot” – (2020)
“Too Fun For My Health” – (2022)
“Hey Girl” – (2023)
“Still Holding On” – (2023)
“Tell Me” – (2023)
“I Just Wanna Play Dead” – (2023)
“Night Owl” – (2024)
“Trees Sway” – (2024)
“Wrapped In Sunshine” – (2024)
KAREN DIÓ
“Bexy”
@karendioxx
JUST ADDED TO OUR ROSTER OF STAPLE ARTISTS…. KAREN DIÓ!
Hitting our radar in 2024, she had embarked in her solo work with the single “Sick Ride”. In just 2 years she has released hit after hit, making it not hard to keep featuring her riot-girl style of punk rock music on our playlists over and over again. Her latest track “Bexy” came along organically as during a video chat with fans, the username “Bex” came on screen, and the song was created on the spot, and is now on our playlist.
Karen Dió’s story is defined by two decades in Brazil’s punk scene, a bold relocation to the UK, and a creative rebirth that led to her breakout EP My World. After leaving her previous band Violet Soda and taking a two‑year hiatus to rediscover her identity, she emerged with a sound rooted in riot‑grrrl attitude, raw punk energy, and unfiltered self‑expression. Her 2023 viral single “Sick Ride”—a Joan Jett–inspired revenge anthem—catapulted her into the spotlight, earning praise from major rock outlets, and us.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Sick Ride” – (2024)
“So Funny” – (2024)
“Stupid” – (2024)
“3AM” – (2024)
“My World” -(2024)
“Casual” – (2025)
“Cut Your Hair” – (2025)
“I Hope You Know” – (2025)
“Do It” – (2026)
VIOLET GROHL
“595”
@violetgrohl
New to EYP is Violet Grohl. Hailing from a rock legacy with the last name “Grohl,” Violet is stepping into the spotlight, carving her own path with her unique brand of Alternative Rock. Her debut single, “595,” sets the tone for her first album, “Be Sweet To Me,” set to drop on May 29th, 2026.
MARISA AND THE MOTHS
“Nothing’s Getting Better”
@marisaandthemoths
Marisa and the Moths are a UK alternative‑rock band known for their grunge‑influenced sound, powerful melodies, and the emotionally raw vocals of frontwoman Marisa Rodriguez.
Formed in 2017 in Reading, the band blends 90s‑style grunge and modern alt‑rock, earning attention through their self‑titled 2019 debut and extensive UK touring. Their lineup features Marisa Rodriguez, Liam James Barnes (bass), Alex Ribchester (drums), and Alessio D’Elia (lead guitar). Their second album, What Doesn’t Kill You (2024), topped the Official UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart, driven by singles like “Borderline” and “Who Are You Waiting For?” and praised for its mix of heavy riffs and emotional vulnerability.
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Skin” – (2019)
“Choke” – (2020)
“Needy” – (2020)
“How Did You Get So Weak?” – (2020)
“Pedestal” – (2023)
“Borderline” – (2024)
“Gaslight” – (2025)
“Gaslight – Stripped” – (2026)
ANCHOR LANE
“Five Knuckle Shuffle”
@anchorlaneofficial
Anchor Lane are a Glasgow‑based modern rock band known for their high‑energy sound, strong songwriting, and a rapid rise through the UK rock scene.
Formed in Glasgow, Anchor Lane first broke through with their debut album Casino in 2020, which entered the Official UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart at No. 9 and earned widespread critical praise for its polished, hook‑driven rock style. Their early success led to major festival appearances—including Download, Isle of Wight, Stone Free, and Belladrum—and support slots with Cheap Trick, Eagles of Death Metal, and Tremonti. After lineup changes, the band evolved into a three‑piece—Conor Gaffney (vocals), Lawrence O’Brien (guitar), and Graeme Newbury (drums)—and released their second album Call This a Reality? in 2023, marking a stylistic shift toward a more modern, Royal Blood‑influenced sound. Their reputation as a dynamic, hard‑hitting live act continues to fuel their momentum across the UK rock landscape.
They return to EYP in 2026 with their track “Five Knuckle Shuffle”
Previously Featured Songs & Featured Year
“Electric Karma” – (2023)
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