Latest Posts

WACHO! – “Day Drinking”

April 3, 2025

There are different emotions associated with day drinking. Mimosas when you’re feeling cute, bloody maries when you feel like dirt, sidewalk slammers when you’re a goblin, etc. When Fort Worth’s WACHO! takes a sunbaked sip of Gin and Juice, it’s because heartbreak’s on the brain. Despite WACHO!’s playful, sing-songy delivery, “Day Drinking” is a soundtrack to coping with alcohol, replacing one vice with another, “Your ass is gone so now it’s this bottle that I smack.” He’s got an ear for the poppy melodies and memorable bars, but sharp songwriting on lines like “you left me brokenhearted, liquor’s leaking through the cracks” elevates this track into a layered, complicated spotlight of substance issues. Give it a listen and check out other artists like WACHO! on our Spotify playlist.

Afton Wolfe and Brian Brown – “So Purple” (Jack Vinoy Remix)

April 3, 2025

Nashville artist Jack Vinoy took a look at blues rocker Afton Wolfe 2022 track “So Purple” and saw a couple more hues. Vinoy takes a floating flute melody from OG track, adds some spacey guitar, his own vocals and some hip hop drums and puts a whole new tint on the track. Afton remains center stage, opening the track with “Red and blue just a simple combination but a different radiation” forecasting the dynamic he, Vinoy and rising rapper Brian Brown bring to the remix. Brown contribute slick, slotted rhymes that somehow feel right at home countering Afton’s gruff, bluesy, space cowboy aesthetic. There’s a lot on the palette here to enjoy – give a listen to paint the picture, and check out other experimental hip hop on our 2025 playlist.

Life Coach – Cringe

April 2, 2025

I have no idea if Jamie Cameron is actually a Life Coach, but I would say that any musician worth their salt could probably find a way into that life. Regardless of credentials (the name is apparently an ironic statement), their chosen moniker is Life Coach and “Cringe” is his latest single. Based out of Glasgow, Cameron started off as a solo act but has moved into a four piece outfit, further enhancing their sound. I got some really good vibes with the vibrant choruses and the underlying synth with bombastic guitar hooks and squelchy synths (gave a similar mouthfeel to one of my personal favorite bands, Diet Cig, but Scottish).   You can hear “Cringe” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. If you’re a “Cringe” or cringe fan well… so is Jamie. 2023’s Scottish Cringe EP is well worth the listen (and everything in between).   Life Coach ·[...]

Born Ruffians – “Supersonic Man”

April 2, 2025

Some of us become ruffians through a tragic backstory, some of us are simply Born Ruffians. I’m speaking of course, of the Toronto bred four piece and, unless you skipped the title, you’d know that we’re checking out their latest single “Supersonic Man.” It’s delightfully morose yet… somehow uplifting? Clean acoustic guitars with what sounds like a theremin (or synth, who can say?) somehow combine together for a Bob Dylan-esque ramble that will surely tickle your bramble (and ears). But like… if Bob Dylan was Canadian and a modern-day indie band that keeps churning out hits.   You can watch the music/lyric video below from YouTube (I won’t spoil it but it’s two legs on a bike). I am surprisingly atrocious with picking out lyrics 98% of the time, so seeing them in a visualizer is always incredibly helpful to help me connect more closely with music. It’s also available[...]

néomí – Do You Want To Be Honest?

April 2, 2025

néomí, who we haven’t heard from since last year’s single”talk shit” (here), has a new track that really showcases her pop chops. “Do You Want To Be Honest?” differs a bit from “talk shit” as it doesn’t quite hit the folksy notes as much (and we’re all about dynamic artists here at the Blog). Drum machines (or is it just one?) and synth feature heavily, giving a nice 80’s pop vibe (eat your heart out Madonna), with plenty of acoustic guitar to keep things feeling organic and in the alt pop/indie pop lane. Speaking to the track, néomí had this to say:   “This song is about trying to find middle/solid ground when you can’t control the movements and actions of the people/world around you…”   You can hear “Do You Want To Be Honest?” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. Be sure to check out her 2024 album[...]

Phantom Sugar – KATANA

March 31, 2025

“I’ve got a sharp katana deep in my back…” is how a John Wick movie could start, but it’s instead a line pulled from Phantom Sugar‘s newest track (you guessed it) “KATANA.” The title and subject matter; “getting stabbed in the back by a trusted ally and the conversation post betrayal” could go in any direction musically, but Stefano Zita et al stick with their tried-and-true brand of lo-fi pop rock (and golly, does it work!).   The guitar work is impressive but not overwrought, which is refreshing to hear. While there is a time and place for 45 layers of guitar on a track, sometimes the straightforward method is the best delivery. Coupled with earnest lyrics laying bare the feelings associated with swords in your back, you’re in for quite the treat… If being stabbed in the back is your thing.   You can hear “Katana” below from Soundcloud[...]

Honey I’m Home – Wishful Thinking

March 31, 2025

Amsterdam based Honey I’m Home brings us their latest and *checks notes* first single. Apparently putting the cart before the horse, the band has toured extensively since their inception in 2024 and then released their initial single “Wishful Thinking” in 2025.   The track itself is a delicious slice of shoegazy goodness with the haze turned up to 11. Layers of dirty guitar coalesce around a message of “…the longing to reconnect with people no longer in your life, whether it’s a lost love or a departed family member” (as per guitarist Thom Schotanus). Dreampop effects with the vocals and instrumentals give it that patented ethereal feel that you can’t go wrong with.   Hopefully we don’t have to wait a whole year for another single and more music is on the way long before! Until then, you can listen below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. Drop the band an IG follow[...]

Baang – “Back Around”

March 31, 2025

Rising artist Baang (Believe, Aspire, Achieve, Now Go) is the face of the Arkansas rap scene, and a curator of refreshing, effortless hip hop tracks. His latest single “Back Around” captures the emotions of returning to your hometown, bringing your new experiences back to rekindling relationships. It’s also a love song. Baang nonchalantly discusses the differences in his upbringing with his interest, comparing their families; “I heard your daddy’s a doctor writing prescription, you know my brother is a doctor, he sell pills.” Baang also explores their partnership, how intertwined their emotions have become and quelling doubts over if he’s actually “back around.” Even with a mellow, composed delivery, the track’s hook sticks in your ears and its beat pairs well with a late night car ride. Toss it on when you’re thinking of someone. Check out more from Baang on Spotify and discover more artists like him on our[...]

Bryan Dubay – “Call Your Mother”

March 31, 2025

Man of many talents/genres Bryan Dubay is back with another song – this one called “Call Your Mother.” Not known to pigeonhole himself into one genre, Bryan’s latest is folk-forward, showcasing sighing steel guitars and acoustic strumming as the buttresses for his pleasant vocal timbre. His influences, think Elliott Smith and Fleet Foxes, come together perfectly here, melding the former’s intimate singer/songwriter presence with the modern-day folksy sensibilities of the latter. “Call Your Mother” is more for an evening spent fireside (since we’re all still freezing up here in Buffalo) rather than a dive bar barnburner, so brew yourself a nice cup of cocoa, bundle up, and enjoy Dubay’s latest this evening.   “Call Your Mother” is available now via your preferred streaming service.  

SAADI – “Hollow Body”

March 30, 2025

LA based Boshra AlSaadi, better known as SAADI brings us her latest single, “Hollow Body.” An artist and musician several times over, this is her first solo release since her 2020 self-titled album. Written with friend Chris Coady, it was, of all things, inspired by… Cyndi Lauper? SAADI had this to say:   “The initial inspiration was Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” but it soon took on a life of its own, especially after I added the Stratocaster guitar rhythm track.”   The track itself is a synth and/or bass affair (I’ll explain later), with the occasional rhythm guitar popping up for some added zest. I’m really bad (or synths are really good) at picking out string vs. synth sometimes, but there’s a particular tone that’s littered throughout (you can hear it most in the first 45 seconds of track). That one? Yeah you can hear it. Love that. I’m[...]

Bedolina – “We Are the Clock Ourselves Again”

March 30, 2025

“We Are the Clock Ourselves Again” manages to raise interesting philosophical considerations, like, what does that even mean? It also happens to be Ken Gould’s latest single – playing under the guise of his latest act Bedolina. There’s no other way to describe it, but this track friggin’ sets an incredible groove and just runs with it, but in the chillest way possible. I felt some whispers of Tom Petty; not only how Gould carries himself lyrically but the way guitar intersects with the ever-present bass.   You might think effortlessly rocking this hard and making it sound easy is the hallmark of a strong musician… and you’re almost there. Bedolina feels more like a force (kids these days might call it a “vibe”) and you’ll surely not be disappointed for letting your ears reckon with it (works better calling it a “force” because it sounds weird to reckon with[...]

Devantier Rain – “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA”

March 27, 2025

German-Cameroonian artist Devantier Rain infuses his roots into an eclectic new single with his latest release “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA.” Anchored by a Cameroonian choir and immaculately produced electronic elements, “PHANTOM” is a track that bends between hip hop and R+B. The choir sample murmurs and echoes behind Devantier’s thoughts about life and love in a potential relationship. Is his perceived Lois Lane genuine, or a phantom that he’s conjured? “PHANTOM” poses the questions; Devantier might have the answers – we’ll leave it up to you to decide. Cameroon choir chants take this to another dimension sonically, regardless of the legitimacy of Devantier’s phantom love. Check out more from Devantier on YouTube and Spotify and make sure to check out our emerging hip hop playlist on Spotify.

Transmission Lost – “Hometown Zeroes for 2”

March 26, 2025

“Hometown Zeroes for 2” is the latest single from five piece alt rockers Transmission Lost. I was disappointed that there isn’t a Hometown Zeroes for 1, but I canceled my disappointment when I saw they had a track called “Smashing Pumpkins” that was honestly hilarious (check that out after you listen to HTZF2 though).   I could try to tell you “yo, these guitars rip” or “man this track slaps” (which, honestly, true)… BUT, just listen for the first minute and tell me you don’t feel something right around the :36 mark. Felt that in my soul.   You can hear “Hometown Zeroes for 2” below on the band’s SoundCloud or throw it on your latter aughts alt rock playlist. These guys seriously know how to rock and do it in *style*.   Transmission Lost · Hometown Zeroes for 2

Eric Gabriel – “Long Gone”

March 26, 2025

Reverb and effects with synth (or guitar, hard to tell sometimes) your thing? Buddy, do I have the thing for you! Eric Gabriel’s latest single “Long Gone,” off of his March 21st album Samara, is that thing for you… In case you forgot what we were talking about.   It fits perfectly between your ears for a pensive evening drive, or, for addition to your indie-electronica adjacent playlist (or both). This is also great for people who think music needs more syncopated beats. The rest of the album is a fun listen too, especially if you enjoy a *whole* album and not just the singles and you’re looking for tonal shifts in abundance.   You can hear “Long Gone” and the rest from Samara below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify.  

Love Ghost – “Just Another Sunday”

March 26, 2025

“Just Another Sunday” or another new track from Love Ghost? Well, it’s both… Even though it’s another Wednesday (currently). It’s also a collab with Jazz Moon, an Austrian musician! While I couldn’t find much info on her, she nonetheless has a magnificent set of pipes and we’ll hopefully hear more from her soon. Love Ghost, on the other hand, is Finnegan Seeker Bell, whom we’ve written about previously here and here (a fun album to bite into, also a collab).   The track itself is a hazy IPA with indie rock hops with notes of grunge malt adding to the sound (flavor?). Straight out of the bottle, the guitar is initially subdued but ebbs and flows with extra layers becoming evident, especially with the finish that fades out just over the three minute mark. IPAs aren’t for everyone, (and neither is beer, as my editor will attest) but this is[...]