Latest Posts

Fresh – Nighttime

September 17, 2018

The UK’s indie punk rising stars, Fresh, give apathy a monochromatic face in the video for their recent single “Nighttime.” The Londoners playfully exude their situational angst, traipsing around the woods in a strictly all-black dress code. Lyrically, the track touches on deep-rooted insecurities and thoughts, giving a voice to that negativity while whittling it away. It’s a jumpstart of distortion, drive, and distress, utilizing powerful vocals, measured percussion, and smoggy guitar lines to hammer their message home. If you’re lucky, you caught the band on one of their recent tours with Camp Cope, Caves, Me Rex, and other DIY punk outfits throughout the UK. Find this, along with the track’s B side “Daytime” and other releases here.

Nikki & The Phantom Callers – “Prodigal Daughter”

September 17, 2018

Jangly indie rock band Nikki & The Phantom Callers stir up dust and reflect on the past in their track “Prodigal Daughter.” An evolutionized take on the tales of a wayward drifter, the song glosses over life’s highs and lows by way of buzzy guitar solos, tinny drum lines, and a rustic vocal duet. Vocalists Nikki Speake and Anna Kramer play into each other’s strengths, matching sweeping melodies with grounding harmonies and sharing the stage from verse to verse. In the grand scheme of it all, “Prodigal Daughter” provides that soft place to land when the best laid plans fall through. Take in the band’s homespun toe-tapper below, and find more where that came from here.

Fishing in Japan – “Here For You”

September 15, 2018

Dallas indie rock trio Fishing in Japan throw some sunshine and emotional support our way with their track “Here For You.” This song is a rolling ball of energy, gradually building in vitality and force over its nearly four minute long time frame. For anyone feeling down in the dumps as of late, this is the sonic hug you could probably use right about now. Intrinsic guitar and bass countermelodies are joined by stalwart drum fills and enduring vocal lines, oozing positivity in a way that’s consolatory and encouraging. Find “Here For You” and more from the band here.

Henry Nowhere – “Not Going Back”

September 11, 2018

The lo-fi bedroom pop stylings of Henry Nowhere smooth cares away in his single “Not Going Back.” The recent L.A. transplant gives a nod towards his west coast upbringing with sun-bleached guitar lines, hazy vocals, and translucent synths. The track provides a drowsy escape from life’s monotony, however wistful that may be. Henry Nowhere’s sound has as much staying power as any other names in the bedroom pop space, with a bit of a throwback surf rock vibe that will have you sticking around for more. His time spent touring with Day Wave really shines through in the track’s production, taking on a similarly faded vocal delivery and swirling instrumentals. Plan your getaway with “Not Going Back” and the rest of Henry’s second wave of releases.

Church Girls – “Just Like You”

September 11, 2018

Philly indie rockers Church Girls head up the release of their recent EP with their broody single “Just Like You.” The band combine a post-punk zeal with expressive lyricism, introspectively mulling things over, only to hit back hard with each return of the chorus. That initial guitar melody immediately hooks you, while frontwoman Mariel Beaumont’s vocals rise and fall over a kinetic instrumental foundation. It’s a raw and holistic approach to working through emotion, honing in on the bitterness and nostalgia, and fleshing it all out with some group vocals and hearty rhythm guitar. Get a taste for the track below, and find the band’s entire EP Home here.

Tired all the Time – “Bone Dry”

September 7, 2018

Fresh off a recent EP release, D.C. four-piece Tired all the Time spice up the workday in the video for their track “Bone Dry.” With a sound that falls somewhere on the alternative-angst spectrum between The Front Bottoms and A Day to Remember, this group knows how to play up the somewhat lost art of the group vocal. Right off the bat, we’re hit with buzzing guitar tracks, bombastic drum work, and a mantra-like vocal delivery that’s instantly energizing. Despite the seemingly pessimistic lyrics, the track’s video features a playful workplace atmosphere that serves as a reminder that it’s okay to let loose from time to time. Rock yourself into catharsis with “Bone Dry” below.

Lina Tullgren – “Always Fine (feat. NTHNL)”

September 7, 2018

DIY artist Lina Tullgren takes on a fizzled electropop approach in her latest single, “Always Fine.” Accompanied by the prospecting production work of NTHNL, Tullgren’s lackadaisical vocals meet a bubbling electronic accompaniment in a way that feels a bit unsettling and off-kilter. This falls right in line with the track’s narrative of feeling alone and misplaced in a crowd of people. It’s a step away from Tullgren’s previous work on her 2017 EP Won, which more so aligned with the Florist/Emily Yacina brand of DIY-rock. “Always Fine” seems to take a trip down the Alice In Wonderland rabbit hole, emerging more disjointed, busy, and vibrant than ever before. In terms of the other drowsy slacker rock out there, this is a breath of fresh air. Catch Lina Tullgren’s other releases here.

Emily Brown – “Unseen Girl”

August 14, 2018

The spitfire songwriting skills of Emily Brown idyllically take shape in her latest single, “Unseen Girl.” The Oakland-based songstress encapsulates a medley of pop and folk stylings, adding a rustic twang to her soaring melody lines and angelic vocal harmonies. This track centers around the unsettling discovery that the love of your life is holding out for something better. Brown paints the picture of this dream girl, as if to personify the injustice of it all. Anecdotal lyricism and a hooky chorus will have this track on repeat for hours, and rightfully so. Test out the song below in preparation for Brown’s upcoming album Bee Eater, due out the end of the month.

Buffalo Sex Change – “Creature”

August 9, 2018

Rochester rockabilly duo Buffalo Sex Change stir things up with a zesty new track, “Creature.” Their bluesy vocals and jangly guitar lines drive the track forward, invoking theatrical delivery and an extra zing. The track has some classic, shined up rock and roll elements, meeting gritty vaudevillian vibes with nostalgic affection. Lyrically, they mull over the harsh realities of natural selection, while tragically falling prey to its attraction. The single’s video representation admirably fits the scene, playfully staging the lyrics and dancing it all out. Feast your eyes on their predatory concept below.

New Me – “Something Green”

August 8, 2018

Hauntingly sunny indie pop band New Me crank out the synthesizer in their track “Something Green.” Their buzzing electronica is met with sun-bleached guitar lines, driving drum tracks, and ghostly vocals coated in reverb. It’s chock full of exciting contrasts that keep the listener on their toes, blending dream pop with synthwave and surf rock. The San Diego troupe are a conglomerate of other local acts, lighting up the southern California DIY scene with mingled electricity and vitality. This is the band’s debut release, partnered with “Any God” as the B side. If you’re in the market for something different that’s simultaneously easy on the ears, look no further than New Me.

Prophecy – “One of Us”

August 8, 2018

Atlanta native Prophecy uses kinetic beats and aloof lyricism as his own personal brand of catharsis in his latest track “One of Us.” Music has always been his favored coping mechanism, learning to spew catchy rhymes and thought-provoking phrases to navigate a difficult childhood and upbringing. This track in particular is a tongue and cheek boast of success, taking down the naysayers with unrelenting delivery and hypnotic production loops. Get a feel for the artistic stylings of Prophecy below.

Tragedy Khadafi, BP – “Upper Echelon”

August 7, 2018

A soon-to-be iconic collaboration between Tragedy Khadafi and BP spawns the fierce new single, “Upper Echelon.” The NY natives spit bars like it’s a marathon – both unrelenting and expertly measured throughout the track’s entirety. Trag knows how to come up with gripping lyrics with real staying power, finding stark symbolism in their explicitness with lines like “Icepick you in the throat with a iller note.” All of this vocal fire is met with brassy instrumental support, contrasting rhythmic piano, and a steadying beat. There’s guaranteed to be more where this came from, with a full album collab on the way. Keep an eye out for their upcoming album Immortal Titans, due out August 14 on Common Virtue Records.

Fime – “Hover Hand”

August 7, 2018

Fuzz rock quartet Fime adopt a manta-like inflection in their recent track, “Hover Hand.” With a sound self-described as a mix of Weezer, Pavement, and the Pixies, the band churn and burn through gravely vocals, steadying drum work, and brassy distortion guitar. Lyrically, the song mulls over a depiction of scenes and imagery from the outside looking in. The video for the track captures this well, as a staticky VHS tape runs through rosy visions of weddings, Disney Land, and time spent in good company, coming off as emotive but just a little bit removed from the action. “Hover Hand” is the precursor to the band’s EP Outside, which you can stream in full here.

Pretty Normal – “Scamp”

August 4, 2018

Pretty Normal have really nailed the catchy melodic hook with this one. The band’s new single, “Scamp,” hits hard at the crossroads of slacker rock and fuzzy synth pop. For fans of Wavves and SWMRS, this could be your latest lo-fi fix. That initial misty falsetto is what draws you in, and the meandering, salient guitar lines drive it all home. Despite their lackadaisical sound, this track is strategically dynamic, with each verse inviting a new instrumental element, vocal harmony, or quality of sound. This is the band’s first release since their 2017 debut EP, and that year of growth is palpable through the song’s refined production and gripping melody lines. Give “Scamp” a listen below – this track is so good it could turn your day around.

One South Lark – “Japanese Soda”

August 3, 2018

New Orleans four-piece One South Lark get introspective with their breakout single “Japanese Soda.” It’s got all the makings of a drowsy indie rock hit, featuring jangly rhythm guitar, kinetic drum work, and clarion vocal lines. Quietly brooding lyricism gives the track a slight edge, while musically it unfolds as lighthearted and easy on the ears. It’s the kind of song to put on when you’re not sure what to listen to, covering all bases with universally relatable lyricism and a tireless beat. If this track is right up your alley, keep the ball rolling with One South Lark’s  brand new single, “Excuses.”