Latest Posts

SAADI – “Hollow Body”

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”

“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[...]

Transmission Lost – “Hometown Zeroes for 2”

“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”

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”

“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[...]

Moon Age – “Time is Running Out”

Clear some space and pump this one up because it’s groovy baby. “Time is Running Out” is the chillest vibe I’ve felt in awhile because, I’ll tell you what: I do know a chill vibe when I hear it. UK based duo Moon Age are clearly products of the 80’s or really really really love working that [metaphorical] thang. Bass licks marinating in pools of synth with the softest, slickest vocals you could ever hope to find could have easily found their way to the GTA: Vice City soundtrack.   You can hear “Time is Running Out” below from Soundcloud, or over on Spotify. Their first single “Lie to Me” is equally groovetacular and well worth the listen on the aforementioned music sites. I’m not saying you should throw these on your sexytimes playlist, but you’d be a fool if you did not.   Moon Age · Moon Age –[...]

Rico 56 – You Run The World

“You Run The World” is the newest from EDM artist Rico 56. Other than having an objectively cool sounding name, Rico 56 does a fabulous job with the buildup and atmosphere in this heady melodic house track. On top of this, Rico does the musical equivalent of “keeping the water at steady simmer” through the entirety of this electronic maelstrom. He does this while ALSO having turntables and all of the buttons and dials and faders – this borderline upsets me, as I have no idea how [good] DJs make it look and sound so easy (crank that bass up tho).   You can hear “You Run the World” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. There’s plenty more where this came from too – you can listen to the past four years of songs in either place as well. I guarantee a lot of this will tickle your fancy,[...]

Jefferson Pitcher – Cartpushers

Recovering Bay Area punk Jefferson Pitcher clearly knows how to rock the fuck out and probably has forgotten more stuff about guitar than I’ll ever know about anything. “Cartpushers” is his latest single in an impressive catalogue that has something for everyone; come here for the aforementioned moody goth adjacent “Cartpushers” but also for the 15 minute avant-garde “A Man Speaking, Small Broken Things Underfoot.”   “Cartpushers” is a guitar track through and through that holds an astounding amount of depth and cacophony, with a dark undertone. It never felt spiraling, but clearly, JP is someone who has looked into the void and saw themselves looking back. Pitcher’s vocals are steady and appropriately haunted sounding, just the type of track to listen to at the tail end of the cold months.   You can hear “Cartpushers” on YouTube (embedded below), from Apple Music, or over on Spotify. Keep your eye[...]

Baker Island – What Did Your Last Savant Die Of?

British fivesome Baker Island, based out of Newcastle, brings us this twee-filled single that begs the question, “What Did Your Last Savant Die Of?” While I don’t think this is ever answered, it does certainly roll of the tongue nicely, depending on which word you put the emphasis on; “What Did YOUR Last Savant Die Of?” “What DID Your Last Savant Die Of?” (etc.).   I’m absolutely here for the synth throughout the track and guitars that never ramble, but certainly come close to meandering. Everything blends together in what could have easily been a cacophony of noise but instead turns into a beautiful euphony that makes things feel just a bit sweeter.   You can hear the track below from the band’s Soundcloud or over on Spotify if you’re fancy like that. I started watching Six Feet Under the other day and this track proved to be a nice palate[...]

Housewife – “Matilda”

Brighid Fry (she/they) is the brains behind Canadian based indie pop (and buffaBLOG frequent – see here and here) act Housewife. “Matilda” is the latest track fresh off the Girl Of The Hour EP and it’s well worth a listen. Falling somewhere into the bedroom pop or alt-pop genre, you’ll have a good time here if you enjoy acts like Clairo or Men I Trust.   The song itself has an interesting backstory worth getting emotionally invested in – see below:   “Matilda was inspired by my bike getting stolen a couple years ago. I was an avid cyclist for years and really loved that bike (and had nicknamed it Matilda). I remember a while after it got stolen, I was out on a day that was perfect biking weather and just getting hit with how much I miss cycling. Obviously, the song isn’t just about a bike, but also[...]

Django Duyns – “Leather Skin”

“Leather Skin” is the latest track from Amsterdam artist Django Duyns. I’ll be completely honest, I didn’t know that this sound had a name of “pop noir,” but evidently “pop noir” is a sound I didn’t even know had a name *shrug emoji*. If you listened and thought this sounded vaguely reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys; you aren’t alone. Delightfully subdued guitars underpin the entirety of track along with Duyns’ sultry vocals. The rest of the three track single is also well worth you time, as you’ll certainly feel an evolution of the pop noir sound, and not just another rehash.   You can hear “Leather Skin” below from YouTube or over on Spotify. I didn’t see this on Soundcloud or Bandcamp, but could be found over on Deezer. Keep your ears out for Django Duyns’ debut album, as that is coming down the pipeline and will be available soon.  

Kylie Rothfield – “Temporary”

Imagine receiving accolades from Faith Hill AND Alicia Keys. Unless your name is Kylie Rothfield and you’re reading this (if so, hi!), then… Our guess is you probably haven’t. “Temporary” is her latest track and it’s a well crafted pop song about a relationship that doesn’t seem to have much staying power (ouch). How did I come to this conclusion? Exhibit A: “You can’t afford to take me out/get high so we can mess around/you’ll probably still let me down” (double ouch).   Rothfield’s vocals do most of the heavy lifting but are accompanied by clean guitars that sound so pleasant and dreamy. The juxtaposition with the subject matter adds a lot, but I hope no one ever sings about me like that. Though I suppose I wouldn’t mind if it sounded as good as this track.   You can hear  “Temporary” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. Send[...]

Rasha Jay – “SAY”

Cards on the table, when I get these songs sent to me I would say that the majority of the time I’ve never heard of the artist. My “liked” list has grown exponentially and it seems as though that has happened again with Rasha Jay‘s track “SAY.” She comes out swinging (vocally) and never really lets up with her impressive pipes. With more vocal-forward offerings, sometimes the instrumentals can go by the wayside, but that is positively not the case here; there’s a nice guitar (or synth, difficult to tell) that repeats throughout alongside a bass that has the *perfect* tone.   A self described “wild child” haling from small town Maryland, her musical style is all over the place – from this rockier/bluesy track to something a little more soulful, as well as R&B (but always LOUD). Indie rock fans looking to branch out a bit but still stay[...]

Avery Friedman – “Photo Booth”

“Photo Booth” is the latest from New York, NY musician Avery Friedman. It has a phuzzy beginning that comes back around for a couple passes, while keeping a playful, upbeat tone. There’s a smidgen of keys that combine with Friedman’s vocals for a wholly satisfying track start to finish. It has an almost bedroom-pop vibe that I can get on board with, as would anyone who enjoys Phoebe Bridgers or Adrianne Lenker’s catalogues. Speaking to the track, Avery Friedman had this to say:   “I wrote this song after a vibrant night out with my friends last winter – a night memorialized by many chaotic photo booth strips… This night out in particular felt like an encapsulation of spin-the-bottle-type ‘second adolescence’ that many queer people experience when coming into themselves after their adolescent years pass.”   You can hear it below from SoundCloud, as well as Spotify if that’s more[...]

Soot Sprite – All My Friends Are Depressed

Music can and has been used for a multitude of reasons since we started keeping track, and probably before that too (so I’m told); good, bad, ugly, funny, sad, noble, and a zillion other words to pad my word count. Calling attention to the mental health crisis falls into the “noble” category, which English band Soot Sprite does with their latest single “All My Friends Are Depressed.”   You can’t deny the buildup and fervor Elise Cook et al bring to the track, especially in the first minute. Guitars and bass feature heavily while Cook’s vocals bring some stability to the chaos. Indie shoegaze comes in many shapes and flavors, but fans of acts like Wolf Alice and Alvvays would find a lot to enjoy here.   You can hear “All My Friends Are Depressed” below from Soundcloud. I would also recommend the music video on YouTube if you’re into[...]