Latest Posts

soft siren – “Almost Crying”

October 17, 2024

California based soft siren, a project between Sidewalks and Skeletons, Count the Clock, and CASHFORGOLD, brings us their latest single “Almost Crying.” I have no idea how three different bands come together like that, but the results are far more than satisfactory and indeed kick ass. The gentle yet deliberate instrumentals do a reverse shoegaze to dreampop parabolic arc mix. More specifically, it starts in the dream pop-verse (watch out MCU) and gradually shifts gears into a hazy shoegaze romp. The vocals from Jacqueline Torgerson (of CASHFORGOLD) are appropriately wispy-yet-very-much-grounded-and-present. The 90’s influences of bands like Cocteau Twins and Slowdive are unmistakable and purposeful yet are simply the same chords with a fresh coat of paint. Anyone who came of age in the 90’s will have a ball here, as well as anyone with even a passing enjoyment of the less is more approach. You can hear “Almost Crying” below[...]

MANA – “Nauseating Me”

October 17, 2024

Irish-bred (but Berlin-based) three piece MANA brings us their second single “Nauseating Me.” I got some Kings of Leon vibes in the best way possible – the passionate vocals were reminiscent of singer Caleb Followill. The guitars are immediate and in your face, but then pull back a little bit for the bridge, combining jangly and at times more effects laden shoegazy antics (that lends itself to a post-punk feel). As per the band: “The lyrics allude to defiance and hope in the face of polarization, cynicism and displacement.” I’m personally awful at hearing the lyrics without them written down in front of me, but based on the instrumentals, that seems to track! You can watch the music video below on YouTube or add it to your “Irish Bands Other Than Dropkick” Spotify playlist. No hate, people just assume it’s just them and Sinead O’Connor who came out of Ireland[...]

Optometry – “Comets”

October 17, 2024

Los Angeles based duo Optometry has a new track out called “Comets” and it’s the next juicy synth track you’ve been looking for. Made up of John Tejada and March Adstrum, they absolutely obliterate your ear drums in all of the best ways with a delightfully rhythmic thump (apparently made possible by vintage drum machines…which begs the question…are vintage drum machines just drummers from the 80’s imprisoned inside a drum kit?) Synth and drums combine forces with vocals from March Adstrum (who has performance and writing credits), and she does a wonderful job bringing depth and warmth to an otherwise mechanized affair. Fans of Tame Impala (who I still refuse to believe is one person) will find a lot to enjoy here, especially those with an appreciation of the use of vintage equipment. You can hear it below from YouTube or add it to your Spotify playlist of dark drum and[...]

Clover County – “Ultraviolet”

October 15, 2024

Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Clover Country brings us her latest single “Ultraviolet.” The track is beautifully produced with a steady acoustic guitar leading the charge that meshes well with CC’s vocals. The gentler parts are tenderly picked, but never lose their luster, along with horn interludes and little bits of what sounds like xylophone thrown in for fun. The strongest part is undoubtedly the vocals, as Clover Country ebbs and flows with the instrumentals with her strong set of pipes. Fans of indie country pop crossovers like Band of Horses would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who secretly enjoys Taylor Swift but is too embarrassed to say so. You can hear “Ultraviolet” below from Soundcloud or add to your indie pop playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. The other two tracks on the single are well worth your time, and skew toward a more country mouthfeel[...]

Stripes – “Operation: No Hell”

October 13, 2024

NYC based Stripes, a four piece lead by Izzy MK, bring us their latest with “Operation: Not Hell,” a raucous affair that’s filled to the brim of… just plain ole fun! Jangly guitars feature heavily that get taken over with MORE furiously attacked guitar that just feels like an amusement park ride that goes up and down and sideways and upside-down. I got some Phoenix-meets-Alvvays-with-a-shot-of-adrenaline vibes here, but neither have the copyright on fun, as that seems to currently belong to Stripes (not to be confused with that other stripe-themed band). You can watch the music video for “Operation: Not Hell” on YouTube  below or add to your zany bops playlist on Bandcamp or Spotify. This track really sang out to me and if you’re into bouncing obnoxiously around whatever room you’re in, this is the song for you! Their other tracks vary, but be sure to also check out[...]

Ferrn – “Drowned”

October 12, 2024

“Drowned” is the latest from Ferrn; a Chicago-based band that seems to be the brainchild Ryan Joseph Fernandez Backman (based on what I found in song credits). Self-described as “Chicago swamp pop,” we’re greeted with a delightful synth intro that gives way to fuzzy guitar and Backman’s vocals. The synth really goes into some interesting places throughout the track and shares the spotlight 50/50 with the guitar. I was disappointed I didn’t hear more swampland creatures featured, but I’ll forgive that for such a tight sound – plus, swamp creatures are notoriously difficult to work with (and are on a strike last I knew). Fans of Day Wave or Local Natives would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone with an ear for synth and guitar pop. You can hear “Drowned” below from YouTube or over on Bandcamp and Spotify. With two singles and a decent number of[...]

wolfbabycup – “The Last First Time”

October 12, 2024

Minnesota based duo wolfbabycup brings us their latest single “The Last First Time.” Made up of Gerard Garramone and Wendy Sorquist, I’m reminded immediately of Beach House as a close comparison as far as sound and composition goes. Written after hearing of the passing of a good friend’s mother, they wrote it as a “vision for her next chapter, a wish that she can start over but with the hope that this time it will be lasting and fulfilling.”  This synth forward track is appropriately mournful yet hopeful and combines with the electric drums for a dirge-tinged atmosphere. Sorquist’s vocals simmer below the surface of the droning synths, but still manage to cut through to make you feel something… and we buffaBLOGgers are all about our feelings. You can hear “The Last First Time” below from YouTube, or over on the band’s Spotify page. Be sure to check out the[...]

Dress Kit – “Front Lawn”

October 8, 2024

Dress Kit is a three piece based out of Los Angeles and “Front Lawn” is their latest (and first) single available for streaming. The brainchild of Gabriel Krischer, “Front Lawn” is a melodious shoegaze tinged indie track that evokes DIIV vibes as well as The Dandy Warhols (if you’re bohemian like me). The beginning riff made me think that I was getting into a Stone Temple Pilots type track (“Dancing Days,” for the uninitiated) but it quickly switched gears (and clowned me in the process – well done). It’s three minutes of blissfully whining guitars combatting the chill, clean guitars and Krischer’s down to earth vocals and well worth the listen. Definitely a more contemplative piece but maybe that’s what we need today, hmm? You can hear “Front Lawn” below from YouTube, as well as Bandcamp and Spotify. This is the first of many to come, so be sure to[...]

whaticantforget – “the most lesbionic scene you’ve heard”

October 5, 2024

I had no idea what to expect with a title like “the most lesbionic scene you’ve heard,” but I’ll level with you and say that I had zero money on wonderfully put together emo track (I had it all on punk rock angry track). whatcaniforget is based out of South Bend, and while I couldn’t find much on them, the song credits for both song on Spotify are by Hill Famillion – an objectively awesome name. The track itself is largely atmospheric with drums and subtle acoustic guitar that combine with Famillion’s vocals to create an almost… dreamlike emo track? You’ll see, we’ve linked below where you can find it. You can watch the music video for “the most lesbionic scene you’ve heard” on YouTube below and decide once and for if it truly is. It’s also available on Spotify and Apple Music to add to your emotastic playlist (you[...]

Marvelle Oaks – “Photo Real”

October 5, 2024

Marvelle Oaks. Holy fuck, wow. Husband and wife duo Alex and Tess combined (in their words): “A glorious stew made from the holy ingredients of the Velvet Underground, Pavement, and the B-52s.” That’s it, that’s all I have. Now go listen to their track “Photo Real.” … apparently I can’t just tell you to go listen to a track based on me saying to, even though I’m right more often than I’m wrong. Okay, so picture if Sonic Youth had a younger cousin who you didn’t see a lot at family get togethers because they’re away at school and all of a sudden they graduate and start showing up more and you’re like “wow, you’re fuckin’ cool!” The janky, random guitar that comes in fits until matching up with the bass for some longer notes and general vibe just struck me in the right way and it will for you to[...]

Xay Cole – “Downer”

October 5, 2024

San Jose based Xay Cole brings us their latest single “Downer” off of their new album 21st Century Wrist. The synth is impossibly catchy and you’ll find yourself tapping along to the beat within 30 seconds or your money back. Cole embraces the controlled chaos with a synth-forward track and while this is a ostensibly a song about being down… You can’t help at least keep your head up while the rest of you is down. You can hear “Downer” below from YouTube as well as Apple Music, Bandcamp, or Spotify. Be sure to add it to your synthed up playlists, or anywhere you want something infinitely danceable. 21 Century Wrist, a record about having ancient problems in the modern world, is available on the above platforms as of September 27 from Cherub Dream Records. Be sure to give the rest a listen if you’ve enjoyed this!  

Holding Hour – Can I Leave Me Too?

October 2, 2024

“Can I Leave Me Too?” is the latest from Iowa based indie duo Holding Hour; made up of Marissa Kephart and Scott Yoshimura. ICYMI, the last time we covered HH was for another song off of this single, “Parallel Lines” (which we also thoroughly enjoyed, found here). Keeping up with their flare for all things shoegaze, the track is an amalgamation of the warm and fuzzies along with a noodling guitar that climbs around… Yet everything remains a simmer and never EXPLODES (but it really is the perfect temp, you can’t boil everything). Speaking to the track, the band had this to say: “[Can I Leave Me Too?]… explores the struggle of recognizing that you haven’t been a great partner without fully owning up to it. Set against the backdrop of what should be a warm, celebratory occasion—a birthday—the song highlights feelings of isolation and shame.” You can hear “Can[...]

Julia Rapp – “Conditions of Living”

October 1, 2024

Julia Rapp. Mysterious. Scorpio. Anxious avoidant attachment style. Lists indie rock as a love language. If that doesn’t tell you what you already need to know, then I guess it doesn’t matter what you think. For everyone else, hello, we meet on Thursdays at Mike’s house, except for next week. More importantly, she has a new track, “Conditions of Living” and like her last single we covered “What He’s Been Missing,” we’re all about it. Started as a poem written during her master’s program, it’s a “reflection on the conditions of living: ADHD, capitalism, and the devil.” Sung morosely yet with a matter of fact tone, the guitar and background instrumentals enhance the vocals and you can feel it becoming your mantra, regardless if your struggles are the same or not. Fans of JW Francis, Courtney Barnett, or Clairo anyone who knows the day to day struggle of living would[...]

Say Hello To Heaven – “Straight No Chaser”

October 1, 2024

Self-described “synth-grunge” band Say Hello To Heaven brings us their second single and first original track “Straight No Chaser.” Made up of Alessandro Ayer ad Miguel Romero, their first single was a cover of “Say Hello To Heaven” made famous by Temple of the Dog… “Straight No Chaser,” features a strong synth throughout that, although tastefully cedes some time to the guitar, otherwise rocks the fuck out. While synth-grunge as a concept could just be a one-off novelty, we’re all about it, and hope that the band is as earnest as they sound, because how can you go wrong here? Synth-meets-grunge? Sign us up. You can hear “Straight No Chaser” below from Soundcloud or add to your soon-to-be-stuffed synth-grunge playlist on Spotify.  

Sophia Warren – “Stand By”

October 1, 2024

Sophia Warren brings us her latest with “Stand By,” a masterclass in dream pop backed by a wispy yet very substantial vocal showing. Drums and bass take center stage with driving the track forward with a simple yet catchy synth track that, combined with the vocals, gives an ethereal feel to “Stand By.” With production coming from the same guy (Chris Coad) who has worked with Beach House (a personal favorite of mine) and TV on the Radio,  it’s easy to recommend Sophia Warren to fans of them. Speaking to the track, Warren had this to say: “Stand By’ is about being in a dead, lifeless relationship. Being with someone for many years and realizing neither of you is putting effort into it anymore. You begin to feel on standby, waiting for something to jolt you out of your lifeless relationship. However, the waiting continues and reveals itself to be[...]