Latest Posts

SOZI – Bloom

April 13, 2025

As we enter a much-needed Buffalo summer, it’s time to refresh our playlists with new and exciting music that reverberates that infectious energy – we’d like to direct your attention to the latest from SOZI on her new, four-song EP, BLOOM. Full of airy and infectious alt pop, BLOOM “is all about stepping into a new season of growth and letting go of what’s been holding you back.” If you’ve been stuck indoors for the last six months like we have, this is the perfect way to break out of your shell and embrace the incoming springtime.   “Seconds” kicks off the album with a lighthearted-but-energetic opening. Quick percussion lays the backbone for SOZI’s lilting presence – coming fully into fruition in the super catchy chorus – “How do the seconds turn to minutes? I just can’t keep up.” SOZI continues the profound lyrical content with lines like “these are your best years,[...]

Victims of the New Math – Open Highway

April 13, 2025

Acting like a vessel for eras past, singer/songwriter Thomas Young has channeled his energies into alternative act Victims of the New Math. With a reverence for ’60s garage rock, ’90s alt rock sensibilities, and a love for Guided By Voices-esque production values, his latest offering is Open Highway, a nine-song collection of lo-fi tunes peppered with upbeat songwriting, big energies, and classic-sounding songs that go down real easy. The album tackles many themes, including: love, frustration, fear, and beauty (what else from a classics-inspired album?), and has rightfully been mastered by Todd Tobias – GBV’s producer and engineer. The result is a sunny-sounding album that respects DIY production roots while valuing good songwriting – a fun and laid-back listen that will appeal to fans of psych rock, indie rock, and the gone-too-soon 1990s.   “ORANGE AND PURPLE SKIES” is the album’s opener and for good reason – it’s one of the LP’s[...]

The Spins – “It’s Me”

April 10, 2025

The Spins are gearing up to release a new album and they’ve teased the world with their latest single, “It’s Me.” It’s shiny, it’s fun, and most of all… It’s me. Just kidding – it’s actually super catchy. Produced by Ayad Al Adhamy (of Passion Pit fame), this one has omni-relatable appeal, taking that The 1975 shimmer and shine and refining it into this fun little nugget of alt rock glory.   You know the drill – check it out via YouTube (below) or on Spotify.  

Altalune – “Fragments”

April 10, 2025

It’s been a few years since we last checked in with Altalune, but they’re still out here crushing the indie/emo realm. Their latest song, “Fragments,” channels the more upbeat era of contemporaries Movements and Citizen with its impassioned vocal delivery and chunky (but nimble) instrumental work. The particularly woofy bass tone in this song is ear catching in a delightful way, twisting and turning beneath heart-on-your-sleeve vocals in mind-bending ways. Just like a good emo song should – this one reminds you of the folks in your life who bring you comfort, even when you’re at your lowest.   Check out “Fragments” via the YouTube embed below, or, find it on Spotify and Apple Music.  

Francis Kelly – “Calcium, Unlikely (feat. Morphia Slow)”

April 10, 2025

As soon as the first vocal notes of “Calcium, Unlikely” wafted into my ears, I said to myself, “That’s that guy from Herbert Walker.” I was right. And then I found $5.   If anything, it’s testament to the unique timbre of Francis Kelly‘s voice on his first foray into solo territory. He’s teamed up with fellow vocalist Morphia Slow for this odd, creepy, and stripped-back slice of folksy Americana. A rambling acoustic guitar fumbles in the background; gently tapped drums carry an uncertain beat; and a moaning organ peeks out between the cracks… It’s all a part of the vibe, but the real appeal here is the duet between Francis and Morphia, who truly nail the dark and dreary vibe embodied here.   Check out “Calcium, Unlikely” via the YouTube embed below.  

Blase – “Middle of Nowhere”

April 10, 2025

North Carolina multi-instrumentalist Blase is coming at us with the indie-pop pulse of latest single, “Middle of Nowhere.” Leaning heavy into ethereal vibes, “Middle of Nowhere” channels Tame Impala with its far-off vocal presence, bell-tone guitar riffs, and bevy of atmospheric synths. Just barely psyched-out, “MoN” sounds like it’s in between every genre and also every genre at once. Blase’s super pleasant almost-falsetto vocals are the cherry-on-top here, bringing all the elements together into this cloud scraping new single.   Check out “Middle of Nowhere” via the YouTube embed below.  

Safehouse – Collision Course

April 8, 2025

Safehouse is the songwriting vehicle for Dillon Vetere – a singer/songwriter from West Palm Beach. His latest offering is the twelve-song Collision Course, a punchy and raw nod toward early ’00s pop-punk brattiness. Gone are the atmospheric and ethereal indie vibes from his previous output – Collision Course course-corrects into simple but effective punk rock songwriting. Expect big power chords, straightforward attitude, and nursery-rhyme-melodies from Vetere – Blink 182 is the obvious comparison, but dig a little deeper and you’ll hear hints of nerdcore icon Atom and his Package and/or deeper cut acts like Allister or Fenix TX.   Vetere kicks things off with the surf-inspired “Mockingbird” – chunky, chorus-laden guitar chords stab out swimmy laces of notes overtop a rolling tom beat. The song is delightfully simplistic, letting its easily-digestible parts come together into a catchy and relatable whole. Vetere’s vocal melodies are the true appeal here, cribbing the aforementioned Delonge-method[...]

Alex Northrup – “Mutually Assured Distraction”

April 7, 2025

Listen, we’re no strangers to unique genres here at the blog, but “bargain-basement psych” is a new one for us… At least that’s the self-described qualifier that Rochester singer/songwriter Alex Northrup gives to his unique brand of chamber pop. “Mutually Assured Distraction” is the first single from Northrup’s upcoming LP, Victory Lapse, and it’s a great highlight of what we can expect from this eclectic songwriter. Tweaked harpsichord madness powers this retro-coded tune, fleshed out with strange organ tones, vintage drum machines, and Northrup’s pleasant tenor. Certainly sounding like a mashup of Goodwill-sourced instruments (in a good way!), “Mutually Assured Distraction” feels like a harbinger of a wildly inventive album to come.   “Mutually Assured Distractionis” out now via Raincoated Records. Check it out via bandcamp below.   Mutually Assured Distraction by Alex Northrup

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.  

The Heligoats – Goodness Gracious

March 30, 2025

The Heligoats are commemorating the 15th anniversary of their album Goodness Gracious, and we’re here to let you know it’s worth celebrating. The work of a lone man and (mostly) his acoustic guitar, The Heligoats is the stage name of Chris Otepka – a vehicle that he uses to convey his jangly brand of indie/alternative/folk. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Neutral Milk Hotel, Wilco, and Conor Oberst, Goodness Gracious is perfect for fans of aughts-era songwriting, singer/songwriter flavors, and powerful lyrics and story telling. Also, is it just me, or does 15 years ago feel like it should be 1995 and not 2010?   Like many musicians, Otepka’s criminally-underrated past bubbles beneath the heartfelt power of the songs found on Goodness Gracious. While the album literally kicks off with cricket noises, “A Guide to the Outdoors” is anything but a snoozefest. Otepka’s endearing vocal delivery channels Jeff Mangum with hints of[...]

Split From the Mind – Split From the Mind

March 23, 2025

Whatever happened to music that comes from a place of sincerity? That’s the question Buffalonian act Split From the Mind (SFTM) aims to answer on their debut, self-titled EP. Sometimes it’s best to hear from the artist themselves when it comes to the mission and mantra of their music – check out what project mastermind Stephen Wright (vocals, guitar) has to say:   “I haven’t quite been grabbed by an act in recent memory that gave me the feeling I was listening to something timeless… [I[ just wanted to make a piece of music that I felt explored a time and place in history. I have longed for music like this, and I genuinely believe this EP meets a moment. Not because it has the best vocals, guitar play or production, but because it has the flaws of a human heart and spirit.”   Needless to say, a listen through[...]

Goat Farm – “Down the Spine”

March 21, 2025

We recently stumbled upon Rochester-based quartet Goat Farm in our inbox and couldn’t believe they hadn’t been on our radar until now. The “alternative metal” act sure makes a ton of noise with their guitar-forward, shoegaze-adjacent sound. They are hot off releasing their debut, three-song offering, Nature Takes Its Course – but our first introduction to this unit was actually the b-side to said EP, “Down the Spine.”   After a trippy, phaser-laden intro, bassist/vocalist Mimi Snyder launches in with a vocal presence that ranges from lilting, to pained, to ferocious (see the screaming around the 4:30 mark). Guitarists Sage Alice and Molly Mink conjure a maelstrom of guitar noise, often layered thick with swirling effects or heady fuzz – while drummer Stephen Coleman keeps the song pounding with hammering intensities. Shoegazers will love the quiet/loud dynamics found throughout this six+ minute journey, while metalheads and/or punks will appreciate the[...]

Blueburst – Kick My Tires Single/EP

March 17, 2025

Atlanta, Georgia act Blueburst just released an intriguing new EP, Kick My Tires Single/EP. Frontman and creative force of Blueburst, Craig Douglas Miller, has taken a fan favorite song, “Kick My Tires,” and split it into four unique, ear-catching takes. The result is the absolute spectrum of what it means to dive deeply into a song – the original; a powerful new mix; an instrumental; and a stripped-down take.   The original “Kick My Tires” is song two on the EP – acting as the album’s sonic foothold and rooting fans’ ears in Miller’s classic sound. Track one, however, is a new take on the mix by Ben Etter, placing a bigger emphasis on drummer Michael Jerome’s work and bringing out parts of the mix that were previously blending in. The instrumental take on “Kick My Tires” is a great listen as well, highlighting the wild, wall-of-sound instrumentals and angsty guitar[...]

Silver Proof – Polarity / Sixth Sense

March 14, 2025

Newly-minted trio Silver Proof released a split single today – Polarity / Sixth Sense encapsulates the group’s penchant for big sugary melodies and emo-punk energies. Guitarist/singer Bryan Williams; bassist Evan Tol; and frequent buffaBLOG protagonist, drummer Rafi Bloomberg specialize in honest and heartfelt songwriting, sure to catch the ears of fans of The Story So Far, Teenage Wrist, or Knuckle Puck.   “Polarity” takes aim at the inevitability of chronic illness. The band’s frustration is evident – pairing thick and angry guitar layers with Williams’ throat-shredding screams and rock-solid root notes from Tol. “Sixth Sense” is more of an introspective jam, highlighting Bloomberg’s nimble drumming with an impeccable snare roll-heavy beat. The chorus on “Sixth Sense” is one of the best moments on this split EP – bringing to mind Boxcar Racer-era Tom Delonge (but maybe if Mark Hoppus was still involved)… The band still finds a way to explode with energy[...]

CHAFT – 95

March 12, 2025

Music has healing properties. All clichés and platitudes aside, CHAFT‘s latest EP, the five-song 95, is evidence of this hypothesis – written and recorded during a life-changing medical diagnosis and subsequent surgery, songwriter Derek Miller channeled his raw anxiety into this powerful collection of songs. With themes of mortality, appreciation, and panic weaving their way across the music found here, CHAFT captures a vulnerable moment in time through a jangly, indie rock lens, sure to appeal to fans of Pavement, Pixies, and every jangly thing in-between.   Opener and title-track “95” is an excellent distillation of Miller’s sound – the wry delivery a la The Dismemberment Plan’s Travis Morrison; the punchy basslines of Kim Deal; and the lightly-psychedelic sound of late 90s pop rock make their way into this song. There’s a unique juxtaposition here between the generally upbeat-sounding music and the fact that these songs were conceived during a time[...]