Latest Posts

Jack Landess – “Everytime”

Nashville-based solo act Jack Landess hit our inboxes with the surfy bedroom-pop of latest single, “Everytime.” Jack’s music is ultra-soothing – almost aquatic, and reminiscent of the oceanic scene that he used as his album cover. Plush guitars twinkle underneath Jack’s hushed vocal delivery – catchy and calming all the same. Through and through, “Everytime” is a love song – here’s a little bit more about the song’s inspiration from Jack himself:   “This song is about just wanting the love of my life, Jane, to be with me just as she is. Bringing forth both the hard times and the great times, I just need her at her core.”   You can find “Everytime” via the YouTube embed below and also on Spotify.    

Alela Diane – “Dusty Roses”

Alela Diane is a Portland songcrafter whose been carving out a quietly extraordinary career for more than a decade. “Dusty Roses” is her latest stunner – a folksy meander that highlights her darkly heartfelt vocals. Acoustic guitar twinkles gently behind Alela’s vocals, set off by gentle drumming and stabs of thumping bass. The heavy nature of the song is part of the appeal here, and it’s powerful enough to let Alela explain for herself – see below:   “I wrote this song about a dear friend of mine whose path took a wrong turn a number of years ago. I think she’s still alive, but no one knows where she ended up. I believe that we all have the capacity to lose ourselves along the way. I’ve seen it happen again and again, whether through mental health struggles, drug use, addiction, trauma, depression, or grief. So many of us have[...]

Bending Backwards – “I See You From Here”

Copenhagen-based act Bending Backwards brings their power trio energy with latest single, “I See You From Here.” We hesitate to use the term “power trio,” although “I See You From Here” is certainly powerful in its own right. Bending Backwards’ music is jittery, jangly, and unsettling in the perfect way, set off by a haunting wail that cuts right to the bone. This one made us feel things, and we think it will make you feel things to – hence, the feature.   You can find “I See You From Here” via the Bandcamp embed below.   I See You From Here by Bending Backwards

Autoignition – “Not For Nothing”

Buffalo punk rockers Autoignition are ready to blow out your speakers with a new EP – they’ve started strong with new single, “Not For Nothing.” After three long years of waiting, this is exactly the kind of song you want to hear from your local punk mainstays – lyrics barked with such ferocity that you can almost feel the spittle flying at you from the Mohawk Place stage, set off by blistering drums and huge guitars. These are the kind of songs you need to sit down and form your own bond with, so if you’re into emotional stuff that’s supremely guitar-driven, Autoignition is definitely going to be your thing.   “Not For Nothing” is out now – all the different ways to listen can be found here.    

Axel Flóvent – Fleeing the Shore

Axel Flóvent comes to us all the way from Iceland with his latest EP, Fleeing the Shore. This batch of songs is truly an exercise in self-isolation – Axel holed up in his home studio in Húsavík, challenging himself to explore simplicity through solitude. Some might call this the “Bon Iver method,” but after a listen through the quiet crush of Fleeing the Shore, we’re feeling like we might have to rename it… Here’s a little snippet from Axel himself regarding what this EP means to him:   “If I had to choose three words to describe this EP, they would be change, self-isolation, and solitude. These songs explore different forms of change, changes of the mind, of place, and a longing for transformation in general.”   You might be expecting nothing but an acoustic guitar, but opening song “Another Year” is as lush and beautiful as anyone could ever ask for.[...]

Robbery Club – “Never Better”

Robbery Club can add breaking and entering (and probably trespassing) to their list of crimes – the evidence is clear in their new video for single “Never Better.” In the video, the sharply-dressed band plays a squiggly, Joyce-Manor-meets-Weezer brand of indie punk on some random Buffalo rooftop. Crunchy guitars and melodies aplenty, the song isn’t so much a departure for them – moreso an evolution. Lyrics like “I’m not a child anymore” and “everything is okay” offset the more angsty material from their past, with just enough vagueness to keep you guessing on whether they’re tongue-in-cheek. The visual motifs in the video are cheeky, but cool – keep your eyes peeled for an omnipresent smiley balloon, cowboy hats, and… chickens?   Check out the music video for “Never Better” embedded below. While you’re at it, check out our previous features of Robbery Club here and here.    

Lukka – “TomboI”

Here’s a reverb-soaked, synth-driven jam for you – our latest recommendation is “Tombol” from NYC-based psychedelic-synth band Lukka. Expect tasteful riffing, a heady groove, arpeggiated synths, and glassy-eyed vocals; perfect for blissing out, but catchy enough to become deeply ingrained in your head. For all the songwriters out there, “Tombol” is one of those songs that you have to derive meaning from once it’s already done… But Lukka have done a fine job explaining it otherwise – see below:   ” I guess ‘Tomboi’ is about tapping into both your masculine and feminine sides—and actually loving that mix. I feel it’s also a self-celebration of my Gemini energy, leaning into that duality and just owning it.”   “Tombol” is available on Spotify (and Soundcloud, below).   lukka · TomboI

Tomdahomie – “Ego”

Tomdahomie is the new solo moniker for producer/songwriter/mastermind Tom Hitchcock – we’d like to think we’d be homies after hearing his latest bedroom-pop jammer, “Ego.” Expect lots of jangling guitars, offset by a neurotic drum-machine beat and Tom’s endearing vocal delivery. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this song tackles the complex issue of the “male ego,” and the ways it can affect the way us menfolk move through the world. We could all use an ego check every now and then, so let your new homie Tom do it through song – a shimmery one at that.   “Ego” is on Soundcloud, embedded below. You can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music.   tomdahomie · Ego

Honey I’m Home – “Hyperspace Mountain”

Honey I’m Home might have the most fitting song name we’ve heard in a while – their futuristic blend of shoegaze and alt rock feels super fresh, especially evident on new single “Hyperspace Mountain.” Huge whirring synths sparkle and splash across this banger, while creamy guitars and soaring vocals give this one an almost Midwest emo tinge. This is truly a mashup for the ages – one that has to be experienced for yourself to truly appreciate. Click that play button immediately.   Check out “Hyperspace Mountain” via the YouTube embed (below), or, stream it on Spotify.    

MAKEITSTOP – “Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five”

MAKEITSTOP is a progressive rock act from Rochester whose latest single, “Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five,” tickled our latent Rush sensibilities. Their music is borderline indescribable, reminiscent of the sheer fervor of RX Bandits, the musical intensity of Coheed and Cambria, and a bit of jazz flair mixed in a la The Reign of Kindo. Expect passionate sing/scream vocals overtop nimble guitar and bass riffs, with plenty of jaunty start/stop rhythmic play to engage your inner musician’s musician. There are melodies aplenty in “Whatever,” but be sure to stick around for the mid-song bass/drum interlude… The throaty bass tone paired with the snare-less snare is a real treat.   There are lots of ways to support MAKEITSTOP – check them all out here.   Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five by MAKEITSTOP

Sleep Debt Ceiling – Worship the Disease

Sleep Debt Ceiling (SDC) is a folk-punk act from Buffalo, serving sardonic lyrics over raw instrumentals. Their latest offering is the four-song EP Worship the Disease, a perfect continuation of their previous releases like Demo EP, which we picked up on in late 2024. There’s nothing truly more punk/diy than a bunch of home recorded jams, filled with vitrol and angst – Worship the Disease was recorded last winter “between snowstorms…” And as any true Buffalonian knows, there’s not much more to do during a snowstorm than to drink, shovel, and write songs. For these reasons, Worship the Disease is our next Album of the Week.   Song one, “Plank Over Constant Slaughter” will give you perfect insight into SDC’s modus operandi. Literate lyrics delivered in a sneering sing-speak over a near constant acoustic guitar jangle – it’s not a stretch to compare it to Neutral Milk Hotel, or even late 2010’s emo acts like[...]

Nixon Boyd – “Trouble of Your Own”

Nixon Boyd‘s journey to “Trouble of Your Own” has been a story in and of itself. After a laptop theft (which held all of his musical ideas), he put his nose to the ground and re-recorded everything. We’re lucky – it resulted in the touching indie pop jam “Trouble of Your Own,” a tribute to a friend’s suicide attempt. With carefully crafted lyrics; a longing chord progression; and clappy percussive elements that are reminiscent of The Shins, “Trouble” feels like it perfectly accomplished what it set out to do.   “Trouble of Your Own” can be found on YouTube (below), or, on Spotify.    

boredslide – “ibelieveu”

Australian duo boredslide found their way into our inbox with the fleeting “ibelieveu.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between bedroom-pop, jangly indie, and post-punk, “ibelieveu” is a slinky, shimmery lesson in succinct songwriting. A pleasant panflute accompanies the chiming guitars here, reflecting band member Carlos’ Peruvian heritage while never feeling out of place. This one will make you want to dust off your chorus pedals and get back to DIY songwriting… Isn’t that what it’s all about, anyway?   All the different ways to support boredslide can be found here.    

GREG 99 – “Get Stupid”

You ever hear a bassline so THICC (with two c’s) it makes you feel dumber? Like your IQ has dropped 20 points? GREG 99 knows a little about that, clearly evidenced in his new jam, “Get Stupid.” Full disclosure, we don’t know anything about GREG other than the fact that this big, indie dance anthem is released under his name… But sometimes a big, anthemic dancefloor anthem like this just speaks for itself.   Peep “Get Stupid” on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.    

Childlike – “Promise or Die”

Childlike is a 22-year-old wunderkind making the kind of EDM/hyperpop that reminds you to feel euphoric. “Promise or Die” is a fun combination of genres that features everything from piano to an accordion (seriously), recorded by a mic hanging in someone’s living room. Being surrounded by unique instruments must have been a boon when it came to crafting this one – it’s got the highs that tickle your eardrums and the lows that you feel in your gut.   “Promise or Die” can be found on YouTube (below), or Spotify, or Amazon Music.