Latest Posts

Jesse & The Spirit – cloudspotting

August 13, 2026

It’s both hard to believe and easy to envision Jesse & The Spirit (aka Jesse James) being around for more than a decade. With multiple acclaimed projects to their name (including the one we’re focusing on in this review, Jesse & The Spirit; sludge-gaze band Dolly Sods; freaked-out electronica act The Niagara River; and even their pre-pandemic post-rock bliss-out in Tomoreaux), they’re approaching, or has, by default, already achieved Buffalo indie rock royalty. James’ latest album is called cloudspotting, James’ umpteenth release, but one that feels anchored in multiple ways. Distinctly Buffalonian (we’ll get to that in a minute), cloudspotting not only chronicles James’ return to Buffalo, but also happens to host James’ 100th original J&TS song. 100 songs is nothing to sneeze at, especially for a prolific songwriter like James, who has split songwriting duties in so many bands throughout the years.   James’ approach for Jesse & The Spirit[...]

Club 8 – “The Sweetness Of Honey”

August 8, 2026

Will we ever get sick of Club 8? Probably not. We’ve written about them an umpteenth number of times (enough to use the word umpteenth unironically), and we’re happy to keep doing so as they continue to reinvent themselves. “The Sweetness of Honey” is another standout in their already impressive oeuvre. The Swedish duo play around with samples this time around, layering their stunningly simple indie pop with 70s inspired string sweeps, random vocals, and a 90s inspired breakbeat. It’s beautiful, as per usual with this talented duo, and would fit on any playlist comfortably next to your favorite Phantogram and Sylvan Esso songs.   This one is available on Spotify and Apple Music.    

Gorro – “LEMME B FREE”

August 8, 2026

I’mma keep it creamy with y’all – we don’t know anything about Gorro. Who are they? No idea. Social media? Not many hints. Musical talent? Oh yeah baby.   Gorro’s latest offering “LEMME B FREE” is a simmering, bubbling blast of post-punk bedroom-pop energy. Cool basslines, airy vocals, drum machine neuroses – how could anyone complain? About “LEMME B FREE,” Gorro offers this profound insight into the song’s conception, creation, and overall thesis:   “making music is fun”   Check out “LEMME B FREE” via the YouTube embed below, or, on Spotify.    

Sun Spoiler – “Reek”

August 7, 2026

Sun Spoiler said it best when describing new single, “Reek:”   “Locked myself in a room July 4 and made this song after being informed my 10 day lovebombing Gemini delusional situationship started dating someone else while I was out of town. Pure catharsis.”   If that’s not modern dating distilled into a perfect pull quote, I don’t know what is. “Reek” has the perfect musical backbone for these anger-inducing events too – sludgy, stanky, heady – not unlike that sweaty, barricaded songwriting oasis on that fateful July 4th. Expect lots of reverb, disgusting distortion tones, and a vocal delivery that would get you soaked in saliva in the front row of Sun Spoiler’s basement-show set.   “Reek” has a music video – check that out below.    

Bennett.io – “111”

August 7, 2026

Bennett.io is here to scratch that lo-fi electronica itch with latest single, “111.” Glitchy production, shuffling percussion, and breathy vocals are the M.O. here, offering a simmering soundscape not unlike that of Sylvan Esso, Zero 7, and late-90s house music. A cursory look at Bennett.io’s Instagram shows a performance in a Dipsy costume (yes, Teletubbies), so if you’re into niche references while performing and/or feeling chill asf, add “111” to your playlists immediately.   “111” is available via YouTube (below) and Spotify.    

Sophie’s Body – “Eyes”

August 7, 2026

“‘Eyes’ is about seeing people you don’t want to see, in places you don’t want to see them”   Sophie’s Body addresses that hyper-specific cringe that comes along with awkward eye contact on their latest single, “Eyes.” The Boston-based crew’s particular brand of bubble-grunge is the perfect, innocent-but-not-naive approach for this subject matter, pairing both jangly and fuzzed-out guitars with a lilting vocal presence. Gotta love when a band embraces pop and shoegaze in the same breath – your mom who likes Veruca Salt and your cool older sibling who likes Slowdive could probably both agree on “Eyes.”   “Eyes” is embedded below via bandcamp – here are some Apple Music and Spotify links too, if that’s your preferred method of music consumption.   Eyes by Sophie’s Body

Hera Lind – “Finsbury Park”

August 7, 2026

Icelandic/Londoner Hera Lind channels the complicated emotions of the dreaded situationship in latest offering, “Finsbury Park.” Defining a situationship/relationship/nebulous partnership is an unfortunate part of dating in the hellscape that is 2026 – even singer/songwriters run into complicated emotions, unrequited feelings, and uncertainty in their personal lives, evidently. Hera’s melancholy approach encapsulates her ennui perfectly – the skeletal indie folk backbone is equally as fitting.   Peep “Finsbury Park” via the YouTube embed below, or, via Spotify.    

Scarves – “Strays Forever”

August 7, 2026

Seattle. Chris Walla. It’s a pedigree made in heaven for Scarves on their new album, Strays Forever, more specifically in this instance, the title-track from said outing. The band holed up at the world-famous Hall of Justice studio with Walla and let it rip, adding flutes, strings, and whatever else into their airy indie-pop ,”Willy Wonka” style. The result is something ethereal and relaxing – for fans of Hop Along, Built to Spill, and Jay Som.   Check out “Strays Forever” via the YouTube embed below, or, on Spotify.    

Knife Crazy – Knife Crazy

August 6, 2026

Picture this – it’s 2007. I’m in high school trying to grow my curly hair long but it’s just growing more and more into an unmanageable ‘fro. George W. Bush is president, for better or for worse (see album cover). Buffalo trio Knife Crazy is about to shatter spectacularly, but for the time being, they’re freezing their collective asses off in an uninsulated Buffalo hayloft, recording indescribable, jagged indie rock in between firehouse sirens and the rumble of motors from the auto shop downstairs. These final, pre-shard moments together as a unit would eventually become Knife Crazy – a long-rumored, 14 song collection of aptly-named “shardjamz” that is finally being released nearly 20 years later. The group reconvened virtually to finish it from pretty much all across the globe – Fen Ikner in New Zealand (now of Lips); Vic Lazar in LA (now of Some Gifts); and Phillip Freedenberg, still in[...]

Master Peace – “Sucker Punch”

August 3, 2026

Sometimes you just gotta put on some sultry alt-pop to get your blood churning, and that’s exactly what we think you’ll like about Master Peace’s latest offering, “Sucker Punch.” Beyond the great “If I don’t love you, who will?” aspect being dug into on the lyrical content here, “Sucker Punch” is a master class in alt pop songwriting. Classy enough to throw on a party at your parents house, but deep enough to spend more than a second pondering the poetry within, “Sucker Punch” is the best of both… or rather all worlds.   Check out “Sucker Punch” via YouTube below.    

King’s Evil – “King’s Evil”

July 28, 2026

King’s Evil wrote a song called “King’s Evil.” What a power move.   Beyond that, “King’s Evil” is actually a pretty chill indie rocker with elements of ’90s-coded slacker rock peeking through. Whirly and squiggly synths pepper this one with a lot of Casio-tone flavor, while plucky guitar twangs charmingly and heady bass licks peek through. “Pavement-fed” is the way they self-identify and I’d say that’s a pretty apt descriptor – stick around for the devil-may-care attitude but dig deep into the masterfully disguised ennui.   “King’s Evil” is available on Bandcamp, embedded below.   King’s Evil by King’s Evil

Great Klons – “Hidden Signage”

July 27, 2026

Great Klons get all twangy and swirly on their latest single, “Hidden Signage.” Plucky guitar, disassociated vocals, and a singing fiddle characterize this song, falling somewhere between bedroom-pop, twee, and slacker rock. With lyrics that touch on “nostalgia for the days of crashing out of a major city,” this one feels like a clarion cry for the halcyon days – perhaps experienced from a front porch or a lonely hammock somewhere in the woods. Put this one on if you want to chill out, or at your next backyard BBQ with the fam back home.   “Hidden Signage” can be streamed via Soundcloud (embedded below), or, on Spotify.   Great Klons · 04 Hidden Signage

Flywheel – “Stop Looking at Her”

July 27, 2026

Cork-based act Flywheel bring their psychedelic-influenced shoegaze to your ears with their latest offering, “Stop Looking at Her.” The song itself is driven largely by a droning guitar note and equally spacey vocals. The song eventually opens up into a tremolo-laced chorus that’s layered thick with heady guitar tones, taming the psych-tinges and leaning more into aggressive indie rock tendencies. It’s haunting, mesmerizing, and one of those songs you feel like you know the first time you listen to it… Which we love.   You can find “Stop Looking at Her” on Soundcloud (below) and on Spotify.   Flywheel · Stop Looking At Her

Lane – “Love is in the Rain”

July 24, 2026

Lane is carrying the torch for all those weird, angular, kinda-post-punk, kinda-emo bands that you’ve always loved – we suggest you start with their latest, “Love is in the Rain.” Falling somewhere between The Dismemberment Plan, Pinback, and Pile, “Love is in the Rain” is slightly discordant, but in a melodic kind of way. A talk-radio effect on the vocals keeps them subdued while the bass and guitar riffs wrestle for the forefront. It’s one of those songs that you could only make while goofing off with your math-rock bros in the same room, and for that, we’re giving this one a full send.   You can find “Love is in the Rain” on Spotify.   Lane · Love is in the Rain

jasper dean – “SUN”

July 24, 2026

Jasper Dean doesn’t care if they blow your eardrums out… In fact, they simulate the experience of having fuzzy-shoegaze-ear pretty well on the psychedelic-gaze on their latest song, “SUN.” With a mix that peaks perfectly and guitars that would make Billy Corgan circa 1995 blush, “SUN” is an absolute explosion of energies – both blown-out and sharp. The neurotic drum machine is the sonic counter to the unabashedly washy guitar theatrics – this one is simply one you’ll need to experience for yourself.   “SUN” is available now via YouTube (below) and Spotify.