Latest Posts

Jet Lag Motel – No Vacancy

July 3, 2026

Jet Lag Motel is HOT right now – not only because of this worldwide heatwave, but they’ve also just released their debut EP, No Vacancy. Us humble Buffalonians can’t imagine what it feels like to be living in San Antonio right now, but at least you’ve got a new, feel-good summery EP to put on when you’re chilling poolside. The six songs on No Vacancy are fun slices of pop-rock, harkening back to the glory days of Third Eye Blind and Better Than Ezra with a heaping spoonful of genre luminaries like Blue October and, our city’s musical heroes, Goo Goo Dolls. Expect bright and uplifting, guitar-driven pop rock that could sit on any playlist with a ’90s-heavy lean.   Opening track “Better Place” is a perfect place to start – here, Jet Lag Motel introduce their breezy guitar riffs with organ-soaked progressions. Sassy vocals sing lyrics about infatuation for a loved one –[...]

Antietam – “Way Too Well”

June 28, 2026

Gotta love a band that’s been kicking around since the 80s and is still putting out bangers. Antietam is a NYC-based act whose been around for 40 years and are still pumping out that warm and fuzzy brand of ’90s influenced indie rock. On “Way Too Well,” the band pairs understated guitars that ring out overtop sparse tambourine shimmers. The lyrics are heartfelt on-point – and on that note, sometimes a band sums up their music better than we ever could. Here’s a snippet from Tara Key:   “While making this record under the geopolitical equivalent of a tornado warning, I questioned if I even had the right, the privilege, to be creative… But progress is not a straight line – it’s gain loss gain. I have lived through cycles of events that were shocking and catastrophic, and ones that were insidious and stealth in their invasion. It always comes[...]

Lord Jane – “Think of Something Nice”

June 28, 2026

The last time we checked in with Irish act Lord Jane, we were jamming on their incredible single “These Last Few Weeks.” They’re back with another beautiful shoegaze-laced offering called “Think of Something Nice.” Lilting but powerful vocals are in the limelight here, but there’s lots more to enjoy. Spindly guitar work and a 6:4 time signature help to give this one a choppy and angular feel. This is one of those songs that rewards multiple listens – it’s hard not to appreciate the real beauty this quintet is crafting. Put it on your playlist next to The Cranberries, Field Mouse, and Palehound.   Peep “Think of Something Nice” via the Bandcamp link below, or, on Spotify.   Think of Something Nice by Lord Jane

Kayze – Renaissance

June 25, 2026

Kayze (rhymes with “blaze,” for those wondering) is proud to announce the capstone of a long-term project, The Dialectic Series, an achievement in and of itself, but extra special because it hits so hard. Kayze specializes in cinematic hip-hop, the perfect vehicle for his lyrical attacks on modern culture, often highlighting the juxtaposition between the demands and expectations of our overarching society and increasingly rare personal accountability. As the final offering in The Dialectic Series, Kayze purposely chose an industrial-but-ethereal approach, emphasizing production that feels intentional and smooth. Moreover, the seven songs across Renaissance give you the feeling of finality – a mission accomplished for Kayze and a genuinely fulfilling listen for everyone else.   Renaissance begins with “Memories,” a hazy, synth-pop introduction that pairs the powerful, aforementioned production with Kayze’s comfy drawl and pop-oriented vocals. “Memories,” perhaps unsurprisingly, explores the lingering weight of the past – its nostalgic underscore plays[...]

Our Violet Room – “Run”

June 22, 2026

Our Violet Room goes for the heart on latest single, “Run.” Evoking early Death Cab For Cutie, Mansions, and even The Cure, “Run” feels organic and cathartic – a must-have in our current era of AI slop. Nimble bass and neurotic drums add to an overall sense of urgency – the clangorous guitars in the background are the coup-de-grace, ringing out like discordant sirens among this otherwise tightly-wound offering.   You can find “Run” via Soundcloud (below), or, on Spotify.   Our Violet Room · Run

Cafe – “Radio Head”

June 22, 2026

Cafe just put out a chill house track called “Radio Head,” and while we’re pretty sure it’s not about coffee or the esteemed ’90s and ’00s band, it’s still worth your time. Bleeting and bleeping synths work together with a gently driven beat to give this a groovy, but understated feel. Passionate and heartfelt vocals sing vaguely nostalgic songs about flip cup and hanging out in the woods with your friends. It’s a uniquely heartwarming experience – give it a listen and experience for yourself.   You can find “Radio Head” on Spotify (embedded below).  

Ava Trepeck – “Wolves”

June 15, 2026

Ava Trepeck is here to soothe you with her potent brand of indie folk. “Wolves” is as relaxing as it comes – new age drums, gauzy synths, and twinkling string instruments paint an ethereal picture for Ava to paint with her stunning vocals. This is one of those songs that reminds you there’s more to life than just a heady hook (although I think this is pretty catchy, ngl) – instead, “Wolves” is more of a meditation… A chance to take a step back and appreciate a little slice of beauty. Put this one on and bliss out – you deserve it.   You can find “Wolves” on YouTube (embedded below), or, on Spotify.    

Supermilk – “Muscle Top”

June 10, 2026

We’ve been keeping an eye on Supermilk ever since they dropped the banger “Pelican Pete” way back in 2021. Just in time for Pride Month, the four piece led by Jake Popyura put out “Muscle Top,” an ode to secretly exploring sexuality during a time when it’s forbidden. June might actually be the time when it is most acceptable to broaden your horizons, but regardless, the band manages to tackle a not-so-sexy topic with their typical indie punk fervor. It’s raw in all the right ways, and regular readers should know by now we can’t resist a guitar-driven hookfest like this.   “Muscle Top” can be found on Soundcloud (below) and also on Spotify.   specialistsubject · Muscle Top

Vansire – “Rinkside”

June 10, 2026

“Rinkside” or “Poolside” could be used interchangeably when referring to the latest single from Vansire. We’re not quite in the dog days of summer yet, but it’s certainly warming up (yes, even here in Buffalo), and Vansire are capitalizing on the upcoming lounging weather. Expect stabs of watery piano, smooth af vocals, and a Saturday-at-the-pool vibe that’s simply unignorable. We expect you to put this on your next beach party/pool party and if you don’t… Well, that’s on you.   “Rinkside” can be found on both Spotify and Apple Music.    

Leah Callahan – “Our Lady of the Sad Adventure”

June 6, 2026

Leah Callahan nailed it on her latest release, “Our Lady of the Sad Adventure” – from the driving bass of the opening few seconds, it becomes pretty obvious why this is the title-track of her latest release. Callahan’s vocals lay overtop of a funky, indie-pop jam that’s layered thick with jittery, jangly guitars; swirling synths; and even an impactful piano slam. This is an all-encompassing experience from a seasoned songwriter, and even though the song has a near six-minute runtime, it still flies by… Begging for repeat listens. If only we could time travel back to the early 2010s to hear this one in the club between LCD Soundsystem and Two Door Cinema Club… Even though this is slapping just as hard in 2026.   Check out “Our Lady of the Sad Adventure” on YouTube (below), or, on Spotify.    

Kevin J.B. O’Connor – “Spin”

June 6, 2026

Kevin J.B. O’Connor might sound familiar to you – probably because we’ve been featuring his music for the better part of 10 years. Whether it was the delightfully lo-fi jangle of his Buffalo-based band Coral Collapse or his more recent solo output, we’ve been following the now Lexington-based songwriter for as long as we can remember. We’re featuring his newest single, “Spin,” for obvious reasons… His bedroom-produced, folk-tinged songwriting is very pleasant on the ears and feels strikingly sincere in an era of increasingly-insincere offerings.   You can find “Spin” via the Soundcloud embed below, or, on Spotify.   Kevin J.B. O’Connor · Spin

talker – “Truck”

June 3, 2026

talker tugs on some heartstrings with the urgency of her latest single, “Truck.” Wistful is the name of the game here – this song details the feeling of being stuck in the same feedback loop with different variables. We all repeat our patterns sometimes, healthy or unhealthy, and talker puts that maddening knowledge into words on “Truck.” Chuggy electric guitar powers this one forward, with of course, a spotlight on talker’s heartfelt vocal delivery. Lyrically, “Truck” cuts right to the bone – and here’s a bit more from talker about where this song came from emotionally:   “This song is about the patterns that we sometimes unknowingly fall into, the ones that you don’t notice until you’re right back in the same place – just maybe with someone else, or in a different season… It takes place in a truck, but it could have been anywhere else that I’ve already[...]

Wedding – “All you young ppl are so old”

June 3, 2026

Sometimes you hear a weird little electronic ditty and think “how the hell did they manage to make those noises?” Wedding has that energy in spades, and if you need proof, look no further than their intriguing new single, “All you young ppl are so old.” Bonkers keyboard sounds and ear-tickling percussion are all over the place on this one-of-a-kind banger. We had to know more, but when asked to comment, Wedding simply said:   “idk man it’s just kinda a bop”   Agreed.   “All you young ppl are so old” is available on your favorite streaming services (and YouTube, below) – here are the Apple Music and Spotify hyperlinks.    

atmos bloom – “Everything”

June 3, 2026

atmos bloom are a duo in both music and life – that chemistry comes through on the plucky brilliance of new single, “Everything.” Chorus laden guitars and driven bass give this song a vintage, 80s vibe while nodding to the still-thriving post-punk/indie rock scenes of today. Lilting vocals give this a haunting feel while never sacrificing the juicy hooks we’re so thirsty for these days. You can certainly hear the Sonic Youth and Pavement influences coming through on this, although, we like to think this one goes down a bit more smooth than their influence’s more raucous output.   “Everything” will be featured on atmos bloom’s upcoming album, Everythingness, due out July 24th via Spirit Goth records. Until then, “Everything” is available on YouTube (below) or Spotify.    

Georgie – “Contamination” & “The Propaganda And The Pesticides (ft. Shola)”

June 2, 2026

Georgie stands for a lot of things – a short list includes: anarcho-feminism; environmental concerns; eternal love; and… killing your landlord and feeling bad about it? More than one thing can be true at once, of course, and if anything, Georgie is all about living multiple truths. The band often exists as a collective of sorts, but is regularly performing as a six-piece, usually with a fiddle/trombone/cello accompanying the typical indie rock band guitar/bass/drums.   We’ve featured Georgie before, but we’re excited to share that they’ve just released two new singles, “Contamination” & “The Propaganda And The Pesticides (ft. Shola).” Georgie is really unlike anything else – on “Propaganda,” a chamber pop backbone sways hypnotically, fleshed out with strings, lilting vocals, and an omnipresent school bell. It’s punctuated thoroughly by a staccato, spoken-word rap – a complete blurring of genres that denies all categorization. “Contamination” starts with the same off-kilter[...]