Latest Posts

Club 8 – “Daylight”

March 19, 2024

Swedish duo Club 8 are unstoppable lately, crushing single after single of beautifully simple dream-pop. If “Sunny” and “Just Like Heaven” weren’t enough for you, it’s time to peep their latest offering, the uplifting and airy “Daylight.” At just over two minutes, “Daylight” comes and goes before you know it (like many of our weeknights, amirite?). A constant fuzzed-out bass keeps the song moving while icy-cold guitars pluck softly in the background. Fans of Alvvays, No Vacation, and Mazzy Star will find lots of similarities in Club 8’s lovely sounds. Check out “Daylight” via YouTube below, or, on Spotify.

Summer Like The Season – Aggregator

March 19, 2024

We’re not sure if we could consider “outsider rock” a burgeoning genre, but it’s no longer reserved for left-field listening parties and music lovers looking for a challenge. Continuing in the footsteps of The Shaggs and Mort Garson (or maybe more like Marnie Stern and Liz Phair), Summer Like The Season (SLTS) is here with their latest album, Aggregator. Filled with flamboyant ideas that all fall somewhere between beautiful and bonkers, Aggregator is a modern-day enigma that will leave you feeling bewildered. It’s full of outsider rock ideas that are performed with an indie-pop mindset, replacing out-of-tune guitars and atonal howling with stunning melodies and genuinely novel ideas. Aggregator starts out innocently enough – ambient sound and gently plinking tubular bells greet your ears before dropping into an innocuous ’80s-inspired electronica texture. Here’s SLTS’s first trick – they blast into one of the most supremely catchy synth-pop choruses I’ve ever heard. Singer Summer[...]

Secrecies – “Cathedrals”

March 14, 2024

Dallas-based band Secrecies bring their gauzy, shoegazy goodness to latest single, “Cathedrals.” Pairing ethereal synth work with far-off vocals and a gothy, ’80s-inspired undertone, “Cathedrals” is a perfect icy song to get you through these last few remaining months of winter. With a simple-but-eerily-effective chorus of: “Taste it, touch it, feel it, love it, waste it, rush it, need it, prove it tonight,” Secrecies drills home the importance of living life in the moment and making the most of the present, briefly changing their tone to something uplifting. Fans of Beach House, The xx, and Sylvan Esso will find lots to love about Cathedral’s beautiful approach. Check out the video for “Cathedrals” via YouTube below.

SEER SEEKER – TO THE CORE

March 11, 2024

Virginia indie-hip-hop act SEER SEEKER is here with an electrifying blend of genres on their debut release, the eight-song TO THE CORE. Blending hardcore intensity with a hip-hop core (and more than a bit of glorious late ’90s/early ’00s nu-metal nostalgia), this batch of songs pairs dank guitar sludginess; emotive vocals; and filthy bass tones with shiny and intense electronic production. This is truly a genre-defying effort – whether you’re a fan of hip-hop or guitar-driven music, TO THE CORE would fit perfectly on a shelf next to your favorite Linkin Park, Orgy, and Papa Roach records. The opening few moments of TO THE CORE are laden with piano twinking and a fuzzy, vinyl record effect. Called “Starlight,” this song is reminiscent of the iconic intro of “In The End” by Linkin Park; it’s an apt beginning to an album full of emotional turmoil; epic twists and turns; and theatrical buildups. Soon,[...]

GLASS CITIES – “Alive”

March 6, 2024

GLASS CITIES is a brand new, mysterious alt-rock band who pack an energetic punch – the fiery vibes on latest single, “Alive” are all you’ll need to convince you of that. With shiny radio-ready production, sky-high vocal theatrics, and a touch of Latin drama (see the breakdown at 1:35), “Alive” feels like it’s tailor-made for a summertime dance party… And surely packs enough heat to melt the snow off the hearts of us frozen Buffalonians. Fans of fun., ALT-J, and Two Door Cinema Club will find this one slots perfectly into their playlists. Check out “Alive” below via YouTube, or, add it to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists.

Cipriani – Meek

March 4, 2024

Swiss singer/songwriter Claudio Cipriani is hot off of the release of his latest offering, Meek (February 29, 2024). If the auspicious leap year release date wasn’t indication enough of this EP’s transcendent qualities, a full listen through Cipriani’s work will have you feeling lighthearted and free. For the past three decades, Cipriani has been crafting music that can be described as enchanting and captivating, encapsulating the beauty and joy of life in a world that almost forces you to look past. His work is deeply inspired by the beauty of nature and showing kindness to others – the blend of instruments here embodies that mindset, with flashes of piano, violin, plunking basslines, and Cipriani’s breathy baritone delivery. Here’s Cipriani himself explaining the central thesis of Meek: “‘Meek’ is an EP about the struggles of our lives in our present times trying to lift us above the mists of negativity to[...]

Jared Bill – Mystery Man

February 29, 2024

There’s something intangible about the latest album from country act Jared Bill… Or maybe the word I’m looking for is tongue-in-cheek? Either way, the rock-tinged country of his sophomore album, Mystery Man, is a compelling journey of flavorful storytelling, fun anecdotes, and a surprisingly touching core that never takes itself quite too seriously. With such a wide-arching spectrum of topics, there’s something here for everybody… Even corgi lovers. Opening track, “The Jared Bill, Pt. 2,” is an acoustic-laden country western song that acts as a sort of biography or origin story of the character of Jared Bill. Deeply narrative lyrics evoke feelings that you’re about to rob a train sometime in the 1800s. The rich story certainly helps to kick off the album, a simple-but-effective style that would sound right at home in your favorite local saloon or dive bar. With nimble piano twinkling, spry guitar noodling, touches of female[...]

The Daze – Methomania

January 24, 2024

Winters in the Northeast are no joke – I surely don’t need to tell any of our Buffalonian readers that. Our neighbors across Lake Erie in Cleveland might know a thing or two about how to get through a brutal winter, too… Something like: watch your football team lose in heartbreaking fashion and promptly go back to drinking and shoveling for the next four months, and somewhere in that time span maybe write a song or two. Cleveland-based act The Daze know this exact pain. The rock n’ roll duo (Eddie Grier on vocals, guitar, bass, and keys and Basil Johnson on organ, drums, and percussion) channeled their teenage angst into a gritty ten-song album they’re calling Methomania. While Methomania is a term that is archaic for “alcoholism,” the album also touches on themes of addiction, growing up, and anxiety. The Daze was formed by a group of high school[...]

Jenny Rubicon – Greedy

January 15, 2024

Jenny Rubicon (JR) is a fresh-faced indie rock act hailing from NYC composed of James Bannon and Max Chomet – the duo’s evolution from collegiate friends with differing musical opinions to co-songwriters in a band is a wild one, but it’s these unlikely pairings that often create the best artistic results. A decade into their friendship (which has since blossomed considerably), they’ve crafted a brand new album titled Greedy. At nine songs long, Greedy is the sound of their growth as musical partners AND friends encapsulated into something tangible. Not only is it a fun-sounding, punchy, and crunchy batch of guitar-based power-pop that is perfect for any listening occasion, but it also touches on themes of moving on, growing up, and evolving as time goes by. Album opener “Dinner Party” introduces the listener to the hallmarks of Jenny Rubicon’s sound; think chunky guitar distortion, upbeat tempos, and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics delivered[...]

SAVAK – “Leash Biter”

January 6, 2024

SAVAK just released the first single from their upcoming LP, Flavors Of Paradise. Notably, they’ve indicated that FoP has “no guests, no edits, no country, and definitely no funk—the record is lean, spacious and lively.” Brilliant. “Leash Biter” is a perfect demonstration of that aforementioned explanation – its cold, angular energy; bouncing bass backbone; and stabby guitar back-and-forth have us feeling urgent and unsettled while simultaneously bobbing our heads along to the janky rhythms. Fans of PLOSIVS, Pinback, or The Dismemberment Plan will love what they hear here. You can find “Leash Biter” on YouTube (below) and Spotify.

Lucy McWilliams – “Follow Me”

January 6, 2024

Dublin-born London-based singer/songwriter Lucy McWilliams knows how to tell a great story, as evidenced by her latest single, “Follow Me.” With her sweet, cooing vocal stylings and nebulous grasp on genre (falling somewhere between indie pop, adult contemporary, and alt-pop), Lucy weaves a web of mysterious pop that leaves you both dazed and wanting more. About the song, Lucy says: “‘Follow Me’ at its core is just a straightforward love song. It’s about being excited about someone, and feeling all the possibilities of the world in that person. At a time, that was a different kind of love that I hadn’t experienced. I think it’s a weird feeling, going through different relationships, but never really feeling loved. But then stumbling upon someone and within a small window of time, suddenly feeling at ease.” You can find “Follow Me” on both YouTube (below) or Spotify.

Balloon Snake – “Warsaw”

January 6, 2024

Bushwick-formed, Brooklyn-based trio Balloon Snake turn up the fuzz angst on latest single, “Warsaw.” With ripsaw guitar tones and impassioned vocals, “Warsaw” takes influence from late 90s luminaries like Sunny Day Real Estate or Hum and pairs it with the gritty emo and punk from the early ’00s. The result is this great, overblown jam that’s just at home on your headphones as it would be at some sweaty, dank NYC basement show. Preview “Warsaw” via YouTube below – then add it to your favorite Spotify or Apple Music playlist.

Suburban Queens – “U & I”

January 6, 2024

For their third song ever (!), Suburban Queens turn up the post-punky quirkiness for latest single, “U & I.” With energy that would make both Clairo and New Order eat their hearts out simultaneously (somehow), “U & I” pairs neurotic drumming and nimble basslines with big vocal hooks and an indescribably sassy energy. About the song, SQ says: “This song is about being in love and being isolated with you and your person. Its also questioning whether or not this isolation is healthy and asks questions about commitment issues that in the end eventually ruin the relationship you tried so hard to build. But it’s also me just saying sorry for hurting anyone because of my hubris and my lack of foresight.” You can find “U & I” on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.

Garden Station – “Losing My Head”

January 6, 2024

Philly’s Garden Station don’t care much for the trappings of adulthood, as evidenced by the bratty, blown-out punk rock of latest single, “Losing My Head.” With a sense of humor and a much-needed ebullient approach, “Losing My Head” makes use of blown-out guitar distortion; na-na-na singalongs; and a big, major-key guitar progression to keep things upbeat and raucous. To me, this sounds like a beer-soaked Friday night in someone’s basement – fans of Hot Mulligan, Dropkick Murphys, and Sex Pistols will probably agree. If you like what you hear below via YouTube, add “Losing My Head” to your favorite Spotify playlist.

Into The Light – Into The Light

December 27, 2023

Rochester-based act Into The Light formed in 2022 and boasts an impressive pedigree of Rochester talent – think members of Bad Bloom, Union, Hard To Know, The Silence Broken, and Achilles. This particular crew is influenced by shoegaze, indie rock, and post-hardcore like Failure, Catherine Wheel, and Quicksand; said influences come through strongly on their debut EP, the self-titled Into The Light (ITL). The quartet worked with record producer Steve Sopchak (of Motionless in White and Ice Nine Kills fame) to create a gritty, guitar-forward album full of raw aggression, chugging chords, and cathartic emotions. It has just as much in common with crushing ’90s grunge like Soundgarden, your favorite Deftones album, and modern-day acts like Superheaven and Teenage Wrist. Album opener “The Thorns of Life” introduces you to the hallmarks of ITL – expect spindly guitar leads laden with thick distortion tones; a rock-steady bassline that’s just as nimble; and[...]