Latest Posts

Stinkus – “Holy Virgin”

September 6, 2025

Stinkus is a buffaBLOG hall-of-famer (featured here and here), and we’re happy to be on the Stinkus train again. Latest single, “Holy Virgin,” picks up with Stinkus left off, finding him crafting more of the melody-minded, stream-of-consciousness indie/emo that might appeal to fans of Slaughter Beach, Dog or those whose favorite album was Home, Like No Place is There 10 years ago (and probably still is). Stinkus wrote this song about walking his dog around his neighborhood and seeing all his neighbors – just as effervescent as always. Lock in for the bouncing bass rhythm, but stick around for Stinkus’ uncanny hook-crafting skills set to off-beat lyrics.   “Holy Virgin” is available on YouTube (below) and Spotify.  

Slark Moan – “Emphatic Love”

September 6, 2025

Slark Moan knows a thing or two about appealing to the buffaBLOGGER in us. Their new single, “Emphatic Love,” rips. Straddling lines between psych rock and indie pop, “Emphatic” lures you in with bell-tone guitars and hazy vocals and absolutely finishes you off with a heady bass line. Beyond the dope instrumentation, “Emphatic Love” has a great backstory too – more below:   “I wrote ‘Emphatic Love’ about a year or so before I made the decision to transition. I was experiencing uncertainty with how my evolving gender presentation might affect my relationship. During this time, my partner showed me the most enthusiastic acceptance, and I think this song came out of feeling seen and celebrated. It’s the sort of love song that comes from truly knowing someone and being inspired to be creative collaborators.”   You can find “Emphatic Love” on YouTube (below), or on Spotify/Apple Music.  

deb. – “Ankle Weights”

August 29, 2025

deb. Is it a statement? Is it a person? Is it a defunct, ’90s-era retail store in the McKinley Mall that specialized in prom dresses?   It’s actually a newish Buffalo band with a pedigree you might recognize – members of Previous Love, Canetis, Slow Animals, and Animal Sounds came together to create this super tight super group… And they’re creating sounds that are exactly what you might expect from these particular members. Springy, watery indie-pop with the perfect polish for 103.3 The Edge – think Young The Giant, The 1975, or Still Woozy. Eternally-nice eternal-front-man Brendan Orr shares the spotlight with his very capable bandmates this time around, including bassist Erik Corrie; lead guitarist Dakota Lord, and drummer John Perdue. They’re happy to share their “deb.ut” single, “Ankle Weights” – it won’t be hard to identify all the sugary-sweet melodies here, but keep your ears peeled from vocal performances[...]

Freidrich$ – Wish

August 29, 2025

Who is Freidrich$? What is Freidrich$? Is it even possible to know Freidrich$? We’re not exactly sure either, but the enigmatic individual known as Freidrich$ (F) is hot off the release of their latest offering, Wish. Clad in smeared and streaked face paint, Freidrich$’s existence may seem like it lies somewhere between Slipknot, ICP, and/or Ghost, but the 10 tracks on Wish are actually a lot more grounded in heartfelt emotions, blending elements of trap, bedroom pop, and dreamy atmospherics to create something all his own.   “The Moviegoer” is our introduction to Freidrich$’s unique style. A crushing Red Hot Chili Peppers (!) sample forms the backbone of this song; Freidrich$ goes as far as to call them out by name mid-track, a fun and interesting way to reference where his sample came from. Moreover, we start to vibe on F’s vocal style – haunting, self-referential, and incredibly personal lyrics, delivered[...]

We Were Blank – BLANK

August 28, 2025

Wouldn’t it be really funny if our review for We Were Blank‘s latest album, BLANK, was just… *blank?*   …   BLANK is out as of August 8th, 2025. Check it out on Bandcamp for a very reasonable “name your price” option, or, find it on your favorite streaming services.   Just kidding.   We Were Blank has been kicking around Buffalo for a while now. They’ve been both a three-piece and a quartet, born out of a Craigslist ad and having too much time on their hands… But perhaps the most important part of their existence is that they simply continue to make music. Buffalo musicians have this habit of borrowing musicians from other bands – you may recognize some of that happening here with fellow emo-ish act (and frequent buffaBLOG feature) Amateur Hockey Club. Whatever it takes, right? Either way, these guys ended up with BLANK – a five-song EP bridging[...]

Dulcet Days – “Dry”

August 28, 2025

Dulcet Days is a passion project. In today’s world of short form content and nepotism (we’re not naming any names), Jake Goldsmith and Benjamin Mills do it for the love of it, and that sincerity comes through on their latest offering, “Dry.” The Tamworth, England based duo power this whimsical indie rocker with drum machines and gauzy synths. Fans of Alvvays, Her’s, or Buffalo’s own Johnny & The Man Kids * are going to love the woofy, lighthearted feel of this.   “Dry” is available via the YouTube embed below, or, Spotify.  

Living Set – “Last Wave”

August 23, 2025

Living Set is here to lull you into a false sense of security before getting noisy. That’s the m.o. of their latest offering, “Last Wave” – a cryptic and haunting dream-pop-meets-shoegaze song built around a softly plinking arpeggio. Far off vocals lure you in over a lullaby of ascending synth notes… But before you know it, the band steps on their fuzz pedals and bliss out in a wall of shoegaze fervor. It’s bittersweet and catchy… And speaking of m.o.s, that happens to be ours.   “Last Wave” is available via YouTube (below), or, you guessed it, Spotify.  

Stray Fossa – “I Was There”

August 23, 2025

Since we first featured them in 2018 (and again, and again), we’ve been wondering how Fossas become stray. Dumb jokes aside, we’re loving yet another single from Stray Fossa a jewel toned jam they’ve titled “I Was There.” This song feels a little bit like what Turnover should have become, with a hint of DIIV and Real Estate for good measure… Expect glassy-eyed vocals laying perfectly atop glassy-toned guitars. The whole thing is a smooth and… glassy affair, with a somber/longing feel that’s just intriguing enough to not be able to put your finger upon.   Peep “I Was There” via the convenient Soundcloud widget below, or, head over to Spotify.   Stray Fossa · I Was There

nep – “All Around Beauty”

August 23, 2025

nep is a rising force in the indie pop world and we’re digging her latest offering, “All Around Beauty.” Effervescent vocals and pleasantly-driven indie rock brings to mind the music of Wet Leg, Diet Cig, or Soccer Mommy if she was a little bit happier… nep owns the party girl aesthetic in the music video, but it’s a fair depiction of her real life aura (note the excess exclamation marks) – here’s more about the song below:   “This song is about college parties and being a total mess. I have never not been a messy person and I kinda just wanted to write a song that’s like, if YOU get to be messy then so do I!!!!!!”   “All Around Beauty” can be found via the clandestine YouTube link below, or, on Spotify or Apple Music.  

Stephen Babcock – “Osaka”

August 20, 2025

It’s a Bab-man summer – Stephen Babcock that is – and our Rust Belt bub is back with yet another banger. Inspired by a late-night moment in Japan, “Osaka” details what it means to get lost, grow up, and let go. Bab/Bub keeps it simmering on “Osaka,” trading his acoustic guitar for a driving bass part, but still keeps that bubbling-under vibe that makes his music so listenable. Keep your ears peeled for some spicy harmonies, and an appreciation for the super tight drum sound that gives the whole affair an extra intimate vibe. Fans of The American Analog Set, MJ Lenderman, or Jack Johnson will surely get down with the vibes here.   Check out “Osaka” in all the usual spots.   Stephen Babcock · Osaka

Doug Gatta – “Endless Summer”

August 19, 2025

Is summer winding down yet? Doug Gatta does (or doesn’t?) think so – his latest offering is the midwestern and metaphorical “Endless Summer.” Twangy guitars and Doug’s pleasantly-raspy vocals power this one forward – it’s got a hopeful-but-cautious message that is perfect for this kind of emo-tinged, Americana-laced indie rock. Here’s a bit more from Doug about where he was coming from when he wrote “Endless Summer:”   “This song is about how we’re all addicted to distraction, entertainment, phones, pornography, dopamine etc. How it may feel good in the moment but ultimately numbs us out and leaves us in a fog.”   “Endless Summer” is available now on all your favorite platforms – try YouTube below, or Spotify or Apple Music.  

Jack Manley – “Way Loud”

August 12, 2025

We’re lucky to still have Jack Manley – written after a near-fatal drug overdose, his latest offering, “Way Loud” is a powerful meditation on the “long road back to yourself.” Working in conjunction with that powerful context, the post-punk meets shoegaze of Manley’s music provides a perfect backdrop for this anthem of recovery. Dark and mysterious without ever losing its strong sense of melody, this is the kind of song that digs deep into your psyche… Moreover, as Manley puts it, “Way Loud” isn’t a cry for attention, it’s the sound of someone still trying to stay alive.   “Way Loud” has a lovely music video (embedded below), or, you can check it out via Spotify.  

Amateur Hockey Club – “UPPERCASE!”

August 8, 2025

Stalwart Buffalo-based emo-punks Amateur Hockey Club are back with a brand new song, “UPPERCASE!,” found on the recently-released (August 1st, 2025) three-song-EP of the same name. The title-track is built around a jaunty lead guitar riff and razor-sharp vocals, playing around with pop-punk undertones, but mostly adhering to a Motion City Soundtrack meets Third Eye Blind kind of power pop… aka “IPA-rock,” as they’ve affectionately (and somehow accurately) deemed themselves. Even though the song’s about battling negative self talk, it’s a fun and engaging ride across its 2:41 run time, which includes a guitar solo, some tasty self-deprecation, and lots of energy.   Check out “UPPERCASE!” on Apple Music, Spotify, or the Soundcloud embed below.   Amateur Hockey Club · UPPERCASE!

Men Without Hats – “I ❤️ the ’80s”

August 4, 2025

Men Without Hats – yes, that Men Without Hats – the electro-pop pioneers you might recognize from “The Safety Dance” or “Pop Goes The World,” are back with a brand new single. “I ❤️ the ’80s” takes us on a nostalgic journey, a self-aware homage to the deep love that folks have for the big-hair-era… And beyond the references to Terminator, “Just Like Heaven,” and The Fixx, Doroschuk & co. have written something genuinely catchy. The band never abandons their roots (there’s an actual vintage Prophet 5 synth on this particular recording) with more than a couple cheeky nods to their hits and an undeniable synth lead, but the modern day production helps keep this one rooted in our current zeitgeist. Queue this one up at your next family get together – we bet your mom’s going to love it too.   Check out the official music video for “I ❤️[...]

Tabloid Nation – They Never Told Us Why

July 30, 2025

NYC based alt rockers Tabloid Nation (TN) have a foundation built “pre-9/11.” Whether that’s a testament to their politically-charged leanings, or an unshakeable bond 20+ years in the making, it certainly informs the energy found on their latest offering, the 11-song They Never Told Us Why. Channeling a muscle car abandon (their words, not ours, but apt words nonetheless), these songs certainly sound muscular – expect rip-roaring guitars, honeyed melodies, and an accessible rock ‘n roll sound that sounds equal parts Alkaline Trio and Rise Against, with a not-so-subtle nod toward the foundational 1990’s sound where they laid their first bricks.   The band slams into your consciousness with opener “I’ll Make It Up To You.” There’s a Matt Skiba-esque drawl found here, soaring overtop their aforementioned rock ‘n roll backbone… And while the band is certainly rooted in a pleasantly accessible alt rock formatting, there are hints of other[...]