New Mexico act Sorrytown infuses the desolation of their hometown into their particular brand of heart-on-your-sleeve emo rock reminiscent of Hum, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Superheaven. “Know” is our recommendation of where to start… Between the gut-wrenching lyrical content and the in-your-face grit of the guitar tone, this one is sure to get your emotions churning. “Know” is available on Bandcamp. Too by Sorrytown
Marigold (aka Ben Lieber from Buffalo cosmic rockers Head North) is kicking off a solo tour tonight with a set of acoustic tunes. His songs are emotional and understated, combining the catharsis of bedroom-emo with the warmness and intimacy of an acoustic guitar. Support tonight comes from fellow Buffalonians heave (aka the hushed and ethereal musings of Emily Finlan) and Greg Priester/Mike Rakiecki from heavy-hitters Into the Wake, whose songs translate surprisingly well to the acoustic format. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place. Doors are at 7pm, bring $10 to get in. Counterfeit Art (Reprise) by Marigold
“Slow Dance” is the latest single from Inara George‘s (The Bird and the Bee) solo project… The song is a nostalgic, (albeit bittersweet) look back at her youth, highlighting George’s trademark ethereal vocals, with gentle, folk-tinged instrumentation. Some definite retro vibes pepper this track; it’s full of tremolo guitar swells, electric piano tones, light-handed drums, and acoustic strumming. Inara is on Spotify too – give “Slow Dance” some love.
Future-pop artist ADAL specializes in “what the 80s thought the future would sound like.” This is a pretty apt description, made evident by the pure-pop nature of his latest single, “Synthesize.” The electro-pop instrumentals are surely set off by the buoyant, light vocal stylings of Alexanderson… If you’re in the mood for some no-funny-business pop jams, look no further. If you’re digging it, add “Synthesize” to your Spotify playlist.
Provo, Utah’s New Shack surprised us with the deeply groovy synth-pop of their latest single “Ways and Means.” Singer Cat Leavy expertly weaves her breathy vocals through the pulsing synth work and stuttering electro drums. “Ways and Means” is out now on Little Assembly, who hint at big things to come from the duo in 2018… Till then, be sure to get well-acquainted with “Ways and Means” via Soundcloud, Spotify, or otherwise. New Shack also filmed a music video for “Ways and Means” – check that out here.
San Fran indie-poppers Faux Canada sent over the peppy “Projector” and we’ve been hooked ever since. We’re not sure what to love more, the spacey, squiggly keyboards that squiggle their way through the song, or the delightfully spastic guitar riffs that propel “Projector” forth. Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s impossible to listen to this song without a big smile on your face. Check it out below. Add “Projector” to your Spotify playlist.
Nothing better than some punky, fuzzy goodness to start off your day. “Take What’s Mine” is the latest offering from Dallas act Caved Mountains. For fans of fuzzy noise, there is plenty of velcro fuzz in this song to melt your face… After a frantic opener, the song cascades into a crescendo of balls-to-the-wall jamming. With songs like these, it’s best just to listen for yourself – give it a play via the widget below. “Take What’s Mine” is available on Bandcamp for a very reasonable “name your price” rate.
Indie-pop band Wanderwild are fresh out of the gates with a new album, the nine-song In Due Time. We’re here to draw attention to the title-track, an explosive blast of dream-pop that blends reverby guitar work with cathartic lyrics that touch on themes of loss, love, and life’s meaning and purpose. Fans of Young The Giant, Bleachers, or Cold War Kids will dig the accessible indie rock vibes from this one. Learn more about Wanderwild here.
“For best results, listen in 1987 at night…” Pizzagirl nailed it on the self-reflection when referring to his latest single, “Favourite Song.” Beyond the warm bedroom-pop vibes, “Favourite Song” has an instantly recognizable chorus utilizing plenty of “do-do-dos.” Not to mention the irresistibly retro vibes that propel the song. Fans of 80s synthpop or emotional lo-fi jams should surely give it a listen below. If “Favourite Song” is your new favorite song, peep some listening options here.
Austin TX act Wild Child recently caught our ears with the gentle musings of “Sinking Ship.” The sparse, stripped-down track features a beautiful performance from singer Kelsey Wilson, who says the song was inspired by a Shel Silverstein book about love and loss. A gently strummed acoustic guitar is her main accompaniment, peppered with moments of piano and a heartbeat-esque drum beat that really sets the song off. Wild Child’s next album, Expectations, will be out February 9th on Dualtone Records.
Newly-minted Buffalo quartet Post Prom just released a music video for their debut single, “Cyclical.” The video features a cameo from fellow Buffalonian Elliott Douglas (who you may recognize from MAGS), and is a simple but poignant demonstration of how one’s day-to-day life might begin to seem, well, “cyclical.” Most importantly, “Cyclical” is a great introduction to Post Prom’s cathartic blend of pop-punk and emo, combining a unique 3/4 time signature with heartfelt vocal harmonies and twangy guitars. If you like what you hear, “Cyclical” is available on Bandcamp for free.
Sundownchasing (aka Batavian singer/songwriter Anthony Del Plato) announced late last year that he would be “shaking off the rust” by releasing one song per month for the entirety of 2018. His first offering, Another Shade of Blue,” is trademark Anthony Del Plato, evoking the frigid January weather via his eerily pristine musicianship. He pairs icy guitar tones with vaguely winter-esque lyrics about the Niagara River, frozen to look like a lion’s mane. Fans of The Appleseed Cast, Bon Iver, or Minus the Bear will love this song – be sure to check it out using the widget below. “Another Shade of Blue” is the first of many Sundownchasing songs to be released this year – they will all be available through Bandcamp. Another Shade of Blue by Sundownchasing
Buffalo trio Alleys are in a strange place, figuratively speaking of course. Drummer/vocalist Sebastian Cichon recently moved about as far across the country as possible… About 3,000 miles to be exact. But mere distance couldn’t stop Alleys from releasing their latest and final(?) offering, a four-song EP titled Sliver of Great, recorded at GCR studios with Jay Zubricky. If you aren’t familiar with Alleys, they’ve perfected the art of mathy pop-punk with tinges of emo, twinkle, skramz, and any other sub-genre you might be able to think of. Opening track “Strange Things Are Afoot At The Circle K” is a wonderful waltz that highlights Alleys’ strong attention to syncopation. At just over two minutes in length, the song presents as one long crescendo, exploding into a fuzzed-out ending, supplemented perfectly by a disgustingly dirty bass tone. “Have Fun Being Married to Satan” is another two minute banger that finds Alleys exploring a more upbeat sound, pairing spitfire vocals with an[...]
Swedish producer Kasbo‘s goal in life is to make you want to dance and cry at the same time, and that’s entirely evident on his new jam, “Snow in Gothenburg.” Pairing deep bassy synths with twinkly piano tones and breathy vocals, “Snow” really does conjure images of fluffy, serene snowfall… Not to mention, the distinctly introspective vibes pair nicely with the song’s lyrical themes of loneliness and isolation. Like what you hear? Learn more about Kasbo here.
Last time we checked in with the curiously-named Have You Ever Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS?, we were vibing on the light-hearted garage pop of “Magic Swimming Pants.” We’re happy to announce they are back with an equally sunny offering in “Bambi Act.” The track clocks in at less than two minutes, and features crunchy guitars, squiggly synths, and ever-so-subtly slurred vocals that are nothing short of infectious. Give this one a listen and get giddy. “Bambi Act” is out now via VILD music.