“Silhouette” is a great jam, reminiscent of a simpler time… Namely the mid to late 90s where alternative rock bands like Third Eye Blind, Better Than Ezra, and Eve 6 were tearing up the pop charts. Let’s just say Blume Hinges has the same sort of songwriting prowess as these 90s legends, combining catchy guitar hooks with ever-so-slightly forlorn vocals. A true alternative rock banger if we’ve ever heard one. If you’re into it, check out the whole album here.
Indietronica producer shallou has us captivated with his breathy new jam. The Chicago native sent us “Truth,” which comes courtesy of his latest release, his debut EP, All Becomes Okay. Sit back in your seat and relax as you listen to shallou’s unique brand of atmospheric electronica. Blippy drums, pitch-shifted vocal samples, and a wide range of instrumentals await. Add “Truth” to your Spotify playlist.
MNYNMS (pronounced many names) sent over the synth-driven “DENIAL” and we loved it as soon as it hit our speakers. The trio, more specifically Jessica Wahlquist, Lacey Youngblood, and J.Childs, came together organically through a shared energy that seemed unparalleled by many of their peers. Either way, we think this gauzy electronica number is irresistible, check it out below. MNYNMS is offering “DENIAL” for free here.
All of the shoegaze fans out there are going to love this new jam from UK quartet Softer Still. “Wishing Well” is a blissed out, 80s-tinged shoegaze song a la Slowdive, The Cure, or DIIV. Twinkling guitars and reverb-drenched vocals propel this gentle track forth in a way that is sure to please any fan of dream pop. Add it to your Spotify playlist if you dig the dreamy vibes.
“Midnight Rendez-Vous” has been described as “a dark ballad for the unloved” and we couldn’t agree more. The brainchild of Canadian producer Das Mörtal, “Midnight Rendez-Vous” has the familiar thump of an electronica song with a dark and gloomy twist. It’s truly brought to life via vocalist French Fox and his irresistible goth-on-the-dancefloor lyrics. Add it to your Spotify playlist if you’re feeling froggy.
Pray For Sound in an instrumental post-rock project spearheaded by mastermind Bruce Malley. They sent us over their new video for “Everywhere, Everywhere” and we liked it enough to suggest it to our loyal followers. As with any instrumental project, it’s best to let the music speak for itself, but fans of Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, or even ambient pop rock bands a la The Dangerous Summer might will like this one. Check out the video below.
Have you ever been standing awkwardly at a party, so awkwardly that you don’t even know what do do with your hands? Well, we’ve discovered the perfect song for you! “Things To Do With Your Hands At Parties” by Talk Less Say More is perfect art pop for 2017, combining infectious electronics, slap bass, and a charming British accent. Fans of Kate Bush, Talk Talk, or Tears for Fears will dig this one. Check them out on Bandcamp too.
The genre defying anthem “Now” drifted into our inbox recently and we’ve been jamming on it ever since. “Now” comes from Grace Mitchell, a 19-year-old iconoclast from Portland. She combines lilting piano-driven verses with more aggressive guitar-driven choruses for a sound all her own. Fans of Florence and the Machine, Feist, or Yeah Yeah Yeahs will dig this one. Check out Grace’s Tumblr while you’re at it.
Can we just go ahead and make PUP honorary Buffalonians already? Tonight marks PUP’s umpteenth return to the Queen City, and for good reason. Every time this quartet comes around, they bring a raucous live show brimming with unparalleled energy. They’ve brought along the perfect tourmates to boot – peppy Topshelf math/emo act Prawn is in tow tonight. PUP will be shredding at the Waiting Room this evening. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $16 presale, $18 at the door. <iframe style=”border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;” src=”https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3847837544/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=3521443435/transparent=true/” seamless><a href=”http://puptheband.bandcamp.com/album/the-dream-is-over”>The Dream Is Over by PUP</a></iframe>
We think you should check out the infectious electronica of Swedish/American duo Djustin. The duo combines singer Rose Suau’s ethereal voice with producer Johan Angergård’s infectious instrumentals. “New Preset” is sure to hook you in with its sick electro pulse, full of memorable pop melodies and thick, lush synth work. If you dig it, buy it here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315700202″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
We’re really digging this banger from London trio Marlon Brando Island. “True Heroes” reminds us of the fervor that you might expect from TV on the Radio or METZ. They combine energetic guitar and bass ambiance with passionate scream/singing. The trio considers the razor-sharp lyrical content and emotional rise and fall of “True Heroes” their epic, and we can’t help but agree. Check it out on Spotify too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311398734″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Canadian producer SYRE sent us his ultimate chillout track “Next To Me.” This song pushes the limits of sound design and the EDM genre as a whole, combining chillwave sentiment with catchy, detuned vocals and swelling synth patches. Our recommendation: sit back, close your eyes, and let SYRE’s soundsmithing do its job. Add “Next To Me” to your Spotify playlist. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/316588805″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Fans of Best Coast, Hole, or Angel Olsen will dig this one. “Young Leo” from Mise en Scene is about a young Leo (the Zodiac sign, not DiCaprio) who is learning how to take life one step at a time and to not be so sad. It might also be worth noting that the singer of this track was born on August 10th. Beyond its message, this is a straight up raucous indie rock jam that we think is worth checking out. The band also released a music video for “Young Leo” which you can check out here.
The Life and Times are a prolific trio from Chicago who have been releasing sprawling LPs for the past 12 years. Some of the tags on their Bandcamp page aptly describe them as “spacecrunk” or “thinkrock.” Their music is moody, spacey, sonically overwhelming, symphonic and always grandiose, but they also haven’t lost the romanticism of being a good ol’ fashioned rock band. They return to Buffalo tonight to celebrate the release of their fifth, self-titled LP. Support tonight comes from Buffalo’s own Chevron Bloom. Doors are at 8:00pm. Tickets are $8 advance, $10 at the door.
Solomon O is an Australian indie crooner whose “Holograms” has been rubbing us in just the right way. This indie-pop nugget has a luscious rhythm section and plenty of shimmering guitars and synths to please any fan of modern-day alternative rock. Fans of Foster The People, Imagine Dragons, and The Killers will get down to this one. If you dig it, add “Holograms” to your Spotify playlist. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/312123977″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]