Latest Posts

Honey I’m Home – “Hyperspace Mountain”

April 10, 2026

Honey I’m Home might have the most fitting song name we’ve heard in a while – their futuristic blend of shoegaze and alt rock feels super fresh, especially evident on new single “Hyperspace Mountain.” Huge whirring synths sparkle and splash across this banger, while creamy guitars and soaring vocals give this one an almost Midwest emo tinge. This is truly a mashup for the ages – one that has to be experienced for yourself to truly appreciate. Click that play button immediately.   Check out “Hyperspace Mountain” via the YouTube embed (below), or, stream it on Spotify.    

MAKEITSTOP – “Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five”

April 3, 2026

MAKEITSTOP is a progressive rock act from Rochester whose latest single, “Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five,” tickled our latent Rush sensibilities. Their music is borderline indescribable, reminiscent of the sheer fervor of RX Bandits, the musical intensity of Coheed and Cambria, and a bit of jazz flair mixed in a la The Reign of Kindo. Expect passionate sing/scream vocals overtop nimble guitar and bass riffs, with plenty of jaunty start/stop rhythmic play to engage your inner musician’s musician. There are melodies aplenty in “Whatever,” but be sure to stick around for the mid-song bass/drum interlude… The throaty bass tone paired with the snare-less snare is a real treat.   There are lots of ways to support MAKEITSTOP – check them all out here.   Whatever You Do, Don’t Count To Five by MAKEITSTOP

Sleep Debt Ceiling – Worship the Disease

April 2, 2026

Sleep Debt Ceiling (SDC) is a folk-punk act from Buffalo, serving sardonic lyrics over raw instrumentals. Their latest offering is the four-song EP Worship the Disease, a perfect continuation of their previous releases like Demo EP, which we picked up on in late 2024. There’s nothing truly more punk/diy than a bunch of home recorded jams, filled with vitrol and angst – Worship the Disease was recorded last winter “between snowstorms…” And as any true Buffalonian knows, there’s not much more to do during a snowstorm than to drink, shovel, and write songs. For these reasons, Worship the Disease is our next Album of the Week.   Song one, “Plank Over Constant Slaughter” will give you perfect insight into SDC’s modus operandi. Literate lyrics delivered in a sneering sing-speak over a near constant acoustic guitar jangle – it’s not a stretch to compare it to Neutral Milk Hotel, or even late 2010’s emo acts like[...]

Nixon Boyd – “Trouble of Your Own”

March 28, 2026

Nixon Boyd‘s journey to “Trouble of Your Own” has been a story in and of itself. After a laptop theft (which held all of his musical ideas), he put his nose to the ground and re-recorded everything. We’re lucky – it resulted in the touching indie pop jam “Trouble of Your Own,” a tribute to a friend’s suicide attempt. With carefully crafted lyrics; a longing chord progression; and clappy percussive elements that are reminiscent of The Shins, “Trouble” feels like it perfectly accomplished what it set out to do.   “Trouble of Your Own” can be found on YouTube (below), or, on Spotify.    

boredslide – “ibelieveu”

March 28, 2026

Australian duo boredslide found their way into our inbox with the fleeting “ibelieveu.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between bedroom-pop, jangly indie, and post-punk, “ibelieveu” is a slinky, shimmery lesson in succinct songwriting. A pleasant panflute accompanies the chiming guitars here, reflecting band member Carlos’ Peruvian heritage while never feeling out of place. This one will make you want to dust off your chorus pedals and get back to DIY songwriting… Isn’t that what it’s all about, anyway?   All the different ways to support boredslide can be found here.    

GREG 99 – “Get Stupid”

March 28, 2026

You ever hear a bassline so THICC (with two c’s) it makes you feel dumber? Like your IQ has dropped 20 points? GREG 99 knows a little about that, clearly evidenced in his new jam, “Get Stupid.” Full disclosure, we don’t know anything about GREG other than the fact that this big, indie dance anthem is released under his name… But sometimes a big, anthemic dancefloor anthem like this just speaks for itself.   Peep “Get Stupid” on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.    

Childlike – “Promise or Die”

March 28, 2026

Childlike is a 22-year-old wunderkind making the kind of EDM/hyperpop that reminds you to feel euphoric. “Promise or Die” is a fun combination of genres that features everything from piano to an accordion (seriously), recorded by a mic hanging in someone’s living room. Being surrounded by unique instruments must have been a boon when it came to crafting this one – it’s got the highs that tickle your eardrums and the lows that you feel in your gut.   “Promise or Die” can be found on YouTube (below), or Spotify, or Amazon Music.    

The Burkharts – “Please Don’t Wake Me Up”

March 24, 2026

The Burkharts have done it again – another retro-inspired, beach-pop jam they’re calling “Please Don’t Wake Me Up.” As always, the band’s image (and imagery) is on point – superimposing images of lighthouses and the ocean over their finely-tuned, red button down aesthetic. The band themselves appear comfy and cozy in a bedroom, adorned with wood paneling and bold colors, not unlike something you’d see in one of those legendary JC Penney photoshoots from the ’80s. Juicy harmonies, jangly guitars, and a 3:4 time signature help to give this one a slow dance vibe – Fans of The Beach Boys, Real Estate, and Best Coast’s lighter fare are in for a treat on this pretty little waltz.   Check out the video embed for “Please Don’t Wake Me Up” below, or, stream it on Spotify.    

Del Paxton – Dogeared EP

March 19, 2026

It’s been 13 years and change since now-legendary trio Del Paxton debuted their brand of humble, everyman rustbelt-emo to the masses. I’m kidding, of course – their particular brand of scrongly, guitar-forward emo is about as archetypal to the genre as it could possibly be. Hammer-ons and pull-offs; big, beautiful bass parts; and punk (but like, refined punk) drumming are the typical m.o. for these three – not to mention their stubbornly DIY sound/ethos and seemingly infinite command of time signatures other than 4:4. Recorded at GCR studios with Jay Zubricky, their latest offering, the three-song Dogeared EP, is another proud, Buffalonian entry in their now lengthy oeuvre. All things considered, Del Paxton is inarguably one of the most important bands to come out of Buffalo since the turn of the millennium… It’s not a stretch to see them pop up as the latest feature in our Album of the Week[...]

Garden of Evil Doers – retaW ni tuB ,retaW fo edaM

March 12, 2026

Everyone can get behind a good concept album, right? Rochester act Garden of Evil Doers‘s latest album, the enigmatically-named retaW ni tuB ,retaW fo edaM (RNBRFE), certainly falls into that camp. It’s a nine song collection of folk, rock, and noises that meld together fluidly – Almost like its namesake. Astute readers will notice that this album title, read backwards, reveals a hidden message – “Made of Water, But in Water.” These songs are inspired by water as a holistic entity – from the way it flows to its use as the base of a healing broth for you and your loved ones (which I want to think is a tongue-in-cheek reference to project mastermind Leaphe Ferm’s time as drummer of perpetual buffaBLOG favorite Kitchen, but I digress). Ferm explains a bit more:   First, the band name:   “Garden in the mysterious, cultivated, thinking of the future, delicious, full of[...]

Alex Northrup – “Golden Child (pt. I)”

March 10, 2026

Alex Northrup is at it again, creating his hyper-unique brand of electro chamber pop with a brand new single, “Golden Child (pt. I).” Northrup has a very unique retro-meets-contemporary style that utilizes Beatles-esque instrumentation, Supertramp jauntiness, and modern-day ideation to create something just left-field of timeless, at least in the sense that it doesn’t sound quite like anything else. Plinking harpsichords and “Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime” type synths give this a truly vintage feel, but Alex’s eclectic style keeps this rooted in 2026-type magic. Beyond all that, where are all my fellow gifted-kid-burnouts at? This one is for you, especially lyrically.   “Golden Child (pt. I)” is available now on bandcamp (embedded below).   Golden Child (pt. I) by Alex Northrup

MEMORIALS – “Dropped Down the Well”

March 8, 2026

The frantic new single from MEMORIALS is the latest banger blaring through the buffaBLOG office speakers as of late. Soaked with organ and brimming with neurotic post-punk energy, we’re reminded of SPRINTS, The Walkmen, and even Ceremony when we listen to this jam. Ripping basslines, monotone vocals, and blistering drums are the engine that make “Dropped” roar – get this one going on your next road trip, just be careful not to push the pedal all the way down to the metal.   Check out the video for “Dropped Down the Well” below. It can also be found on Spotify and bandcamp.    

riley hp – “finelovin”

March 8, 2026

riley hp sounds like he’s about to fall apart on latest single, “finelovin.” Bridging the gap between Mac DeMarco and Atom and his Package, “finelovin” has all the straight-through-the-interface-DI tones you could hope for. It’s a fitting, lo-fi approach for riley hp’s lyrical content about impostor syndrome and how it relates to love. Janky and fun, “finelovin” is the kind of song that simultaneously feels like it cares too much and not at all… And that’s worth writing about.   Check out “finelovin” on Spotify and Apple Music    

The Mad Mile – “Smiths”

March 7, 2026

Last time we heard from London-based duo The Mad Mile, we were waxing poetic about previous single “Wendy Houses.” Perhaps topically, new song “Smiths” deals with the fallout and feelings from your favorite neighborhood bodega going under new management and turning into convenience-store-slop. The duo have an uncanny way of making their songs sound haunting and mysterious while still retaining a catchy quality – this one reminds us a lot of Autolux with hints of Pinback and Wombo.   Check it out below or peep it on Spotify.   The Mad Mile · Smiths

Stephen Becker – “Bad Idea”

March 3, 2026

Stephen Becker bridges the gap between Wilco and Big Thief on latest offering, “Bad Idea.” Slow-moving, but not lacking in artistry or intensity, Becker fills “Bad Idea” with jangly acoustic guitar, layered thick with tasty guitar licks. His lilting brand of folksy bedroom-pop is ethereal and easy-going, even if the subject matter is a little heavy. Sometimes it’s best just to hear it straight from the artist’s mouth, so here’s a poignant snippet from Stephen on where his head was at when he was writing this song:   “‘Bad Idea’ is about a breakup I went through after seeing the ballet – the haunting feeling of the dancers’ movements lingering in my mind, the sad-sweet taste of spiked lemonade on the train ride home. I was thinking about, and trying to manifest, change with a newfound determination to break free from unhealthy routines and patterns in life and in love.”[...]