London-based artist Tom Sundog is on a mission to create sounds no one has ever heard before and we think the rapid-fire delivery on his latest offering, “Night on My Mind” checks all those boxes. An electrified beat and squelchy synth sounds give this an otherworldly sound, certainly refreshing on the ears while offering a challenging new sonic palate to explore. Check out the music video below on YouTube.
Frequent buffaBLOG features Limón Limón are back with another electropop gem called “Differently.” This song has extreme summer vibes – with an inescapable bassline bop and lyrical content about finding love after a long drought, this one feels just as right poolside as it does on your morning commute to work. If you’re feeling froggy, you can also peep another of our Limón favorites here. Check out “Differently” via Soundcloud below – if you like it as much as we do, add it to your Spotify playlist. Limón Limón · Differently
Spicy! There’s something to be said about the funk/soul sounds being pumped out from Hot Mustard – it’s a decadent blend of boom bap hip-hop sounds and 2022-flavored use of retro samples. It’s not too hard to imagine something amazing coming from a duo composed of members of TV on the Radio and Anitbalas… But just in case you’re wondering, we recommend checking out the vintage-inspired antimated music video below. Sit back and let their distinctive heat wash all over you. Check out the music video for “Naked” below – you can also find it on Spotify.
Our Toronto neighbors in poolblood just released a cool new song called “twinkie” and we’re hooked. “Twinkie” is jangly and gauzy – enough to appeal to fans of anyone from Phoebe Bridgers, to Girlpool, to Goon. The accompanying music video (directed by guitarist/drummer Shamir) captures the mood of the song perfectly; a nostalgia-inducder, full of frolicking, flowers, and imagery that generally brings to mind happier times. About the song, singer Maryam Said says: “‘twinkie’ is a song I wrote about the tenderness of time, time as a source of love, and the way time is the ultimate parent. Starting over is as sweet as a golden sponge cake.” You can find “twinkie” on Spotify and Apple Music too.
Paolo Nutini seems to be on fire lately (a recent performance with Liam Gallagher can confirm), and that energy is evident on his slow-burn new single, “Acid Eyes.” “Eyes” is a hopeful but bittersweet love song with a haunting refrain of “I never told you I loved you.” While the song starts out as a simple bass thump, it eventually blossoms into something beautiful, atmospheric, and orchestral – not unlike a perfectly-executed acid trip… Unless we’re mistaken and Paolo’s referring to something a bit more caustic. Check out “Acid Eyes” below – you can also find it on Apple Music and Spotify.
All the way from Singapore, Knightingale are making waves (get it?) with their latest single, “Big Wave.” Huge punk rock energy pours over you right from the get go – an absolutely huge guitar sound swells to tsunami heights while the vocal presence sounds surfy and distant, even though they still crash over you. Wave puns aside, fans of Wavves, FIDLAR, and Hot Water Music are going to love the sheer energy here. You can also find “Big Wave” on Spotify.
Netherlands-based duo Ciao Lucifer are at it again with new single “So Good It Hurts.” Propelled by powerful falsetto crooning, spindly guitar leads, and an infectious 3/4 beat, “Hurts” would fit comfortably on a playlist next to your favorite Vampire Weekend or Phoenix songs. Lyrically, the song tackles the complication relationship between loving something so much that you’re jealous of it – “When something’s so good, it hurts.” You can also enjoy the song on Spotify. Ciao Lucifer · So Good It Hurts
Blink-182 needs no introduction… But Katie Toupin‘s heart wrenching take on “Adam’s Song” certainly deserves one. Toupin’s unique drawl and indie-folk approach add a surprisingly fitting twang to the Blink classic. It’s even Mark Hoppus approved – he reposted it during his battle with Leukemia, which ignited a fan-funded covers EP for Katie; all proceeds from streams of “Adam’s Song” are going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – so stream the hell out of it. Listen to “Adam’s Song” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Strawberry Blonde stray from their usual indie-emo path (but not TOO far) on latest single, “Stay.” The quintet explores unique synth textures overtop of their emotionally-laden music which is reminiscent of contemporaries like Foxing or American Football (note the brass accompaniment around 3:30). Having formed at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music back in 2015, SB has lots of offer in terms of musicianship – sit back and enjoy the nuanced instrumentation wrapped up in the context of an indie-pop song. You can find Strawberry Blonde’s entire discography on Spotify. Strawberry Blonde · Stay
“WannabeNobody” is a new direction for Irish act Kelp, who has refined their usual “cutting-edge Vaporwave elevator-jingles” into something poppy and catchy. “Nobody” is full of quirky bleeps and bloops, indicative of Vaporwave, but is also ruthlessly catchy and surprisingly refined – a vibe that continues throughout the entire song. About “Nobody,” Kelp says: “… it made me think of the idea of impulsiveness, but coupled with anxiety. So, it’s knowing your actions have consequences, but going through with it just to, maybe feel alright for even a little bit, at possibly a great cost.” Check out all the different ways to listen to “WannabeNobody” here.
Howdy, Cherry (aka Brooklyn native Caroline Lazar) has been buzzing – she’s about ready to take over the internet with her debut EP, Youth. We’ve been hooked on the title track – a forlorn, guitar-based slice of bedroom-pop-meets-indie-folk that will surely appeal to fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Soccer Mommy. About the song, Howdy, Cherry says: “‘Youth’ is about being utterly lonely and stupid in love and being young when the world feels like it’s over.” We’ve all been there, Caroline! She just happened to frame it perfectly in the context of an indie-pop song. You can also find “Youth” on Spotify. Howdy, Cherry · Youth
Somewhere between the slacker rock of Pavement, the tightly-wound compositions of Talking Heads, and the angular freak-outs of Parquet Courts lies Pastel Blank‘s new single, “Fences.” The band fills the song with buzzing guitar riffs, choppy rhythms, and just enough sauce on the vocals to keep things interesting. About the lyrical content of the song, songwriter Angus Watt says: “‘Fences’ is a strawman song. I wanted to write about proud fence-sitters who mask indecision as an intellectual and moral virtue. I pulled a few examples from various conversations, but to be honest, this song is also quite self-critical. I wanted to poke fun at this type of person, and parts of myself. Though ultimately, I think the song is more ‘fun’ than ‘poke’” You can also find “Fences” on Spotify.
Layzi caught our ears with the heavenly slacker vibes on her latest offering, “Shop Around.” Relationship anxiety is no joke, especially when you’re worried about a partner looking around for a potential extracurricular romp in the hay. Layzi channels her nervousness into a surprisingly laid-back bedroom-pop jam, pairing lo-fi study beatz energy with heavenly vocals and a monster chorus hook. “Shop Around” is out now via Spirit Goth Records – check it out via YouTube below or stream it on Spotify.
Sacramento’s Caregiver (aka Lindsey Bitson) vents about the tough stuff – heartache, substance abuse, and self-discovery – on her latest offering, “Reason.” Her one-of-a-kind vocal delivery coupled with the urgent but not-yet-bubbling-over indie rock instrumentals help to give this one a dark, but relatable feel. About the song, Bitson says: “I sabotaged a relationship to avoid being hurt. Such an ironic characteristic, self-sabotage. It creates the exact thing I fear. When we reconnected, it was as if he could see right through me. There was nothing left for us. If I hadn’t been so distant and destructive, maybe things could have worked out differently. We swung outside on hammocks on opposing sides of his porch and it felt like goodbye. That week I wrote ‘Reason.'” You can find “Reason” on Spotify – it’s out now via Park The Van.
Norway’s JOYLESS are here to punch you in the face (figuratively) with the onslaught of their new single, “Cool?” The band critique social media-based perfection on the song – they skewer the double life that lots of people live with a super-upbeat instrumental paired with a scathing lyrical critique. It’s done with enough bratty punkiness and super-smart melodies (how about that chorus?!) that bring to mind bands like The Hives, PUP, and FIDLAR. “Cool?” is out now via Vestkyst Records. You can also find “Cool?” on Apple Music and Spotify. Joyless · Cool?