Latest Posts

Andrea Franz – “Sweet Things”

February 13, 2022

Mexican-American singer-songwriter Andrea Franz is based in Southern California and you can really hear the sunny warmth of the environment come through in her latest jam, “Sweet Things.” Between the sugary-sweet melodies; the vintage synth backbone; and Andrea’s dreamy presence, this one has us feeling woozy in all the right ways… Lovelorn-but-smart, for multiple reasons, “Sweet Things” feels like the perfect song to throw on your upcoming Valentine’s Day playlist. “Sweet Things” is available below via SoundCloud – you can also find it on Spotify if that’s more your thing. Andrea Franz · Sweet Things

TEEN BLUSH – “Turning”

February 13, 2022

TEEN BLUSH is dream-pop-meets-new-wave – literally, right in the middle. Imagine a 1980s based new-wave band attempting to write a modern dream-pop track and you’ll have their latest offering, “Turning,” pumping through your audio device. It’s dark-but-warm; vintage-but-contemporary; and driving-but-calculated. Without typing too many more oxymoronic phrases, it’s a post-punk throwback that will have you feeling nostalgic without sacrificing any of 2022’s emotional sensibility. You can peep “Turning” via Soundcloud (below), but you can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music. TEEN BLUSH · Turning

Lividream – “IDONTCARE”

February 13, 2022

Who DOES care?! Not Lividream – although you wouldn’t be able to tell from the ultra-smooth seventies-flavored, indie-funk vibes here on “IDONTCARE.” Based in LA, Lividream (aka Bryan Rojas) created this indie-rock turned synth-pop project with the goal of getting you “groovin’ n movin” (his words not ours). One listen to “CARE” and we’re pretty sure that you’ll be convinced that he hit his mark – between the swimmy atmospherics and deep groove, “IDONTCARE” will certainly have at least one part of your body swaying with the rhythm. Check it out below via Soundcloud – you can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music. Lividream · IDONTCARE

CdR – “Wherever You Go (feat. Mandy)”

February 13, 2022

Here’s a cool collab between English producer CdR and American singer Mandy Muse. “Wherever You Go” was born out of an old (but intriguing) instrumental that Mandy brought to life with her vocals. It’s an excitingly blippy instrumental that Mandy’s airy vocals are perfectly suited for. It helps that Mandy’s “wherever you go” refrain happens to be a solid earworm as well. What’s more, this is the duo’s first collab – here’s hoping we hear more in the future. Check it out via Soundcloud below. CdR · Wherever You Go Ft Mandy

Libby Beard – “Your Dreams”

February 13, 2022

It’s almost memeworthy when a drummer breaks away from their band and creates something of their own, but JR Kurtz (aka Libby Beard) is proving all the haters wrong with their latest offering, “Your Dreams.” Playing around with a Pixies-esque noisy delivery, “Dreams” plays around with raucous (but oftentimes melodic) guitar energy; a bombastic drum presence; and Kurtz’s emotional vocal delivery. It’s perfect for fans from anywhere from Sonic Youth, to Guided By Voices, to PUP, and everywhere in-between. Preview “Your Dreams” below to see what you think – then, add it to your Spotify playlist. Libby Beard · your dreams

Routine Fuss – “Canceled Plans”

February 8, 2022

If you’re looking for something punk-flavored with high energy, we recommend the latest offering from Routine Fuss (aka Avery Black). “Cancelled Plans” has the unbridled energy of Cap’n Jazz with the pop sensibility of modern-day emo… Fitting of the genre, it’s a song about social anxiety and navigating your way through inane conversations that aren’t always sincere, but realizing that there are a special group of people you can always fall back on. Get ready for an onslaught of guitar angst. Check out “Routine Fuss” via YouTube below – you can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

sophie meiers – “collar”

February 6, 2022

Last time we checked in with sophie meiers, we were vibing on the downtrodden pulse of “Mutt.” This time around, we’re excited to share their latest single, “collar,” out now on Epitaph Records. Sophie blends lots of genres on “collar” – it sounds grungy, retro, and modern all at once, pairing 2022 bedroom-pop emotion with retro bass tones and grungy guitar tones. Their hushed delivery helps give it a simmering gothy flavor, perfect for fans that range anywhere from Soccer Mommy to Nine Inch Nails. Check out the music video for “collar” below – you can also stream it on Spotify and Apple Music.

Alex PGSV – “northern poetry”

February 6, 2022

“A song that covers mental health and the fear of growing up. Creating a nostalgia that was never even there.” The words from Charlotte-based act Alex PGSV sum up their latest single perfectly – “northern poetry” is dark and moody in a hauntingly familiar way. A hypnotic vocal cadence starts the song off with a memorable melody – a great way to get your ear hooked. It’s followed by emo-esque vocals dripping with anxiety. What’s most notable here is how the mostly electronic backbone somehow feels organic, adding to the deeply rooted tones of nostalgia.. You can listen to “northern poetry” via Soundcloud (below) or your preferred streaming service: Spotify or Apple Music. You can also check out Alex PGSV · northern poetry – Alex PGSV

Forest Ray – “Always”

February 4, 2022

We’re really loving this psyched-out take on indie-folk from Forest Ray. Bringing to mind the work of Kurt Vile, Jeff Tweedy, or The War On Drugs, “Always” pairs lush acoustic guitar work with an electric piano and noodly slide guitars – they also captured the song using a 24-track, which ultimately gave the finished product a sincere, vintage sound. This one is pure enough to appeal to any diehard folk enthusiast with just enough warble and swirl to please a modern ear more tuned to bedroom pop slackerdom. You can preview “Always” using Bandcamp below, but you can also find it on Spotify. Always by Forest Ray

Gillian – “Who Are You?”

February 4, 2022

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Gillian – the funky indie-poppers have swung through Buffalo a few times on their travels. They’re back with another effortlessly-cool (and startlingly unique) take on indie rock with “Who Are You?” There’s a definite funk-based swing to this song, full of twisting and turning guitar parts; lush and layered vocals; and a distinct attitude that really brings the song to life. On “Who Are You?,” the band encourages people to learn a little bit more about their neighbor… In doing so, maybe it would lead to more outcomes rather than outrage. Check out the song via YouTube below – you can find an exhaustive list of how to listen to their new album, Put It Back Together (on which “Who Are You?” resides), by using this link.

Monsoon – “Third Voice”

February 4, 2022

Something about “Third Voice” by Monsoon just shouldn’t work… Even the band admits it: “This song came out of the lab with a bonkers structure, and nonchalant genre shapeshift midway through. On paper it’s all over the place, and shouldn’t work. But my lab partner and I figured out its chemistry” It’s wonky and janky in the best kind of way. Hush-hush rhythmic vocals meet up with an absolutely huge instrumental backbone. Epic guitars and stadium-sized drums come together to create a strangely pleasant cacophony. “Third Voice” is a song that you just have to experience for yourself… And what better way than in music video form. The band enters a talent show and chaos ensues – it’s the perfect visual accompaniment to this weird, but oh-so-good Frankenstein of genres. Watch the video for “Third Voice” below, and then swing by Spotify or Apple Music to add it to your[...]

Trentemøller – “No More Kissing In The Rain”

January 26, 2022

We’re checking back in with Danish songwriter Trentemøller for his new single, “No More Kissing In The Rain.” Just like “All Too Soon” (which we featured on the blog last year), “Kissing” is an expansive, dark-pop composition that utilizes synth leads, gauzy textures, swelling guitars, and lots and lots of reverb. Bringing to mind a synthier version of Slowdive, “Kissing” plays with somber-but-hopeful emotions, exploring themes of darkness vs. light. The music video is a fitting accompaniment, showing the doldrums of daily life juxtaposed against the importance of having someone important to experience them with. Check out the music video for “No More Kissing In The Rain” below – you can also find the song on Spotify and Apple Music.

Dust Bunnys – “Where You’d Go”

January 26, 2022

Dust Bunnys is the moniker of multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter/producer Nick King – he caught our ears with the infectious melodies of “Where You’d Go.” King (smartly) comes out swinging with the earworm chorus of “I wanna know where you’d go;” it’s a sugary-sweet melody sung over a vaguely lo-fi instrumental spine. “Where” hits that perfect mark of slackerish, effortless bedroom-pop that may have come out of nowhere… But is more than likely a carefully-crafted composition meant to reside in your brain rent-free. Stick around for the dueling guitar/synth solo, it’s drenched in distortion and reverb. Check out “Where You’d Go” via Soundcloud below – you can also find it on Spotify and Bandcamp. Dust Bunnys · Where You’d Go REMASTER 2022

Kindsight – “Sun Is Always In My Eyes”

January 26, 2022

Let’s just say we know what we like! This time, we’re revisiting another tune from Denmark’s Kindsight (last year we featured their single “Don’t You Grow Up“). They continue to put out excellent jangle pop in the vein of Alvvays, Beach Bunny, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart; from “Sun Is Always In My Eyes,” expect lovely vocal melodies, a guitar-driven backbone, and a warm hazy mix that will warm even the coldest of hearts. The song even has a cheeky background story that bolsters its sonic palate of sunny optimism: “[‘Sun In Always in My Eyes’ is about] stealing money from your mother and feigning to run away from home. Being blessed and unable to see because you’ve got too much sun in your eyes.” “Sun” will appear on Swedish Punk, out March 25th on Rama Lama Records. Until then, you can enjoy the song via Soundcloud[...]

The High Water Marks – “Fantastic Machine”

January 20, 2022

American/Norwegian act The High Water Marks are sure to entice you into their indie/psych swirls with their latest single, “Fantastic Machine.” After meeting at an Apples in Stereo show in Oslo, Norway, Hilarie Sidney (of Apples in Stereo and Elephant 6 Recording Co. fame) and Per Ole Bratset formed the band in 2003 to much critical acclaim. They appear courtesy of Minty Fresh and with good reason – their all-encompassing brand of noisy indie-rock is both melodic and consuming, full of frantic drumbeats; sugary harmonies; and electrifying guitar work. Check out why we dig “Fantastic Machine” via the Soundcloud widget below. You can also find the song on Spotify. Fanatic Promotion · The High Water Marks – Fantastic Machine (Single)