Latest Posts

Dead Leaf Echo – “Milk.Blue.Kisses (Foil In Motion)”

January 20, 2022

Brooklyn-based shoegaze collective Dead Leaf Echo are no strangers to the proverbial spotlight – they’ve been featured on KEXP and have consistently topped the CMJ top 20 indie tracks throughout their career. We’ve found ourselves captivated by the absolute wall-of-sound approach on their latest moody offering, “Milk.Blue.Kisses (Foil In Motion).” Inspired by gothy 80s legends like Depeche Mode as well as legendary shoegaze acts like My Bloody Valentine, DLE manage to jam their songs full of their influence’s footprints while simultaneously trailblazing a sound of their own. Expect an impassioned vocal delivery; guitars dripping with wet chorus textures; and stadium-sized drum tones. “Milk.Blue.Kisses” is available on Soundcloud (below), but we also encourage you to support their work via Bandcamp. dead leaf echo · Milk.Blue.Kisses

Ugly Twin – “Crabs are Crustaceans”

January 20, 2022

Ugly Twin are certainly embracing the seasonal affective disorder here on their latest song, “Crabs are Crustaceans.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between sludgy grunge and melodic emo, “Crabs” crawls at a dirge pace, giving time and space for both their instrumentals and melancholy lyrics to shine. When they’re not singing in a soft , the gigantic, fuzzy guitar presence is highlighted with a squiggly synth line and a surprisingly pop-minded, four-chord progression that’s pleasant on the ears. Fans of Hum, Weezer, and Sunny Day Real Estate are all going to find lots to love here. Check out the lyric video for “Crabs’ below – you can also stream the song via Spotify and Apple Music.

Ozbear – “i’m breaking up with u”

January 20, 2022

Breaking up doesn’t always have to be a bad thing! After all, Ozbear wrote this fun jam after… Well, a break up. “i’m breaking up with u” is meant to be a kiss-off to your soon to be ex; a plucky amalgamation of vintage synth bleats, swung hi-hat percussion, and Ozbear’s endearing lyrical content. After all, rather than an emotionally devastating event, a break up can actually be that “kick in the butt you need to move on and start living your best life…” The lighthearted sonic palate here should be evidence enough that Ozbear’s making the best of it. We think you’re going to enjoy Ozbear’s effervescent vibes as much as we did. Preview “breaking up” via Soundcloud below and then add it to your favorite Spotify playlist. Ozbear · i’m breaking up with u

Ronjo V – “Short On Love”

January 20, 2022

Ronjo V is a South-African-born, raised-Texan who captures the beauty of the open road on his latest single, “Short On Love.” Flush with a southern-esque instrumental palate and an ever-so-melancholy sense of longing, “SOL” pays homage to Ronjo’s commitment to van life and that omnipresent yearning for adventure. It’s done with a super-polished take on indie folk that will stand out especially to fans of Wilco, The War on Drugs, and Kurt Vile. See if you like “Short On Love” as much as we do by previewing via Soundcloud below – it is also available on Spotify. Ronjo V · Short On Love

Yes Kid – “Too Much Feeling (Not Enough Screaming)”

January 19, 2022

LA-based act Yes Kid sent in her brand of indie-rock-meets-emo-pop to our inbox and we’ve been hooked on its charm ever since. You can really feel the awkward, youthful approach (in a good way, we promise!) on “Too Much Feeling (Not Enough Screaming)” as it bubbles and seethes with her anxious-kid energy. If you’re looking for extra explanation, she did “play flute in high school” and has quite an affinity for tuna sandwiches… But fun facts aside, there’s no denying a great emo-pop jam when you hear one. Fans of Adult Mom, Lucy Dacus, and Frankie Cosmos are going to love this. We’ve included a handy Soundcloud widget below for your listening pleasure – “Too Much Feeling” is also available on Spotify and Apple Music. Yes Kid · Too Much Feeling (Not Enough Screaming)

Yot Club – “Deer Island”

January 19, 2022

For all you Buffalonians (and beyond) who are currently frozen solid by this brutal winter vortex, TikTok sensation Yot Club has a springy, summer-y new single to thaw your chilled bones. “Deer Island” is about a real place, a “creepy and liminal” island that once supposedly housed a singing hermit… Yot Club matches those eerily-familiar vibes with a haunting vocal performance of his own, but does it overtop a backbone of comforting drum machines and warm, bedroom-pop guitars. “Deer Island” appears on Yot Club’s newest EP, Santolina, available now on Spotify.

FonFon Ru – “Manicure Manager”

January 19, 2022

Our friends from Portland, ME, FonFon Ru, have just put out a fantastic new single called “Manicure Manager.” The band’s loud, maximalist style juxtaposes interestingly against “MM’s” lyrical content – gnarly punk-meets-glam compositions and full-bodied vocals sing about the intricacies of male grooming, specifically, the pleasure of getting your nails done and feeling handsome having done so. Stick around for the chaotic tempo change at the end – fans of METZ and PUP are going to lose their minds. “Manicure Manager” is available for purchase via the Bandcamp link below; if you prefer to stream, it’s also available on Spotify. Collapse Of The Silver Bridge by FonFon Ru

Ciao Lucifer – “Trip”

January 19, 2022

Here’s a fun one all the way from the Netherlands – indie-pop duo Ciao Lucifer have crafted this dance-in-your-living-room gem (their words, not ours, but perfectly-said!) called “Trip.” The duo, who unabashedly flaunt their bromance, urge you to live in the moment and let your freak flag fly – with an infectious beat; stabs of afro-pop guitar; and a literal kazoo, “Trip” is the epitome of upbeat, sunshine-y energy that’s impossible to ignore. Fans of Vampire Weekend, Scissor Sisters, and Kassav’ are going to love this… Warning: this one WILL make you want to move and groove. Peep “Trip” below via the convenient Soundcloud widget. Ciao Lucifer · Trip

Slow Fiction – “The Cut”

January 19, 2022

There’s an angular element to new single “The Cut” from NYC-based band Slow Fiction that brings to mind the transcendent rock of the early aughts (perhaps not surprisingly rooted in their hometown). Notable elements of The Strokes, Interpol, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs appear strongly in SF’s sound profile – think jangly guitars; a raw, unique vocal delivery; and metronome-solid drums. Despite being rooted in that familiar, nostalgic energy, their jaunty approach still radiates a modern feel that’s fun, exciting, and refreshing. You can check out “The Cut” on their first official release, The Cut/Niagara, out now on Paper Moon Records. It’s available on both Spotify and Apple Music. Slow Fiction · The Cut

Sashaa – “Attachment”

January 16, 2022

Sashaa is here to make you feel something… And if you don’t get a little wishy-washy after a solid listen-through of “Attachment,” we’re not sure what to tell you. “Attachment” is ghostly, haunting, and melancholy in all the right ways… With its plodding guitar work and ethereal vocal presence, it’s almost like an extremely dark version of Porches. It’s a lo-fi slice of pure emotion, but Sashaa stays mum when it comes to the meaning behind “Attachment:” “where words fail. xx I could tell you more about it but I’d have to work it out in therapy. The tonality speaks.” This song scratched that sad itch that we all have deep down in our hearts. Check it out below via Soundcloud – you can also find it on Spotify. Sashaa · Attachment

The Day – “Empty”

January 16, 2022

There’s no denying the energy on this latest jam from Netherlands-based act The Day… In fact, we like it so much, this is our second feature about the song (more on that later). Beyond the earworm melodies and incredible mix of dream-pop and shoegaze, we’d like to draw your eyes to the stunning new video for “Empty.” There’s an obvious use of symbolism here, and while we find it super aesthetic to the eye, the band does a great job of explaining where they’re coming from: “We were using dead flowers, plastic sheets, and soil in an abandoned, run-down apartment. We were looking looking for subversive, disruptive, [&] nervous flickering images that could tell us something about the fight between nature and mankind.” In case you’re wondering, this isn’t the first time we’ve written about The Day – we’ve previously featured their song “We Killed Our Hearts” and previously wrote[...]

PBSM – “Waiting On Your Call”

January 16, 2022

We’ve been digging the latest single from Denmark-based power-duo PBSM – “Waiting on Your Call” reminds us of the dance-rock greats of the early aughts in a nostalgic, but energizing way… Expect disco-y beats, slyly delivered vocals, and a melodic chorus hook to really get your ear hooked. “WOYC” is a part of a new EP, titled Faded, that houses a greater message – the band wants to remind its listeners to: “hold on to all of those feelings – good and bad and grow and reflect from that – instead of let them slip away and become Faded.” Well said guys. Check out “Waiting On Your Call” via YouTube below. You can find all the other different ways to listen to “WOYC” via this link here.

Anonymous Depressed Dogs Club – “The Whole World & Me”

January 12, 2022

The Berlin-based Finns in Anonymous Depressed Dogs Club specialize in fuzzy lo-fi rock – we’ve been jamming on their latest offering, “The Whole World & Me.” There’s a definite “end of the world” vibe on this song, pairing warm and fuzzy guitar distortion with ghastly synths and a trusty drum machine. Though it may be apocalyptic in theme, it’s actually quite melodic, exploring unique chord changes and up-and-down energy while keeping the vocals calm and collected. You can also find “The Whole World & Me” on Apple Music and Spotify. Anonymous Depressed Dogs Club · The Whole World & Me

Ok Cowgirl – “Unlost”

January 12, 2022

Brooklyn’s Ok Cowgirl have just shared their first batch of songs, a collection of songs they’ve aptly-titled Not My First Rodeo. We suggest starting with single and album opener “Unlost,” a swimmy and swirly slice of dream pop reminiscent of Japanese Breakfast, Alvvays, or Turnover. At the forefront, songwriter/singer Leah Lavigne twists and twirls her cathartic lyrics into her somber but melodic compositions – stick around for the emotional “oh-oh” apex at the end of the song. You can check out “Unlost” via the Soundcloud widget below – you can also find it on Spotify. Ok Cowgirl · Unlost

Wombo – “One of These”

January 6, 2022

The new song from Louisville-based trio Wombo exists at the apex of creepy and dreamy – a bass-driven dirge with spiraling, spindly guitar licks and an ever-present drum groove. The single in question, “One of These,” even gets a basement-dwelling music video, complete with spooky lighting in the drab (but apt) location. Falling somewhere between the smart dark-pop of Soccer Mommy and the twisted compositions of Pile, “One of These” is a one-of-a-kind song that, despite it’s uniqueness, never loses it’s sense of pretty melody. We think it will catch your ear in a good way. Check out the music video below – you can also find “One of These” on Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp.