Latest Posts

Ayka – “Let Go”

December 16, 2025

Ayka is colloquially known as the moniker of the Norwegian-Turkish musician Ayça Lingaas – her latest, “Let Go,” bridges the gap between Wet Leg’s effervescence and In-Rainbows-era Radiohead’s organic indie drive. Powered by squiggly guitars, bells, super tight drums, and Ayka’s glassy-eyed delivery, there’s something here for all the various indie-heads out there. Here’s a little bit more about the song from Ayka herself:   “The song is about being on the brink of letting something go and imagining the aftermath – but still staying for a little while – just to see how things unfold and maybe a reason to stay arises? ‘It’s not me, it’s you!'”   “Let Go” is available via YouTube (below), or Spotify.    

Fires of Cheektowaga – “Slowburn”

December 16, 2025

We sincerely hope Cheektowaga, NY isn’t on fire – the Walden Galleria Mall is struggling enough already. But we are sincerely captivated with the psyched-out shoegaze coming from Toronto-based act Fires of Cheektowaga. Expect plenty of MBV energy with a hint of The Dandy Warhols – tasty guitar work, wild rhythmic smashes, and enough swirling textures to forego your next acid trip. Simultaneously grungy and beautiful, FoC sure know how to manhandle a guitar.   “Slowburn” is available on Bandcamp (below) or Spotify.   Slowburn – Single Version by Fires of Cheektowaga

West Ferry – Watching the World Run By

December 15, 2025

West Ferry have been not-so-quietly building an oeuvre of passionate, emo-tinged indie punk for 15 years. They’re back with another three-song EP, Watching the World Run By, which finds the band pushing their sound even further, playing around with Midwest emo riffing, folk-tinged punk, and raw emotive passion.   Opening track “Ralph” is as Midwest as it comes – a twinkling guitar riff is the star of the show here, setting the scene for hard-hitting lyrics. Lines like “I’m gonna break every rule so you react / gonna count down every minute till you get back / gonna act like I don’t hear you call my name / gonna clean your plate, gonna keep you SAFE!” are spit out with defiance and a voice-breaking intensity – reminiscent of Conor Oberst’s Bright Eyes, but a bit more aligned with the high-intensity punk of Desaparecidos. Keep your ears peeled around the 2:10[...]

Jared Bill – Unknown Country

December 14, 2025

This ain’t Jared Bill‘s first rodeo… At least on buffaBLOG. The international man of mystery is back with another batch of interesting and captivating songs, their deeper meanings often inscrutable, but certainly never boring. The album is called Unknown Country – a 10 song collection of whatever the hell Jared wants, set off by his trademark deep country baritone. We’re gonna go ahead and say that Unknown Country is the perfect name for this album, because it is. Jared’s always going to keep you guessing – and laughing – while you make your way through these songs about Appalachia, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and… Jai Alai?   You might be expecting flat out country music from Jared, but opening song “The Cruise” is closer to a 1980s-era post punk jam. Electronic disco drums and plucky guitars power this one forward, with, of course, Jared’s trademark baritone. In case you’re questioning the absurdity that might[...]

Teaboi – “nostalgiaquest”

December 7, 2025

Teaboi aims to create music for “all the people in the early 2000s who grew up on typing in address bars on their laptop as their primary form of entertainment…” And honestly, we’re the exact target demographic.   “nostalgiaquest” sounds like the loop behind your favorite, long-lost Newgrounds.com Flash game, or maybe the soundtrack to some long-lost AMV featuring Goku or Vegeta or something… These are all assuredly compliments, as the squiggly, 8-bit inspired tones and earworm melodies that would feel fresh and fun in the latest Sonic the Hedgehog offering certainly bring back those early-internet memories.   “nostalgiaquest” is available now via bandcamp (below), or on Spotify.   4081 players adventuring right now by Teaboi

Jacob the Horse – “666 Chicks”

December 7, 2025

Jacob the Horse throws up the proverbial (or literal, we guess) devil horns on latest single, “666 Chicks.” Imagining a world where women attack men to subjugate and eat them is a wild concept… But “666 Chicks” is a wild song, and this one certainly has the energy to embody that kind of ideology. Expect face-mashing drums, face melting guitars, and a speak/scream vocal that’s witty like The Hold Steady and vitriolic like Viagra Boys. Our favorite line, which we think encapsulates the whole shebang, is the following:   “My grandmother Hannah used to throw Molotov cocktails at Nazis / and I’m paying $10 for coffee / and writing bad poetry / there’s no hope for me”   “666 Chicks” is available on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.    

Alec Craig – “less”

December 7, 2025

Alec Craig is from Grand Rapids, MI. Is that considered Midwest? If the flavors on his latest offering, “less,” are any indication… Then yes, Michigan is considered the Midwest. Expect twinkly, start/stop guitars with jaunty rhythms, harmonics, and lots of widdly-widdly riffs. It’s set off by Alec’s raw and emotive vocals, which, in true Midwest fashion, were all home-recorded. It sounds exactly what you’d be hoping for, and exactly how we explained it… Because we’re professional bloggers, after all. Buffalo is an honorary Midwest town anyway.   “less” can be found on Spotify – embedded below.  

Very Nice Person – “Underwater”

December 3, 2025

The world needs more very nice people, and if Very Nice Person are anything like their namesake, then we’re happy to shine a light their way. Beyond being incredible human beings (we hope), they also happen to write excellent music, which (finally) brings us to the topic of this blog, their new single “Underwater.” Starting out as blips and bloops, the song eventually blooms into a blown-out indietronica earworm that Portugal. The Man probably wishes they wrote first. The Malibu-based duo count Aphex Twin, Phoenix, and Bjork in their list of influences too, which we find apropos.   “Underwater” is also available on Spotify.    

Not Your Babe – “Katie”

December 3, 2025

Not Your Babe is a love song from one sister to another… Full disclosure – I don’t have a sister, but I do have a brother, and I can imagine if this song was called “Jake” that I would probably feel extra connected to this one. But, semantics aside, “Katie” is a stunner from this Redding, CA, Cam-Tyler-led act. Full of fun and punchy energy with a beachy flavor you’d expect from a CA act (even though Redding is ostensibly in the exact center of the state). Expect plenty of twangy guitars and an inspired vocal from Tyler that hits the nail on the head by encapsulating the nuances of having a sibling relationship once you’re both all grown up.   You can find “Katie” below (bandcamp) or on Spotify.   Not Your Babe by Not Your Babe

New Words – “Gave You More”

December 3, 2025

Buffalo-based New Words is led by vocalist Benny Scheibel – they’re here with the ’00s-inspired bombast of new single, “Gave You More.” With the energies of Jimmy Eat World and a hint of All-American Rejects, “Gave You More” is built around a super catchy guitar rhythm and a rolling drumbeat. Scheibel’s vocals are proud and powerful, complimented perfectly by the thundering basslines found here. This one was tailor-made for anyone processing a breakup – so, especially if you’re feeling heartbroken, let the anthemic vibes run through your bones and be prepared to be humming this one the rest of the week.   “Gave You More” is available on Spotify, too.  

Big Sleep – “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo”

December 3, 2025

Big Sleep are doing a lot of doo-ing on their latest single, “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.” With the energy of The Strokes that have been listening to a little bit too much Interpol, Big Sleep have those jangly garage-rock chords ringing true, while also sounding a little bit downtrodden. Downtrodden in a good way of course – this one is catchy as hell. From what we can tell, this Dublin quartet usually keeps to the expansive and atmospheric (and godspeed to that, folks), but we’re here for this new doo doo doo doo doo energy too.   You can find “Doo x5” on Spotify too.    

Ananya Ashok – “Unrealized Dreams”

December 3, 2025

Ananya Ashok combines classical South Indian influences with modern indie-pop songwriting to create her very own signature sound – if that’s not incentive enough to check out her latest single, “Unrealized Dreams,” we don’t know what is. Built around the distinct sound of the veena (you can look it up, we had to too), “Unrealized Dreams” carries a distinctly Indian flair without ever venturing into world music territory. In fact, if they did it as well as Ananya does, more artists should consider using it for its lovely twang. On top of that, Ananya’s voice is subtle but beautiful, and her melodies are incredibly tasteful… And since this song is about trying to have a more open mind, you should just listen to the song anyway.   You can find “Unrealized Dreams” on Spotify and Apple Music.    

The Empty Page – “When We Gonna Run?”

November 28, 2025

The Empty Page want you to know that their latest single, “When We Gonna Run?” is set in an apocalyptic hellscape – 2025… And even though this trio is from Manchester, that’s a hard relate from us on that one. The anxious energy found on “WWGR?” is palpable and matches the song’s urgency, about wanting to get the hell out of “here,” perfectly – expect overdriven guitars, a freaked-out feeling verse vocal, and a super tasty chorus hook to bring it all home. Fans of Pity Sex, Mannequin Pussy, and SPRINTS are gonna dig this a lot.   You can find “When We Gonna Run?” utilizing the bandcamp embed below, or, use Spotify.   When We Gonna Run? by The Empty Page

Super Flea – Demo

November 28, 2025

It would be safe to assume we’re writing a nostalgia piece about the popular, Cheektowagan market that closed in 2014 and was revitalized in 2022… But no, we’re talking about a new emo/pop punk crew that have named themselves Super Flea. Cooper Taylor and John Carr (of Autoignition, Speed Dial, and other projects) teamed up with Milo Duhn to come out swinging with a three-song EP, simply called Demo… With a few friendly faces in tow. Expect fantastic drumming from Del Paxton’s Greg McClure and the tried-and-true Jay Zubricky/GCR Studios treatment, who both suit this project perfectly.   If their pedigree tells us anything, Taylor/Carr are becoming masters of pop-punk songwriting. Opening track, “86,” is a great place to start – blistering drums from McClure lay the groundwork for Taylor/Carr explosiveness. Fans of Knuckle Puck, Neck Deep, and The Story So Far will enjoy the bratty, gravel-voiced vocals and sharp[...]

Essy – “Thinking About You”

November 22, 2025

Essy is a master songwriter, having written for a bunch of artist on major labels… But we’re highlighting her personal single right now, “Thinking About You.” This is synthpop at its finest – gauzy and easy-going with lyrics about love and regret. It’s the title track of Essy’s new EP not too hot//not too cold and it’s not hard to see why. Give this one a chance, the mysterious verses have a wonderful pull, bursting into a pop-soaked chorus that’s catchy as all get out.   “Thinking About You” is available via YouTube (embedded below) and on Spotify.