Latest Posts

Ian Deaton – “An Immoral Brain”

February 22, 2021

Atlanta-based musician/film-composer Ian Deaton is here with the frantic 80s electropunk of “An Immoral Brain.” Sounding like the offspring of The Misfits, Atom and his Package, and 1980s post-punk, “Immoral Brain” pairs high-octane keyboard bleats with a blistering Casio drumbeat and Deaton’s deranged-but-restrained lyrics: “I’m a serial killer/but I’m never gonna hurt anyone/I don’t want you to die.” This quirky jam really gets our blood pumping – check it out below or at Ian’s Bandcamp page. Ian Deaton · An Immoral Brain (off the upcoming cassette Moon Howler)

Sunroot x Darkwater and Stars – “Ur Face ‘der”

February 22, 2021

Digging this emotional and cathartic collab between Sunroot and Darkwater and Stars – “Ur Face ‘der” reminds us of early Modest Mouse mixed with elements of modern dream pop and electronica. Sunroot is otherwise known as Mark Richardson, a Houston-based songwriter who has previously played with Daniel Johnston. This collab also features Melissa Shawn Griffin (Darkwater and Stars) – together, they’ve crafted something unique, mysterious, and surprisingly catchy. “Ur Face” defies categorization, it’s best to listen for yourself – check it out below or on Spotify. Sunroot · Ur Face ‘der

Echo Frame – “Red Carpet”

February 19, 2021

Here’s a dope indie rocker from Echo Frame. The Vancouver-based solo act embodies a very 2021 sound on this latest jam while still nodding toward the garage rock of the early aughts (think The Strokes, etc.). A driving bass line, echo-y guitar splashes, and reverbed-out post-punky vocals move this one forward. We think you’re gonna like this a lot – check it out below via YouTube before swinging by Spotify.

Toby Whyle – “Quiet the Silence”

February 16, 2021

Singer/songwriter Toby Whyle is here with the powerfully cathartic indie-pop of “Quiet the Silence.” The Austrian songsmith has been writing songs for over a decade, and his well-earned finesse is quite evident here on “Silence.” Snappy drums, immaculate production, and tasteful synth flourishes help to push this one forward, fleshed out with heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics like: “We just talk to quiet the science/Is there nothing left to say?/We just talk to ease our conscience/I might as well just sleep” This one certainly struck a chord with us, pun intended. Check it out below, Toby is also on Spotify. Toby Whyle · Quiet the Silence

Death From Above 1979 – “One + One”

February 16, 2021

Death From Above 1979 need no introduction… 2004’s You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine is/was an iconic slice of fuzz-dance glory – they also successfully launched a triumphant return in the early 2010s and have been crafting electric dance-punk ever since. Their latest offering, “One + One” continues that successful formula – speaker shredding-bass thunder and ultra-tight drums come together in this video that pairs their sweaty nightclub energy with… Cows and four wheelers? It’s a strange juxtaposition, but this video somehow feels as DFA1979 as ever. We dig this one a lot – watch the vid below before swinging by their Spotify.

Sarah Cicero – “Letter to the Editor”

February 15, 2021

Brooklyn’s Sarah Cicero recently released a fun. indie-pop kiss-off to overrated height. Here in “Letter to the Editor,” Sarah sings, “The only thing I liked at all/was that you were over six feet tall/but you’re done making me feel small/so please don’t call” Beyond eloquently telling a 6′ monstrosity to buzz off, Sarah’s music embodies that sad-and-lonely twenty-something energy… But does it with phat bass tone, melodic hooks, and most importantly, sincerity. “Letter to the Editor” is available pretty much everywhere – check them all out here.

Tiger Darrow – “MRNG BRTH”

February 12, 2021

“MRNG BRTH” is an unconventional pop jam… But that’s exactly why we’re digging it so much. NYC-based singer/songwriter Tiger Darrow has packed her new song full of traditional instruments (think string plucks and violin strums) and pairs it with blippy, Postal-Service-esque electronic flavor. Perhaps it’s no surprise – Tiger started her career as a classical cellist… But it’s still an eclectic slice of pop flavor that truly stands out in a crowded field. This is a must-listen, especially for fans of Billie Eilish or Lorde. Check it out below via Soundcloud. If you like it, Tiger is also on Spotify. Tiger Darrow · MRNG BRTH

Phantom Handshakes – “No Better Plan”

February 12, 2021

Phantom Handshakes is a Brooklyn-based collab between Matt Sklar (Exiles) and Federica Tassano (Sooner, Mônetre). Their latest offering, Be Estranged, houses seven lo-fi, bedroom-pop with lots of dreamy pop sentiment. We’re particularly drawn to the swimmy, post-punk flavor of “No Better Plan.” With it’s plunky, watery guitar lines and earworm na-na-nas, “Plan” will scratch your itch for indie clout AND infectious melodies. Check it out below, they’re on Spotify too. Phantom Handshakes · No Better Plan

HEARTS APART – “Waste Time”

February 12, 2021

Here’s a fun, pop-punky banger all the way from Vicenza, Italy – HEARTS APART caught our ears with the refreshingly simple rock flavor of “Waste Time.” Bringing to mind punk-ish bands like The Menzingers or Alkaline Trio, “Time” (mostly) bounces between two different notes with an urgency that perfectly reflects the lyrical content. There’s no use wasting time being sad… And for that matter, it’s near-impossible to be sad while you’re listening to this. We think you’re gonna like this one – check it out via Bandcamp below or give them some support on Spotify. Waste Time by HEARTS APART

Lo Talker – “Don’t Hide That Light Pt.II”

February 12, 2021

Athens, GA-based Lo Talker are here with a brand new single called “Don’t Hide That Light Pt.II.” It’s an upbeat indielectro tune with a jittery drumbeat and a prominent bassline, all emphasized by squiggly synth presence and ultra-pleasant vocals. The band say “Light” is, “a study in optimism at a time when optimism can be hard to come by…” We can’t help but agree. Fans of Stars, Broken Social Scene, or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! are gonna dig this one a lot. Check it out below or on Spotify.

T-Shirt Dream Party – “Pigs”

February 12, 2021

Manchester quartet T-Shirt Dream Party are back after a long hiatus… They’ve re-introduced themselves with the fantastically shimmery “Pigs,” a dreamy lo-fi rock jam that we can’t help but love. “Pigs” is fleshed out with jangly, spaced-out guitars and heady bass runs… But perhaps most notable here is the soul-crushing falsetto vocal delivery. We think fans of Pink Floyd, DIIV, and even Turnover will all find something to love about “Pigs.” Check it out below or on Spotify. T-Shirt Dream Party · Pigs

Borito – “Song for Dawn”

February 12, 2021

We’re loving the squiggly, swimmy indie pop from Tel Aviv-based duo Borito. They aim to bring you back to simpler times with their music, think, “summer vacation… bringing back innocence, the freedom of loving, living and creating without the obligations and disappointments of adulthood.” We think they nailed it on “Song for Dawn,” which is full of sunny vibes, plucky guitars, and lovestruck lyrics. Check it out below… And then swing by Spotify to add it to your playlist.

balloon maker – “m.boy”

February 12, 2021

Here’s one that goes down real smooth from Swedish quartet balloon maker. Their latest single “m.boy” is a chimey and jangly tune with arpeggiating guitars, airy synths, and a metronome-esque acoustic guitar strum. Reminiscent of the ultra-pleasant, mid-aughts output of Death Cab for Cutie or The Shins, this Göteborg-based quartet “offers a comforting fiction in a mundane reality“(their words, not ours, but we can’t help but agree). This one is sure to put you in a good mood – check it out below, it’s also on Spotify. balloon maker · m.boy

Whiner – “Dog”

February 9, 2021

New Jersey act Whiner caught our ears with the shimmery, almost-uncategorizable indie rock of “Dog.” Is it pop? Is it experimental? Yeah, it’s a little bit of everything (there’s even a hint of shoegazy 90s flavor) and it really works for this particular quintet. Fun fact: you might recognize singer Cameron J. Castan from his stint in previous buffaBLOG mainstays Slowshine. About “Dog,” Whiner says: “Dog is about that nostalgic melancholy feeling when you smell a certain kind of perfume or find a box of old Polaroid photos in your room when cleaning. Your heart aches for that moment.” This one is truly soaking in sincere, heart-on-your-sleeve sentiment with an amazing instrumental behind it. Check it out below – it’s also on Spotify. Whiner · Dog

Juniper – “Daydream (Brake Lights)”

February 9, 2021

We think you’re gonna love the smooth indie R&B of young Boston trio Juniper. Fresh out of college (they’re collectively 21 years of age), they’re relative newcomers to the scene but craft carefully-nuanced indie-pop with strong jazz and bedroom-pop influences. There’s obviously some delightfully noodly guitar here, but beyond that, “Dayream” is full of tasteful keyboards and a super-tight drum groove that’s sure to get you feeling smoothed-out. Check it out below, it’s also on Spotify. Juniper · Daydream (brake lights)