Freedom Fry are no strangers to buffaBLOG – we’ve previously featured their singles “Strange Attraction;” “Party Down;” and “Brave.” They’re at it again – another nu-disco-tinged synthpop jam called “Smile.” There’s no denying that bouncing bassline… but beyond that, the uplifting lyrics and ultra dance-able vibes here are irresistible. “Smile” is available on Spotify – be sure to add it to your favorite playlist. freedomfry · Freedom Fry – Smile
Always You (you might recognize them by their former name, Ablebody) is an LA-based duo of identical twins (Christoph and Anton Hochheim) made up of members of other, recognizable bands (Beach Fossils + Jerry Paper). We’re recommending their latest offering, “Have It Your Way” – it’s a timeless indie rock tune with elements from several different decades – some dreamy, some synth-y, all dope. Check out the video for “Have It Your Way” below – you can also find their music on Spotify.
Portsmouth-based indie rockers FLOWVERS have an aggressive sound that evokes the indie rock of the late 80s and mid-90s. We recommend listening to their latest single, “When It Comes To It.” Don’t let this band of 19-year-olds fool you with their age – “When It Comes To It” pairs raucous guitar noise and chant-along vocals that have more in common with Pixies than the 2021 landscape. FLOWVERS is also on Spotify – check out their discography here. FLOWVERS · When It Comes To It (Demo)
We’re super drawn to this dark indie rocker from our Toronto-based friend JEEN. Bringing to mind Bully, Hole, and Dum Dum Girls, “Maybe I’ll Be Gone” takes rip-roaring guitars and a melancholy mood and spins it into a brutally catchy chorus. It’s emotional, heavy, and energetic – just how we like it. Preview “Maybe I’ll Be Gone” below – if you like it, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist. JEEN. · MAYBE I’LL BE GONE
Mobley Way is a duo making indie-pop music like our latest fav, “Today.” There’s something airy and effervescent about “Today” – chiming guitars, ghostly falsetto vocals, and hush-hush drums work together to create something soothing, but aurally interesting. The vintage-film aesthetic for “Today’s” music video certainly is a mood – check it out below. You can find “Today” on Spotify too.
H A U N T E R is a unique listen – a sample-based project that blends electronic elements with live drumming and instrumentation. H A U N T E R is otherwise described as a curation by drummer Sander Bryce; we recommend starting with his latest offering, a single called “Witching Hour.” Here, choppy vocal samples are cut and pasted into a catchy melody while Bryce’s impressive drumming chops provide an interesting rhythmic layer underneath. “Witching Hour” is all over the internet now – pick your preferred listening method here. H A U N T E R · Witching Hour
Synth-soaked trio Glass Spells specialize in retro-flavored compositions that bring to mind 80s post-punk mixed with modern day synthpop flavor. Today, we’re highlighting one of our latest favorite finds, “Shattered;” beyond the obviously earworm chorus, this one is full of tasty, vintage synth tones; warm (and also icy cold) female vocals; and a healthy dose of nostalgia. Fans of Crystal Castles, Still Corners, and CHVRCHES will definitely find lots to love here. You can pre-order Glass Spells’ upcoming LP, also titled Shattered, via Bandcamp. Until then – enjoy the fuchsia-hued video for “Shattered” below.
Jesse Smith and Aaron Sternick are the multi-state electropop duo who make up Welcome Center – the Dallas/Philly duo have been cranking out lovely, synth-laden tunes since their inception in 2017. They caught our ears with the ultimate-chill-out vibes of their latest single, “Burn.” At six-and-a-half minutes, this one is certainly an aural journey, but the subtle undertones of yacht rock bliss really helped propel this one into our hearts. We’ve been sitting back and pretending we’re relaxing on our boats somewhere tropical… But Welcome Center’s modern vibes help us to remember it’s 2021 and not 1976. Check out “Burn” via YouTube below… You can also find it on Spotify if that’s more your thing.
There’s no band quite like Buffalo’s own Mallwalkers – the nine (?) piece band has been shattering eardrums with their punk/funk raucousness for essentially the last decade. Before they hang up their menagerie of brass/whistles/strings for good, they’re saying farewell with a final LP, Do Something Drastic. We’re highlighting the first single from the record, “Wasting Away;” expect fuzzed-out guitar antics, a full horn section, and bratty punk energy from this one-of-a-kind act. There’s going to be a nonet-sized hole in the Buffalo music scene for quite some time, but at least they’re going out the way they came in… Having fun making noise. Mallwalkers’ final LP, Do Something Drastic, comes out on August 6th via One Percent Press. Preorder it here, and until then, stream the new single via Spotify.
New Orleans-based quartet Baby in the 90s caught our ears with the gentle, but soaring indie rock of “Chipmunk.” Pairing passionate vocals with twinkly guitars that explode into walls of sound, Baby in the 90s would fit comfortably on a shelf next to other indie/emo luminaries like Manchester Orchestra, All Get Out, and Microwave. They’ve crafted an animated music video to go along with this excellent tune too – expect lots of animal antics. You can find Baby in the 90s latest offering, Rebuilt From Memory, on Bandcamp. If streaming is more your thing, be sure to check it out on Spotify too.
Gary is a cool collab between two longtime friends – Jayson Gerycz (of Cloud Nothings) and the titular Gary Spolarich. If their pedigree wasn’t reason enough to check this out, we think the blistering indie punk energy of “Sorry To Bother You” will suffice. There is definitely some Cloud Nothings flavor in this one – think angular guitar, bratty vocals, heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, and drum insanity, but Gary is a dope enough project to stand alone. Take a listen below and we think you’ll see why. Ideas Riding (upon which “Sorry To Bother You” resides) is out now on Old Flame Records. You can find “Sorry To Bother You” on Bandcamp below, or stream it on Spotify. Gary – Ideas Riding by Old Flame Records
Here’s a super chill one from Portland-based bedroom popper, Bory (aka songwriter Brenden Ramirez) – “Sidelined” is one of those songs that just immediately puts you in a good headspace. When you make it to the warm, melody-soaked chorus with it’s bouncing bass line and descending melody, you’ll know why we chose to feature this one. The added bonus – there’s a hint of melancholy here to really bring it home. You can find “Sidelined” on Bandcamp and Spotify. Bory · Sidelined
Here’s a rip-roaring good time from Dojo Holiday. Reminiscent of Wavves, Cloud Nothings, or Jay Reatard, “Whitney’s Lair” is a wall of noisy guitar cacophony and distorted vocals that is somehow also ridiculously catchy. At a brisk 1:48, this one is over before you know it… But it’s brevity is also its strength, a noisy punk jam that never overstays its welcome and begs for repeat listens. Check out the visually stunning animated music video below – if you’re feeling it, it’s available on Spotify too.
Fuzzed-out, transatlantic duo Sky Is Alright is here to blow your face off with a wall of shoegaze noise – we recommend starting with their latest offering, “Catacombs.” By pairing Smashing Pumpkins fuzz-levels with a haunting, whispery vocal delivery reminiscent of Placebo or Silversun Pickups, Sky is Alright achieves a droning, melancholy feel… But there’s also a surprising amount of pop melody tucked into the folds of fuzz here, with flashes of harmonized guitar leads and clever, cathartic wordplay. If you like what you hear, check out “Catacombs” on Bandcamp and Spotify. Sky is Alright · Catacombs
Digging this one all the way from Austria – Leyya is a collaborative project between musicians Sophie Lindinger and Marco Kleebauer, and together, they’ve crafted this deeply groovy mix of indie, nu-disco, and electronica. This one feels like it was made for a dancefloor; a jittery rhythm and bouncing bass will surely make you want to move… But there’s also a melancholy darkness here – and they manage to keep that feeling going even through a catchy chorus. Check out the official lyric video for “Lately” below – you’ll also find Leyya on Spotify if that’s more your thing.