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.
Brighton, UK’s I Feel Fine hit that sweet spot between emo, indie rock, and math rock, perfectly evident on their latest offering, “Selfsame.” Bringing to mind other genre luminaries like The Hotelier, American Football, and Buffalo’s own Del Paxton, “Selfsame” itches that basement show vibe, but does it with excellent production and tight instrumentation… Not to mention their excellent use of gang vocals. Check out the animated music video for “Selfsame” below – you can also find IFF on Spotify and Bandcamp.
L.A. EXES are essentially a supergroup (dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover an excellent pedigree), so it’s not too surprising we’ve been digging their latest offering, “Skinny Dipping.” With plenty of retro rock vibes, effervescent lyrical content, and lots of surf-y riffs, the EXES are here to get you feeling good and staying loose while the rest of our summer days trickle away. Their music video features a backyard shindig with lots of animal masks – the perfect feel-good imagery for this lighthearted tune. Watch the fun-filled music video for “Skinny Dipping” below – if you like it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
There’s something lovely about “Weak Ends,” the new song from Doug Tuttle. With hints of Wilco, Tom Petty, The War on Drugs, and his own brand of dreampop flavor, “Weak Ends” comes out swinging with an immediately catchy and wholesome melody. Doug really has an ear for catchiness – it’s borderline impossible not to bob your head along to this one. “Weak Ends” is out now on Wild Honey Records – you can also find Doug’s entire discography on Spotify. Wild Honey Records · Doug Tuttle – Weak Ends
Brooklyn’s Sea Glass and Sky Adler teamed up for this cool collab titled “Pinecone Alley.” Sea Glass is a unique collaborative project where each track features a co-writer/vocalist. The electronic backbone here is bolstered by organic guitar strumming and catchy guitar twinkling – Adler’s vocal contributions, however, is what really got us hooked. A uniquely rhythmic chorus about dropping everything and moving to the woods (at least from what we could glean) should be enough to get you sucked in too. You can find “Pinecone Alley” on YouTube (below), Bandcamp, or Spotify.
The last time we checked in with South Africa’s Bye Beneco, we were really feeling their single, “It’s Not True Love” (and its hot-n-bothered music video treatment). They’re back with another synthy dream-pop tune in the form of “Red Dress;” The video highlights a passionate dance routine, but we think you’ll be smitten by the intense synth work and bubbling rhythms here too. Watch the video for “Red Dress” below – you can also stream it on Spotify.
Sweden’s CBKtrxx knows how to write a lo-fi pop tune, as evidenced by their latest single, “Slowly.” Airy synths, plodding bass rhythm, and heavenly vocals give this one it’s personality, not to mention a tasteful retro flavor that sounds as timeless as it does contemporary. This song is about taking things day-by-day – and the mood of the music perfectly matches that sentiment. If you’re feeling it as much as we are, “Slowly” can be found on Spotify too. cbktrxx · Slowly
VVARD is a Dutch/Indonesian singer, songwriter, and producer whose latest jam, “Touch You” has been blasting in the buffaBLOG offices as of late. With a subtly-swung beat, airy vocals, and catchy indie-pop sentiment, “Touch” reminds us of the best parts of bands like Now, Now; Men I Trust, or Sylvan Esso. If you’ve been feeling lonely and looking forward to the touch of your loved one, this tune was tailor-made for you. If you like “Touch You” as much as we do, check it out on Apple Music or Spotify.
CW: eating disorders Here’s a super powerful one from Germany’s Novaa – “I’m Hungry” perfectly encapsulates the struggles of having an eating disorder and does it with fantastic, honest, and powerful story telling. Lyrically this one is best heard for yourself, but otherwise, this excellently-unassuming slice of electropop (think Sylvan Esso, Phantogram) highlights Novaa’s soothing voice and penchant for relaxing and sophisticated instrumentals. This one moved us – listen below and if you like it, swing by Spotify to add “I’m Hungry” to your playlist. Novaa · I’m Hungry
We just couldn’t resist the ultra-cool electropop from Netherlands-based ANNNA here on “Sunburn.” If the song’s title wasn’t hint enough, this tune is the ultimate summer jam – try it out poolside or at your next family BBQ. We guarantee your mom will like the retro disco flavor without sacrificing any of the 2021-era production value that your cool cousins crave. Laid back, catchy, and summery – the perfect way to kick back and relax as we enter these upcoming dog days. Preview “Sunburn” below – you can also find ANNNA on Spotify. ANNNA · ANNNA – Sunburn (Official Master)
California quintet The Volclays caught our ears recently with their latest jam, “Fell For You.” They make a unique mix of psych rock, surf-inspired music, and new wave flavor, reminiscent of The Growlers or Allah-Las. Right away, you’ll notice a buzzy keyboard wiggling it’s way through the track – the cherry-on-top of a groovy, reverb-drenched, goth-tinged good time. We think you’ll like “Fell For You” too – check it out below via Bandcamp (on their EP, Talk It Over), or swing by their Spotify to check them out there. Talk It Over by The Volclays
Doo Crowder specializes in “avant/traditional music” or “praying in the dark-core” (their words, not ours)… But somehow, these genre amalgamations make total sense when you listen to his latest offering, “Gratitude.” Crowder (and his accomplices Celie Dailey and Shana Vorhauer) have crafted a borderline freak-folk, electronica-flavored tune with a pure and honest sunny disposition. This one would sit comfortably on a shelf next to the output of early 2000s Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, or Electric President. We’re totally smitten with the squiggly synth splashes throughout “Gratitude.” Check it out below via YouTube or swing by Spotify for a streaming option.