We’ve been loving on this single all the way from Ukraine. Kiev-based band HeartBlanch just released “Slow” – an ethereal mix of post-punk and indie rock. Full of haunting vocals, mechanical and calculated guitar strums, and an emotional delivery, we think “Slow” would slot well into any playlist next to Coldplay, Interpol, or Bloc Party. Preview “Slow” via Soundcloud below – if you like it, add it to your Spotify playlist. HeartBlanch · Slow
Not too long ago, we were raving about the psychedelic dream-pop of “All The Rage” by Hotel Decor. What can we say – we’re on a HD kick, this time with the summery 80s vibes of “Could It Take Me Any Longer.” While “Rage” was a bit more Tame Impala inspired, “Longer” feels more like a Still Woozy or Mac Demarco song. With Casio-drum-machine vibes, warbly synths, and wavery guitar shimmering, this one will make a perfect pool side jam for the upcoming months. Check out the bedroom-y DIY music vid for “Longer” below – then add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.
Pale Moon is a unique, multi-continental duo who hail from Iceland and Siberia respectively. They’re inspired by the music of the 1970s (think Fleetwood Mac), but make distinctly 2021-flavored feel-good indie-pop. “Parachutes” is one of those songs that instantly puts you into a good mood – with hints of psychedelic sunshine and a bit of magical retro energy, we think “Parachutes” will find it’s way onto your favorite upbeat playlist. Get familiar with “Parachutes” via the YouTube video below. After that, you can find Pale Moon on Spotify.
Amos the Kid (otherwise known as singer/songwriter Amos Nadlersmith) hit us hard with the laid back swagger of his latest tune, “Alright.” Sounding like a mix of Phoebe Bridgers and Manchester Orchestra, “Alright” plods along with a mid-tempo groove, sounding semi-anxious and quasi-relaxed all at once. The cherry-on-top here are the shared vocal duties with Jensen Fridfinnson, who provides a lovely lilting presence to Amos’ distinct drawl. Check it out below – you can also find Amos the Kid on Spotify. House of Wonders · Amos the Kid – Alright
Here’s a unique slice of freak-folk-inspired indie rock from the Nielsen Family Band. In the lyric video for “Act of Love,” the band places faces (animation by Jordan Capizzi) on the photography of Michelle Johnsen… The result is a bunch of talking mushrooms, flowers, and mountains mouthing the words to this otherwise chill indie rocker. Borderline haunting-falsetto and alt-country-tinged guitar help to keep this one moving along at a pace that keeps things interesting. We really dig this one – check out the lyric video below or swing by the Nielsen Family Band‘s Spotify page for more.
Gord Downey and the Tragically Hip are mythical figures here in Buffalo and beyond, so we’re typically hesitant to give approval to just any old cover of The Hip. We think Toronto-native Tristan Armstrong did a fantastic job capturing the energy of the iconic Canadian band on his cover of “It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night,” all the way down to the album art. A bit of bedroom-pop energy mixed with some Spoon influences, plus Armstrong’s distinct vocal stylings, help this cover embody the eclectic nature of the original with just enough original flare to set it apart. Good stuff, Tristan. You can find “Nashville” on both Bandcamp and Spotify. Tristan Armstrong · It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night
We hope you’ll recognize Colour Tongues from our previous features – the proggy indie rock of “Southbound” and the more colorful indie-pop of “Wasted.” They’re back again with a new song called “Fire” which finds the band turning up the intensity (or at least the tempo) quite a bit. Layered thick with the riffy guitar goodness you’ve come to love from these guys, “Fire” blasts along at a blistering pace. Reminiscent of the indie rock from the late aughts, this one has a sparkling mix that feels unique to Colour Tongues alone. You can listen to “Fire” below – they also have a Spotify with a healthy discography to explore. Colour Tongues · Fire
Last time we checked in with our Swedish friends in ViVii, we were jamming to the sunny dream-pop of their excellent song, “One Day.” We’re happy to say they’re back (!) with another jangle-pop masterpiece, this time in the form of “Smackdown.” Propelled by acoustic guitar strums, a thumping bass presence, and spaced-out otherworldly vocals, “Smackdown” slowly evolves from a bumping indie rocker into something cosmic and dreamy (as only ViVii can do). We dug this one a lot – check out “Smackdown” below or check out ALL the ways you can support ViVii by using this link. ViVii · Smackdown
Loving this kiss-off (pun intended) all the way from Auckland, New Zealand. Lips‘ latest, “Your Deodorant Doesn’t Work” falls somewhere between bratty and tongue-in-cheek (pun intended, again) and the result is something that is both humorous and spot-on. Pointed commentary about natural deodorant, crystal healing, and your band should be enough to put at least a smile on your face (pun intended, again again)… But we digress. The real treat here is that this song is actually incredibly catchy, synth-soaked indie rock with teeth (last pun, we promise). We love this one, including the abstract fun of the music video below. There are lots of ways to enjoy Lips – check them all out here.
Fuzzy duo Sub*T were born from a love of live music… And they didn’t let a cross-country distance stop them from writing a raucous debut single in “Boxing Day.” Jade Alcantara and Grace Bennett have stuffed their song full of ferocious fuzz, driving drums, lyrical sincerity, and a real knack for pop melody. Liz Phair and Veruca Salt would be proud… But so would Great Grandpa and Bully. We think you’re gonna love this debut – check it out on Bandcamp below or swing by Spotify to add it to your favorite playlist. Boxing Day by Sub*T
Last time we checked in with Chicago’s COOL HEAT – we were loving on the haunting-yet-driven vibes of “Letting It Go.” We just can’t get enough of CH’s gothy dream-pop, so we’re sharing another one of our favs… “Levitate.” It is another profoundly haunting track reminiscent of New Order, CASTLEBEAT, or even Salvia Plath – with its driving drums, hooky synth flavor, and ethereal vocals, we think this one will scratch all your spooky itches. Check out the music video for “Levitate” below – you can also find COOL HEAT on Spotify.
UK-based artist-producer duo Telemarkk (aka Max Berg and Asad Siddiqui) know how to write an indietronica jam – case in point, “Bloom.” Full of groovy bassline funk, gauzy synth swells, and a driving dancefloor beat – “Bloom” encapsulates the retro bombast of the 80s while still sounding distinctly 2021. Fans of Daft Punk or Tame Impala are gonna eat this one up. Check it out – “Bloom” is available via Soundcloud. Telemarkk · Bloom
Tried-and-true 90s kid and failed hipster (his words, not ours) Brett Newski has been all around the world playing his brand of brash indie rock… Fun fact: his band is allegedly the first documented band to ever be thrown out of a Wal Mart for playing an unlicensed show. That should tell you all you need to know about his music. His latest, “Life Underwater,” is distinctly 90s influenced with overblown acoustic guitars and just-barely-peaking vocal deliveries. It’s a definite jam, and for what it’s worth, we think Newski’s personality shines through on this. Check it out first via YouTube below – then swing by Spotify to find Brett’s entire discog.
Dolorous is up to something, we just know it. The mysterious multimedia artist (perhaps best known for his music) knows how to hide a unique tale inside of an otherwise innocuous bedroom-pop song. “Arson” sounds like it could be a love song with it’s lovelorn falsetto crooning and Casio-tone clavi-esque backbone… But it’s actually a story about a serial arsonist. We love the juxtaposition of catchy lo-fi indie pop and sinister lyrics and we think you will too – fans of Porches, Still Woozy, and Say Hi should enjoy this a lot. Check out “Arson” below – you can also find Dolorous’ entire catalog on Spotify. Dolorous · Arson
We’ve recently been jamming on this glam rock/folk punk bop from NY-based duo Women of the Night. Reminiscent of Wilco or Son Volt, “Lonesome Love” feels sincere and bedroomy while still embodying a uniquely appropriate “wild-west” alt-country vibe. Besides a healthy dose of swagger, “Love” also features a bunch of tasteful slide guitars and great lyrical storytelling. Check out “Lonesome Love” below – you can also find it on Bandcamp and Spotify. Women of the Night · Lonesome Love