Loving this dreamy, bedroom-pop jam from Colorado-based project A Paper Corner. “I Don’t Know” is built around a call-and-response keyboard riff that bounces back and forth with a captivating urgency. It’s padded with spaced-out vocals and a funky slap bass accompaniment. We think fans of Porches, Washed Out, or Tame Impala are going to love this one as much as we did – check out the DIY vid below and be sure to swing by Spotify to add it to your playlists.
NYC duo TOLEDO are no strangers to buffaBLOG – we were digging them all the way back in 2018 with their dreamy, creamy ode to the passage of time, “Hot Stuff.” They’re back again with another delightfully atmospheric indie pop jam called “You Won’t.” Fans of Hovvdy, Phoebe Bridgers, or Whitney are going to love this one – with hooks aplenty underneath a backbone of simmering, dreamy-pop goodness, “Won’t” will soothe you (while also getting stuck firmly in your head). Check it out below – it’s also on Spotify. TOLEDO · You Won’t
London’s Dead Slow Hoot coming through with the swirly post-punk flavor of “Taller Tree.” Featuring a bevy of chorus-laden guitar whirls, a super-tight drum sound, and a perfectly-monotone vocal delivery, “Taller Tree” feels like the moody step-child of Joy Division and The National. This one is dark, anthemic, and poetic – naturally, we feel inclined to share it with you. Check out “Taller Tree” below – it’s also on Spotify. Dead Slow Hoot · Taller Tree
We’ve all been there… You’re minding your own business and then out of nowhere, your thoughts get way too real and you have an existential crisis right there on the spot. Jesop has encapsulated that anxious neurosis on his latest jam, “My Daily Existential Crisis.” Juxtaposed effortlessly against an urgent backbone of noisy dream-pop, “Crisis” fully dissects the doom spiral of a panic attack while also being fully and surprisingly pleasant to listen to. We think this one checks all the boxes – check it out below, support it via Bandcamp, or stream it using Spotify. Jesop · My Daily Existential Crisis
There’s something delightfully unsettling about HARMS’ new single, “Devil Vs. Cherub…” Maybe it’s the huge, industrial-tinged guitar fuzz, but it could also be the almost-cacophonous chord progression. Maybe it’s the post-punk anguish of the Cure-esque, breaking-up vocal delivery. Either way, “Cherub” caught out ears for it’s one-of-a-kind feel and raucous individualism. Check it out below – it’s also on Spotify. HARMS · 02 Devil Vs. Cherub MASTER V1
Temples of Youth are a UK-based duo who combine elements of shoegaze, grunge, and synth-pop into their compositions. Their latest offering, “Mercury,” is on the grungier side of things – full of thick and crunchy guitars lines, psychedelic swirling, and a spaced-out vocal delivery, this one will appeal equally to fans of Nirvana, Slowdive, and every band in between. This one is a secret earworm – check it out below or swing by Spotify if that’s your preferred streaming platform. Temples of Youth · Mercury
Loving this sparkly, airy indie-pop tune from Denmark-based act MoonBee. “You Are Not A Lonely Planet” combines soothing aspects of dream-pop, nu-disco, and electropop into a galactic exploration of love and the infiniteness of the universe. Between the excellent vocal delivery and the shimmery, retro-adjacent instrumental palette, this one has the perfect vibes that will put you in a lovely headspace. Don’t miss out – Check it out via YouTube below or on Spotify if you want to add it to your playlists.
Buffalo indie/emo mainstays Wild Once are back (or still here, rather) with a brand new music video for “Alone by Choice” – the video showcases the band’s members in various states of relative solitude before bringing back them together to play in the same room once more. In an impressively choreographed shot, singer Tom Mayer plays his guitar in a kayak… Hopefully it didn’t fall overboard. This video feels especially poignant after the socially distant hell that most of us have been living through this past year. For that matter, Wild Once’s unique brand of ambient punk-meets-indie-meets-americana energy is the perfect accompaniment. Wild Once recorded “Alone by Choice” with Jay Zubricky at GCR studios this past August 2020. If you like what you see/hear, it can be found on We Did it Anyway, out now on Bandcamp and Spotify
Here’s an infectious indie popper from Austrian quartet Hearts Hearts and their collab partner OSKA. “The Fan” has a distinctly island-y vibe, perfect for poolside jamming or feel-good get-togethers… But since most of us are trapped inside by snow (and/or socially isolated) right now, rocking out unabashedly to “The Fan” is the next best option! Check out the video below – it’s a colorful, vintage-flavored affair that perfectly matches the song’s happy aesthetic.
We like this quirky indie-popper from Canadian singer/songwriter Kelly McMichael. “Out the Window” has enough blips and bloops to bring to mind 80s staples like Cyndi Lauper or The Cars, but bubbles with enough early aughts indie rock energy to please nuanced millennial ears. The video finds Kelly & co. having a good time romping around their homes and playing a show on stage (RIP shows)… Check it out below or via Bandcamp if that’s more your thing.
Singapore-based duo Causeway Youth recently jangled their way into our hearts with the dreamy indie pop of “Small Talk.” Their particular brand of emo-tinged dream-pop brings to mind Turnover or Real Estate – with a sunny guitar delivery, vaguely romantic lyrics about awkward small talk, unique chord progressions, and a sincere vocal delivery, this one feels timeless while also appealing to fans of the mid-aughts indie/emo scene. Give these two a listen via Bandcamp below, or Spotify if that’s more your thing. Small Talk by Causeway Youth
Ultra-chill, LA-based singer/songwriter Kowloon is no stranger to buffaBLOG – we’ve previously featured his low-key, soundtrack-to-a-nighttime-drive tune “Come Over.” He’s back with another trademark jam, also respectfully understated, called “Late Last Night.” Pairing nu-disco guitar bleats with a super-tasteful, simmering instrumental, “Late Last Night” feels like it would be as great relaxing beachside as it would for a romantic night in. Don’t sleep on Kowloon – check it out below via Soundcloud or at Spotify via the provided link. Kowloon · Late Last Night
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)
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
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.