Brooklyn NY’s PUPPYFACE embodies dreamy somberness with their latest endeavor, “Anxious Eyes.” Complete with a Sailor Moon-themed karaoke accompaniment, “Anxious Eyes” is a multi-media experience that straddles the line between soul-crushing emotion and gaudy (in a good way), 80s sentiment. This one is certainly an ethereal production – skewing just as much shoegaze as it does synthpop – check out the vid below and if you dig it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
Ireland’s Brass Phantoms have a big indie popper on their hands with their latest offering, “Hurricane.” Full of whoa-oh singalongs, blistering guitar work, and energy for days, “Hurricane” could fit comfortably on any modern rock radio station. The commercial sensibility is certainly there, but they also take a moment to break into a vibey, jammy section of the song that really shows off their cohesion as a unit. This one is a real jam – check it out below or swing by their Spotify to hear more. Brass Phantoms · Hurricane
Something about the whirly elements of “Brick” by Baltimore act Sleeve is incredibly captivating. Maybe it’s the squiggly, ghostly keyboard elements… Maybe its the sincerity of the bedroom recording quality… Maybe its the psych elements that seem to swirl and twirl around your brain. Either way, we’re totally enthralled with this one. Be sure to stick around for the big feel change at 1:50 – it’s divine. Check it out below on Bandcamp – you can find this one on Spotify too. sleeve & mala by sleeve
Digging this fresh and cerebral jam from singer/songwriter Matthew Kilby. Loving the super tight indie rock feel on this one; the vibes here are springy and warm, reminiscent of Talking Heads with a hint of Crumb and the 1980s. What we love most are Kilby’s ear-catching lyrical bombs – barbs like “you’re a baby talk liar with a flight attendant smile” sting with sheer creativeness. Either way, we think this one will find its way onto your playlist. Check it out on YouTube below or Spotify.
Somebody’s Child has us head-bobbing with their latest infectious indie-pop number, “TV Screens.” This Dublin, Ireland based crew specializes in frantic indie rock anthems that feel tailor-made for alt radio. “Screens” is lush with synth flourishes but stays spry with its zooming, fun guitar riffage. Fans of Two Door Cinema Club, Tokyo Police Club, or any band whose name ends in “club” would dig this one – check it out below.
Can’t get enough of this borderline-cacophonous one from new indie-psych act Soft Black. “Heaven” is an urgent jam, pairing neurotic synth chirping with big bass lines and pained-howl vocals. This one is equally dreamy – not surprisingly, members of DIIV are also a part of this project. Bonus fact: this one was tracked all in one take! We think you’ll really vibe on this one – Soundcloud link is below, but be sure to check this one out on Spotify too. Soft Black · Heaven
Loving the swirly vibes here on “Grassy Ass” – the newest offering from Canadian singer/songwriter Jarhead. Self-described as a “hot mess” (their words, not ours), we actually found this one to be pretty tight, well-crafted, and captivating. There’s certainly a slackery, dream-pop quality to this, but the spiraling, soothing guitar riff on this is closer to Radiohead than Mac Demarco. Listen with headphones for lots of interesting artifacts that pop out of nowhere. Bandcamp link below – or give him some love on Spotify. Swimgood by Jarhead
Upon first listen, you’ll probably notice the African Pop influence on Mango Cat‘s latest jam. This not-so-subtle use of bouncy rhythms blended with contemporary, western indie pop gives “Didja” a unique sound all its own. Reminiscent of Animal Collective (without the psychedelic freak outs) or Vampire Weekend (with a bit more afro-pop flavor), “Didja” is a lovely, head-bobbing pop jam that leaves us feeling impressed and upbeat. This one’s a keeper – check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist. Mango Cat · Didja
Digging this vampy jam from Daughters of Noise! Despite the sharp-toothed trio that appears in the video – DON is just two women, Coco Morier and Arama. They put together this infectious club banger, with a half-rapped, half-sung chorus that is fire to say the least… Plus, the kitschy, immortal-cheerleaders-in-the-daylight music video somehow ties it all together perfectly. We think you’re gonna like this one – check the video out below and see/listen for yourself before you inevitably add it to your Spotify playlist.
thisisNAMASTE has a big, sassy pop song on her hands with the brand new “Something.” This one is pure pop at its finest – full of fun synth textures, big boomy drums, and a big catchy chorus. Through and through, this is a showcase of NAMASTE’s unique vocal stylings. This one goes out to anyone who needs a kiss-off toward their recent ex – check it out below. thisisNAMASTE · Something
Here’s a cool raucous one from London-based act Liam Naughton & The Educators. “Infidelity” is full of gritty guitar, lyrical malaise, and has the perfect bedroomy mix. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between The Hold Steady, Blur, and Parquet Courts, “Infidelity” is full of start-stop guitar theatrics and Naughton’s unique and driven vocal timbre. We think you’re gonna like it – check it out below, or swing by Liam’s Spotify if you’re digging it. Liam Naughton · Infidelity
Loving this new one all the way from Russia – Chrissme came out swinging with “Choco Pie” is a groovy jam built around a moody guitar riff that quickly turns into a slick pop jam… Think Wicca Phase Springs Eternal meets Phantogram. Fleshed out with catchy keyboard riffs and Chrissme’s sublty-mumbled vocals, we have a feeling “Choco Pie” is gonna make its way onto your playlist. Check it out via the Soundcloud widget below – here’s a link to Spotify too if that’s more your speed. Chrissme · Choco Pie
Cool jangle pop jam here from New Orleans duo Lawn. “Jane Ryan” is built on bursts of fuzzed-out guitar blasts and a constant, driven bass line… Most importantly though, this one is infectious and fun, falling somewhere on the spectrum between the guitar pop of The Cars (sans keyboard) and the unique noisiness of Pile. We especially love the guitar string tweaks that are peppered in; they add a pleasantly cacophonous twang to the song. Keep an eye out for Lawn‘s upcoming LP, Johnny, due out in September. Till then, enjoy the dulcet tones of “Jane Ryan” via the widget below. Lawn New Orleans · Jane Ryan
Liking this fresh start from brand new LA-based quartet Buckets. Looking starts off unassuming but bursts into a blast of indie-punk emotion, full of gang vocals and whammy-bar guitar theatrics. There’s a bit of passionate emo emotional-sentiment here too, but this one also breathes with the quiet/loud aesthetic of Pixies as well. Give ’em some love on Spotify – the Bandcamp link is also below. Looking by Buckets
Here’s a nice indietronica jam from singer/songwriter Killah Cortez. Built on a skeleton of gentle acoustic guitar and Cortez’s pleasant vocals, this one should appeal to fans of Radical Face/Electric President, or even newer Bon Iver. “Lines” really starts to shine about halfway through the song when the glitchy electronic elements start to squiggle out of the aether and through your speakers… Check it out below for yourself and be sure to swing by Killah‘s Spotify if you’re digging it. Killah Cortez · Imaginary Lines