Montclair, NJ quintet lkffct got us jazzed on their quasi-dancy, punky jam they’ve titled “Death Reign.” Between the heavy bass, psychedelic-tinged guitars, and general sense of apocalyptic energy, this one is full of raucous and noisy energy that is sure to get you amped. We think fans of The Growlers or The Rapture are gonna love this… Check out “Death Reign” below and if you’re feeling it, pick it up via Bandcamp. lkffct · Death Reign
The oxymoronically-named Joy Downer just put out a new banger called “A Song You’d Never Want to Hear.” Combining elements of nu-disco and bouncy indie rock, “Song” feels fresh and bubbly without straying too far into sunny, wholesome territory. Instead we get a timeless-sounding jam that we think fans of Rilo Kiley or Jay Som are going to love. Keep your eyes open for Joy’s debut LP, due out June 5th. Until then, get down to “Song” via the YouTube widget below.
“I’ll take it boring, I like my simplicity” – powerful words in this latest collab between Kansas-based Jordana and Melvv. This ode to introverts explores the many benefits of staying in and staying warm in a tight, bedroom-y pop song with an anxious, I-don’t-want-to-be-at-this-party feel. This simmering track feels chill and neurotic simultaneously; Jordana’s soothing and airy vocal performance works flawlessly with Melvv’s influence. Like what you hear? Swing by Bandcamp and pick it up. Jordana · I’ll Take It Boring
Dreamy, gauzy, chill af – all great descriptors for this latest jam from Max Gowan. We think fans of (Sandy) Alex G or late-era Pavement are gonna love “My Kind.” This one is catchy but mysterious; mathy but digestible; and contemporary but with that intangible 90s-rock appeal. Dig into the mind-expanding ooh-ooh-oohs and reverb-drenched guitars of this bedroomy indie rock below before you add it to your Spotify playlist. Keep your eyes peeled for Max’s album – due out June 5.
This one is a complicated, but compelling listen – falling somewhere on the spectrum between math rock and sweet, 90s-tinged indie rock, Missouri’s Jailbox’s has us captivated with their latest jam, “Over and Over Again.” This one is literally composed of snippets of songs dating all the way back to 2010 – it’s been cut-and-pasted into an amazing amalgam, in this case, better heard than read-about. Check it out below and be sure to swing by their Spotify. Over & Over Again by Jailbox
We’ve been digging this collaboration between Australian acts rxsebvnk and Threebeds. “Accident Prone” sounds like an M83 song with tasteful bedroom-pop production, full of low-key vocal hooks and splashes of synth and guitar ambiance. Where a lot of this genre is icy and polished to death, “Prone” feels like a warm, synthesized blanket. Check it out below and if you dig it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’ve been digging this melodic indie rocker from Canadian act KNIFEY. “Ask You” is an energetic ode to love with a fun raucous chorus that ponders if “I’m cool enough for you.” This one has the catchy elements of pop punk without straying too far out of the clout from noisy indie rockers like JAPANDROIDS. This one is best heard for yourself – check it out below and add it to your Spotify if you’re feeling it!
Albany-based Laveda have released a colorful new lyric video for their latest single, “Rager.” Inspired by a post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world scenario, “Rager” is an explosive blast of gauzy shoegaze energy squeezed into a tasteful, indie-pop shell. Fans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, or Pity Sex will find something to love here – we’re particularly enthralled by their quiet/loud approach and creative use of noisy energy to convey pretty pop melodies. Check it out below and be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist if you dig it.
LA-based multi-instrumentalist Maddie Jay nails it on “Shakes,” a neurotic-but-captivating indie rock jam. Throughout the song, Maddie Jay repeats, “If I could calm myself down I could handle it all,” perfectly encapsulating the anxiousness of millennial angst. This one is full of urgent guitar-pop energy, but is especially breathtaking around the 1:35 mark where everything drops out into a dreamy section; a proverbial breath-catching moment in an otherwise tightly-wound song. Check out all Maddie has to offer on her website. Maddie Jay · Shakes
We really enjoyed this uniquely dreamy indie folk jam from UK duo Stables. Reminiscent of Vampire Weekend, Foals, or Grizzly Bear, “Marathon” is a slowly simmering ditty that builds gently over the gentle pattering of a snare roll. This one exists in the aether between folk rock and contemporary indie rock, but is a blissful and transcendent listen either way. Most marathons are probably cancelled for the summer… Let Stables fill that void for you (plus we commend their running skills in their kitschy, lo-fi music vid). Check out the video below or add them to your Spotify.
There’s something unique about “Seasons” by Australian act Bonsaii… This one feels like the perfect juxtaposition between a DIY bedroom mix and polished, synthy indie rock. Bedroom-esque vocals and guitars are layered warmly on top of otherwise glistening drum and synth layers – be sure to stick around for the fun chorusy “oohs.” We think fans of Empire of the Sun or Tame Impala will dig this one. Check it out below and stay up-to-date with Bonsaii via their IG. Sureshaker Music · Bonsaii – ‘Seasons’
Loving this fun one from Brooklyn indie rockers Not Fit. “Fun House” is reminiscent of the tight but janky vibes and borderline-baritone vocals of Parquet Courts with a bit of the raucous energy of the Arctic Monkeys. This one is about the trials and tribulations of a mutually destructive relationship – a fantastic story told by big bouncy bass riffs and reverb-soaked guitars that morph into big, fuzzed-out choruses. Do you like what you hear? Here is a lovely link for multiple streaming options. Not Fit · Fun House
Virginia quartet Ultimate Overshare are the kind of band that would thrive in a basement show or DIY venue setting (RIP shows, for now)… Their passionate and poignant blend of emo and dream-pop is reminiscent of late 90s introspective kings like Mineral, American Football, or Appleseed Cast. “Backscatter” is a surprisingly catchy jam layered thick with big distorted guitars, quiet-loud verse/choruses, and a pained howl that would sit comfortably on a shelf next to any Cursive or Pity Sex LP. Their upcoming EP, Rumble Pak (sick N64 reference), is out May 15th – check out “Backscatter” below or watch the music video for extra feels. Ultimate Overshare · Backscatter
demotapes is the new project from San Fransisco’s Parker Livingston… “Treading Water” is our pick for where you should start. Watery pianos and light, subtle vibes run throughout this one – until the chorus blooms into something bassy and groovy. Refrains of “we’re all just treading water” feel oddly topical, but also apply vaguely and poignantly to any situation at hand. This one is best heard for yourself – check it out below and swing by demotapes’ Spotify to add it to your playlist. demotapes · treading water
Loving the ultra-sincere vibes here on “I Don’t Know That Song” by Brooklyn artist, jjoey. Fans of Joan of Arc, Sufjan Stevens, or Owen are going to enjoy this – jjoey pairs his acoustic guitar ditties with electronic flourishes. Splashes of keyboards, electronic percussion, and drums add a bit of off-kilter flair to this one, giving it a left-field feel in an endearing way. If you like what you hear, give jjoey some love on Spotify. jjoey · I Dont Know That Song