Cleveland quartet Pharmacy Keys have an ear for lovely indie rock melodies – case in point, “Take the Cake.” Any fan of Weezer, Fountains of Wayne, or even Pavement will dig this one – their sugary sweet vocal melodies combined with crunchy guitar prowess is dripping with nostalgic 90s sentiment. Despite the 90s nod, this one would still fit nicely on any 2020 indie rock playlist. Check it out below and add it to your Spotify.
Can’t help but love the visceral emotion here on “Daydream,” coming from Minnesotan quartet Oftener. Combining hints of energy from early Modest Mouse and Cap’n Jazz with elements of shoegaze, “Daydream” feels like the kind of song you’d get lost to on your fourth PBR at a crowded basement show. Put this one on and let the otherworldly guitars and raw mix take you away – check it out below.
Gotta show a little love to Air Devi for their super-chill, 90s-esque, indie rock style… Especially here on “No Clearances.” Waxing poetically about a carefree childhood of rolling down grassy hills, choosing favorite colors, and being a picky eater, this one combines the thrills of youth with a light-hearted slacker vibe. Fans of Liz Phair, Pavement, or Built to Spill are gonna love this one – check it out below. swanning about by Air Devi
“Same Sun” is a straightforward indie rock ditty, no arguments there. But this one is truly a lovely jam full of jangly guitar goodness, bell-tone guitar leads, and a progression that tends to tug on the heartstrings. Floridian Jake Ellis really captures the feeling of being stuck in a two-star town and the confusion that comes along with being different from someone else you want to love. Tinged with electric piano and tasteful effects, we think this one will sneak its way into your heart the way it did for us. Check it out below.
Yep, we can’t help but dig this latest jam from NY-based Ayelle. “Effort” is smart commentary on modern relationships – a dig at social media, relationships, and the ever-so-common (albeit justified) request to, I don’t know… Try a little? Beyond the spot-on social critique, “Effort” has slick pop production and a great chorus. Perfect for when you’re feeling a little bit sassy but want to groove to something anyways. Check it out below and stay up with her on IG.
We’re digging the ethereal vibes of “Fake Girlfriend” from Charleston’s Grace Joyner. This one utilizes gauzy synth textures and a funky, nu-disco bass line as the backbone to Joyner’s haunting vocal delivery. She explores the complexity of a relationship with a “fake girlfriend” – someone who’s there when you need them but not good enough when you don’t. This one is a delicate number with a not-so-hidden sneering undertone; def worth a listen. Check it out below or swing over to her Spotify.
Austrian quintet Catastrophe & Cure wrote something great here – we’re loving on the indie rock vibes on “Another Wave.” Carried by a simple but effective guitar lead, “Wave” is tasteful in all the right ways. Other highlights: a groovy beat; bouncing bass; droning but melodic vocals; splashes of synth ambiance; and breathy exhale flourishes… Not to mention, the perfect mix with just a touch of lo-fi flavor. This one is a secret ear worm – add it to your Spotify playlist for later, too.
Swiss quintet Sirens of Lesbos have us captivated with their smooth nu-disco feels on “Zeus.” Split into a three-act epic, this one eschews typical song structure for something groovy and in-the-pocket in a succinct, three-minute package. This one would feel at home on any playlist featuring Tame Impala, Daft Punk, or Metronomy. Get into their gentle harmonies and tasteful, simmering vibes – check it out below or add them to your Spotify playlist.
War Strings is a cool new LA act whose “My Alien Heart” caught our ears. This one is an interesting electro indie banger that brings to mind Phantogram at their heaviest with a tinge of Radiohead. Pairing huge synthy hits with grindy guitar and bass riffs – the cherry-on-top here is the intensely soaring vocal prowess. We think this one is gonna get your blood pumping with its big, bombastic energy. If you haven’t already, add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’re digging the driving indie pop vibes from LA act Opus Orange on their new single, “Give You Everything.” Reminiscent of other synth-tinged indie folk acts like The Shins, Ra Ra Riot, or Matt Pond PA, “Give You Everything” is packed full of interesting instrumentals and big vocal melodies. This one hits the sweet spot of perfect bedroom-pop production and tasteful musical choices. Check it out below and if you like it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
Big, gothy post-punk vibes from Gainesville, Florida act, Dead Feeling. Their latest, “New Legend Drugs,” takes swimmy-chorus guitar vibes and pairs them with passionate sing-shout vocals and moody synth textures. It immediately summons up a sense of extreme urgency with hints of anger and sadness. Fans of Interpol, Joy Division, or DIIV are going to enjoy this one for sure. Check it out below and if you dig it, make sure you give their new EP, nu.wav a listen through.
Multi-national duo Jupiter Winter have us vibing hard on their latest electropop masterpiece, “Lifetime.” Louisiana-native Lelia Broussard and Vancouverite Royce Whittaker sure know how to combine dancy synth influences with modern indie pop sentiment – “Lifetime” is full of soaring pop vocals with a pulsing synth backbone. Check it out below and if you’re feeling it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
LEFTI is no stranger to buffaBLOG – we’re happy to announce a brand new banger feat. Nicki B The Vagabond in “I Can’t Get Enough.” This one could be straight out of the 70s disco scene, packed with retro drum machine sounds and a lyrical refrain that could fit in with any soulful hit… All peppered with some Daft Punk flavor and Nicki B’s excellent vocal take. This one is five minutes long so get ready to get your groove on – check it out below.
“Calm Down” is a dreamy song for sure, but this latest one from Bathe Alone runs just a little bit deeper than that. “Calm” addresses the importance of mental health, in this case panic attacks – the multi-instrumentalist has built a song that ebbs and flows like an actual panic attack. Guitar solos rise and fall, and as the song concludes, it decrescendos into a calmer state once again. Even beyond the metaphor, we just think this is a beautiful slice of dream pop. Check it out below or swing by her Bandcamp to support.
Last time we checked in with Chasing Daze, we were starry-eyed over their ode to teenage summers, “Teenager.” On brand, the Oregon sibling duo is back with another incredible song about teenage summers, “Summer.” All jokes aside, we think these two are really onto something special. Summer pairs an ear-pleasing warble guitar with heartwarming lyrics about a carefree, youthful summer. Not to mention the duo’s knack for absolutely flawless indie pop. Don’t sleep on this one – check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.