Eastern Exit‘s “More Than I Could Know” is a lovely indie rock song that has been rubbing us the right way. It’s washy with just the right amount of ambiance, but still makes you want to dance with it’s funky bass lines and dreamy vocals. Fans of Tame Impala, Phoenix, or Death Cab for Cutie are certainly going to dig this one. Check it out below.
Fanclub caught our attention with the airy, synth-filled vibes of “Tresspassing.” Utilizing a gauzy, almost-shoegaze approach with tight, electronic drums, this one wormed its way into our hearts by fully embracing its simplicity. Fans of Charly Bliss or Girlpool will definitely dig this one – check it out below and give them a follow on the ‘Gram.
Heart Bones is a unique duo whose home base is split between Texas and Minnesota. This unique partnership has produced one of our new favs, “Open Relations.” This one is a nu-disco-ish pop tune about needing a bit of extra lovin’ outside the confines of monogamy. Fans of Daft Punk, Scissor Sisters, or the 1975 are gonna dig this one – check it out below.
John Moore and Missing Star‘s latest single “Work It Out” recently caught our ears in a lovely way. Moore has been hanging around Buffalo for a while – previously fronting the WNY-based act 53 Days. This time around, he and the Missing Star has pairing a twinkly guitar riff with spacey keys and haunting vocals, revolving around a haunting but catchy refrain of “Gonna work it out, gonna work it out again.” Check it out below and pick it up his latest album on Bandcamp if you’re feeling this jam as much as we are. All In Your Head by John Moore And Missing Star
Leo & The Maydays (a.k.a. singer/songwriter Hannah Ruttle) is based out of Ithaca, NY. Her latest offering, “Leaves and Trees and…” is a meandering folksy pop tune – it finds Leo and her band wandering the scenic countryside, hanging out and singing their song amid cemeteries and long winding roads. Beyond that, her music is super clean and has a sense of longing – perfect for this cold winter weather. Fans of Petal, Fleet Foxes, or First Aid Kit will like this one – check it out below.
Human Barbie are here to crush your optimism with the minimalist heartbreak of “Be Careful What You Wish For.” This one is so beautifully melancholy; it pairs a dragging tempo with a unique juxtaposition between icy cold guitars and a warm analog mix. MOst poignant is their astonishingly frank assessment of reality – any song that starts with “Be careful what you wish for, cause you’re gonna get fucked eventually” is alright in our book. Head on over to Bandcamp to pick this up or add this one to your Spotify playlist.
Yo, Richard Frenneaux‘s “Arcades” has really caught our ears. Despite his cool mystique, “Arcades” is an unabashed indie pop jam. Frenneaux pairs big synthy vibes with dreamy guitar parts and hypnotic drums. This is all bolstered by his upbeat indie rock vocals. Fans of Phoenix, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, or Foster the People are gonna dig this one for sure – have a listen for yourself via the Soundcloud widget below.
We’re digging the synth-tinged post-punk of LA act Cold Violets. “Set Me Up” exists somewhere between cold 80s post-punk and the sentiment of 50s American folk music, using the energy of the current indie-rock crowd to really propel it forward. Squiggly synths and electronic drums help bolster this one – our favorite part is the left-field manic drum fill that occurs mid song. Check it out below and give them a follow via IG.
The across-the-sea partnership of BOII seems to be working out just fine – “Footwork” is a simmering indie pop jam making use of effected drum beats and soothing vocal timbres. “Footwork” is about the early stages of a relationship – a pivotal time where might have to put in a bit of extra effort to make things settle into place. We certainly think “Footwork” should be the beginning of your relationship with BOII – check it out below.
Sture is composed of Ukrainian ex-pats living in Finland, creating dark and danceable indie punk. “Fabricated” is refreshing in its simplicity – a low-gain, minimalist jammer with monotone vocals and a pure, unrefined energy. Fans of Interpol, Q and not U, or even Joy Division will get a kick out of this one. Check it out below.
Chatenooga act Telemonster have a wide range of influences, clearly evidenced by new single “For Someone Not So Old.” This one is a meandering, five-minute epic of unique rhythms, haunting melodies, and tasteful dynamics. Fans of Grizzly Bear, Radiohead, or Local Natives are going to dig this one – check out the music video below, full of unique imagery and follow them on Instagram while you’re at it.
How refreshing! We’re digging this chill little ditty from wife-and-husband duo Hollie and Keith Kenniff, aka Mint Julep. This one is packed full of hazy synths, gauzy vocals, and sunny vibe (with a hint of snowy goodness). This one gave us lovely, wintry vibes all around – check it out below and be sure to stay tuned… their upcoming full length, Stray Fantasies, is due out January 31, 2020.
“ET” is the latest offering from Buffalo “genre-crossing, gender-bending” (their words not ours) producer/musician Medusa. “ET,” in this case, an acronym for both Estrogen and Testosterone and the popular 80s movie, is a dark and moody electro-pop banger. It’s surprisingly danceable despite its sludgy tempo and scathing condemnation of the transphobic experiences one might experience. Check out the widget below – if you are liking what you hear, check out their Bandcamp page for more scathing darktronica. ET by MEDUSA
Something about WUGO‘s “Wugomania” feels alien… And yet, the French producer has also tapped into something really warm and magical here. Beneath the shell of a simple bedroom-pop sound is a uniquely structured song, padded with vintage synth tones and uniquely processed vocals. Be sure to give this one a listen so you can judge for yourself.
You might recognize Kiwi Jr. as Brian Murphy from legendary Toronto indie-poppers Alvvays, but we urge you to take a closer look at the irresistible jangle pop of “Football Money.” Full of shameless hooks, jaunty guitar rhythms, and a cacophonous solo, “Football Money” is the type of cerebral indie rock that is digestible, but leaves your palette yearning for more. Check it out below.