Album Reviews

Stephanie Babirak – Rotten Fruit

June 30, 2026

New York City’s Stephanie Babirak is an exceptionally talented harpist, singer-songwriter, and composer that utilizes a synthesis of classical and contemporary influences to achieve atmospheric, indie-folk bliss in her new release, Rotten Fruit. Lyrical content and sonic moods focusing on what it means for something to be “bad” help Babirak attain a wondrous quality in her latest release.   The album starts off with “Apocalypse,” which boasts a calming harp and a big bass drum. The song is beach-y, with a smooth, buttery guitar accompaniment. The bits of syncopated percussion sprinkled in add flourishes of aural interest. Song two, “Waves and Whispers,” is a lackadaisical and sweet lullaby. When listening with headphones, the song is truly stunning and immersive. “My thoughts are heavy with your name,” is softly cooed, and the hum of the bass and backup vocals is transcendent.   Following the lushness of “Hey Cain,” we come across[...]

Jerkazoid – Earth In Reverse

June 28, 2026

Portland has a knack for housing some great acts, and the new album, Earth In Reverse, from skate punk trio, Jerkazoid, is a welcome addition to their thriving DIY music scene. Jerkazoid successfully obliterates your eardrums (in a good way) with restless punk energy.   Song one, ” Runaway,” queues a clever voice clip to start off the album. There’s a tinge of Midwest emo in the singer’s growly tenor, however, the band is of tried-and-true 90s punk style. “Runaway” is consistent, boisterous, and supercharged. Track three, “Six Minutes Away,” is deeper and more visceral. “No one knows I exist,” is sung amidst changes in feel while the lyrics poignantly point out the fear of thinking of someone who doesn’t think of you in return. “King of the Middle of Nowhere” has toms upon entrance, with singular guitar pitch joining the backbone in a sixteenth note blitz. The bassist certainly[...]

Kayze – Renaissance

June 25, 2026

Kayze (rhymes with “blaze,” for those wondering) is proud to announce the capstone of a long-term project, The Dialectic Series, an achievement in and of itself, but extra special because it hits so hard. Kayze specializes in cinematic hip-hop, the perfect vehicle for his lyrical attacks on modern culture, often highlighting the juxtaposition between the demands and expectations of our overarching society and increasingly rare personal accountability. As the final offering in The Dialectic Series, Kayze purposely chose an industrial-but-ethereal approach, emphasizing production that feels intentional and smooth. Moreover, the seven songs across Renaissance give you the feeling of finality – a mission accomplished for Kayze and a genuinely fulfilling listen for everyone else.   Renaissance begins with “Memories,” a hazy, synth-pop introduction that pairs the powerful, aforementioned production with Kayze’s comfy drawl and pop-oriented vocals. “Memories,” perhaps unsurprisingly, explores the lingering weight of the past – its nostalgic underscore plays[...]

Extra Space – New Colors

June 22, 2026

Under the moniker Extra Space, Brooklyn’s Joey Puleio and Chris Kyle triumphantly return to buffaBLOG for the review of their sophomore album, New Colors. After the release of Green Season (covered here by Nick Sessanna), the bandmates of Extra Space successfully make great use of their shared chemistry in creating New Colors. Their newest music evolves from prior work, continuing a radiant combination of shimmering Midwest emo and twangy folk.   Song One, “Never Wanted,” is poignantly lo-fi. This kind of recording and mixing style calls to memory the work of Unknown Mortal Orchestra with a healthy dose of American Football. With a hushed vocal delivery and a shower of percussion and beautiful guitar, “Never Wanted” is like a quiet night at home, settling into a simple life. The shushing drum cymbals and slick bass runs are standouts to my ear – but the warbling, wavering guitar tones sound perfectly[...]

harper – Breach

June 13, 2026

Detroit, Michigan bestows upon us a rather interesting musical entity in harper, who, for the better part of three years, crafted their unique sonic signature for their debut album, Breach. Full of self-proclaimed melancholic fuzz and chamber instrumentation like pipe organ and harp, this stellar release was recorded, mixed, and produced by Nick West, the protégé of one of Nine Inch Nails’ founders, Chris Vrenna.   We start off with the title track, “Breach,” and are immediately soaring amongst cumulus clouds with stunning organ and massive guitar as our wings. The percussion bounces back and forth between the ears playfully, and the vocals are just as gentle as the clouds you’re flying through. The mysterious lyrics seem to tell of loving someone who hates themselves too much to do what’s best for them.   Song four, “Anymore,” has light acoustic guitar and an overdriven electric guitar that serve as warmth[...]

Neo Dimes – Alone

June 9, 2026

Denver, Colorado gifts us Neo Dimes – Stephen Edmunds’ primary, dystopia-inspired musical outlet. With mechanical auditory environments, ghostly vocals, and a shoegaze-y feel with EDM and industrial rock influences, Alone looks to address the social downfalls of the digital age as well as the battle within the self.   Song one, “Beasts,” is immediately notable for its reverbed-out depth. There is a slew of haunting keys and vocals, with the line, “Come down feed the need / Look now you’re the beast,” getting stuck in your head on repeat. The song eventually quiets into blips and bloops as well as a chant of the aforementioned line. After a breakdown of intense drum and bass, the song expands into a wide soundscape of sizzling electronics.   Across the next amalgamation of tunes, there are riveting drums, mind-bending guitar leads, and bleeding synthesizers. Song six, “Don’t Think,” stands out due to the[...]

Bubblegum Cistern – SYZYGY

May 31, 2026

Knoxville, Tennessee’s Bubblegum Cistern, a duo made up of Eddie Stephenson and John Seeber, recently released SYZYGY, a wonderfully rhythmic, space-influenced record that is bound to pique your interest. Whether it’s demonic vocoders joining a frenzy of vocals, or the extremely impressive percussion heard all throughout the album, SYZYGY lands successfully among the sun, moon, and stars.   “Low Gravity,” song one, blasts off with some sort of alien chime that disintegrates into static. The bass is huge, and the instrumentals are jazzy with a bowel-shaking groove. As noted previously, the drummer is going crazy. Surprise: there’s double bass in this astral bop! The track also features splendid vocal runs. Later on in the song, the frontman victoriously takes a ballsy risk by singing alone.   Traversing across the album leads us to “Back to Phoenix,” which stands out with its wistful happiness. There is big, thumping acoustic guitar and[...]

Zoe Konez – Everything’s Fine

May 21, 2026

We must keep going despite the notion that the life we built may not presently serve us anymore. Brighton-based, British singer-songwriter Zoe Konez’s Everything’s Fine is based on just that sentiment. The album is a kind respite that gives us space for self-forgiveness. The message is conveyed through clever, finger-styled acoustic guitar, brilliant vocal harmonies, and well-textured synthesizers. Sonically, everything within the album’s confines was executed by Konez herself.   The album starts with the gentle piano of “Paragon.” There is a percussive acoustic guitar playing in triplets before it eases into drums and auxiliary clicks. Immediately, the listener is tempted by the calm promised by Konez. Song two, “I Don’t Want To Be Lonely Anymore,” continues with the three-four meter and triplets. It is here that Konez fortifies her soft-spoken, truly beautiful vocal performance. “I Don’t Want To Be Lonely Anymore” is stripped-down, simple, and soothing, and seems like a[...]

Planer – Feel It Too / Dial

May 8, 2026

Minneapolis-based quartet Planer recently released a two-song split featuring two new songs, “Feel It Too” and “Dial.” The band specializes in a sludgy amalgamation of ’90s grunge; Midwest, DIY-style emo, and post-rock. Influenced strongly by the Big Muff and Rat (TM) warriors of the ’90s – think J. Mascis or Kevin Shields – with a healthy dose of contemporaries like Cloakroom, Superheaven, and Citizen. Ruthlessly sincere and with a true, genre-confirming DIY energy, Feel It Too / Dial feels timeless and contemporary all the same.   Opener “Feel It Too” is perfect post-rock-influenced emo. A simple, descending guitar lead is all it takes to know this one’s going to crush your spirit in the best way. Heavily distorted guitars jangle atop a sloshy drumbeat. Vocals sigh and moan with genuine hurt. The song itself even implodes on itself, gradually degrading over time into nothingness… But Planer’s real strength comes from their penchant[...]

Mike Stocksdale – Connectors

May 5, 2026

Exceptionally experienced, Californian songwriter, Mike Stocksdale, is releasing his newest collection of songs in Connectors, an effervescent and bold album where humans joyfully play blues-inspired indie rock: no AI or click tracks here. Stocksdale has years of discography to his name, and Connectors only further serves to demonstrate his overall musicianship and critical acclaim. The album is an impressively fluid listen, with each song transitioning into the next as easily as taking your next breath.   Album opener, “Nothing Like Beginning,” queues with echoing percussion and brilliant guitar and harmonica. A tambourine splashes in your ears. The song is overall very catchy and consistent, and immediately points to fantastic songwriting. The relatable lyrics, “And if God exists / Then sign me up / ‘Cause that means God made you…” are poetic, yet straightforward. “Nothing Like Beginning” bleeds into another single from Connectors called, “Elevator.” There is a fat, wet snare[...]

Outsideness – …From What?

May 1, 2026

Freidrich$ made his buffaBLOG debut back in late-August 2025, when our longtime contributor, Nick Sessanna, reviewed his genre-shattering album Wish – a collection chock-full of supremely relatable lyricism and dreamy mixes. Freidrich$ and fellow musician, Azalias, have combined their creativity into an outlet called, Outsideness, and the two couldn’t blend more seamlessly together. They’ve released a formidable collaboration album in …From What? With Azalias’ beautiful falsetto and Freidrich$’s rich tenor, their efforts amalgamate into a stunning, atmospheric collection of songs.   “Remedy,” the album opener, starts off with ghostly coos from Azalias. The zippy guitar is enthralling, like watching embers shoot up from a bonfire. Mood-wise, this song is easygoing and sensual, but it is pinned against pensive lyrics like, “I’m feeling hollow, but you have a way with me.” Azalias has a hushed vocal delivery in this one, not unlike the alt pop of Billie Eilish. Next, is “Pretend,”[...]

Axel Flóvent – Fleeing the Shore

April 26, 2026

Axel Flóvent comes to us all the way from Iceland with his latest EP, Fleeing the Shore. This batch of songs is truly an exercise in self-isolation – Axel holed up in his home studio in Húsavík, challenging himself to explore simplicity through solitude. Some might call this the “Bon Iver method,” but after a listen through the quiet crush of Fleeing the Shore, we’re feeling like we might have to rename it… Here’s a little snippet from Axel himself regarding what this EP means to him:   “If I had to choose three words to describe this EP, they would be change, self-isolation, and solitude. These songs explore different forms of change, changes of the mind, of place, and a longing for transformation in general.”   You might be expecting nothing but an acoustic guitar, but opening song “Another Year” is as lush and beautiful as anyone could ever ask for.[...]

By Million Wires – Not Over EP

April 25, 2026

After fourteen years of hiatus, By Million Wires, coming all the way from Tarnów, Poland, are releasing a gripping new offering with their upcoming re-entry, the Not Over EP. The EP’s themes range from survival to empty nostalgia, and the sound is akin to the overall messages.   The first song, “Over,” begins with jelly-like guitar that flirts with the math rock genre. This song is a solid jam, feeling all-encompasing as the deep, fuzzy bass envelopes you. Honestly, “Over” would be perfect for taking a no-destination cruise on a day where having the windows down is a statement that summer is on its way. The chorus is absolutely huge, with a fat tambourine cascading between your headphones.   “Glass Houses,” the second song, starts with a bit of an “Everlong” feel. When frontman Mirek Skrok cathartically delivers, “And though the ears cannot hear / And through this glass I[...]

Gas Station Boner Pills – First Movement

April 20, 2026

Atlanta-based party punk rockers Gas Station Boner Pills (GSBP) swing for the fences with their newest EP, titled First Movement, part of a bigger project (and soon-to-be LP) titled SIMPhony. This EP certainly feels like a progressive and comedic attack on those who struggle to make it in the dating world.   The first track “SIMP” begins with the singer rolling his r’s into a battlecry. GSBP are loud and rebellious in the best ways. The drummer is very talented – the fills are fast and accurate, perfect for an edgy, punk rock mouthfeel. The singer yells, “I’m not bored, but I’m not rich / I’ll be your simp and I’ll be your bitch!” Whether comedic or social commentary, these lyrics aim to dismantle modern dating tropes.   Next, we have “Two Pump Chump.” The song starts off syncopated with a crunchy, distorted guitar and sludgy bass. With hilarious lyrics like,[...]

Christo Sedgewick and The Fabulous Regrets – The Lonesome Tender Hollow Of The Night

April 3, 2026

Chicago is a hub for blues and americana – we’re happy to profile another tried-and-true musical group known as Christo Sedgewick and The Fabulous Regrets. March of 2026 saw the release of their third album, The Lonesome Tender Hollow Of The Night, in which the band has found a way to soundtrack the little things that can make or break you. With songs that evoke grit through tales of of sinking woes, Christo Sedgewick and The Fabulous Regrets do blues, folk, and americana sweet, sweet justice.   Song number one, “The Dead King Hunts And Eats The Gods,” demonstrates immediate depth of musicality here with dark, rhythmic blues. The band is groovy in every sense of the word, and on “Dead King,” Sedgewick and his bandmates deliver a remarkably classic tune. The drums patter along with a bluesy shuffle, making this song an undeniable head bopper. When Sedgewick delivers the[...]