Album Reviews

From Harm – Arcane Pardon

January 15, 2025 Nick Sessanna

Fort Worth-based act From Harm (FH) have something to say – their newest offering, Arcane Pardon, is a six-song EP full of hardcore punk that grinds out an important social message inspired by pagan hysteria. Feeling oppressed? Tired of the way the world’s being run? So is the project’s lifeblood, Jon Chapman – he uses From Harm as his vehicle to express his disappointment with the world. Expect throat-shredding screams with a yelping timbre; hard-and-fast drums pounding rhythmically in your ears; and angsty instrumentals that inspire emotions from anger, to urgency, to straight-up fear. From the get-go, From Harm impress with their unique blend of brutality and melody. Intro track “And You Shall Receive” is only a minute long, but with a unique 11/4 (?) time signature, it’s an immediate ear-catcher. Stabs of discordant guitar leap into your eardrums with prickly, staccato melodies as another guitar smashes out a doom-inspiring[...]

Scott Clay – Aurora – Remixed

January 13, 2025 Nick Sessanna

Scott Clay has been a featured artist on buffaBLOG before (see here). While you might be used to the “complex but uncomplicated” Americana that he’s been crafting over the course of his six full length releases, Clay has stepped outside of his twangy comfort zone to release something different. Clay enlisted producers Josh Richins and David Murray for a re-imagining of a song off of his 2022 LP Let It All Lay Bare, “Aurora,” which marks his first foray into electronic music with a trip-hop/downtempo approach to an ol’ classic. Inspired by a friend, Britt Warner, and her experiences viewing the northern lights for the first time, “Aurora” came together eerily quickly, and was a fun challenge for Clay to write from the perspective of someone else. Britt also applied all the video treatment and editing for the song’s stunning visual accompaniment, captured by cinematographer Spencer Johnson. Filmed at[...]

Holy Void – All Will Be Revealed in Time

December 31, 2024 Nick Sessanna

Holy Void has one of the best band bios we’ve ever read – it’s only fitting to start out this psych-rock journey with such beautiful prose. See below: “A psychedelic hexad emerges from the nidus that is Winnipeg, charting sonic dimensions with a fervour that captures the depth and complexity of the human psyche” A nidus, by the way, is a place where bacteria flourish and thrive… Or the epicenter where something may develop or be fostered (yes, we had to look that up). But we digress, whether their hometown of Winnipeg is a sludge factory or the perfect petri dish, this crew has certainly spent a significant time culturing their latest offering. The album’s roots started way back during the COVID-19 pandemic – a story you’ve probably heard a thousand times by now… But their patience and persistence has paid off – they’re now sitting on a[...]

Romcom Victims – Rainy Days

December 27, 2024 John Smigielski

Buffalo’s resident jangly powerpop group Romcom Victims have released their sophomore EP Rainy Days – a buzzy, four-song ripper that has found itself on a shortlist of the best Buffalo releases of the year. The EP opens with “Absent Minded,” which sets a fun, surfy pace right out of the gate. Anchored by floating guitar lines over a tight rhythm section, the vocals instantly command your attention with their light and airy delivery. Dipping in and out of the spaces present in the reverbed-soaked textures, “Absent Minded” is an immediate earworm. The second track “Street Rat” is a churning offering, led by earnest vocals recalling a hypocritical scumbag, or more appropriately, a rat. The EP is anchored by the title track “Rainy Days.” A definite EP standout, “Days” is a bouncy two-stepper that alternates through slower orchestrated parts with blasts of shuffling drumbeats and an impossibly nimble bass[...]

Makeout Tactics – Skunk House

December 23, 2024 John Smigielski

Buffalo indie-pop outfit Makeout Tactics has released their first EP, Skunk House. Waxing philosophical, we are presented with a slice of life view of a group of friends in their 20s. Seemingly mundane, these stories and experiences are elevated through their eyes, creating a compelling story that captures our attention. The EP opens with “311,” laced with a heartfelt urgency that draws you right in. Anchored by the haunting vocals of Akasya Croiser, lyrics float ethereally over the jangly and enveloping guitar lines. The banality of placing a 311 call becomes a plea; a call to action. Second is the driving “Laundromat Thief” which opens with guitars that could play against a gunslinger showdown in a Western. We are then presented with a scenario in which someone has stolen our narrator’s underwear (amongst other things). “Laundromat Thief” is a driving track that underpins our narrator’s struggles. While the drums[...]

Ashford – Pictures of Places I’ve Been

December 16, 2024 Matt Burgerhoff

Buffalo pop punk/emo rockers, Ashford, close out the year on a high note with their dynamo debut LP, Pictures of Places I’ve Been. The record is a nine-track patchwork of new material and singles released earlier this year including the tracks “Temperance,” “Gorilla Glue” and “The Painter & the Patient.” Expect a variety of clean yet rough-around-the-edges vocals; powerful, overdrive guitars; and hefty, punctuative drums for a listen that will make your hair stand up. Variety is what Ashford does best on this album. Like a pop punk buffet, the band cooks up a deeply satisfying mix of tones, textures and tempos that keeps Pictures of Places I’ve Been fresh and engaging. You’ve got your choice of softer, more poignant songs like “Bliss,” or heavier, crunchier songs like “Crown.” No two songs sound the same with each having their own distinct flavors to chew on for hours. [...]

Gatto Black – (Not) Ready to Die

December 13, 2024 Matt Burgerhoff

The cat’s out of the bag with (Not) Ready to Die, the bombastic new sophomore EP from feline-friendly Buffalo post-hardcore project, Gatto Black. Featuring singer-songwriter, Sal Mastrocola (EXNATIONS, No Net), this 7-song collection is a powder keg of emotions triggered by screamo vocals, chaotic drum beats, and third-rail riffs that will shock your system. “But the thing about cats… they’re never afraid of their shadows,” and neither is Mastrocola, as he wails introspectively on the opening track, “Bitch I’m a Cat.” The singer-songwriter wears his heart on his sleeve and spills his guts via snotty emo-punk vocals that shake with anger and sadness. Each song is impressively unique, robust and layered, and runs a gamut of feelings that wallow in angst and insecurities. You can feel these difficult, dizzying emotions on tracks like “No One Can Ruin Me.” This absolute tornado of a tune lashes out with[...]

JEWELTONE – Visions of Heaven

December 9, 2024 Matt Burgerhoff

Buffalo hardcore trio, JEWELTONE, bring the pain with their new EP, Visions of Heaven. Following up their demo release last year, this bruising EP features four new tracks of stripped-down, no-frills hardcore punk that will have you two-stepping and stagediving. With an endearing band statement of unity and inclusivity, JEWELTONE have spent the last year building a name for themselves in the city’s hardcore scene. At their shows you’ll find a melting pot of all ages and backgrounds pinballing off heavy riffs, punishing drums, and howling vocals. Consisting of Christian Adams on bass/guitar, Jordan Walker on drums and Neftali on vocals, each member brings their own unique perspective and influences to the project. These influences, acting as their north star, are wide-ranging and far-reaching, especially Nef’s whose roots are firmly planted in Buffalo’s hip-hop community. Their spotlighted single “IDFWY,” puts all these influences in a blender for[...]

Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake – S/T

December 2, 2024 Matt Burgerhoff

Throw on a leather jacket and mirror shades and let Buffalo deathrockers Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake be the soundtrack for your cemetery dance party with their debut self-titled album. Inspired by the 1977 horror flick, The Sentinel, and formed six years ago by vocalist Dan Oh and guitarist John Toohill, this gothic five-piece delivers lo-fi melodic post-punk that’s cloaked in darkness and apathy. Rounding out the group and helping to bring their sound back from the dead are guitarist Dave Ward, bassist Paul Morin and synthesist Kelly Morduant. Opening up this brooding collection of songs is the track “Useless” that encapsulates B&W Cat / B&W Cake’s macabre spirit. Oh’s cold, near-death vocals play perfectly against Toohill and Ward’s warm-blooded guitars; perfectly reflecting of the duality of life and death. It’s a great and catchy introduction to the band and their brand of punchy[...]

Society of Beggars – Levitator

November 30, 2024 Nick Sessanna

Society of Beggars is a Melbourne-based act who just released their latest album, Levitator, a ten-song offering full of dark and brooding rock tunes. Inspired by a period of grief due to the loss of frontman Yianni and brother Jim Michalopoulos’ father, the band holed up in Birdland Studios with over thirty (!) demos to choose from. They whittled the tracks down into the ten songs you hear on Levitator, and the deep emotions attached shine through in the final product. Here’s a little more from Yianni about what Levitator means to the band: “When you’re feeling that manic energy that comes with grief, it can be all-consuming… Our drummer Dibi and bassist Zoë Alexa’s friendship and musical connection provided the foundation we needed to create.” The title-track and intro to the album, “Levitator,” feels like the perfect way to kick off this album. A punctuated guitar riff pounds out[...]

Boy Jr. – I Love Getting Dumped

November 29, 2024 John Smigielski

Boy Jr. is back in a big way with their new record I Love Getting Dumped. A collection of 13 breakup songs, frontperson Ariel Allen-Lubman (they/them) commands your attention as strongly as ever with their trademark genrefluid style. They speak to us on a heartfelt level, connecting with us in a nostalgic, at times comical way that speaks to anyone who has ever dealt with the death of a relationship. The album opens with the haunting “Your Mom Is Disappointed In You.” The vocals are delivered so earnestly, you can feel the pain in their voice, expertly underscored with sparse electronics. “I Hope You Feel Terrible” is truly a standout, easily drawing parallels with “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo, or contemporaries like Kim Petras or Billie Eilish. Allen-Lubman sets the scene with a fuzzy, bouncing riff that really lets the vocals shine. Slowly building the texture, by the[...]

Sir Jay – Running From Yourself

November 25, 2024 Nick Sessanna

Sir Jay is a Helsinki-based musician who has been gearing up for the release of his latest album, Running From Yourself (RFY), since the pandemic. With that much time to tweak, tweez, and polish your magnum opus, it’s borderline ironic that RFY sounds so effortless. Taking queues from electronica, soft rock, and psychedelic rock, Sir Jay’s nine latest songs are a group of whirring gems – stuffed with nuance and texture in a way that makes it perfect listening-music for many moods. Jay was smart to start the album with the swirling ambiance of “Box Animal.” A slow-burning start introduces the listener to Jay’s sonic palate – expect gauzy bleats of synth, simmering string accompaniments, and drums that percolate at a pleasant, reserved pace. “Box” inspires feelings of being underwater – whether it’s Jay’s all-encompassing instrumentals or a poolside vibe is up to the listener to decide. Throughout its three[...]

Love Ghost – Love Ghost x Skold

November 22, 2024 Nick Sessanna

LA-based act Love Ghost is one of the most perfectly-named acts I’ve ever come across. Colloquially known as Finnegan Seeker Bell, he’s been making music since he was barely double-digits, cutting his teeth (and probably losing them simultaneously) at backyard gigs, small venues, and anywhere else that would have him. It’s led to this point in his journey – a collaborative, 13-song LP called Love Ghost x Skold (LGXS). Full of dark alt rock that slaps heavily of mid-aughts emo, Bell, alongside Tim Skold (who co-wrote all the songs and music on the album), tackles heavy topics, like death, witchcraft, and war with a dagger-wielding hand that cuts straight to the bone. LGXS opens with a mysterious intro before launching into “Nightshade and Cocaine” – here, we’re first introduced to the hallmarks of LGXS’ sound. A tape-aged piano taps out haunting chords before a trap-inspired smattering of electronics creep out[...]

Bat Ring – A Spectre Prepares

November 11, 2024 Raigan Martinez

Brianna Battista, frequent Little Cake collaborator and former Skirts co-lead, has released her debut album under new solo-project Bat Ring. With production by Bran Schlia (Steak & Cake Records), A Spectre Prepares introduces a beautifully creative sound into the world of experimental post-rock. In addition to the haunting vocals by Battista, this album utilizes synths and distortion in a truly unique way. The five tracks are inspired by a series of painful experiences Battista summated in a personal essay regarding the album. After a poor-fit college program, her creativity was stunted by an inability to express herself the way that she wanted. As Battista continued to experience a power imbalance between herself and her classmates, she began to question her reasons for creating. She writes, “My goal was directly tied to everything these men in my acting program thought of me, and said about me, and said TO me,[...]

Idaho Green – Gems of the High Plains

November 10, 2024 Nick Sessanna

As purveyors of predominantly WNY-based music, it makes complete sense that we’d review a double LP from Montana-born, Brooklyn-based act Idaho Green (IG). Sarcasm aside, Idaho Green is one of those wacky bands that we would champion over here at buffaBLOG – we’re not intimately familiar with the group, but they seem like the type of loud, lightly-wacky act that pumps out good, passionate songs at a frighteningly efficient pace. Full disclosure, Idaho Green reminds me of a few beloved local acts (see here, or here), and I find that endearing. Buffalo is a secondary market (much like Billings, Montana I’d imagine), so we usually have to create our own fun. A place like Brooklyn seems like an obvious home for a quartet like this, but thinking about IG dressing up in stage outfits and getting wild in some dive bar in Montana makes me smile. The double album[...]