Listen Up

Aimes – “Burnin’ (ft. Javi)”

August 12, 2014

If there is one thing DJ/Producer AIMES can do, it’s make you move, whether it be on a crowded festival, an intimiate basement afterparty, or in this case, the buffaBLOG office. The  Alabama-raised, Brooklyn-based Italo spinster has kept busy since last last spring’s On Holiday EP.  His latest single, “Burnin’,” is in the same realm of his numerous Maserati-Disco anthems (is that a term? that’s what it sounds like). “Burnin” begins with 80’s arcade (not chip-tune) cruisin’ Miami synths  which soon leads into 4/4’s pounding the kicks easily syncable for dance floor groovin’. The track evolves into something really special once up-and-coming Javi joins AIMES’ slow building banger.  “Burnin'” is the first single off of AIMES’ forthcoming release via Wonder Stories and can be downloaded for free now. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/161650028″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SW/MM/NG – “All I Want”

July 29, 2014

If you were one of the few people who caught Arkansas five piece, SW/MM/NG, last fall at Nietzsche’s, you were treated to one of indie rock’s best up and coming acts. Nearly a year later, the band is prepping the release of their forthcoming debut LP, Feel Not Bad, as its first single debuted yesterday. Titled “All I Want,” pleading, worn down vocals are backed by celestial dream pop guitars and steady percussion, sounding like a spacier version of Real Estate or Beach Fossils. Feel Not Bad will be released on Tuesday, August 26th. Listen to “All I Want” below.

Steve Gunn – “Milly’s Garden”

July 9, 2014

Steve Gunn’s music sounds like coming home after a long journey from some far away place. Last year’s Time Off was a spare and easy album to fall into, comprising of Travis picking guitar figures that hint at the Dead circa American Beauty. I saw him earlier this year in an air condition-less club in Northampton, Mass., and I dug his set more than Kurt Vile’s, who Gunn opened for (and at one time backed up). On stage, Gunn seemed bothered and disinterested, telling the crowd that his music was on sale in the back before trailing off and mumbling, “It’s complicated.” His music, though, was the exact opposite: simple and serious, comprising of just him, a drummer, and a bassist. His guitar style feels like you are being strummed up and down by a thousand feathers, and his voice is pure. “Milly’s Garden,  the new single off his forthcoming[...]

Work Drugs – “Double Life”

July 9, 2014

Our inbox was graced this morning with the new single from Work Drugs, a Philadelphia based dream-pop outfit. The band’s latest track, “Double Life,” taken from their forthcoming fall release Runaways, is full of smooth vocals, 80s guitars, and no lack of dance ready beats, and sounds like Holy Ghost meets Two Door Cinema Club. If you want a local spin, think Like A Parrot and the guys from Fashion Expo 1990 collaborating and you may have “Double Life.”  The band is self described as “Philadelphia’s premier Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band.” Perhaps a local promoter could land them a spot in a sweaty basement later this summer.

Mountain of Youth – “Thinkin’ Bout Love”

July 7, 2014

Over the weekend we received an e-mail from delicate chillhouse artist, Mountain of Youth. Hailing from the incredibly vague “United States,” this downtempo electro rework musician has recently achieved a following via Hype Machine, ranking in at a high of number six on the charts at some point in June.  “Thinkin’ Bout Love” is the followup to his previous success  and is equally soulful, sweet, and hypnotic.  Mountain of Youth reconstructs THE NIGHT VI’s cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking Bout You,” to make it something more palpable to fans of Hot Chip or Poolside. Check it out below or above. Formatting for ‘Listen Ups” is a work in progress.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156704270″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Landlady – “Girl”

July 1, 2014

Fresh off one of the stand out performances of the Silo Sessions Launch Party last month, Brooklyn buzz act, Landlady, have released the latest single from their forthcoming album Upright Behavior. The driving song, which sounds like a nice blend of Peter Gabriel, Future Islands, and Sunset Rubdown, continues to enforce the band’s captivating, if not off beat, blend of jagged, toe tapping indie-rock. Those who caught the band’s set under the shadows of the grain mills a few weeks ago can certainly vouch. Upright Behavior is set to drop on July 15th, but in the mean time, listen to “Girl” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156153884″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

James Rapp – “In Your Tomb”

June 30, 2014

Steak and Cake Records is to set to release the debut solo LP from James Rapp, whose primary band, The Rotaries, you may or may not remember was part of a SnC anniversary show a couple years back at the Vault. Titled Islander, the self-recorded album is set for release next Tuesday, July 8th, and features Rapp on every instrument. Lead off track and first single, “In Your Tomb,” sets the tone for the laid back affair: think Little Joy without the international flair or a less beat driven Islands. Islander is pleasant, summer soundtrack whether you are sweating out your Saturday Night at Bidwell Park or cooling off over at the harbor (pro tip: the best spot is behind the Outer Harbor stage). Keep an eye on Steak and Cake’s bandcamp page next week for the full album stream/download, and in the mean time, listen to “In Your Tomb” below.

Grimes – “Go”

June 26, 2014

I would be lying if I said I didn’t get chills while listening to the latest Grimes release for the first time. “Go,” released today, has that ethereal sound and angelic vocals that the Canadian musician is iconic for. The production work for the track, however, hits much harder and heavier than her usual dreamspace sound. The lyrics are powerful, the build-ups are perfect, all with an overall XXX feeling. The track features Blood Diamonds, a DJ and producer from Los Angeles, who has collaborated with Grimes in the past. A perfect match with a clear ability to diversify, a year later and their collaboration for “Phone Sex” is a tune I found myself never losing interest in. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156075705″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Modern Electric – “All We Have Is Now”

June 12, 2014

Cleveland natives, The Modern Electric, took over our office speakers this morning with their driving single “All We Have Is Now.” Part manlier Keane, part vaudeville Jens Lekman, and a pinch of Spoon, the band’s sound is both whimsical and exuberant, channeling classic rock legends like Jeff Lynne of ELO. The Modern Electric will be making a stop in Rochester next Thursday (6/19) at Sticky Lips as part of their national tour. This post is geared to our Rochester readers and Buffalo readers that like driving 80 miles to see bands. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/69973526″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Baked – “Mick Jagger”

May 28, 2014

Titus Andronicus is returning to the Tralf on Saturday, June 7th, and with them, the Jersey punks are bringing the very intriguing band Baked. The Brooklyn act’s new single “Mick Jagger” just received a Stereogum seal of approval. Think jagged Grizzly Bear melodies, along with some easy going Local Natives’ bass lines, and maybe a touch of Yeasayer’s sultry rhythms, and you have “Mick Jagger.” Check out the single below, in particular that burst of drums around the 3 min mark, and if you like what you hear, head over to the Tralf in a couple weeks for the real thing.

Upset – “Linus”

May 20, 2014

Los Angeles has always been a mecca for music, like fellow NYC and Chicago metropolises. While ups and downs are unavoidable, as of late, LA has been able to find its footing, with new acts like Fidlar and Cherry Glazer, among others, to come of the City of Angels. The newest member to this club is the all girl pop punk outfit, Upset. Upset is a supergroup of sorts, consisting of former drummer of Best Coast and Vivian Girls, Ali Koehler (guitar/ vocals), Jennifer Prince (guitar) formerly of La Sera, and Patty Schemel (drums) of Hole fame. Upset released their debut album, She’s Gone, in October of 2013, on Don Giovanni Records. They are about to hit the road with White Lung, and have released a brand new track “Linus” to commemorate the tour. “Linus” is a throwback to an early 90’s alternative pop punk. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147149401″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″[...]

PASTEL GHOST – “Skeleton”

May 20, 2014

This morning, we received an e-mail from Oakland-based dream-wave artist, PASTEL GHOST. The fourth song off of the band’s Shadows EP, “Skeleton,” is enchanting, sucking the listener into a shoe-gaze trance backed by “dreamtrap” instrumentations. If you want to start making your cool summer playlist, this should be the first song on it.

Cymbals Eat Guitars – “Jackson”

May 14, 2014

Man, who knew these guys were still around? I am sure I am not the only one who left Cymbals Eat Guitars for dead after the band followed up its incredible Why There Are Mountains with the somewhat disappointing 2011 release, Lenses Alien. The band returned in a big way yesterday by sharing “Jackson,” from forthcoming album, LOSE (8/26). The epic album opener, with its layer upon layer building towards that release and big classic rock guitar lines, could easily have led off WTAM too. Its thats good. And that big pay off at the end? Well worth the 6+ min wait.

Hooray For Earth – “Keys”

May 1, 2014

Yesterday, NYC’s Hooray For Earth released the first single from Racy, its highly anticipated follow up to 2011’s True Loves. Featuring crunchy guitars and a soaring ethos, “Keys” is ambitious, smart , pleasingly accessible, and one hell of a teaser for Racy, due out July 29th.

Bad Cello – “Cover Your Smiling”

May 1, 2014

What has been up with Utica lately? With impressive acts hailing from the region like Comfy  and Twin Speak, we’re beginning to think there is something unique in the Mohawk River. This week, we stumbled on an equally impressive act from the 315 under the moniker Bad Cello.  The project featuring Zeno Pitarelli and pals recently released the teaser for the grandiose sadcore single titled “Cover Your Smiling.” Set to be the starter single for an EP this summer via Miscreant Records, the song phases in and out of earnest vocals deserving of sympathetic back rubs and 90’s slack rock. Check out the  “Cover Your Smiling” below.