New Music

nikmoody and Blvff – “glass ceilings”

June 7, 2025

Long Island hip hop artists nikmoody and Blvff are putting an underrepresented area of NY hip hop on the map. Their latest collaboration, “glass ceilings” grows out from the roots of a tasty soul sample. Blvff and nik muse on accountability, growth, and self-advocacy with lines like “If I can’t save me, then who can save me?” and “A caged bird can open a bird, but can it stay free?” The artists pair up for really nice harmonies on this track’s chorus, elevating a well-written, thoughtful track into a sonic itch scratcher. Between the production, vocal varieties, and lines and lines of depth, “glass ceilings” is a great addition to your hip hop playlists. If you’re digging “glass ceilings,” check out more from nikmoody and Blvff on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated every single mother trucking week, baby.

yetep – Hate It When It’s You (feat. Trella)

June 6, 2025

yetep might “Hate It When It’s You” (and Trella too), but I don’t think they’re talking about you (sorry). That doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy this pupil-dilating EDM laced jam. I could try and tell you how perfect the vocals hit with the drum machine and effects yetep pushes out… But this is just a great mid-set song that really brings a crowd back in on a Saturday night, or, the type that’s a great jumping off point for the beginning of a set.   You can hear the (very helpful) lyric track below on YouTube. It’s also available on Spotify and probably a couple other places (there are like eighty different streaming apps now).          

Marina Fleming – “The Band”

June 6, 2025

Hot off her newest album Groupies in the Age of Consent, Marina Fleming brings us her latest single “The Band.” With “The Band,” Fleming has crafted a slow burn track that vacillates between pop and, dare I say, some folk influence? Listen. She tells a damn story and it’s sad, but it’s not quite country, ergo, folk. *mic drop* Oh and another thing! You can’t tell me lo-fi guitar and a tambourine aren’t at least folk-adjacent. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think!   You can hear “The Band” below from YouTube or check it out on Spotify. The rest of the album, Groupies in the Age of Consent, is available now, so be sure to catch the rest of that too.        

NickyCortez115 – “Nicky Not Real”

June 4, 2025

I thought I was listening to the soundtrack to a pre-1950s family-friendly movie until NickCortez115 snapped me back to reality. The one and only Texas heartbreaker transitions from the intro of his latest single “Nicky Not Real” with a declaration that establishes exactly who we’re dealing with – “Nicky Not Real but your girl think I am.” This track’s beat drops poignantly alongside Nicky’s words – highlighted by swirling orchestral samples calling back to that Hollywood intro. Dipset gets a callout on the chorus, and the smooth aura Nicky displays in his rhymes and flows keeps that callout pertinent. Nicky’s hook is an immediate earworm, the concept of the track is a ton of fun, and the beat knocks. Add this one to your pregame playlists and check out more from Nicky on Spotify and our Underground Hip Hop playlist.

NappyHigh + ScienZe + Blu – “MMHMM”

June 4, 2025

L.A. artist NappyHigh touches all parts of the rap game with his output. The Producer, DJ, Singer and Rapper’s partnered with Brooklyn emcee ScienZe for a new project, and their latest single “MMHMM” boasts a tight feature from underground hip hop legend Blu. “MMHMM’s” highlighted by ScienZe’s relentless delivery, a grimy Wu Tang-style beat from Nappy, and head-spinning wordplay from one of the best to ever do it. “It’s Blu.” This one’s distinctly for the hip hop heads looking for depth in their rap. The duo’s new project Praises also features tracks with Benny the Butcher and Mick Jenkins, among other talented artists. If you’re digging this, check out similar artists on our Underground Hip Hop playlist.

Girl Time – “crack in the screen”

June 3, 2025

“crack in the screen” is the latest track from brother/sister duo Girl Time… And just like any heart-wrencher, it’s about a break up. It keeps a chill drum machine beat interspersed with appropriately mournful low-fi guitar riffs. Like a lot of Girl Times tracks, they keep it simple but goddamn if it isn’t almost flawlessly done each time (see also, their track “Something.”)   You can hear it below from YouTube or over on Spotify. I suggest this as a great wind-down track or a contemplative walk. Though you don’t necessarily have to have gone through a break up, it certainly hits different if you have. With this being their second single of the year, lets hope we don’t have to wait too much longer for another!  

The Electorate – “Don’t Go Out”

June 3, 2025

“Don’t Go Out” are the sage words of The Electorate, especially if you’re anxious and/or anti-social. It’s also their latest single from their new album By Design (May 30).   Based out of Sydney, this trio has crafted a rhythmic, guitar-heavy piece that feels scattered and all over the place. However, like the reveal at the end of an M. Night Shyamalan film, you see how wonderfully it all fits together (Bruce Willis conspicuously absent). This leans into the band’s punkier side of indie pop and feels like a strong finish leading up to the last track on the album.   You can hear it below from Bandcamp or over on Spotify/Apple Music. The rest of the album is a fun listen too, as it really showcases the range of the band.   Don’t Go Out by The Electorate

Far Caspian – “An Outstretched Hand / Rain From Here To Kerry”

June 3, 2025

Far Caspian has become a buffaBLOG regular (see here, and here, and here, and here). By now, you know we appreciate the Irish musician for his expansive take on the genre of indie rock. “An Outstretched Hand / Rain From Here To Kerry” is his latest, and a wonderful addition to his oeuvre – a 5+ minute offering led by a spindly guitar riff that’s both chiming and gripping in nature. Inspired by both a long-night drive and the feeling of wanting to spend all your time consumed with a fresh, new love, “AOH/RFHTK” encapsulates those heartstring-pulling feelings with simmering energies and blood-churning crescendos.   Follow the forbidden YouTube embed (below) to see the video for “An Outstretched Hand / Rain From Here To Kerry,” or, swing by Spotify.  

Tonite – “Breathe”

June 1, 2025

Australian rapper Tonite headlines a growing scene of conscious hip hop performers down under. The rising artist’s latest track “Breathe” discusses the communal energies that guide the human experience. Whether it’s a Frank Sinatra song, the noise of the news, or beautiful silence, Tonite considers how we interact with these forces around us. They’ll live and breathe, but it’s our choice how to interact with them. “Breathe’s” production counters lush with whimsey, as strings from an early Disney movie prance on top of medley of horns, bells and featured artist Wild Gloriosa’s sultry coos. If you’re digging this track from Tonite, check him out on Spotify and discover more exciting new artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated every week.

KID NATIVE and Loose Tee – “SMOKE NICE”

May 30, 2025

Smoke them if you’ve got them, my dudes ✌️. “SMOKE NICE,” the latest stoner anthem from rappers KID NATIVE and Loose Tee is sure to fit right in with your 420 friendly playlists and elevate your elevated state. Loose Tee is vivid in his smoked-out lyricism, evoking a sight many of us are familiar with on his first verse with the line “Windows down, smoke roll out of them.” KID NATIVE takes the stick on the second verse and leans into the floatiness of the production – matching his flow with the relaxed but deliberate beat. This after an early Curren$y track is the ideal soundtrack for your next light up. Be sure to follow the KID NATIVE YouTube page and follow him and Loose Tee on Spotify. If you’re into discovering more underground rap artists, check out our Spotify playlist, updated every week.

CATBEAR – “Who Cares?”

May 29, 2025

“Who Cares?” Well, you should. CATBEAR? Not so much (but they really do, just listen). Their latest single, named, you guessed it, “Who Cares?” is their third release off of a single I’ll let you guess the name of.   Crafting 80’s tinged indie pop tracks is apparently Zoe and Sarah’s specialty – it will make you feel right at home, what with the drum machine and synth. If the lyrics remind you of a certain feeling that you can’t quite a finger on, there’s an explanation for that! Speaking to the track, Zoe had this to say:   “It’s that quiet panic before you’ve even left the house… you want to go out and be part of things, but you’re already working out how long you have to stay before it’s okay to leave.”   You can hear “Who Cares?” below from Soundcloud as well as on Spotify. The[...]

Fortitude Valley – “Sunshine State”

May 28, 2025

The latest from Fortitude Valley is a chippy little tune called “Sunshine State.” Other than being really good at picking an awesome sounding band name, the foursome has managed to craft a hook laden punk pop gem.   The guitars aren’t just catchy as fuck, but power this track forward wire to wire. Inside of all this, vocalist Laura Kovic is super chill yet manages to perfectly match the frenetic energy of the instrumentals. If you can get through all three minutes and not crack a smile or bop your head, you need more help than this humble blog writer is equipped to give you.   You can hear “Sunshine State” below from the band’s Soundcloud or over on Spotify. If you’re more of a visual listener, the music video can be found on YouTube. This is their latest since their self titled 2021 album, and hopefully a harbinger of[...]

Jason Isaac and flapslaps – “Out of Sight”

May 25, 2025

Chicago artists Jason Isaac and flapslaps are two fresh faces in the local lo-fi scene. Jason’s floating vocal deliveries cut through flapslaps’ dreamscape production style to create hypnotic heady sounds with their latest display “Out of Sight.” The new single from the artists is equal parts starry and grounded – the yin and yang intentional when Isaac raps lines like “I’m a paradox, I care a lot and I don’t.” slaps’ twinkling production takes you to another realm, one guided by Isaac’s confident delivery. “Out of Sight” slots in amongst your favorite lo-fi tracks – transport to the clouds in which these two artists reside. Listen to both of their output on Spotify, and if you like this track, catch our Emerging Hip Hop playlist where we compile our favorite new tracks on a weekly basis.

MK Zulu and Harry Gray – “Passport Baby”

May 25, 2025

DMV area artists and frequent collaborators Harry Gray and MK Zulu bring forth a soulful, suave single just in time for the summer. Their latest track “Passport Baby” combines accessible, R+B influenced rapping styles with a bouncy house influenced beat – complete with live instrumentation. Zulu’s a Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, notable for his talent on the trumpet. Gray’s a genre-bender known for mixing sound potions in a winning formula for his audience. Their specialties are on display with “Passport Baby,” which boasts a big chorus, a driving groove and that horn breakdown that’s gonna have you fluttering your fingers when you drive oceanside. Or wherever your passport takes you – maybe it’s a sea or a lake. Check out more from Harry Gray or MK Zulu on Spotify and if you’re into this sound, then hit up our Emerging Hip Hop playlist for new music posted each week!

Slow Joy – “Te Amo”

May 23, 2025

Fresh off a hot gig in Buffalo last month, Slow Joy say “I love you” with latest single, “Te Amo.” With trademark grungy guitars and emotive vocals, “Te Amo” continues Slow Joy’s trend of emo-flavored singles that have melody, sincerity, and energy in spades. Fans of Citizen, Balance and Composure, and the like will love the heavy-hitting vibes found here.   Check out the video for “Te Amo” below, or, add it to your emo-adjacent Spotify playlists.