New Music

stasisxD – “white tee”

May 22, 2026

The latest single from emerging artist stasisxD is rooted in the textures of shoegaze while maintaining a contemporary cloud hip hop delivery. These compelling joint forces are further empowered by lyrics that yearn for a simpler time. “White Tee,” from stasisxD, serves as a soundscape feeling both experimental and nostalgic. Shoegaze’s flooded guitars cloud the instrumental, while more traditional hip hop drums serve as a welcomed punch. StasisxD’s lyrics long for a time when Skype calls would make your heart burst, parties delivered euphoric opportunities, and the exchange of a clothing item like a white tee shirt felt guaranteed to be eventually followed up by a wedding ring. My mind goes somewhere else when I press play on this one. For more highlights from the world of experimental, underground and up-and-coming hip hop, give our Spotify playlist a listen. You’ll find talented artists like stasisxD gending genres up and down[...]

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[...]

tenmonthsummer – “holstein”

May 19, 2026

tenmonthsummer define themselves as a “lakeshore emo” band – not to be confused with the beloved suburb of Buffalo known as Lake Shore. But whether you’re fan of the Lake Shore Eagles modified football team or a music snob like us, we think everyone should listen to the new banger from tenmonthsummer called “holstein.” The band dives deep into their Midwest roots on this one – a listen from the first moment of the song will make that pretty evident. Squiggly guitar riffs and impassioned vocals aplenty; if you’re a fan of Tiny Moving Parts, Del Paxton, or the Topshelf Records crew, this one’s for you.   You can find “holstein” everywhere – we suggest bandcamp (below), but you can also source it via Spotify and Apple Music.   your name is my ocean by tenmonthsummer

Shy Plant – “Nature TV”

May 19, 2026

Can a shy plant make a sound? Do shy plants have a vibe? What would even constitute a plant being “shy” by design? I digress – “Nature TV” feels like an all-encompassing title for a single from a project called Shy Plant. We’re imagining some rare jungle orchid bobbing and weaving in the rhythm of a tropical rainstorm. More tangibly, this is a super chill indie rock jam that makes perfect use of synths, guitars, and *vibes* to bring this tune to life. Fans of Tame Impala, the works of David Wise (any DKC soundtrack fans out there?), or Mort Garson’s Plantasia will feel right at home when listening to this one.   You can find “Nature TV” on Soundcloud (below) or Spotify.   SHY PLANT · Nature Tv

Spiny Norman – “Siwa (7″ Version)”

May 19, 2026

Spiny Norman is ready to take you on a psychedelic trip with their latest single, “Siwa (7″ Version)” (which will henceforth be referred to only as “Siwa”). Immediately evident is the dummy thicc bassline that powers this one forward – layered thick with wah guitars, neurotic percussion, and bleeps and bloops galore. Despite the relative excess of their sound, Spiny Norman actually lets the rhythms speak for themselves – this is one for vibing-out, with some of those hazy, late-night get together vibes.   Check out “Siwa” via the YouTube embed below, or, through Spotify or Apple Music.    

Chrome Waves, Nowaah the Flood, and A.F.R.O. – “Life is Hell”

May 17, 2026

Boom bap heads need to keep an ear out for every release from UK producer Chrome Waves. His latest track, “Life is Hell,” taps an Inspectah Deck line from C.R.E.A.M., for its primary sample and namesake. Chrome chops and scratches the line into the track’s hook as Nowaah and A.F.R.O., dice up the cold piano scales of the instrumental. Their bars are equally icey as they explore hustling in devious ways. Taking hostages, robbing graves, things of that nature. Chrome’s production style matches the cartoonishly dark storytelling, as he interplays with the rappers through a series of animated vocal samples. It hits all its marks and makes for a great addition to your boom bap playlist. If you’re digging the track “Life is Hell,” or even just feel connected to its title, give this one a save on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Best of Underground Rap 2026[...]

YG Kayboe – “By The Way”

May 15, 2026

YG Kayboe‘s Memphis snarl cuts through his latest track, “By The Way,” proving himself to be anything but passive on his run of successful singles. “By the Way” has the hallmarks of a modern southern hit, much like the heat that bigxthaplug is putting out right now. YG’s relentless, baritone flow is as tight as the bass that punctuates the track.  Production is built around a twangy guitar groove, banging drums, and sprinkled vocal samples, and the beat is dragged underwater throughout the track, gaining and losing texture during different sections. And YG’s “By The Way” hook gives a theme to the entire track that makes the lyrics  memorable out the gate. Roll down the windows and turn the bass up and rap along. If you wanna see YG in action, give him a look on YouTube. You can find “By the Way” and more on our “Best of 2026[...]

ALÍSI – “END CREDITS”

May 14, 2026

London-born Brazilian-Portuguese musician ALÍSI built a slow-burning (but intense) offering with latest single, “END CREDITS.” Her latest is a blown-out alt-pop song that feels hazy on the ears but spikes your attention with bursts of overwrought sound. A sly guitar riff drones on omnipotently, while punchy drums and washy atmospherics keep your head spinning relentlessly. The coup-de-grace is ALÍSI’s vocal delivery – hushed, but filled with attitude, in that glassy-eyed way that keeps a listener feeling detached but intrigued.   “END CREDITS” can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube (below).    

Kicking – “Mourning After”

May 14, 2026

Kicking and buffaBLOG go way back, not only because of bassist Lacy Ellinwood’s former Buffalonian status, but also because they rip. “Mourning After” is just the latest in a trend of fantastic releases from this doom pop act – expect another round of huge guitars, impassioned vocals, and an overall dark vibe. Straddling the lines between post-punk, shoegaze, and alternative music, “Mourning After” sounds timeless and retro all at once. Stick this on your playlist next to The Cure and Slowdive for an injection of much-needed snarling energy while maintaining that doom-and-gloom ethos.   You can find “Mourning After” on Spotify – part of the Nothing Personal EP.  

Scott C Park – “Marlene”

May 14, 2026

Scott C Park gets a little irreverent on the off-kilter new single, “Marlene.” Straddling the often-fuzzy line between dissonance and harmony, “Marlene” examines the equally fuzzy lines between self-deprecation, naivety, and frustration. Delightfully wonky guitar energy powers this one forward with chromatic steps that pull delightfully on the ear. Scott leans into the humanity in the music, offering a refreshing “realness” in our often AI-drenched landscape… It’s a fantastic listen that we’re obsessed with, perfect for fans of JW Francis, Pavement, and Wilco.   Check out “Marlene” via the YouTube embed below, or, via Spotify.    

Quality Living – “Moon Is Out”

May 14, 2026

Quality Living describe “Moon is Out” as a terror… I mean, sure, that’s one way to look at it, but we’d happily fall asleep to this hazy indie pop dreamscape. Warbling guitars flutter in your ears while warm and washy vocals swirl around in your head like a nighttime fog. The band is riding high having recently completed their latest EP, Glacier, due out soon. If “Moon Is Out” is any indication of the band’s overall appeal, we’re about ready to get really icy. We are HQ’d in Buffalo, after all.   Check out “Moon is Out” via the conveniently-embedded Spotify widget below.  

Drew Rath – “in pursuit”

May 10, 2026

Drew Rath is a Cambodian-born, Cambridge-raised rapper with an ear for unconventional beats and a delivery that can match any of them. His latest single, “in pursuit” boasts production that is in a constant state of evolution. You want to settle into the brain scratching choral sample that kick off the track, but then it starts to bend and breakdown. Eventually the voices drop and are replaced with a spacey funk as Drew’s flow transitions from line-by-line into something more free-flowing to match. The entire track, he’s packing internal rhymes and double entendres into his verses, finding comfort in the uncertainty of it all. If you’re feeling “in pursuit,” check out more from Drew on Spotify. You’ll also catch this track on our Best Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, updated almost every single day.

Ricky Lake and Tommy with the Tool – “Trigenco – (Outro)”

May 10, 2026

Paradoxes fascinate Bay Area-s based artist Ricky Lake. The experimental rapper’s found inspiration in duality; the mixture of oil and water. His latest track, “Trigenco,”  fuses alty bedroom pop production with freestyle rap delivery. The dreamy, jaunty, molasses guitar loops meet a clever contrast in Ricky and Tommy’s conversational delivery. “Trigenco” explores the sensation of loving something that’s left you. “Do you even need me? … Feel like I fell in love with a ghost town.” The back half of the track really explores the swirling layers production, as the lines get more repetitive and the sentiment settles in. Check out more Ricky Lake and Tommy on Spotify, where you’ll find the Homme EP once it drops. You’ll also see this track on our Best of 2026 playlist. And be sure to dig the visuals for “TRIGENCO” down here to capture the energy of this duo.

Odile Ohms – “Don’t Give It Wings”

May 8, 2026

Odile Ohms knows a thing or too about nipping things in the bud… Even a cursory listen to new single “Don’t Give It Wings” makes that pretty evident. Through boxy drums, a digestible four-chord progression, and Odile’s haunting-but-enticing vocal presence, “Don’t Give It Wings” feels soothing, even in it’s powerful message. You know we like to hear from the artist themselves in scenarios like this – here’s what Odile has to say about the lore of “Don’t Give It Wings:”   “I think stability is most important during your teenage years, and for me, that was when everything was uprooted. It created a dissonance between who I thought I was and who I was becoming. When your world catches fire and you can’t stop it, you start to believe that’s your life, and that you’re no better. ‘Don’t Give It Wings’ is about catching that lie before it learns how[...]

Overnight Parking – “Mercy Might Martyr Me”

May 8, 2026

They just don’t make ’em like this anymore, folks. Gone are the ’90s and early ’00s where bands got in a room and made some quiet/loud Midwest emo, but Overnight Parking is here to remedy that. Elements of Braid, Unwound, and American Football radiate out from this jangly jam, which artfully combines twangy, Telecaster (TM) tone with fuzz-laden walls of sound. It’s noisy, it’s heartfelt, and it was recorded on a Tascam 388… So if you’re a fan of Deep Elm Records, Jade Tree, or Polyvinyl Records’ output, you’ll have no qualms adding this one into your rotation.   Check out “Mercy Might Martyr Me” via the bandcamp embed below, or, on Spotify. Mercy Might Martyr Me by Overnight Parking