Buffalo

Happy Vacation – “Up All Night”

March 25, 2022

Buffalo-based trio Happy Vacation delivered their latest smash single, “Up All Night,” just in time for spring break. Bubbly melodies covered with a vibrant fuzzy production are tied in with classic lyrics that embody a simpler time and place – just a few of the many aspects that make “Up All Night” a gem. I can already smell the freshly smoked smores over the campfire with friends and/or family as this song blares in the background. The tellingly-named Happy Vacation is guaranteed to compliment all your memories made this summer with the synth-laced indie pop flavors of “Up All Night.” Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

The Safety Meeting – “W1ND^UP”

March 25, 2022

Let’s take it back to the 90s, the modern day golden era of nostalgia. Shredding through the 716, The Safety Meeting has developed a sonic extract of that golden era on their latest track titled “W1ND^UP.” The hook hollers “if I worked any more or I laughed any less, I’d probably wind up dead,” resonating with a cruel yet cool aftertaste. The Buffalonian band, born from COVID, was founded by Julian Burgio and now consists of Anthony Carmes and TJ Cutajar on guitar, Kevin Sampson on bass, and Marc Thomas on drums. “W1ND^UP” released on February 1st of 2022 and is currently sitting at the top of their Spotify page (presumably until they drop their next song). Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

Edward Phillips – “Lesson Learned”

March 25, 2022

New Jersey singer-songwriter Edward Phillips (born Phil Edwards) came through with what he described as “a smokey drive in spring” with the new single “Lesson Learned.” The grizzly indie rock track includes a chord progression that may or may not have magical powers, you’ll know when you hear it. Edward Phillips had the help of Oscar Suh-Rodriguez on bass and production along with the help of himself on vocals, guitars, keys, and production. Whether you’re on a “smokey drive in spring” or “walking outside through the morning dew after the night of a party” type of person, “Lesson Learned” is the soundtrack. It’s out now on Kidokoro Records. Stream it on Spotify, Apple Music and SoundCloud Edward Phillips · Lesson Learned

dayaway – “Cool Water”

March 25, 2022

Have you ever had a beach completely to yourself all day till night and lit off Chinese lanterns? Okay, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself but you get the deal; NYC artist dayaway has arrived with debut single “cool water.”  This coastal club banger washed ashore on March 7th of 2022 and already has accumulated over 25 thousand streams on Spotify. It was also featured on an episode of A Million Little Things on ABC. What’s arguably most exciting about dayaway is that they make me feel like summer is already here for three minutes. You could only imagine the tracks we have to look forward to. The next moves of dayaway are unknown, but what is known is every move they’ve made thus far has been big. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music dayaway · cool water

The Entrepreneurs – “Friends”

March 25, 2022

How have you been feeling recently? Vitamin D deficiency? Well, the Entrepreneurs fill the room with light on their new double single “Friends / Amianto.” The first of the two ballads brought forth by the trio from Copenhagen fits a more universal niche for everyone to enjoy, lifting any spirit it encounters with its lackadaisical vibrations. The second half of the double single is much more spacey and euphoric, but no less sensational. So much so that the Entrepreneurs successfully snuck onto my own personal playlist. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music Friends / Amìanto by The Entrepreneurs

Low Lying Sun – “Hymn To Say Goodbye”

March 25, 2022

Low Lying Sun coming in hot with the new head thrashing “Hymn To Say Goodbye.” Heed what you hear because this single makes me want to go cliff jumping and I’m afraid of heights. A heavily reverbed hook, hypergamic guitar licks, and wonderfully anticipated percussion containing just the right amount of righteousness to make anyone crave facing their fears. The rather bleak music video brings a completely different perspective from what I initially heard, in a Michael Jackson “Thriller” type sense. Hailing from London/Essex the quartet is sure to have the rest of the world raging along with them soon enough. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

girlhouse – “Paul Blart Mall Cop”

March 25, 2022

The rhythm within the lyrics of “paul blart mall cop” by girlhouse is more nostalgic than the movie itself. The Nashville artist quite possibly made the loner song of the summer. Lines like “crying my eyes out in a Chili’s parking lot praying to god I’m not alone” hold a whimsically deep connotation that hits hard whether you’re singing with all your friends or all alone. Girlhouse is completing all the side quests of a musician; such as performing on the same stage as Foo Fighters at the Innings Festival in Arizona. Garnering millions of streams on Spotify alone and most recently naming a bonafide banger after a Kevin James movie. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music girlhouse · paul blart mall cop

Crumbsnatchers – “Keep Your Honey”

March 25, 2022

The volume panning up into the intro of a project can be similar to the climb toward a mountain top… But the volume panning into title track of the Nashville-based Crumbsnatchers EP “Keep Your Honey” is more like riding a rollercoaster that keeps going up after surpassing its climax. The bassline compliments the title of the song as it’s thick and rich like honey, same goes for the vocals lathered smoothly over the track. Crumbsnatchers are fresh off a national tour in which they sold t-shirts and cassettes of their debut album Big House. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

Kod!e Releases Music Video for “Can’t Function”

March 21, 2022

Buzzing hip-hop act Kod!e (aka Cody Rozler) just released a new music video for his latest single “Can’t Function.” The Buffalo-based rapper has no problem opening up to the world, bearing his soul with lines like, “I can’t function if I don’t have any drugs/sat here cryin’ cuz I’m feeling so numb.” It’s a powerful message about mental health, but also shows off Kod!e’s sharpened ear – it’s full of catchy melodies; (sadly) relatable lyrics; and a unique flow. Kod!e is fresh off a March 5th show where they apparently set venue attendance records – perhaps an early indication that Kod!e is about to pop off with a promising hip hop career. In the song’s music video produced by Nova Vision, Kod!e appears in a straitjacket with pills scattered across the floor. Check it out below. You can also find the song on Spotify and Apple Music.

Magnetic Library – “Sorry”

March 18, 2022

True love holds high value and sometimes that price increases as soon as you let it go. LA-based band Magnetic Library share these feelings and released some new vibes into musical world for the first time in over two years with their EP “A Stupid Smile.” Released at the tail end of February 2022, This EP tells the story of the aftermath of a breakup bringing about feelings that are all too familiar in the best ways possible. The intro track one “Sorry” in particular is the soundtrack of one week after the end of a relationship. It’s a warm and nostalgic sounding recording, with 8-track vibes and memorable melodies that bring to mind The Shins or early-era Death Cab for Cutie. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music

No Swoon – “Wait To See”

March 14, 2022

With an LP set to release April 8th, LA-based band No Swoon spoiled fans with a third single, “Wait To See,” from their upcoming sophomore album Take Your Time. The duo of Tasha Abbott and Zack Nessel-Patt are impressively able to combine grungy guitar tones with soft and soothing vocals in this dreamy, shoegaze-y number. It’s visually displayed in their clever lyrical video featuring Tasha Abbott laying over what looks like the coziest blanket of all time while lyrics written on ripped paper are casually placed on a transparent space atop her face. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music

Roller Derby – “Starry Eyed”

March 14, 2022

Coming all the way from Hamburg, Germany, surfy post-punk trio Roller Derby have the world harking to their latest work “Starry-Eyed.” This hypnotic .wav file is about as transcendent as the deep blue eye featured on the single’s cover art. The motion picture of “Starry-Eyed” premiered on March 4th of 2022 and is one of the trippiest video I’ve seen to date. Before watching, I closed my eyes and visualized what the song would look like on video and Roller Derby exceeded the expectations of my imagination; see the psychedelic magic of “Starry-Eyes” for yourself. Check out our previous writeup for their single “Flying High” here. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music too

Render Ghosts – “Keeping My Number”

March 14, 2022

Congregating from London/Utrecht, Render Ghost is giving synth pop a classical touch in real time. With the skillset of articulate composer Tom O. C Wilson, renowned singer-songwriter Tamara Van Esch, and innovative instrumentalist Iain Chambers, their latest single “Keeping My Number” can’t possibly lose. The airy vocals push the cloud-like synthesizer to achieve maximum purity. Classical synth pop is a particularly interesting genre due to the aspects it takes from both the past and the future and Render Ghosts seem to be seasoned time travelers. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music

Laveda – “bb”

March 14, 2022

With an illuminating voice, Ali Genevich from the Albany-based band Laveda leads listeners to the light. This statement is exceptionally evident when experiencing their latest shoegaze single, “bb.” Written in the middle of what seemed to be a socially apocalyptic world, lines like “In the basement and I’m never coming out, fucking wasted for what’s done while in the dark” brings out your inner darkness and doctors-it-up. “bb” was just put out on March 4th of 2022 and things are finally starting to look up in the global pandemic department… So let the words of Laveda usher in your own personal renaissance. You can also find our write up of another excellent Laveda song, “Rager,” via this link. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music bb by Laveda

grape juice! – “Goodbyes Suck”

March 9, 2022

Catered with a visual, Saratoga Springs’ very own grape juice! gave us just what we needed a month before Valentine’s day with “Goodbyes Suck.” The trio consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Hunter, “The Talent;” bassist Jesse, “The Sugar;” and last but not least, percussionist Mike “The Spice.” If you’re looking for an audible pick-me-up, look no further, lyrics such as “Goodbyes suck, but so do early mornings, grab a cup of coffee and move on.” The level of wholesome grape juice! spoils us with is similar to dinner at your grandma’s house after you told her you haven’t eaten all day… That is, if your grandma specialized in warbly guitars and bedroom-indie perfection somewhere in between Mac Demarco, Vampire Weekend, and your favorite Midwest emo band. Listen on Spotify and Apple Music – lots more options via Linktree as well.