New Music

Airhead DC – “Honey-Colored Flame Blown Off My Candle”

September 21, 2018

Experimental-pop solo-act Airhead DC teamed up with members from Cherry Glazerr for his latest offering, the interestingly-named “Honey-Colored Flame Blown Off My Candle.” The song explores the manic infatuation he (aka Vishal Narang) felt during the first year of a romantic relationship. We dig the overall ethereal vibes and smart pop melodies on this one. His latest release, Crush Hi, is set for an October 26th release date – till then, get your fill with “Honey” below. Airhead DC is also on Bandcamp if you’d like to pick up any of their discography.

Curtsy – “A Better Pet”

September 21, 2018

Curtsy is a lovely indie rock quintet from California. We loved the lush aesthetic of their latest single, “A Better Pet,” which has also just recently received the music video treatment. In the video, two fun-loving ladies hitch a ride on a stranger’s truck in a night of unbridled debauchery. Curtsy’s wistful indie pop is the perfect accompaniment to their mirth. Be sure to watch the video below to see for yourself. “A Better Pet” is live on Bandcamp. Be sure to check it out.

San Holo – “Brighter Days (feat. Bipolar Sunshine)”

September 18, 2018

The multi-talented San Holo (not to be confused with Star Wars alum Han Solo) teamed up with fellow producer Bipolar Sunshine to release the infectious “Brighter Days.” It has the sunny message that despite the trials and hardships that comes along with being alive, better days are always on the horizon. Fun fact: Holo and Sunshine met up in an airbnb and tracked most of the song in one session. Check out their shared virtuosity below. San Holo has lots of different listening options – check them out here.

Teen Ravine – “Friend of a Friend”

September 18, 2018

Toronto duo Teen Ravine have a hot new single on their hands with their latest jam, “Friend of a Friend.” Inspired by a soul-crushing break up and a debilitating concussion respectively, Teen Ravine pooled their collective misery to create their debut LP, released this past August. We were drawn to “Friend of a Friend” by its ethereal pop vibes – pairing electric piano with tight 80’s drum and synth tones. Their entire debut is currently on Spotify – check it out.

Fresh – Nighttime

September 17, 2018

The UK’s indie punk rising stars, Fresh, give apathy a monochromatic face in the video for their recent single “Nighttime.” The Londoners playfully exude their situational angst, traipsing around the woods in a strictly all-black dress code. Lyrically, the track touches on deep-rooted insecurities and thoughts, giving a voice to that negativity while whittling it away. It’s a jumpstart of distortion, drive, and distress, utilizing powerful vocals, measured percussion, and smoggy guitar lines to hammer their message home. If you’re lucky, you caught the band on one of their recent tours with Camp Cope, Caves, Me Rex, and other DIY punk outfits throughout the UK. Find this, along with the track’s B side “Daytime” and other releases here.

Nikki & The Phantom Callers – “Prodigal Daughter”

September 17, 2018

Jangly indie rock band Nikki & The Phantom Callers stir up dust and reflect on the past in their track “Prodigal Daughter.” An evolutionized take on the tales of a wayward drifter, the song glosses over life’s highs and lows by way of buzzy guitar solos, tinny drum lines, and a rustic vocal duet. Vocalists Nikki Speake and Anna Kramer play into each other’s strengths, matching sweeping melodies with grounding harmonies and sharing the stage from verse to verse. In the grand scheme of it all, “Prodigal Daughter” provides that soft place to land when the best laid plans fall through. Take in the band’s homespun toe-tapper below, and find more where that came from here.

Fishing in Japan – “Here For You”

September 15, 2018

Dallas indie rock trio Fishing in Japan throw some sunshine and emotional support our way with their track “Here For You.” This song is a rolling ball of energy, gradually building in vitality and force over its nearly four minute long time frame. For anyone feeling down in the dumps as of late, this is the sonic hug you could probably use right about now. Intrinsic guitar and bass countermelodies are joined by stalwart drum fills and enduring vocal lines, oozing positivity in a way that’s consolatory and encouraging. Find “Here For You” and more from the band here.

Henry Nowhere – “Not Going Back”

September 11, 2018

The lo-fi bedroom pop stylings of Henry Nowhere smooth cares away in his single “Not Going Back.” The recent L.A. transplant gives a nod towards his west coast upbringing with sun-bleached guitar lines, hazy vocals, and translucent synths. The track provides a drowsy escape from life’s monotony, however wistful that may be. Henry Nowhere’s sound has as much staying power as any other names in the bedroom pop space, with a bit of a throwback surf rock vibe that will have you sticking around for more. His time spent touring with Day Wave really shines through in the track’s production, taking on a similarly faded vocal delivery and swirling instrumentals. Plan your getaway with “Not Going Back” and the rest of Henry’s second wave of releases.

Church Girls – “Just Like You”

September 11, 2018

Philly indie rockers Church Girls head up the release of their recent EP with their broody single “Just Like You.” The band combine a post-punk zeal with expressive lyricism, introspectively mulling things over, only to hit back hard with each return of the chorus. That initial guitar melody immediately hooks you, while frontwoman Mariel Beaumont’s vocals rise and fall over a kinetic instrumental foundation. It’s a raw and holistic approach to working through emotion, honing in on the bitterness and nostalgia, and fleshing it all out with some group vocals and hearty rhythm guitar. Get a taste for the track below, and find the band’s entire EP Home here.

DIET – “Game Plan”

September 11, 2018

Beloved Melbourne quintet DIET. sent over the effervescent “Game Plan” and we’ve been hooked ever since. Finding a nice balance between the fervent punk of Cloud Nothings and a vague 80s Smiths vibe, “Game Plan” pairs frantic drums with equally peppy guitar riffs and airy synth flourishes. Have a listen for yourself via the Bandcamp widget below. “Game Plan” is on Spotify – add it to the playlist of your choice. Sundown EP by DIET

The 1984 Draft – “Honest”

September 11, 2018

The 1984 Draft tugged on our heartstrings with the frank, figurative thank you note of “Honest.” Driven by good-old-fashioned guitars and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, “Honest” finds singer/songwriter Joe Anderl thanking his audience for giving him a reason to go on. It’s a touching tribute to the reason musicians exist in the first place… Fans of Beach Slang, The Appleseed Cast, or The Gaslight Anthem will find common ground here. Makes Good Choices is available now via Poptek Records. Check it out here.

Catnip Cloud- “Buried in the Snow”

September 8, 2018

Catnip Cloud is a Norwegian artist whose “Buried in the Snow” caught our ears in just the right way. Anyone from Buffalo knows how brutal our winters can be, so this one will surely strike a nerve with some of our locals. About the song, Catnip says, “I made it in my bedroom in Norway on a dark winter night, something that was a crucial factor for the song’s emotion and atmosphere.” We can’t help but agree – dig into the delicious arpeggios and open-throated guitar and bass tones via the widget below. Catnip Cloud is on Spotify. Add it to your playlist here.

Emily Afton – “Back In San Francisco”

September 8, 2018

Emily Afton mysteriously reached out to us with her latest single, “Back In San Francisco.” We think it speaks for itself, so now we’re sharing it with all of you. Its sparse guitar arrangement, fuzzy bass contributions, and tight drum sound are reminiscent of “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, & John while still being very much its own song. This one is a lovely, simple indie rock ditty powered by Afton’s dusky vocals, check it out below. Emily’s stuff is on Spotify – add her to your library if you know what’s good for you.

Tired all the Time – “Bone Dry”

September 7, 2018

Fresh off a recent EP release, D.C. four-piece Tired all the Time spice up the workday in the video for their track “Bone Dry.” With a sound that falls somewhere on the alternative-angst spectrum between The Front Bottoms and A Day to Remember, this group knows how to play up the somewhat lost art of the group vocal. Right off the bat, we’re hit with buzzing guitar tracks, bombastic drum work, and a mantra-like vocal delivery that’s instantly energizing. Despite the seemingly pessimistic lyrics, the track’s video features a playful workplace atmosphere that serves as a reminder that it’s okay to let loose from time to time. Rock yourself into catharsis with “Bone Dry” below.

Lina Tullgren – “Always Fine (feat. NTHNL)”

September 7, 2018

DIY artist Lina Tullgren takes on a fizzled electropop approach in her latest single, “Always Fine.” Accompanied by the prospecting production work of NTHNL, Tullgren’s lackadaisical vocals meet a bubbling electronic accompaniment in a way that feels a bit unsettling and off-kilter. This falls right in line with the track’s narrative of feeling alone and misplaced in a crowd of people. It’s a step away from Tullgren’s previous work on her 2017 EP Won, which more so aligned with the Florist/Emily Yacina brand of DIY-rock. “Always Fine” seems to take a trip down the Alice In Wonderland rabbit hole, emerging more disjointed, busy, and vibrant than ever before. In terms of the other drowsy slacker rock out there, this is a breath of fresh air. Catch Lina Tullgren’s other releases here.