SoCal rock outfit HAWAI bridge the gap between 1980s sentiment and 2000s radio rock. This juxtaposition is super evident in their latest single, “Alive.” Having survived some major personnel changes (an accomplishment for any band), they were able to take a new approach to songwriting on this newest effort (and it shows). Fans of Bear Hands, Young The Giant, and Neon Trees will definitely like this one. If you want to know more about HAWAI, look here.
French dance-pop duo YELLE inspired us with their creative lyric video for “Romeo.” Non-French speakers fear not, the song is infectious and catchy even if you can’t understand the lyrics contextually… The karaoke-style words at the bottom might even inspire you to learn a bit. Either way, this sparkly nugget of pop greatness reminds us of Le Colour or Safari Disco Club – check it out if you like earworms. YELLE is on Bandcamp as well.
If you’re trying to fill a homespun bedroom pop void in the vein of Frankie Cosmos or (SANDY) Alex G, look no further than the cleverly tongue-in-cheek songs of Blaketheman1000. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter recently released an EP with highlight track “Vegan” taking the animal product-free cake. The song playfully mulls over miscommunication and youthful eagerness by way of glimmering synth tracks, mellow guitar lines, and some good-natured beatboxing. The vocal interplay, featuring Katy Kirby, is arguably the track’s winsome focal point, honing in on happy-go-lucky novelty a la Michael Cera and Ellen Page singing The Moldy Peaches’ “Anyone Else But You” at the end of Juno. For more endearing veritableness check out Blaketheman1000’s Tokyo EP.
Denver duo Motion Trap’s latest single “The Movement” sets up an electronic soundscape that radiates nothing but good vibes. With the help of pulsing synths, sharp percussion, and breezy, layered vocal lines, the track has an ethereal quality to it, while still supplying enough energy to ignite a synth pop-fueled revolution. Motion Trap has come a long way since their 2012 inception, where after various collaborations and band member changeovers, their penchant for electrifying disco dance tracks has never waned. “The Movement” comes from the duo’s recently released album Heavenly Bodies, featuring other juicy tracks like “Molecule” and “Youth Blood.”
If you’ve got the jitters or are feeling anxious, have we got the perfect song for you. Cuesta Loeb specializes in super chill electronica, perhaps best demonstrated by her latest single, “Festival 2017.” Combining curiously hushed vocal samples, blippy keyboards, and an ever-so-subtle beat, this is the perfect song for laying back with eyes closed and blissing out. Fans of Still Corners, Phantogram, or The XX should definitely check this one out. Add Cuesta Loeb to your Spotify playlist if you’re diggin’ it.
Sometimes all you need is a feel-good electropop song to groove along to, and today, we’re recommending JNNA‘s “Waking Up With You.” Produced by Tyzo Bloom (who we’ve also covered in the past), “With You” is an ode to young love and the feeling you get when you find “your person.” We are especially digging the left-field instrumentation and JNNA’s lilting presence – check it out. Learn more about JNNA from her website.
Buzzing post-punk act FEHM shot us the moody goodness of “Last Breath” and we’ve been hooked ever since. If you have any interest in Interpol, Ceremony, or Joy Division, you need to give this one a shot… This quintet specializes in abrasive and spacious post-punk, with an emphasis on song crafting and arrangement. FEHM has a website where you can purchase anything of theirs – here it is.
By now, you should know that we here at buffaBLOG are suckers for achingly personal songs… Well, Magnets has penned our newest favorite with the simmering indie-pop of “Dear.” About the song, Magnets (aka Siobhan McGinnity) explains, “[it is] an apology song to the ones I love for every time I’ve burned too bright.” Beyond that, any fan of St. Vincent, Now, Now, or Broken Social Scene could get down to this one… Give it a shot below. Magnets is on Bandcamp. If you like this song, head over there immediately and smash that buy it now button.
If you’re feeling dark and mysterious, Giant Party might just be your new favorite band. “Nighttalk” is a trudging, dark-wave jam full of bubbling swamp synths, cave-echo vocals, and a clear 1980s approach to songwriting. Don’t get us wrong, all this moodiness doesn’t undercut their strong attention to melody – quite the opposite in fact. Give “Nighttalk” a listen below and see what we mean. Add them to your Spotify playlist if you’re feeling moody.
Let’s just say this is one hell of a collaboration… By combining the baroque-pop of London act Gold Spectacles with the panache of NYC producer duo Lick Twist, we get the otherworldly “Lights On Lights Out.” This tune features a dank beat from Lick Twist and the organic instrumentation of Gold Spectacles, a combination that must be heart to be truly understood. We think this has a particular fall flavor – perfect for the current changing of seasons. “Lights On Lights Out” is available through a bunch of different platforms, check them out via the aforementioned link.
Local darlings, Passed Out are gearing up to shake things up with their new single, “Bukouski & Brautigan”. The new single comes off their upcoming EP, The Aforementioned and How it Pertains to Absolutely Nothing. The song is a strong showing for the band. Their sound continues to solidify form into a cohesive ball of punk rock force. “Bukouski & Brautigan” is full to the brim with wailing guitars over a twitching, fast paced set of drums. Acting as the cohesive glue, the vocals are in your face while staying poignant. Take a listen to the single below, and check out more of Passed Out over on their Bandcamp.
Cheem‘s nimble instrumentation and unique song structure has us straight-up jazzed. They just released an impressive fifteen-song release under their belts; “Jacuzzi” is our recommendation for where to start, falling somewhere on the spectrum between mathy emo and something a little more experimental. The musicians in Cheem are deliberately pushing themselves to explore new sonic territory, and it shows. Fans of Dads, toe, and American Football will find common ground here, check it out for sure. Cheem is on Bandcamp. You know what to do.
The retro flavors of Cults are definitely hitting home for us, specifically on their latest single, “Right Words.” The NYC-based duo wrote the song about not letting abstract ideas of success cloud your brain, profound in its own right. Beyond the deep meaning, this song is fun, synthy, and flavorful, reminiscent of 80s masterminds like Cyndi Lauper, Tears for Fears, or Cleaners from Venus. “Right Words” can be consumed via a variety of platforms, all of which can be accessed here.
We’re happy to feature the latest single from singer/songwriter Janet Kim, the tellingly-named “Lovely.” This little nugget of sparkling indie-pop kicks off with a unique violin riff, showcasing Kim’s training in classical compositions and all their complexity. This is followed by Kim’s own brand of high-gravity pop melodies which are sure to get stuck in your head… Especially recommended for fans of HAIM or Daft Punk. “Lovely” is available on Bandcamp if you’d prefer a digital download.
Hip-hop mogul MC Bravado opens up a dialogue on mental health and coping mechanisms with the video for his track “Try-Polar.” Marrying a rapid-fire vocal delivery with haunting guitar motifs and vintage R&B beats, he invites the listener to explore another person’s point of view and a struggle that is not always the easiest to perceive. The track comes from MC Bravado’s second album “Hip-Hop*” which was released this past March via Soulspazm. Experience the world through MC Bravado’s eyes with “Try-Polar” below.