New Music

Wholewheat – “Camouflage the Mirage”

March 26, 2017

The pitch-bending, lo-fi pop stylings of Wholewheat come to fruition in his track “Camouflage the Mirage.” Brian Austin has been arranging grungy bedroom-pop recordings from his Jersey Shore hometown for decades, and Wholewheat’s thoughtful lyricism and elegantly-simple melodies showcase that. “Camouflage the Mirage” is a straightforward track about trying not to complicate love with inner insecurities. The song showcases flowing lo-fi vocals and bleary acoustic guitar, while still mustering a full and resonant sound. Dig into Austin’s lyrical ponderings below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311263956″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Black Honey – “Somebody Better”

March 26, 2017

Scene: the sun is setting on a clear day. A vintage hotrod is speeding forward through the desert in slow motion, as all of someone’s worldly possessions are fully ablaze in the background. This is the distinct image conjured up through Black Honey’s single “Somebody Better.” The band’s sound equates to sultry pop with an alt-rock edge, featuring powerhouse vocals, heavy-hitting guitars, and subtle ambient synths to set the tone. It’s sharp and cutting, but manages to take a step back and ruminate gently in the song’s bridge. The band is already gaining a ton of momentum through their tour supporting Catfish & The Bottlemen, as well a features on notable sources like the FADER, Hype Machine, and more. Not too shabby for a young alt-rock band out of the UK. Catch up on more from Black Honey on soundcloud and rest assured, this is a band you won’t want[...]

Water from Your Eyes – “Cold Stare”

March 26, 2017

Indie pop duo Water from Your Eyes have become masters of the long distance relationship with producer Nate Amos in Chicago and vocalist Rachel Brown in New York, but still manage to crank out catchy tunes together from miles away. Their latest endeavor, “Cold Stare” is a synth-driven track with bright intensity and smooth vocals. Garnering inspiration on a spectrum from Fleetwood Mac to early Sonic Youth, Water from Your Eyes sits somewhere on the line between pop and punk. This translates into their sunny melodic synth lines and laid-back, lo-fi vocals. “Cold Stare” itself centers on the conflict between wanting to belong and feeling isolated, artfully summed up in the line “You say I’m unpredictable but you don’t trust me to be / I say I’m anything that makes me seem more like what you are.” The track is a single off the duo’s upcoming album Long Days No Dreams,[...]

Low Weather – “Optimistic”

March 26, 2017

St. Louis foursome Low Weather curates some moody indie-rock with their new single “Optimistic.” The track’s video follows lead singer Mikey Trieb on a night of discovery and debauchery, while the city blurs together in the background. It coincides well with the song’s theme of “false starts and the unending pursuit for contentment,” as the band puts it. Treib has the dreamy alt-rock vocals down to a T, accompanied by clear-cutting guitar interjections, exciting drum fills, and ethereal keyboard lines. Low Weather has the potential to sit among big names like Cage The Elephant and Portugal. The Man, and we can’t wait to see them get there. Take in their visual odyssey in “Optimistic” below.

Bucolic – “LEFTY”

March 25, 2017

Bubbly electronica takes the forefront in Seth Carpenter’s solo project Bucolic, specifically in his new track, “LEFTY.” This song is over six minutes of atmospheric ethereality, harnessing powerful sustained vocals with an electrified backing that never sits still. The project itself draws inspiration from nature, with its name directly defined as a pastoral poem. Combining elements of dream pop, shoegaze, experimental electronic, and folktronica, this track is creative blend of all that is dreamy yet full of life. If “LEFTY” has sparked you interest, we recommend you head over to Bucolic’s bandcamp for more content as we patiently await his debut LP. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311401339″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Gift – “Big Fish”

March 25, 2017

For fans of Talking Heads, The Gift’s “Big Fish” is the latest spark of groove-infused energy to get you through the week. The band has been around for a little while – twenty years to be exact – and their seasoned musicianship shows. They’ve captured layering of catchy melodies, spot-on group harmonies, and creative instrumental interplay. It has a distinctive 80’s synth-pop feel, but still manages to bring in modern musical elements to keep up with the times. If you’re hungry for a slice of the past, be sure to check out The Gift’s upcoming EP ALTAR due April 7th on digital platforms and May 5th in physical forms, and catch up on their recent single releases here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305647122″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Fuzzy Crystals – “The King Is Dead”

March 25, 2017

L.A. six-piece The Fuzzy Crystals channels their inner flower child in the band’s new track “The King Is Dead.” This is modern psychedelic rock in its purest form. Featuring inspiring guitar solos, groove-heavy bass, and a cacophony of vocal harmonies, this is the kind of politically-charged aural journey we’ve been yearning for for decades. The song is complex, and plainly depicts an evolution of an idea, ending with a note of optimism. Holding true to their vintage sound, the band’s second album was completely recorded live with analog technology, only delving into digital when the final mixes were converted to audio files. Join The Fuzzy Crystals on their journey back in time below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311453923″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bleeding Knees Club – “Chew the Gum”

March 25, 2017

Australia’s Bleeding Knees Club sends metaphoric spitballs our way with the band’s latest single “Chew the Gum.” The song is the epitome of sleazy garage-pop. It centers around the idea of growing out of your old self and the things you once enjoyed. Frontman Alex Walls puts it as “It’s about over-doing things that are fun, to the point that it’s not fun at all anymore. Chewing the gum till there’s no flavor left, and it just tastes gross.” Featuring grungy rhythm guitars, crisp drum lines, and punkified vocals, this song packs a punch in a sickeningly sweet kind of way. If you want more where that came from, keep an eye out for the band’s upcoming EP Chew The Gum to be released April 14th.

Headphone Hair – “Bleeding Game”

March 24, 2017

Headphone Hair is the moniker of Ian Walters, a 6th grade History and Science teacher from Oakland. Outside of the classroom, his passion is music, and we dig his latest single “Bleeding Game.” It caught our ears for his hushed falsetto (a la Bon Iver) and use of left-field instrumentals like xylophone and trombone… Plus, it was all recorded in his classroom in one marathon session (and sounds pretty killer regardless). If you’re feeling generous, you can contribute to Bleeding Game’s Kickstarter here.

Rich List – “Esha Ness”

March 24, 2017

A little bit of history for y’all – Esha Ness was the name of a race horse that ran the second-fastest time in history, and famously “won” a race that never was. Electro-pop activists Rich List have cleverly turned that experience into a metaphor for the human condition… But we dig it for its retro stylings and clever use of 80s-style synth work. Fans of the 1980s, Duran Duran or Tears for Fears will like this one. “Esha Ness” is available via a variety of formats. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308682788″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

B O K E H – “Don’t Leave The Fire”

March 22, 2017

We think you should check out B O K E H (sic), the alter-ego for Berlin-based solo artist Chloë Lewer. The video for “Don’t Leave The Fire” is a glorious look at what might be a dancefloor/go-kart track hybrid, juxtaposing shots of B O K E H racing around the track with segments of her marching around with her squad. Beyond the epic video, B O K E H specializes in electropop tunes with a distinct nod to the 1980s influences – we think you’ll dig it a lot. If you like this song, support it by following this link.

Evan Wize – “Bad Habits”

March 22, 2017

“Bad Habits” has been a hit at the buffaBLOG offices lately, and for good reason. Evan Wize is an electropop whiz kid from Philadelphia. We recommend the sultry groove of his latest song, “Bad Habits.” Wize combines mysterious chords and menacing funk-bass with accessible lyrics and a pop-minded approach… All in all, a worthwhile listen. Give Evan a follow on Instagram too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310279776″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Wyldest – “The Poet”

March 22, 2017

We’re over here grooving to the latest dream pop jam from London power trio, Wyldest. Swirly guitars, hushed vocals, and a deeply groovy drum beat permeate this track… This is one of those jams that isn’t an outright dance banger, but still gets your body moving in its own, understated way. Fans of Warpaint and Blonde Redhead will definitely jive with this one. Be sure to add “The Poet” to your Spotify playlist too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310953935″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rosie Tucker – “Fault Lines”

March 18, 2017

Singer-songwriter Rosie Tucker crafts her brand of indie-rock with a bit of a DIY edge in her latest single “Fault Lines.” The song is chuck-full of gently soulful vocals, twangy guitar lines, and lax drum beats. It revolves around the idea of feeling alone in the sun-soaked utopia that is Los Angeles, and how to find solace in that. For fans of Waxahatchee, Frankie Cosmos, and Alex G, you won’t want to miss this. Catch up on Rosie’s last album Lowlight and more from the indie songstress at her website. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307932236″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rudie Edwards – “Lover Like You”

March 18, 2017

Britain’s Rudie Edwards takes us on a journey through movement and color in her music video for the single “Lover Like You.” The song itself is reminiscent of 90’s R&B with a rock-meets-disco edge. It’s seductive, idealized, and full of energy. This is pure pop shot straight through the bloodstream, but manages to be different than anything we’ve heard in recent history. As Edwards puts it; “The mission is to wake people up…I want to make some bloody noise that doesn’t sound like all of the other bloody noise out there.” It’s pretty fair to say she’s bringing something new to the table, and we for one hope there’s more where that came from. Take in the visual experience that is “Lover Like You” below.