New Music

Buddy Junior – “2 CENTS”

February 26, 2024

“2 CENTS” is the latest single from Rust, courtesy of San Francisco’s Buddy Junior. At the heart of “2 CENTS” is a brooding dirge-like cacophony of sound, bringing some shoegaze-y Toner and Swirlies vibes (while inexplicably channeling a bit of Coheed and Cambria) vibes. Sprinkled throughout are delightful (albeit soul-crushing) harmonies adding a fun bite to lyrics, which from what I could tell, detail a not-so-amicable breakup: “If I had dollar for every good thing you said to me/I’d have no money because your talk is cheap.” The juxtaposition between cheekily delivered lyrics and brooding melodies keeps this track interesting all the way through – you’ll probably want to go sit in a dark room afterwards while you remember someone not-so-fondly. While it’s been a couple years since we last checked in with Buddy Junior, we enjoyed their previous efforts in ’21 and ’20 (you can find them here). In[...]

bikethrasher – “hillside”

February 25, 2024

Boston-based bikethrasher brings us their latest with “hillside,” and it’s a bop and a half. Clocking in just over 3:00 minutes, you’re given quite the alt rock/emo-punk showcase. Reverbing guitar layers, and a punky breakdown that crescendos and fades out to the end are the two of the big standouts. The ups and downs and layered vocals are reminiscent of Sunny Day Real Estate, with a dash of Smashing Pumpkins and Pity Sex – particularly the fuzzy guitar effects. With that in mind, this track is a perfect intro to the band and for the intersection between alternative, emo, and indie rock. With a smattering of singles of solid listening, along with an EP, what’s next for the band? I couldn’t glean much from their social media, but with a respectable showing so far, who’s to say? Hopefully we’ll hear more soon but for now check out “hillside” and the equally[...]

The Empty Page – “Cock of the Fifth Year”

February 25, 2024

Manchester based alt-punk band The Empty Page just hit us with their new single “Cock of the Fifth Year,” a fat punk cut filled with piss and swagger. The new song slaps the double standards and hypocrisies served up by the patriarchy and posits you to think about the everyday threat of violence and who unjustly bears the societal burden. Thick rock chords punctuate stanzas of hollered proclamations that are delivered with teeth-gnashing determination and shouted to reach the back of every barroom. As each verse takes aim at the archetypal toxic male, the song builds a tension with every instrumental pause and ambiance. That tension releases with a snarling scream as the spring-loaded guitar deployed in the verses steps off the cliff it has been stepping towards and releases a canyon, filling wail the whirls and unwinds with thrashing violence. Fans of Black Country New Road, IDLES, and Pissed[...]

SOMOH – “Problem Child”

February 25, 2024

A returning Buffablog favorite, SOMOH is the the solo act of SOphia MOHan (you can see where the name comes from) and “Problem Child” is her latest single. Mohan, jumping between fuzzy guitar and more subdued tones betwixt verse and chorus, sings through her self doubts and that special type of malaise shared between millennials and gen-Zers. Fans of Soccer Mommy or Snail Mail would find a lot to enjoy not only with this track, but with a great deal of SOMOH’s catalogue. We’ve covered her before here and loved what we heard last year, and that remains true today Speaking to the track Mohan had this to say: “I wrote this song after deciding to drop out of university and feeling like a bit of a failure to be honest! I was navigating the doubts I had about pursuing music and the uncertainty of what my future might look[...]

Mutes – “Televangelist”

February 21, 2024

Self-described “post-everything” band Mutes recently released their latest single, “Televangelist” in anticipation of their new album due out May 17. Bringing a distinctly 90’s vibe into the 20’s (or whatever we call these strange times), “Televangelist” is a non-stop layered guitar fest. Coming in at just over two minutes, you’ll find yourself thrashing along to this seething, post-punk feeling track, or, as the band puts it, “a sub-three-minute nugget of existential crisis carried with motorik purpose.” Speaking to the lyrics behind the song the band said: “Theological projections of an irresolute agnostic; torn between clinging to the assuaging hand of statism and laying waste to internalized idolatry. Catholic guilt is one hell of a trip” (Damn right). You can hear “Televangelist” in its single form on Spotify or Apple Music, while the full length …buried where you stand will be in the usual streamy places May 17 (via No Sound[...]

Julien’s Daughter – “Rockefeller”

February 21, 2024

Winnipeg indie wunderkinds Julien’s Daughter are back with another single, “Rockefeller.” Tight bass lines coupled with singer Emma Murphy’s vocals give a noise rock vibe akin to the Sonic Youths and My Bloody Valentines of yesteryear while simultaneously channeling the tight indie rock of Metric and Blondie. This caliber of sound isn’t easy to come by, and is the result of playing together for five plus years – starting off in their teens. Speaking to the making of the song, Murphy said: “It’s a song about how exhausting the breakup process can be. I wrote this song at a time when a lot of people were making different narratives about me and I was just trying to focus on healing.” If this is a harbinger of things to come, I hope that it doesn’t take more traumatic events to keep the bangers comin’. You can hear “Rockefeller” on Spotify or[...]

JW Francis – “Orbit”

February 21, 2024

A perennial Buffablog favorite (here and here), NYC based JW Francis brings us his latest with “Orbit.” Falling firmly into the bedroom pop subgenre (and a love song to boot), swimmy synth and squiggly guitar blend together with Francis’ vocals for a non-stop party in the vein of Vampire Weekend and Mac Demarco. Speaking to the track, Francis had this to say: “I wrote Orbit after falling in love with my partner Milla. I was awe-struck, dumb founded, blinded by the light, however you want to call it. I could not believe my luck, and I wanted to write a song about it. I wanted the song to race fast like a heartbeat, and to get up in your face like feelings.” You can hear “Orbit” on Spotify, Soundcloud, or Bandcamp. Be sure to let us know if you want more from Francis or more like this! Born Losers Records[...]

Famous Friend – “Nora”

February 21, 2024

Los Angeles based writer/producer/artist Zachariah Carlson a.k.a Famous Friend (check our previous feature on them here) returned to the spotlight last year with the viral sensation “Tanlines.” Carlson has tapped into his indie pop muse again for the new single “Nora,” a brooding, sun-bleached surf pop track. The new song is a pink-hued heat haze, featuring bubbling bass that pairs with programmed drum beats that staccato with a aerosol chill. Carlson wields atmosphere masterfully as he hooks you with washed out guitar melodies and a chorus that is eerie and romantic. You’ll easily find yourself bobbing along with “Nora’s” chorus belting out the line “Been trying to ignore Nora, put your hands my neck but I can’t help but adore ya…”. Fans of Wallows, The Drums, Dayglow, Chromatics, or Magnetic Fields can find lots to love on this track. Listen to the new single “Nora” from Famous Friend on Youtube[...]

Divorce Culture – “FM”

February 21, 2024

Jacksonville’s alternative rockers Divorce Culture have just released the incendiary new lead single for their upcoming EP. Their new alt-rock cut “FM” features lead guitar that scorches as it cleaves through the melodious track, reminiscent of the wicked riffs from Dinosaur Jr. That lead guitar wails on top of a bed of rock solid mids and lows created by rhythm, bass and drum all working together to create a cavernous thunder melody that fills your chest while lead guitar crackles and arcs above it. Their lead vocals hold a satisfying weight, each lyric plotted and delivered with mellow menace that expands with harmonized goodness during the chorus. Divorce Culture show strong songcraft chops throughout the whole track, verses link seamlessly into catchy, impactful choruses that you want to hear over and over, each building to a breakdown that opens into deeply rewarding final chorus. Listen to the new single “FM”[...]

Blondfire – “Foolish”

February 17, 2024

Blondfire, based out of Michigan, brings us their latest synthpop gem with “Foolish.” Led by Erica Driscoll’s vocals, “Foolish” is a synth-heavy track with 80’s pop vibes that tickles your ears in just the right way. Blondfire was initially started with her brother, Bruce, until he left to focus on his act Freedom Fry. Unabashedly written about diving in completely to take a chance on love, even at the risk of being a fool, you can’t help but be wrapped up in the amalgamation of perfectly mixed sounds. Blondfire brings to mind one of my personal favorites, Dragon Inn 3 (that we wrote about here) mixed with a hint of Metric and Tame Impala. I’m always hyped when artists embrace that deep synth vibe as masterfully as Blondfire does here, and you should be too! Be sure to check out Foolish on Spotify or down below from Soundcloud.

Pet Snake – “Getting Older”

February 17, 2024

“Getting Older” is the latest from Evelyn Halls, aka Pet Snake. Singing in a lovely lullaby singsong voice, Halls evokes fellow indie luminaries boygenius and Mitski on this slow burning indie rocker. The buildup and layering of guitars is masterfully done, leading up to a lyrical crescendo that ties everything together with a crushing narrative. At five-plus minutes, “Older” comes and goes before you know it – definitely a beautiful addition to the subdued indie rock scene and certainly someone to keep an eye one. Speaking to the song, Halls had this to say: “It’s an anthem for myself to shout from the rooftops that I’m overjoyed to be alive and grateful to those who helped get me here. It’s me trying to turn my contentment into a song and the fact that I get to shout out my therapist…” You can hear “Getting Older” on Spotify or the embedded YouTube[...]

Highline – “Believe Me I’ll Run”

February 17, 2024

Sidney based five piece, Highline, brings us their latest single “Believe Me I’ll Run” and released it February 15. The opening strums bring to mind a more subdued take on REM’s “Losing My Religion” and the rest of the track continues in a similar vein. More contemporary influences feel like the lighter side of Arctic Monkeys or Killers songs, falling into that uplifting-yet-mournful feel. The steady strum of acoustic guitar is punctuated by synth and backing guitar, dancing beautifully around singer Sam Rigney’s vocals. Speaking to the track, Rigney had this to say: “‘Believe Me I’ll Run’ is an admission of sorts that you’re all in on a relationship, regardless of whether the other person is feeling the same way.” You can hear “Believe Me I’ll Run” over on Spotify or down below courtesy of Soundcloud. Be sure to check out another track of theirs we reviewed; “Enough for You[...]

Kindsight – “Tomorrow”

February 17, 2024

Swedish band Kindsight’s latest single is “Tomorrow,” released in anticipation of their upcoming album No Shame No Fame due out in April. Singer Nina Hyldgaard Rasmussen’s vocals shine through the band’s impeccably crafted jangle pop sound. We’ve previously covered Kindsight at the blog a few times now (all here) and enjoyed what we heard then (as with this track)! Fans of Alvvays or Hazel English will find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who enjoys heartfelt lyrics sung with as much aplomb as Rasmussen. Speaking to crafting the track, the band had this to say: “This is one of those weird songs where 95% of it writes itself, but the last 5% is really hard to get right. No blood was shed in the process, but it cost us plenty of sweat and tears, and it might have caused Nina to forget her guitar on the train on the[...]

Mary Middlefield – “Heart’s Desire”

February 13, 2024

Switzerland based artist Mary Middlefield is a burgeoning singer-songwriter who reshaped herself during the pandemic after being a classically trained violinist for most of her life. She released her debut LP last year and is already releasing more new music, the most recent being “Heart’s Desire,” an indie cut filled with sharp daggers of unrequited love. The new single’s clean guitar melody intertwines with a hushed backbeat with seamless fluidity that feels like the quickened pulse you get in the orb of influence of your infatuation. This musicality matches Middlefield’s writing perfectly, her stanzas are filled with yearning for a crush that’s doomed because of their age difference. The new song has atmosphere and effortless flow that will sweep you into its current. Fans of Jeff Buckley, Phoebe Bridgers/boygenius, or Lucy Dacus will find lots to love on Middlefield’s new single. Listen to “Heart’s Desire” the new release from Mary[...]

Landon Conrath – “Replay”

February 13, 2024

Landon Conrath is a young artist but has quickly built both his catalog and a passionate fan base that has branched well beyond his home of Minneapolis. Since his debut in 2022, Conrath has continued gaining momentum with new single “Replay,” a livewire electropop track soaked in messy entanglements. Layered and processed vocals dance hand in hand with a romantic guitar melody as Conrath starts a fall into the memories of a past love, every reminisce causing a wince deeper than the last. He has a undeniable talent for textures, which you’ll hear as the track shifts from crooning guitar to breathy verses, perfectly placed between an electro glitch rhythm that matches the untethered torrent of jealousy, loathing, love, and lust that flood you as you run into a messy ex-love, IRL or digitally. “Replay” hits strongest as Conrath belts out the chorus “Alcohol and mental arrest, when I saw[...]