New Music

maxime. – “the life and death of a dog”

October 27, 2023

Montreal act maxime. is no stranger to the blog – check out our previous features here and here. They’re back with another heady jam, this time dipping into hyperpop territory with the sludgy bass groove of “the life and death of a dog.” Sounding utterly 2023-flavored (think Aries or Paris Texas) while paying homage to 90s-era acts like Prodigy and Fatboy Slim, “dog” slinks and slithers into your ears with its unabashed bombastic nature. It’s left-of-center, sure, but that’s what makes it so great… A genre-blending amalgam of all the things you love about music. “the life and death of a dog” is available now on Spotify. maxime. · the life and death of a dog

Bo Milli – “Chewing Gum”

October 25, 2023

Fresh off her latest EP, Making Friends, Emilie Østebø brings us her latest single “Chewing Gum” under her stage name Bo Milli. Hailing from Bergen, Norway, we’ve covered Bo Milli a few times (you can find those here). “Chewing Gum” is a fun track with a rollicking guitar that gives way to a slick bass line that would make my bass player friends go “nice.” I felt the grunge 90’s vibe with Østebø’s focused yet relaxed boppin’ lyrics. While being grouped in with other indie luminaries Soccer Mommy, Bully, and Phoebe Bridgers may seem like a daunting task for a 23 year old, she had this to say: … Just kidding I have no idea. I’m sure it’s probably flattering or humbling at a certain level but just let her make her music. She did have this to say on the track though: “‘Chewing Gum’ is a macho-anthem expressed with unconvincing[...]

Ruth Radelet – “Shoot Me Down”

October 25, 2023

LA-based Ruth Radelet, she of The Chromatics fame, brings us her newest track, “Shoot Me Down.” Boasting a wispy dream pop aesthetic, Radelet’s voices cuts through the synth and guitar as she bares her soul about a not-so-great evening. Speaking to the song, she had this to say: “Although this song is very personal to me, I think it tells a story that many people can relate to. It started out as a sad girl piano ballad, written after a particularly bad night, and in the end became one of the most fun tracks I have ever worked on.” You might laugh, but the intro reminded me a bit of The Edge’s unique strumming found on a lot of U2 albums, while the song overall gave me a Beach House or Warpaint vibe. Quiet and understated, you can tell Radelet is still very much a master of her craft both[...]

Best Noodles In Town – “Host”

October 25, 2023

Indianapolis emo/alt three piece Best Noodles In Town (BNIT) recently dropped their track, “Host,” and we at the blog were pretty dang impressed. Released October 17, “Host” showcases the band’s slick composition of polished guitar and heartfelt vocals that bring to mind Hot Mulligan or Microwave while also channeling the New Found Glories of yesteryear. As a whole, you can tell they’re giving it their all at being an original act and not just a rehash of the emo acts of the aughts. They sneak in a backup screamo scream partway through the track that sounds fantastic and, having tried to sing along to screamo, I can say a proper scream is harder than it looks. Be sure to check out “Host” over on Spotify or Bandcamp, released in anticipation of their EP due out at the end of the year. Best Noodles In Town · Host

Fake Shape – “Black Bear”

October 25, 2023

Hamilton, Ontario based indie experimental four piece, Fake Shape, brings us their latest single “Black Bear.” With the basic drums/bass/guitar that most bands implement in some way or another, Fake Shape also incorporates the trumpet adjacent flugelhorn. Side note, I’m sorry to anyone who ever taught me about music in high school because I’m sure you mentioned a flugelhorn at some point and I wasn’t listening. The beginning of the track starts out with nice diddly of a wispy guitar and very tight drums leading the charge with vocalists Chester Edington and Olivia Brown coming in for a harmony. For me, Fake Shape answers the question “well what if Radiohead was born in Canada and was about 20% more jazz influenced.” The piece crescendos to about the 2:20 mark and a trumpet solo takes over, eventually giving way to some bass limelight. If you’re not impressed with this track, you[...]

REW – “Plastic Lungs”

October 24, 2023

Indie act REW has just released their new single “Plastic Lungs,” an enigmatic cut that blends shoegaze, bedroom pop, indie, and doom to great effect. Electronics beep and squeal to open the track, creating a structural skeleton that REW’s layered vocals fill like plumes of smoke before the most exciting aspect of the track kicks in, a deep dropped guitar melody that lurches the whole track forward with a hefty stride. The doomy notes churn and bubble while REW sings a hook that surfs on that voided out guitar tone. “Plastic Lungs” blends the songwriting sensibilities of Elliot Smith with the crushing fuzz of Smashing Pumpkins and Deftones and is definite worth numerous spins. Listen to “Plastic Lungs” the new single from REW on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Youtube. Find more from REW on TikTok Born Losers Records – Too · REW – Plastic Lungs

Psychic Shakes – “Home”

October 24, 2023

Plymouth-based Max McLellan, aka Psychic Shakes, brings us his latest single, “Home,” a hazy lo-fi indie jam that captures the conflicting pang of melancholy and warmth of love adeptly. 2022 was a pivotal year for Max that shaped his songwriting, he and his partner’s joyful discovery of impending parenthood led to a profound reevaluation of his artistry in a post-pandemic world. McLellan’s confessional songwriting bares fruit as he wrangles with this new identity and how that perspective tilt tints the world, revealing shades of life that were muted before. “Home” has a warm ennui driven perfectly with warbly guitar energy that exemplifies Max’s bittersweet revelation of missing your home when the world shifts beneath your feet, while always finding a haven with the partner you love. Listen to “Home” by Psychic Shakes on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music. Find more from Psychic Shakes on their Instagram Good Eye Records ·[...]

talker – “TWENTYSOMETHING”

October 24, 2023

Celeste Tauchar, aka talker, continues her momentum after a trio of critically loved EP’s with her latest single “TWENTYSOMETHING,” a cathartic blast that’ll bring you peace through rage. Tauchar wrangles the angst, confusion, and depression of your mid twenties then lets it explode out of your chest. Tauchar’s stomping rhythms and pointed songwriting invites you to direct your distaste away from yourself and point it towards the world that stopped making sense and drained your wallet. The camaraderie that raging against circumstance brings is the perfect antidote for the insular self loathing that modern digital life structures around you with hidden hands. Yell, dance, sing, kick, scream along with “TWENTYSOMETHING” knowing everyone else feels the same as you and that it’s gonna be okay. Listen to “TWENTYSOMETHING” the latest single from talker on Spotify. Find more from talker on their Instagram and Linktree.

Prude Boys – “I’m Cold”

October 24, 2023

Prude Boys came together in 2013 centering around bassist Caroline Thornbury and guitarist Quennton Thornbury’s songwriting. They built out from that structural spine through tireless local gigs and a need to fold in their eclectic musical tastes into their flawless garage rock core. The culmination of their years of writing and touring is their debut album Greatest Hits, a tour de force from the trio with many must listens. One of those musts is their newly released single “I’m Cold,” an ethereal garage rock track that blossoms into a raucous emotional rout. Smart song craft is abound in this nuanced rocker, feeling familiar yet completely alien simultaneously because of its polychromatic acoustics. Caroline’s vocals are achingly beautiful, she shows pristine expressive qualities comparable to Jeff Buckley’s riveting howls. Quennton’s guitar is tantalizing and enigmatic, delicate and growling, they climax with a blistering solo that will have you replaying “I’m Cold”[...]

Sonny Falls – “Cemeteries”

October 20, 2023

Sonny Falls turns a normally somber locale into something palatable and pleasant here on “Cemeteries.” Granted, I love walking through “Cemeteries,” but the soundtrack to my visit isn’t typically a pleasant indie-pop track… Songwriter Ryan “Hoagie” Wesley Ensley seamlessly melds an acoustic guitar backbone with tasteful percussion, swimmy guitar work, and his omnipleasant voice. Ensley ends the song with a jam of sorts that reads as powerful and meaningful without ever dipping into overblown-for-the-sake-of-epicness territory. Fans of Bright Eyes, Spoon, or (deep cut here) An Angle will love what Sonny/Hoagie has to offer. You can find “Cemeteries” on Spotify and Apple Music.

Courtney Farren – “I Must Like It”

October 19, 2023

Released October 6 in anticipation a full length effort next year, Courtney Farren’s newest single is “I Must Like It.” Originally from the Bay Area in San Francisco, she has found herself anywhere from Boston to Croatia (and currently back in California). With this wanderlust comes experiences, which fuels her creative juices as an artist. With some truly awe inspiring compositions, Farren’s vocals bring to mind artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Lorde, and Florence & The Machine. Not merely a rehash of old ideas or borrowing from other artists, she blazes ahead creatively with a fresh look ahead for the indie pop aesthetic. Be sure to check out “I Must Like It” over on Spotify or Apple Music. If you’re feeling the vibes there, dig deeper on her previous effort from April of this year with Rabbit King. 

Frogs Show Mercy – “Chester’s Privilege”

October 19, 2023

A band we’ve covered previously (here and here), Frogs Show Mercy brings us their latest single “Chester’s Privilege.” Beginning with a sample of an interaction they had with Instagram personality Chester Stone, it immediately switches gears to some raucous geetar and some bellowing vocals that will have you feeling like it’s the early aughts all over again. You might feel a slight buzz from the breakdowns and changeups, but the penultimate twist comes around the 2:40 mark…. And I won’t ruin it for you. Suffice to say, you might think you’re listening to an entirely new song. Lots of great energy from this Miami group, please give it and some of their other tracks a listen especially if enjoy bands such as Dismemberment Plan, Tigers Jaw, or Title Fight. Hear “Chester’s Privilege” over on Spotify or Apple Music.

Easy Bear – “In My Head”

October 19, 2023

A mysterious three piece based out of Santa Barbara, Easy Bear describes their sound as “…like rock and/or roll” which is…100% accurate. Their latest single, “In My Head” is an electric track chock-filled with all of the guitars. Occasionally giving way to a brief respite with a tight bass riff, the calm doesn’t last for long as they launch into another chord-laden layer of awesome. Evoking a sort of post grunge/emo tinged power pop feel, you’ll definitely enjoy the hooks and energy the band brings a la Hollerado or Arkells. You can hear “In My Head” over on Soundcloud or Spotify. Easy Bear · In My Head

Virgo Rising – “Shoes”

October 19, 2023

Manitoba based four piece Virgo Rising brings us their latest single “Shoes” off of their October 13th EP Vampyre Year. Simply put, this is a sublime, guitar-forward bedroom indie rock song guided by vocalist Emiy Sinclair’s dulcet tones. I said to myself whilst listening, “Self, ya know each note and minute sounds present, so deliberately placed, and painstakingly put together.” Oddly enough as I started reading more about the band I learned that this… was not only true as my ears heard it, but there was a bit of a backstory too. As per the band, they implemented a veto system on crafting Vampyre Year that initially worked a little too well and went back to the drawing board. Coming back fresh after a year away from recording, the band reworked the EP from scratch and made it a cohesive group effort. As far as comparisons go, the sound and attention to[...]

Salt Cathedral – “Complacent”

October 16, 2023

The duo Salt Cathedral are from Brooklyn-by-way-of-Colombia and have a gorgeously arranged, heady, and emotional new single just released called “Complacent.” The new song is a cathartic decree of revolt against a life of resigned standstill, capturing that fear of inertia perfectly with music that writhes and shifts. That is coupled with a singular Juliana Ronderos singing: “I don’t wanna feel like It’s over, find a comfort corner let the fear take over.” Ronderos’ crystalline vocals enthrall you while the rhythm from serrated steel drums mesmerize and propel you to move. “Complacent” is a killer track that fans of Sylvan Esso or The Knife should definitely dive into.Here is Salt Cathedral on their new track: “There’s a poem by the Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti that’s haunted me since I was a teenager. It is called ‘No Te Salves’ which translates to ‘Don’t Save Yourself.’ The poem is about not living[...]