New Music

Bathe Alone – “Blame Me”

February 2, 2024

“Blame Me” is the newest from Atlantan musician Bailey Crone along with producer Damon Moon, performing under the moniker Bathe Alone. Starting off as a delightful synth riff that permeates the rest of the track, “Blame Me” showcases Crone’s mellifluous vocals, drawing comparisons to The xx or M83. The pop beat is infinitely catchy and you’ll soon find yourself bopping and singing along. Synth and drum machines have certainly made a comeback from the 80’s and it really seems like they’re here to stay, so be sure to strap in. The rest of the EP is equally catchy and well worth checking out, especially the second track “Call Me Back.” Just when you think you’ve gotten Bathe Alone pegged you get a hot new take that’s truly exciting to unpack. If you enjoy “Blame Me” be sure to check out 2023’s double LP Fall With The Lights Down (we did here[...]

Extra Space – “Toothpaste”

January 31, 2024

Brooklyn based duo Extra Space brings us their latest with “Toothpaste.” Made up of Joey Puleio and Chris Kyle, who started playing together in 2023, they’ve been working toward an as-yet-to-be-released album Green Season. “Toothpaste”  is a fun, meandering piece that leans toward sparkly indie folk territory with hints of math rock twinkling sprinkled throughout. Country-adjacent guitars guide us through the brunt here, with the vocals sounding distinctly Oberst-esque – certainly not a terrible comparison. I couldn’t find much else on Extra Space, but definitely keep your eyes peeled. Folksy indie is definitely in vogue lately, but based on what I’ve heard so far, these guys seem to know what they’re doing musically and could certainly go the distance. In the meantime check out the twangy “Toothpaste” (and “Pace”) over on Soundcloud or Spotify.

James Wyatt Crosby – “Same Dream Every Night”

January 31, 2024

“Same Dream Every Night” is the latest single off of James Wyatt Crosby‘s January 26 album, Happy Memories. We’ve previously covered a different song off of this album, “Ashamed” and liked what we heard back in October (and that hasn’t changed with his latest). A piano focused track, “Same Dream Every Night” is a perfect intro song for Happy Memories with a gradual crescendo throughout – building and adding in tasty drums, guitar and bass. JWC’s vocals are ethereal on their own, but with an added effect, they real turn into a dreamy motif. Falling somewhere betwixt dream pop and chillwave (with a dash of electronica), you’ll find a lot to enjoy here if you’re a fan of LCD Soundsystem, Men I Trust, or Spoon. You can hear “Same Dream Every Night” over on Spotify and you can let us know your thoughts on the track over on our socials.

The Juniper Berries – “Online”

January 29, 2024

Austin based multi-instrumentalist Josh Stirm is the architect of The Juniper Berries and has formed the tracks for his upcoming album, Death and Taxes, by distilling grief and dissonance into melancholic yet cathartic tunes that simultaneously breaks your heart and mends you with each note. Stirm had his Grandfather and brother pass away in 2020 and that experience has defined this stage in his life and his music, filling it with harrowing pain and world tilting revelations. The poignant and masterfully-paced new single “Online” is a thrilling taste of his upcoming album that is due out this April. Stirm weaves textures and tones with his delicately harmonized vocals with an ingenious skill. He places tantalizing spaces between words and notes that creates a irresistible pacing that will enrapture you. Stirm has the capacity to illuminate dark venerable corners of human experience, as he sings “I found my baby online, next[...]

SAMSARA – “Piece of Me”

January 29, 2024

Five piece rock outfit SAMSARA are a young group but have quickly become a loved piece of the Queens/Long Island music scene. The band has cut their chops by playing local festivals and winning battle and the bands, and continue to elevate their craft by working with acclaimed producers. Their latest single, “Piece of Me,” is exemplary of the melodic alt-rock sound they have been nurturing over the past few years. The new song has bombastic drums that pound your chest, incendiary dueling guitar melodies, and vocals that are soulful and impassioned. Listening to the fat wails of guitar will make you want to see their high energy live show to witness the young rockers hypnotize you with their big rock sound. Fans of Kings of Leon, The Kooks, and JAPANDROIDS with find lots to love on this one. Listen to SAMSARA’s new single “Piece of Me” on Spotify, and[...]

Ballsy – “Joe Millionaire”

January 27, 2024

Montreal native and musician/producer Isabelle Banos has an impressive resume so far with credits for music on several shows (Orange is the New Black, The Sex Lives of College Girls) as well as some commercials and the upcoming Sony Spider-Man spin-off Madam Web. Ballsy is her latest project, with a smattering of singles due in 2024 and her latest, “Joe Millionaire.” A vibrant composition showcasing her synth work and vocal skills, “Millionaire” is a great way to kick off the new year and to introduce yourself to Banos’ music if you’re unfamiliar. With lyrics that touch on our climate emergency, the somber mantra of the song is offset by its otherwise crunchy and upbeat disposition. Fans of fellow Canadians Metric would find a lot to enjoy here, or, if you like the rowdy tunes from Yeah Yeah Yeahs or The Linda Lindas. You can hear “Joe Millionaire” over on Spotify, along[...]

Memorial – “Corduroy”

January 27, 2024

Released January 26, “Corduroy” is the latest single from Jack and Ollie – the two halves of indie folk duo Memorial. A long distance affair in England, they’ve put out a steady stream of music since 2021 with the last being 2022’s self-titled album. “Corduroy” is a light track but chock full of sound; I heard piano, a brief string melody with a steady drum beat and strumming acoustic guitar. The lyrics are tinged with malaise and it hit me in the right spot, and I think it will with you too! Fans of Big Thief and their ilk, as well as Elliott Smith (rip) would find a lot to enjoy here. While numbers aren’t everything, nearly 100k monthly listeners is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Be sure to check out “Corduroy” wherever you find your music, but here’s the Spotify and Apple Music links for good measure. FriendsOfMemorial ·[...]

CHUCK – “Nothing Matters To Me Now”

January 22, 2024

Brooklyn/Oslo based artist Charles Griffin Gibson, AKA CHUCK, had his final full length released in 2017 with Frankenstein Song for the Grocery Store, but Gibson’s catalog of unreleased songs started to tug on his creative spirit (check our previous features on him HERE and HERE). Gibson is putting back on the mantle of the cult favorite CHUCK, and bringing us new music to drop out and fade in to. The simultaneously breezy and acrid “Nothing Matters To Me Now” is the first jam Gibson chose to start this new slew of releases. “Nothing Matters To Me Now” blends classic pop hooks, irreverent 90’s guitar lines and lyricism, New Wave synths, and creates a crushing wall of blissed out sounds reminiscent of shogaze and emo. The chorus boils over with pop energy as retro synths ring out with the lushness of kazoos giving the whole track a haze of nostalgia and[...]

Tamar Berk – “Permanent Vacation”

January 22, 2024

This past August, Tamar Berk released her third album, tiny injuries, a warm cathartic journey through her grief that shows how to accept a thousand tiny cuts, heal, and make their scars a part of you (Check of previous feature on her HERE). Berk has just released her new single off that LP, the indie rock jammer “Permanent Vacation.” Berk’s songcraft and lyricism are adeptly wielded as ear worm guitar lines buzz and jangle with a Wurlitzer melody and brass blasts bringing a warm radiance of sunshine to melancholic lyrics. “Permanent Vacation” has a dynamic range of tones that burst and blossom like exotic fruits on your taste buds, all while staying grounded in the indie-rock 90’s palette that she has such reverence for. Fans of Liz Phair, Pavement, and Ween will find lots to love on the new single. Here is Berk talking about her new single; “Permanent Vacation”[...]

Naive Nature – “The Weight of the World”

January 22, 2024

The rare duo act in a sea of quartets and three pieces, Naive Nature is vocalist and guitarist Jackson Vincent with Jim Lorino (of Scoopsi) on drums. “The Weight of the World,” released January 19, is their debut single and it’s quite the noisy banger. I’m always hesitant when I see only two members for bands, for lack of sound or boring arrangement, but I’m usually proven wrong (as I was here). Leaning heavily into shoegaze and post-emo guitar flavors (if that’s a thing), “TWotW” lays into fuzzy distortion and and Vincent’s pitch perfect vocals waxing poetic about a friendship sputtering out and ultimately ending on bad terms. Fans of heart on your sleeve (or stomped on the pavement) emo of yesteryear (or today) would find a lot to enjoy with this track; same goes for fans of The Airborne Toxic Event, The Dirty Nil, and Placebo. For now, check[...]

Lunison – “Name 3 Songs”

January 22, 2024

Lunison is a three piece from Philadelphia made up of two Matts and a Greg, with the name being a portmanteau of lunacy and unison. “Name 3 Songs” is their latest track – a rockin’ play on the over asked gatekeeper vibe of “Oh, u like X band?” With a guitar riff you can’t help but sway your hips to with one hand in your pocket, “3 Songs” is infectiously catchy and well worth a listen to indie pop and garage rock aficionados. Fans of the of Spoon, Geese, or New Pornographers would find appreciation with Lunison’s pop hooks, as well as the dry wit that permeates through their songs. You can hear “Name 3 Songs” on Soundcloud, Apple Music, or Spotify. We’ve also included the YouTube music video below (yes, it’s an actual music video too).

JEEN – “So What”

January 20, 2024

Toronto-based musician JEEN brings us her latest, “So What,” released January 17 in anticipation of her February 2 album Gold Control. It’s a rollicking alt-rock track showcasing her warm vocals and a swirly, almost shoegazy blending of punchy sounds. It’s an interesting change from her previous effort we wrote about, 2021’s “Maybe I’ll Be Gone,” (which we also enjoyed). It shows growth into a more subtle approach to pop writing, whereas “Maybe…” leaned into the equally effective (as Nick put it) “rip-roaring guitars and a melancholy mood.” Fans of Bully, boygenius, or HAIM looking for a different take on pop would find enjoyment with JEEN. She doesn’t pigeonhole herself to one specific genre and isn’t afraid to try different sounds, so you’re sure to find more to enjoy (unless you literally only like *one* particular sound). Be sure to check out “So What” on Spotify or the handy dandy YouTube[...]

Snavs – Want Me Back (feat. Karl Boëthius)

January 20, 2024

Danish DJ and producer Snavs has a catalog full of enticing and unusual collaborations, and his latest continues that trend of potent pairings by featuring the killer vocals of Swedish artist Karl Boëthius. Together they bring us the new chill-dance release “Want Me Back,” a vivacious and alluring track with sumptuous vocals and coiled, rubbery synth wizardry. The song feels like cruising through a glistening, neon lit metropolis with brief moments, when the pace slows before the breakdown, that feel like a night’s breeze cooling the sweat on the back of your neck, just before the night life wraps around you, thrilling your senses, filling you with punch drunk momentum. Fans of Lookas, Diplo, or Major Lazer will find lots to love in this alt-pop banger from Snavs. Here he is talking about the new song: “I got this brilliant vocal from Karl and wanted to create a tight, bouncy[...]

Hipsy Gap – “Uno”

January 17, 2024

Brooklyn-based five piece, Hipsy Gap‘s latest single is “Uno,” and for us at the blog it’s a certifiable banger. Oozing with guitar feedback and what I can only describe as “NY hutzpah,” Hipsy Gap sound like they’re ready to take over the world. There’s a particularly impressive guitar solo toward the end of the track that evokes 90’s era Smashing Pumpkins that I couldn’t get enough of. As per the band, the chord progression is an ode to “Only Shallow” from My Bloody Valentine, firmly cementing this as a 90’s shoegaze love letter, but of the fresh assortment and certainly not dated. Be sure to check out “Uno” over on Spotify, or the YouTube link embedded below and let us know if you want more shoegaze or shoegaze-adjacent tracks reviewed here!

Thea Dora – “Collected”

January 17, 2024

Danish musician and producer Thea Dora brings a fun indie pop gem with her debut single, “Collected,” released January 12. Evoking a sense of wonder and whimsy between the drum machines and her absolute dream of a voice, you’ll feel comfortable boppin’ along to this with headphones or on the dance floor. The closest comparison I can think of is Grimes, but fans of hyperpop or light electronica will find a lot to enjoy here. Speaking to the track, Dora had this to say: “I wanted to make something that was immediate, and made me want to dance and sing along. ‘Collected’ is in many ways an ode to letting people in and stop overthinking.” She surely hits on all marks, and you can hear it on Spotify or Soundcloud. Be sure to let us know if you’d like to hear more like Thea Dora! Thea Dora · Collected