New Music

Sonic Blume – “Falling Behind”

September 27, 2023

“I’m sleepyhead, I’m cheesy bread.” Within the first five words of “Falling Behind” by New Jersey-based act Sonic Blume, it feels like they’ve summed up the collective millennial/gen z experience. Sounding somewhere like the child of “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies and modern day dream-pop emo (aka dream-o), “Behind” is as emotionally crushing as it is validating. Driven by its wry guitar lines and eclectic lyrics (seriously, there is some genuine wordsmithing going on here), this one struck a chord with us on multiple levels. You can find “Falling Behind” pretty much anywhere music can be consumed, including: Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

Illiterate Light – “Always Always”

September 20, 2023

There’s just something fun about the latest single from Virginia-based duo Illiterate Light. Playful, ebullient, and generally upbeat, “Always Always” is built around an inescapable vocal hook that digs into your brain, latches on, and refuses to let go. With a sound that perfectly meshes southern-tinged indie rock (think My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, or Fleet Foxes) with the synth-laced hooks of Foster The People or Passion Pit, we think “Always Always” is a shoe-in to refresh your tried-and-true playlists. You can find this fun little ditty on both Spotify and Apple Music.

Idledaze – Sandbox

September 20, 2023

Sandbox is a seven song EP from Whitewater, Wisconsin-based one man band Idledaze, released in anticipation of a full length album due out spring of 2024. Idledaze performs as a solo act but also does cover projects as a the Idledaze Trio with a setlist that spans everything from Alice in Chains to Zeppelin. Sandbox as a whole trends toward a bluesy flavor with a country-tinged edge, especially with the fun 90’s feeling video made for the track “Hot Feet” that you can see over on YouTube. Interspersed throughout the rollicking bass lines and meandering guitar is Idledaze himself amongst a montage of oil paintings and a Chicago go-go dancer (hence the name, not a reference to Quentin Tarantino’s favorite body part). Evidently a big oil painting guy, the album art for Sandbox is based on artwork done by his sister. The first track “In The Mood” feels like an[...]

Mali Velasquez – “Shove”

September 17, 2023

Tennessee based Mali Velasquez (check our last feature on her here) has turned many heads with her single releases leading up to her debut album I’m Green due out October 13 via Acrophase Records. “Shove” is a gorgeous continuation of that trend – the track is reflective, cathartic, haunting and lush. Delicate picked guitar lines circle themselves and lock into a heart stopping drum rhythm that creates an atmosphere that feels like an ouroboros of cannibalistic anxieties. Mali’s wavering, earnest vocals possess an emotional quality that arrests the listener, and that quality only expands and consumes you more as she layers more of her singing onto the track. The way those vocals entwine with the bass creates an otherworldly experience that both possesses you and manifests the emotional themes of her songwriting. Fans who love Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers, Elliot Smith, Julia Jacklin or Soccer Mommy should definitely find lots[...]

PARCS – “Wait!”

September 17, 2023

PARCS‘ sound has been peculating and taking shape in the South Wales scene over the past few years. Recently the group, originally just the married duo of Joe and Elly, added members Kristy and Liam resulting in new spaces to play off one another. The group’s new creative alchemy culminates in the latest single “Wait!,” a lush, teasingly restrained dance track with four to the floor drums driving your hips to groove. Sparse production gives the platform for Elly’s striking vocals to enrapture you before the grooving bass and melodic synths kick back in making you lust for the dance floor. The new track balances anticipation and release to create a ticklingly inviting experience that makes your brain tingle and toes wiggle. Fans of The XX, Caribou, and Daft Punk can find lots to love on this succulent dance track. PARCS had this to say about the origins of the[...]

atmos bloom – “Sea Legs”

September 17, 2023

atmos bloom rode the momentum of their successful debut album Flora and moved from Manchester to South London to build their full live band. The full monty of that ensemble is on display for their latest single, the dream-gaze jam “Sea Legs.” The new cut drips with reverb drenched guitars that mesh with haunting pop vocals creating an undulating ethereal pulse that can blend into itself then emerge from its own echoing depths. The whole of their sound has the pop melodies that hook and the fun of surf rock with a vampire aesthetic, all with a bittersweet center that squeezes your stomach while you weightlessly head bop and sing along. Fans of DIIV, Washed Out, Waxahatchee, and My Bloody Valentine will find lots to love on this one. Listen to “Sea Legs,” the new single from atmos bloom, now on Spotify and Youtube. Find more from atmos bloom on[...]

Floyd Thursby – “Teenage Ladybug (feat. Mademoiselle)”

September 16, 2023

I am neither teenaged, nor a ladybug, but “Teenage Ladybug” by Floyd Thursby and collaborator Mademoiselle made me feel things. A simple song with a bluesy guitar backbone, “Ladybug” pairs Thursby’s wry songwriting with Mademoiselle’s matter-of-fact, hush-hush vocals. With lyrics about living in trees and smirking while perched upon a daisy, it’s tough to literally relate to “Ladybug…” But something about it feels real to me all the same. It’s very possible that this song is just a joke, but if you really think about it, teenage ladybugs really don’t get any respect. No respect at all. Probably. You can find “Ladybug” on YouTube (below), Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Ostrology – “Only A Dream”

September 16, 2023

Is aural LSD a thing? If it isn’t, we think Ostrology has invented it with new single “Only A Dream.” If you could take Mac Demarco and turn the “Demarco” knob all the way to 11, you might have a good idea of what to expect. Warped and warbly to the max with wild lyrics to match, “Dream” is disorienting in all the right ways. Is the song out of tune? Could it even possibly be in tune? Is that even a guitar? Question upon question will build upon themselves – needless to say, we’ve never heard anything like this. Toke up with some dank bud and give this one a listen, we’re pretty sure it will change your life. Check out the equally trippy YouTube video below. You can also find it on Soundcloud.

Vast Robot Armies – “Like A Bug”

September 16, 2023

Vast Robot Armies (VRA) has been kicking around for the good part of a decade and that storied experience shines through on latest single, “Like A Bug.” With heavy nods to the band’s pedigree, friends, and collaborators (Sometimes Why, The Life And Times, Shiner, and Sundiver just to name a few), “Bug” is a cavalcade of dark grungy guitars, plunking electric pianos, and booming drums. Having evolved from a solo project to a full-fledged collaborative band, VRA has run the gamut of different forms and shapes – if “Bug” is any indication of their future trajectory, buffaBLOG will be paying attention. Check out “Like A Bug” via YouTube (below), or stream it on Spotify or Apple Music.

Pale Puma – “Cast a Shadow”

September 14, 2023

Bringing you a rare double shot, we have ANOTHER Pale Puma track hot off the presses; their other song was “Down by the River,” (which I wrote about here). This one is “Cast a Shadow” also off of their September 8th album Haunted By Dreams That Were Never My Own and while in the same vein as “Down by the River” it’s definitely the shinier of the two. The chord progression and steady drum beat gave me the same feeling of playing an epic video game or journeying into a decisive battle with the BBEG in Dungeons and Dragons with my friends (editor’s note: BBEG means “Big Bad Evil Guy” in D&D parlance, and Chris is a friggin’ nerd). A galloping drum beat and haunting guitar work certainly add to that mysterious and adventurous feeling. If you’ve already listened to “Down by the River” and enjoyed it, this one is a[...]

Bazemore – “in your arbor”

September 13, 2023

According to an unverified post on the genius.com page listed on his Instagram; Bazemore is based out of Baltimore and is a triple threat of producer/musician/sound engineer. His latest single is “in your arbor,” and it’s a simmering, noisy romp with ALL of the guitar layers and ALL of the feedback. It’s a mashed-together conglomerate of shoegaze and EDM that shows off Bazemore’s composition chops – the way he builds the guitars/effects/drum machine to a rousing crescendo shows a true mastery of his craft. Fans of M83, My Bloody Valentine, or my personal favorite Beach House would find a lot to enjoy here. While shoegaze typically eschews a gentle electronic beat for sheer noise, you can’t help but ignore the driving rhythms and washy presences here. You can hear “in your arbor” on Spotify, Apple Music, or if you’re thrifty like me, here’s the YouTube link.

tiger del flor x MKSTN – “like we’re an indie movie (url remix)”

September 13, 2023

“like we’re an indie movie” is a track by Hollywood based tiger del flor and Toronto based MKSTN – quite the long distance affair! As if the track wasn’t good enough, it’s been given the remix treatment by url – an impressive artist in his own right with a deep catalogue of collaborations and originals. The remix does a good job of keeping the meat and potatoes of the original track more or less intact and adds a bit more extra flavor and pizzazz a la squelching bass synths, airy synth touches, and bedroom-pop drumming. TDF’s lyrics are hauntingly longing – if Timothée Chalemet, Greta Gerwig, and Sofia Coppola were combined into a romantic indie movie this would definitely be on the soundtrack. url turns up the bass and ensuing funk up to 11, something fans of EDM music in general or Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers would appreciate. You[...]

Dirty Nice – “SHARK!”

September 13, 2023

Dirty Nice is the UK duo Charlie Pelling and Mark Thompson that spawned from their love for cartoons, comedy, and indie music. Pelling works closely with stars of the UK comedy scene and uses his gift for inhabiting their eccentric worlds to craft the universe of Dirty Nice with Thompson. The cartoon world their music calls home is simultaneously irreverent, vibrant, endearing, enthralling and exciting. Dirty Nice’s ear for song craft is apparent on their latest single “SHARK!” which blends the effortless cool of chillwave with the youthful energetic punch of indie rock. Manic energy pours from the spazzy guitar which is softened with a tube amp sound that is crunchy and delicious. The song bends and shifts with hyperactive vocals that deny expectation without alienating the infectious cartoon pop punk sound the song creates. Dirty Nice’s second full length Surrenderland featuring “Shark!” is due out November 3rd via Chiverin.[...]

Belot – “The Good Life”

September 13, 2023

London native Belot continues her brand of “awkward pop” with her latest single, the title track to her upcoming EP The Good Life, due out October 20th from Submarine Cat Records. Belot’s imaginative song crafting is on display as she wields a glossy spacey pop palette that grooves and soars through technicolor stars. The track is carried by Belot’s ear wormy pop vocals and a seamless funky bass line that fills every beat with an electric elastic momentum. The track delights with those evocatively inventive vocals and bass all while shimmering synths radiate twinkling star light all through the song – even Belot’s vocals find their home skyward as her singing shoots off with rising firework trajectories. Belot’s pop alchemy is working wonders by bringing in a hand clapping beat and a choir belting out our feel good refrain that makes for golden moments that are sumptuous and drives you[...]

Pale Puma – “Down By The River”

September 11, 2023

Amsterdam-based four piece dreampop band Pale Puma brings us their newest single “Down By The River” off of their recently released album Haunted By Dreams That Were Never My Own (September 8, Excelsior Recordings). Shimmering guitars backdropped by slick bass create a shoegazy vibe with singer Django Duijns’ echoing voice wallowing in (calm) despair. Feeling somewhere between an upbeat Interpol or less upbeat Alvvays, Pale Puma’s sound is unique enough that they stand on their own quite well. The album itself is well worth the listen if you enjoy “Down By The River,” which you can find over on Spotify. My next favorite was probably “Sea of Discontent,” especially for letting bassist Remy de Kok shine a bit more. Be sure to let us know what you think over on our social medias – Facebook or X (aka Twitter, seriously that was the silliest rebranding of all time).