New Music

Super City – “Getouttahere”

August 20, 2023

Baltimore based band Super City bring us their brand of infectious garage rock with their newest single “Getouttahere,” a track that will surely get your hips swaying and head boppin’. The band really turns their guitars up to 11 and just don’t look back at all – blowing through 2:29 with nonstop hooks and singer Dan Ryan’s crooning vocals. I could try going into the intricacies of how their drums and bass also do some heavy lifting too (or something similarly pretentious) but in all honesty, just go listen to this absolutely blistering track. If you’ve ever listened to The Hives, Electric 6, or Queens of the Stone Age and wanted something that somehow falls between the three bands, *holds up phone to music* LISTEN TO THIS! Give “Getouttahere” a listen over on Spotify, Bandcamp, or the music video over on Youtube. If you’ve enjoyed this, their full length is[...]

Otis Shanty – “Daylight Savings”

August 20, 2023

Massachusetts based quartet Otis Shanty brings a late summer B-side track (with A-side energy), “Daylight Savings,” off their Early Birds single. The band has been making music together for almost five years, and it shows in the strong composition of  “Daylight Savings.” Mostly leading with a chill guitar track that gives way to lovely diddly of a bass line, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a trumpet making an appearance – courtesy of Sadye Bobbette (and no, it’s not a ska song). The shoegazy distortion effect really takes a front row seat for the latter half, but rather than take away from Bobbette’s vocals, it enhances them. Fans of indie darlings Real Estate and Courtney Barnett would find a lot to enjoy here, especially with the strong buildup to the indie equivalent of a breakdown. You can hear “Daylight Savings” as well as the lead single “Early Birds” over on Spotify.[...]

Child Seat – “The Punchline”

August 20, 2023

Los Angeles based indie pop duo Child Seat, consisting of Madeleine Matthews and Josiah Mazzaschi, recently debuted their new single “The Punchline.” Don’t let Matthews’ clownish appearance lull you into a false sense of humor, behind the synths and wispy vocals is a reflective song about comparing where you are versus where you thought you would be in life. The twee music video, evoking some Wes Anderson vibes, was my preferred method of listening as it takes away some of the bitter draught of the subject matter that really connected with me on a personal level (seriously, clowns and sepia tones make everything better). From the jangly guitar and superb pipes of Madeleine Matthews to the non-stop synth storm, fans of Beach House, Alvvays, or MGMT would find a lot to enjoy here. Be sure to check out “The Punchline” over on Spotify or the aforementioned music video on Youtube. Don’t[...]

Made of Mana – Made of Mana

August 18, 2023

Made of Mana (MoM) is a jazz-infused quartet from San Francisco, and their self-titled EP was recently released July 28 – in anticipation an LP coming later this year. MoM is made up of four lifelong friends (Phil, Sean, Dane, Alec) who have worked together previously with MoM being their latest and greatest effort. The band’s influences include Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer – you’ll be able to tell when you hear blistering guitar solos aplenty and good ole fashioned finger work. I gotta say, this album is smooth; the first track (and latest single) “Tired of Waiting” is a masterclass in jazz-adjacent rock with the tightest of guitar/drum combo I’ve heard in awhile (listen for the solo around 2:40). Speaking to the track, the band had this to say via their website: “We spend so much of our lives being told to be patient, when we really need to[...]

PAWS – “Disenchanted”

August 18, 2023

Hot off the press, Scottish alt duo PAWS brings us their newest track “Disenchanted,” released in anticipation of their self-titled album. In “Disenchanted,” bandmates Phillip and Josh have crafted a fresh indie track that manages to pay honest homage to alt 90’s rock while embodying a spirit and ethos of mid-2023 indie rock. With echoing vocals and desperate guitar that reverberates through your soul, fans of Cloud Nothings or Real Estate would find a lot to enjoy here. Also, though wildly different, for some reason the vocals call to mind that of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. I can’t quite put a finger on why, other than it just *does*. Give “Disenchanted” a listen on the previously linked Bandcamp or Spotify and be sure to let us know what you think!

Heatmiser – “Lowlife (’92 Cassette)”

August 18, 2023

You’ve probably heard of Nirvana, 90’s grunge, and Elliot Smith, but you may or may not be familiar with a band that shared a the same area geographically with Kurdt Kobain et al… Counting Elliot Smith among its members, Heatmiser was a force to be reckoned with in the 90’s that, for whatever reason, wasn’t ensnared in Sub Pop’s campaign of owning 90% of the 90’s. “Lowlife” is being released ahead of the forthcoming twenty-nine track compilation from Third Man Records. The song itself is quintessential grunge… In that it’s an alt-rock-punk tinged track. Blistering guitars coupled with singer Neil Gust’s raucous, guttural vocals is a perfect first track to, if you’re like me, be introduced to the band. Check it out on Spotify and give the rest of their back catalogue a listen if you’re feeling nostalgic. and check out the compilation due out October 6 if this is[...]

SOMOH – “Favourite”

August 18, 2023

Sophia Mohan aka SOMOH (a clever shortening combination SOphia MOHan,) brings us a dandy of an alt indie track in “Favourite;” Produced by Far Caspian (you may have heard of him, we certainly have.) Leaning into more the alt-indie vein, the song is gentle with an acoustic guitar backbone and drums punctuated by fabulous distortion a la indie darlings Soccer Mommy or Jay Som. Speaking to “Favourite” Sophia had this to say: “‘Favourite’ is about trying to feel a sense of validation through ‘fixing’ everyone’s problems but your own. There’s a childlike obsession that comes with having a saviour complex…” You can hear “Favourite” over on Spotify, as well as some of her other tracks including the heartfelt “I’ve Been Saying This.” Let us know what you think via the comments on our social meedz and if you’d like to hear more like SOMOH! SOMOH · Favourite

Eversame – “Warm Flower Sided Road”

August 16, 2023

Eversame is a quartet based out of Žilina, Slovakia. Their music spoke to us all the way across the Atlantic for it’s longing mix of shoegaze, emo, and jangle pop – one listen through “Warm Flower Sided Road” will give you an idea of what we mean. Delicate-but-hurt vocals lay overtop a Midwest-emo backbone, complete with acrobatic bass lines and wistful guitar strumming. Mid-song, a crunchy (but still chiming) guitar punctuates the gloom, which absolutely crushes the listener emotionally. Fans of Petal, Tancred, and Sunny Day Real Estate will love this one for sure. You can find “Warm Flower Sided Road” on Bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music. tell me where the flowers are by Eversame

Phasez – “Insecure”

August 16, 2023

Ottawa-based Phasez is an alt/new wave project by a secretive musician named Miguel (I know this because his IG is set to private.) Very much wearing his heart on his sleeve, Phasez is very much progressive and a supporter of BLM as well de-stigmatizing mental health issues. We latched on to “Insecure” for its thoughtful message about how not being sure of yourself can easily make you question who you are… Not to mention the super tasty hooks set in a tasteful 80s sonic palate. Check out “Insecure” below, on Spotify, or on Apple Music.

Bollo Bollo – “Melt This”

August 14, 2023

UK-based indie quartet Bollo Bollo bring us their newest single “Melt This,” freshly released 8/11, and it’s a quite the humdinger. Starting out wispy and subdued, there’s a solid percussion-forward lead-in to vocals from singer Bradley Ayres’ sublime voice that leads into the crux of the song. Vibrant synth come into the fray along with a stellar bass line, propelling the track forward. Speaking to the song, the band had this to say: “It’s a song about having troubles in a relationship. Rather than taking the seemingly easier route and ‘burying-your-head-in-the-sand’, it’s about tackling the issues head on.” Fans of post punk era bands like Joy Division or their more contemporary counterparts Interpol or Tame Impala would find a lot to enjoy here. You can hear “Melt This” over on Spotify or Bandcamp, as well as their previous tracks such as the superb “Forever Stay.” Bollo Bollo · Melt This

Grrrl Gang – “Blue-Stained Lips”

August 13, 2023

Yogyakarta, Indonesia-based act Grrrl Gang sure knows how to write an upbeat jam – if you don’t believe us, one listen through the summery, punky pop rock of “Blue-Stained Lips” should be enough proof. A pure and lighthearted song about loving and cherishing your significant other (even if they have lips that are stained blue by Curacao), “Lips” brings all us tired millennials back to feelings of puppy love from days long past. Fans of The Go-Gos, The Linda Lindas, or Liz Phair’s poppier canon will find lots to love here. “We were at a party one night, and I drank this blue cocktail, and it left a stain on my lips, making them blue. I thought I looked super ugly, but my boyfriend still thought I was perfect and kissed me, regardless. The line ‘Kiss me on my blue-stained lips’ is a metaphor for him liking me and accepting[...]

Molly Millington – “Foreign Accent”

August 13, 2023

Molly Millington embodies feelings of youth, love, and longing on her latest single, “Foreign Accent.” “Everything sounds better in a foreign accent,” Molly explains, and we can’t help but relate to the romanticizing of someone’s surface-level traits. It’s backed up by a shiny and shimmery indie pop instrumental, complete with jangly tambourines, crisp guitars, and subtle hints of synth. Molly further explains her mindset below: “’Foreign Accent’ is about doing things you usually wouldn’t purely because the way it’s presented is not what you’re used to. For example, saying yes to a marriage proposal because you’re in another country and everything seems more exciting and romantic but then remembering when you get home that you actually don’t believe in marriage and possibly might not even be into men.” You can find “Foreign Accent” on both Soundcloud (below) or Spotify. Molly Millington · Foreign Accent

Jet City Sports Club – “Drug Store (Waste My Time)”

August 13, 2023

Sydney’s Jet City Sports Club are back with a brand new indie pop jam called “Drug Store (Waste My Time).” In case you missed our previous features on JCSC (see here and here), “Drug” finds the band continuing to hone their brand of glassy, beach inspired indie pop a la Alvvays or Beach Bunny. Sweet vocal melodies and a driving bass are highlights here, anchored by both crunchy and chorus-laden guitars. About the song, the band explains: “When I started writing this song, It was about always wanting more from a significant other, but it evolved into a sort of longing and desperation to be seen by someone you don’t even really know. Someone who might not even know you exist yet.” Check it out via Soundcloud (below) or Spotify. Jet City Sports Club · Drug Store (Waste My Time)

War Strings – “All My Little Games”

August 13, 2023

War Strings, aka Andrew Stogel, hit us hard with the jangly heartwrench of latest single, “All My Little Games.” Jangly chords start this one off and stay constant throughout, while nimble basslines, punchy drums, and vocals dripping with sincerity help to keep that gut punch feeling always present. It’s accompanied by a music video that brings a perfect visual to the song – blurry and confusing, like the emotions that are conjured when one listens to “Games.” About the song, War Strings explains: “All My Little Games’ is about reckoning with heartbreak. Realizing the ‘fixes’ cause more pain.” You can find “All My Little Games” on Spotify or YouTube (below).

Bathe Alone – Fall With The Lights Down

August 13, 2023

Atlanta musician Bailey Crone, better known as Bathe Alone, recently released the latter half of her double EP Fall With The Lights Down (Velma). That, along with, Side A: (Louise), August 4th, completes the homage to her great-grandmothers; whose pictures adorn the cover of the album and their respective EPs. Speaking to this (and the iconic ’70s era photos that adorn the covers), Crone had this to say: “I was browsing my dad’s Facebook and he had uploaded all of these family photos… She just looks super unhappy and out of context being on a boat… Then there’s another photo of the other great-grandma in a yellow vest with a picnic basket next to her. I thought these photos were so weird and powerful.” We’ve covered Bathe Alone before at the blog, which you can find here; Nick called 2020’s single “Calm Down” a “beautiful slice of dream pop.” Fall With the[...]