New Music

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).

Helenor – “Bad2”

September 6, 2023

Brooklyn born musician David DiAngelis, the brains behind Helenor, brings us a nice diddly of a bedroom indie pop gem with his newest track “Bad2.” Beginning with a hooky lo-fi synth (that reappears throughout the song) DiAngelis wastes no time establishing a steady pace, bolstered by acoustic guitar, that builds upon itself. Speaking to the track, he had this to say: “This is a soundtrack for pretending you have the ability to be present…. ‘Bad2’ is a ball and a chain and a weighted walk through a vitamin D soaked summer day.” “Bad2” gave me Real Estate vibes, but slowed down and deconstructed. Fans of Alex G, Bonny Doon, or even MGMT would also find a lot to enjoy with “Bad2” and the rest of DiAngelis’s impressive catalogue. You can find that and more over on Spotify or YouTube if that’s your music listening preference.

Martha Rose x GRIP TIGHT – “Come On Over”

September 6, 2023

Berlin based musician Martha Rose teams up with collaborator Benjamin Luke Gregory, aka GRIP TIGHT, another artist who makes his home in Berlin by way of London. They’ve worked together previously on another single, “Never B Mine” and keep the magic going with the breezy lo-fi stylings of “Come On Over.” Contrasting the two songs is initially difficult, but “Come On Over” mostly stays in it’s synth-based dream pop lane – putting more focus on Rose’s vocals. It’s an incredibly sexy, synth-laden track that puts Rose’s haunting voice front and center, based on a mythical (or real?) “party” (re: orgy) on Mt. Olympus. Fans of Blue Hawaii, TOPS, or Grimes looking that “next big band” would certainly find a lot to enjoy here. Rose and Gregory have an ear for composition and have the sound of artists punching well above their weight with a polished yet not overwrought vibe. You can[...]

GRRL GANG – “Better Than Life”

September 2, 2023

Grrrl Gang, a power punky trio from Indonesia, brings us their latest track “Better Than Life” off of their new album sharing the same name. We previously covered them here, and had nothing but good things to say then… But to be fair that was mid August and we generally don’t turn on a band that quickly! You’re immediately assaulted with the full force of the entire band playing their hearts out and singer Angeeta Sentana droning and screaming into the mic a la Karen O. Just when the song reaches its peak, it’s over and you’re onto the next song. I can definitely get behind a song that grips me like that and manages to simultaneously give me what I need while leaving me wanting for more. I got some Sonic Youth noise vibes with with a touch of Ramones with this track, especially with it coming in at[...]

The Lovelines – “May Be Love”

September 2, 2023

Mysterious sister/brother duo, by way of Germany and Florida, The Lovelines bring us their latest single “May Be Love.” I found in it a fun, meandering piece that was honestly *so* relaxing to listen to that I felt like I was on vacation. The wavy guitars interspersed with the sister’s (no idea of their names, unfortunately) singing creates a soothing atmosphere that dream pop aficionados will most definitely enjoy. It’s a perfect, sauntering, dog days of summer vibe for that one last hangout by the pool. I think the most accurate comparison is probably Alvvays with the jazz vibe turned up like 30%. This was honestly a great stepping off point and I found some of their other tracks such as “1-800-LOVELINE” and their biggest hit “Strange Kind of Love” to be equally awesome. Be sure to check out “May Be Love” over on Spotify or Apple Music.

TELLL – “Garlic”

September 2, 2023

Mysterious collective TELLL, coming by way of Austria, brings us a slow burn, folk-tinged indie gem with their single “Garlic.” Morose to a fault (in the best ways), it’s the perfect end of summer slow jam and an easy shoe-in for an end of summer playlist. Big Thief with Adrianne Lenker turned up to 11 (on the morose monitor) is the best comparison I can think of, specifically the observations as the singer looks back on a failed relationship. This part of the song really gutted me: Did you cut your hair or leave it Like I always said you should Is your cat still on a diet Or did you give up on that plan? Do you sometimes, sometimes think of us? The subtle instrumentals give singer Änn plenty of room to shine and leaves room a instrument to shine at points (spoiler, it’s a trumpet). It’s obvious the[...]

Goalie Fight – “Kids’ Table”

August 30, 2023

Like many Midwest-emo inspired acts (think Modern Baseball; American Football; Football, etc.), Goalie Fight started with a sports-inspired name and gradually started pumping out some tasty riffage. We’re recommending their latest single, “Kids’ Table,” for your listening pleasures. Spindly guitar twinkling here is in the forefront – equally sparkly, mathy, and jangly, it produces a surprisingly driving beat that the drums and bass accompany perfectly. Bringing to mind the wordsmith narratives of The Front Bottoms or the aforementioned Modern Baseball, the mile-a-minute musings here are witty and intriguing, perfect for any basement show-going wallflower. You can find “Kids’ Table” on Spotify and Apple Music as well. On Ice! by Goalie Fight

Daniel Ryn – “Boketto”

August 27, 2023

Daniel Ryn brings his genre-bending alt-pop to the masses with latest single, “Boketto.” The song started like many others – a COVID era experiment that came about as an “indie computer” prototype; soon, Daniel transformed the project into what it is today, including a unique live band set up. The song was inspired by rock and grunge but sounds very 2023 to us – here’s what Daniel had to say about it: “My next release ‘Boketto’ is a special one, as it’s the first time I bring the recording home to the label I’m in. We produced this at the label’s studio, what started out as a pop tune gravitated into a rock alternative one. It’s the song that reminds me that I used to like this type of music so much and I’m glad to finally have a rock song again.” You can find “Boketto” on Spotify, Apple Music,[...]

Soft Punch – “My Head”

August 21, 2023

Washington DC’s Rye Thomas is a journeyman who has toured with multiple successful bands and wrote for big publications like Rolling Stone and The Washington Post, that is, before a mysterious illness left him home bound in 2013. His unwavering need to make music persisted, even if scraping 30 minutes of creativity in a day is all he could muster. Recording under the moniker Soft Punch, Thomas cobbled and labored for years – eventually he got healthy enough to record the album Above Water which is due out September 15th. The lead single “My Head” is a bombastic power-pop banger that pleas for clarity and transcendence to push through the beguiling weight of ones own mentality. Buzzing guitar expands and radiates through your chest while Thomas sings effecting lyrics that stick in your head and linger as each phrase passes. Every verse has a catchy and creative cadence that goes[...]