New Music

Idle Riot – “Happy Thoughts”

May 5, 2023

Idle Riot’s debut single, “Happy Thoughts,” was actually influenced by… Avoiding some not so happy thoughts. See below: “Happy thoughts was written shortly after Russia invaded the Ukraine and California was experiencing wildfires. It is a demonstration of our collective passiveness to a lot of the really dark things going on right now, which is ironic given the technology we have available.” With dreams of just sitting back and ripping some Mario Kart, Idle Riot acknowledges our collective ability to ignore what’s going on in the world and pacify ourselves with some sweet, sweet technology. It’s an omni-relatable sentiment in our increasingly digital existence, but Idle Riot executes it with such surfy brilliance that it really doesn’t seem so bad. Stabby guitars and slacker-esque vocals are the highlight here, bringing to mind elements of The Strokes, Beach Fossils, and FIDLAR. Check it out below via Soundcloud, on YouTube, and also[...]

Far Caspian – “The Last Remaining Light”

May 2, 2023

Irish songwriter/producer Joel Johnston aka Far Caspian (check out our previous feature on them here) brings his magnetic and ineffable sonics to you with his latest single, “The Last Remaining Light,” the title track of his upcoming LP, due out July 14th. Let the textured and layered atmospherics and soft harmonized vocals wash over you as the warmly strummed guitar lines shift and evolve, wrapping around you as the enigmatic track develops. Patient but entrancing like a full moon on a clear autumn night, the song will calm you while giving you access to expanses for you to explore. Here is Johnston discussing the genesis of the newly released single: “I had a nightmare that my mum passed away and when I woke up I felt terrible. It made me think of what life would be like if she wasn’t here and I wrote this song to symbolize how much she[...]

Life In Vacuum – “Hugo”

May 2, 2023

Toronto-based three piece Life in Vacuum deliver a punk-infused dark-rock banger with new single “Hugo.”  A driving drum beat and unrelenting guitar and bass are locked in step with a breathless vocal delivery that will leave you gasping for repose as this menacingly magnetic track pummels you with a calculated chaos. The guitar, vocals and drums of the Ukraine-born brothers Ross and Sasha Chornyy, who moved to Canada in 2004, found the perfect alchemical addition of current bassist Geoff Albrecht. Here is Sasha talking about the sonic shift with the new addition to the band: “We’re very rigid, my brother and I, so it was good to have a new voice in the fold… It’s not so much a new sound as a new dynamic; the chemistry really works.” The band’s latest release is off their latest LP All You Can Quit where you can find more crushingly gorgeous sonics[...]

Amos The Kid – “World Burn”

May 1, 2023

Rising Canadian star Amos The Kid‘s debut album is almost here and the second single of the highly anticipated project is out now. “World Burn” is a catchy alt-country rocker that is anthemic, big, and beautiful. Amos deftly pulls from the indie rock and country worlds to create a track that exudes earnestness and optimism. Amos’ vocals are powerful and dynamic and finds a perfect home on a bed of shining guitar licks, banjo lines and fills performed by Boy Golden. The swelling backing vocals overtop a thick and sticky four-chord progression helps to truly drive this one home. Here is Amos The Kid talking about the new single: “World burn to the cynic, world burn to the worry wart, world burn to the hopeful and the full of hope, I hope it just stays sunny… This song is my favourite on the record. It’s one I’ve been looking forward[...]

Sfven – “like that”

May 1, 2023

UK based artist Sfven has a new anthemic alt-pop banger called “like that” out now.  Disarming, masterfully crafted, and vibrating with a cosmic bittersweet energy, “like that” is a multi-layered pop jam that you will love. Unassuming drum machine tempo and synths bleet and build as Sfven croons to begin the song – soon the energetic chorus shoots starbursts of pop exuberance through the ceiling of the bedroom-pop world. With muted warm synths and a disarmingly relaxed pop growl, Sfven creates a thickness of beautifully layered instrumentals. Sfven couples the lyrics and musical tonality so successfully, it almost makes you inhabit that striking moment when a love’s gaze hits you and the world feels perfect and euphoric while simultaneously feeling the potential to lose such a thing. Here is Sfven discussing what the song means to him: “i guess ‘like that’ is about a conflicted feeling. when maybe you can[...]

DiRTY RADiO – “Jet Fuel”

April 30, 2023

Many of my DJ friends are probably much more well versed with Canada-based DiRTY RADiO. I could try to bullshit my way through knowing everything about turntables and mixes, but I admittedly have only basic novice knowledge… However, I can confidently say that musically, DR absolutely knows what he’s doing. From what I listened to, the mixing between vocals and beats are top notch club fare, and will certainly get your bodies moving as intended. “Jet Fuel” is one of those fire tracks that is exactly as advertised: a masterfully produced electronica song that begs you to let loose on the dance floor and try not to clench your teeth (ifkyk). If you’ve ever been to a party (or after party) north of the border, you’d expect a song like “Jet Fuel” to be bumping through the speakers. Find more of DiRTY RADiO over on Spotify or his artist page.[...]

Matthew Danger Lippman – “Set Up”

April 30, 2023

Matthew Danger Lippman (henceforth MDL), currently residing in NYC but also an erstwhile Buffalonian (anyone still around from 2014? You may remember Brimstone Blondes) and buffaBLOG contributor, brings his single “Set Up” from his upcoming full length Once You Get Low You’ve Gotta Start Flying Baby for your listening pleasure. MDL has previously opened for such artists as Foxygen (a personal favorite of mine), Shonen Knife, and Active Bird Community. We tried to get him to write this review himself but he threw a guitar at the editor when asked. [Editor’s note: this is actually not true, it was a snare drum.] “Set Up” is soulful fucking (soulfucking?) pop-rock ear worm that rewards multiple listens. Carefully curated guitar and a rollicking bass track give way to fun synth interludes and backing vocals a la a gospel revival choir. MDL, ever the enigmatic frontman, opens up his thesaurus and points out the[...]

Millionyoung – “Lost”

April 30, 2023

Based out of Miami, Millionyoung is the project of Mike Diaz and “Lost” is both the name of his newest single that, coincidentally, shares the name of one of the most overrated TV shows of all time (seriously, I tried, plz don’t @ me). That’s where the comparisons end though; “Lost” (the song) feels like a pleasant Sunday drive with your foot hanging out the window on a warm-but-overcast day, whereas the TV show was overhyped and couldn’t stick the landing. Like a tasty, chillwave blooming onion served by Panda Bear (of Animal Collective fame), you’ll find layers aplenty that Diaz has obviously taken great care with laying down here. The thick guitars meld well with the heavy synth treatment while his whisper voice vocals guide you along, lest your fragile mind becomes lost in the (dipping) sauce. Fans of Washed Out or Cocteau Twins will find a kindred spirit[...]

Merci, Mercy – “Shovel”

April 30, 2023

“You’re so fuckin’ nice/I wanna throw something at your head.” Damn. Merci, Mercy comes out swinging on her new single, “Shovel”, and just doesn’t let up. Allegedly a “playful take on romantic relationships” with a self deprecating jab thrown in (“pass me the shovel and I’ll dig for two”), it’s SPICY and I’m here for it. Steady acoustic guitars are balanced out well with swirly synth atmospheres to compliment her dulcet tones, a la Julien Baker on a snarky day before their coffee with 20% more pop. This is off of her upcoming EP is it me and is filled to the brim with smart, sharp lyrics (with assistance of Matthew Murphy from The Wombats and Chris Collins (Middle Kids, Greta Ray)). Not that age is necessarily any indication of musical talent, but you’ll probably be as surprised as I am that Mercy is only NINETEEN (her name is Mercy but[...]

MOLD! – “Don’t Wake Me Up”

April 30, 2023

MOLD! is a Miami based band (originally hailing from Peru) bringing what is possibly the closest thing to a personal anthem/mantra (anthrem?) of me before 10am as you can get. Ironically going against what is promised, this song does in fact WAKE YOU UP! Smartly-layered guitars guide us headfirst into this maelstrom, backed by a strong undercurrent of battling bass and drums (they end things in an amicable draw) and a ruthlessly catchy vocal line. Strong nods to Yo La Tengo exist throughout this track as well as some of MOLD!’s deeper cuts; fans of PUP, Deerhunter, or Stephen Malkmus with stronger emotion would also feel welcome into MOLD!’s moldy, er, warm(?) embrace. “Don’t Wake Me Up” will certainly keep you engaged and looking for more as their understanding of how to blend sound is a must for any indie-punk apostle. MOLD! could easily teach a doctoral level course with[...]

Homeschool – “My Only Enemy”

April 28, 2023

New York based, multi-faceted artist Homeschool (read: musician, actor) brings a thumping alt-pop sound in their new single “My Only Enemy;” released ahead of their upcoming EP Just Now. “Enemy” is a glam-filled, synth-heavy romp evoking Hot Fuss-era Killers or the shiny melodies of early 2010s Passion Pit that is bigger than the sum of its parts – you can definitely hear their voice filling an arena with no problem. The best part, it has an uplifting message about the importance of self-love. On the subject of “My Only Enemy,” Homeschool says: “It’s a self-critical reflection wearing upbeat, dance-pop clothes where I ultimately make a realization about myself and the world…. the only real enemy or obstacle between me and an acceptance of myself, is myself.” You can hear “My Only Enemy” over on Spotify and, if you’re feeling it, the rest of their music – including but not limited[...]

Dragon Inn 3 – “See It Your Way (feat. The Salvation Choir)”

April 28, 2023

“See it Your Way” is the second single from Dragon Inn 3 released ahead of their upcoming second album, Trade Secrets, out April 28th by way of American Laundromat Records. I’ve written previously about this band and their first single “I Can’t Stop,” and the band’s connection to indie-pop darlings Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (Phil Dickey was in SSLYBY and now leads Dragon Inn 3) surely shines through while letting their synth-soaked direction breathe in its own right. With that preamble out of the way, let’s focus on the track! “See It Your Way” leads with a bit more guitar than their previous single, but soon gives way to the strong midi tones that have become the hallmark of their sound. Their jaunty, upbeat rhythms and sun-soaked vibes will lift your mood, no matter what kind of day you’re having. This all gives way to back-and-forth lyrics between[...]

Cudos – “impulsive”

April 28, 2023

I almost feel like a broken record (heh, music pun), but wow is there a lot of love for synthesizers lately. I feel like synths were a pariah for a long time and it was super hit or miss (mostly miss)… That being said, cudos is firmly in the “hit” category with their tightly-produced, electronica-heavy track “Impulsive.” This will sound weird, but I feel cudos has found a niche somewhere between the soulful tones of Boyz 2 Men or Backstreet Boys (alright!) and threw in some contemporary synthpop flair a la acts like Aries, Brakence, and Contradash. Listen and tell me you don’t hear some nods to “Larger Than Life” and you couldn’t see a small dance routine happening in your mind’s eye… That is, in between the jaunty, improvisational flair and wonky hyperpop vibes that cudos somehow weaves into their hyper-catchy hooks. You can find all the different ways[...]

Phantom Engine – “Involuntary Hold”

April 27, 2023

“Involuntary Hold” is a track from the band Phantom Engine. As per their Facebook bio: “Phantom Engine is an artistic collaboration company founded by two brothers. All servants, no masters.” This vague vibe matches well with “Involuntary Hold,” as their downbeat melody, with strong post production layering, carries a haunting vibe; a la Zero 7, early Linkin Park (minus ALL the nu-metal vibes), or Adore-era Smashing Pumpkins (strange mix, but trust me!). A near constant electric drum beat keeps a hold over over over the subdued piano track which finally gives way to sliding guitars toward the end of the song. It’s an interesting juxtaposition that will make you want to listen again and again to see if they were there the whole time – pro tip, they are/were. Check out “Involuntary Hold” and the rest of Phantom Engine’s catalogue over on Spotify. If you want to learn more about[...]

Blondes – “The Basement”

April 27, 2023

Blondes hail from Nottingham, England and “The Basement” is the second single released in advance of their In Separation EP, due out July 14th. Blondes have received prior acclaim from BBC Radio 1 for their other single off the EP, “Love in the Afternoon.” This one, however, started as a demo during lockdown but soon found its wings betwixt going back and forth remotely. When asked, the band said: “…it’s a song about feeling isolated and looking for a way out, which I imagine was a very well known feeling for everyone at that time.” Deliciously layered guitars with a thumping bass line keep this song fresh and interesting. While some have (rightfully) compared these effects to The Cure, “Basement” leans in more of a dreamy indie-pop sound (think mid-era Turnover) but still captures the creeping isolation we all experienced during the Covid-19 lockdowns. You can listen to “The Basement”,[...]