Buffalo

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”,[...]

Sun Kin X Guppy – “I’m In The Band”

April 27, 2023

An L.A. band collab betwixt Sun Kin and Guppy, with the common theme (other than this banger of a song) of Kabir Kumar. Sun Kin is Kumar’s solo effort whereas Guppy seems to be his more collaborative endeavor – and it just friggin’ works here. “I’m in the Band” starts with dulcet synth tones that gradually gives way to a beautiful mix of sliding guitar and understated bass and drums. The story woven throughout is inspirational to any kid who has picked up an instrument and dreamed about being a rock star; perfectly capturing the first time you show up to a venue, “Hands full of gear on the loading dock/ filed up with fear and intrusive thoughts/ oh. sorry. i’mintheband” [fake editor’s note: it me]. Ultimately, this track is about the furtive steps any artist takes when expressing themselves and how difficult it is to make yourself vulnerable but[...]

Tiger Darrow – “Happy Face”

April 25, 2023

Fresh out of the Big Apple, Tiger Darrow is here with their latest single, “Happy Face,” a song about realizing that your ex might have a type. “Face” reminds us of that weird, uncanny valley feeling when you realize there are only slight differences between you and your ex’s newest partner – most poignantly, a good attitude. “Happy Face” is a borderline experimental take on bedroom-pop, led by unsettling (in a good way), descending rhythmic keyboard blasts. Sticking around through the chorus will reward you with the song’s stickiest earworm, a staccato vocal refrain that will wriggle its way deep into your brain. Listeners who make it to the end of the song will be even further rewarded by a gooey string and vocal moment that melds strangely well with “Face’s” otherwise electronic backbone. Fans of St. Vincent, Julia Michaels, or Melanie Martinez will find lots to love here. You[...]

TRSH – “FIRE DEPARETMENT”

April 25, 2023

The hottest ‘TRSH‘ of the midwest is back with their latest single, “FIRE DEPARETMENT.” It’s one minute and 11 seconds of blistering Midwest energy… And TRSH doesn’t make you wait for anything. The vocals kick right in with a poignant lyric about burning down your parents’ house (and we’d like to add that the intentional misspelling of “department” somehow adds to the brattiness of that sentiment). Complete with mathy guitars and heart-on-your-sleeve vocals delivered at a breakneck pace, this is literally everything you could ever need from a Midwest twinkle fest. Fans of Mom Jeans, Free Throw, Hot Mulligan, or Del Paxton are about to discover a brand new gem. You can find “FIRE DEPARETMENT” on Spotify and lots more goodies over on their Linktree. Before that, be sure to check out the YouTube embed below.

Dorio – “Lost These Days”

April 25, 2023

Dorio certainly has a cavalcade of influences here on their latest single, “Lost These Days.” Ranging anywhere from “…Wall-of-sound orchestral pop, Italian soundtracks, lounge pop and deep house sensibilities in the mid-90’s.” With that in mind, there’s something utterly unique about Dorio’s style, while simultaneously feeling inherently 2023. There’s an undeniable retro influence here on the funky 70s-inspired bassline, but singer Rachel Roscoe’s twee vocals root this one solidly in the bedroom-pop/dream-pop movements of modern day indie rock. There are multiple cherries-on-top here too, including startlingly clean swirling guitars, jaunty rhythms, and super-tight percussion tones. You can find “Lost These Days” on Spotify, and Bandcamp... And don’t forget to follow them on Instagram! Check out the YouTube embed below.  

Futureheaven – “Coldgaze”

April 25, 2023

Coming to us all the way from Sydney, Australia, shoegazers Futureheaven caught our ears with the icy brilliance of their latest single, “Coldgaze.” Immediately, lovelorn guitars soaked in bell-tone ambiance pierce through your speakers, swirling around your head with a surprising amount of clarity for an otherwise shoegaze-y track. There’s (of course) a wall of fuzzed-out guitar backbones to appease any MBV stans out there, but fans of fuzzlords like Pity Sex all the way to surfy dream-poppers like Alvvays will also find lots to sink their teeth into here… Just be sure not to get a brain freeze (you know, because it’s cold). “Coldgaze” is available now on lots of streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp – you can also preview it via the YouTube link below.

Sofi Gev – “Softspoken Eyes”

April 24, 2023

Sofi Gev, the solo project of American singer-songwriter and indie pop artist Hannah Lovelady, has finally released the much anticipated new single, “Softspoken Eyes.” From lyrics and melodies inspired by hyper-infatuation; childhood memories; and confronting life head-on; to her dreamy blend of indie/folk pop with a touch of electronica; “Softspoken Eyes” is a song that just might speak to your soul. Her earliest and most enduring musical influence came from her father singing Joni Mitchell songs to her at night as a child, and that influence shines through the silky, tastefully-reverbed vocals set slightly offbeat over inspired, swirling instrumentals. Fans of Bat for Lashes, My Brightest Diamond, Lucy Dacus, or even Ethel Cain will love not only this single, but Sofi Gev’s entire discography. Regardless of all the details, we’ve all had a time in life when we’ve been enamored by another human. Craving a deeper connection and wanting to[...]