New Music

Not Your Babe – “Katie”

December 3, 2025

Not Your Babe is a love song from one sister to another… Full disclosure – I don’t have a sister, but I do have a brother, and I can imagine if this song was called “Jake” that I would probably feel extra connected to this one. But, semantics aside, “Katie” is a stunner from this Redding, CA, Cam-Tyler-led act. Full of fun and punchy energy with a beachy flavor you’d expect from a CA act (even though Redding is ostensibly in the exact center of the state). Expect plenty of twangy guitars and an inspired vocal from Tyler that hits the nail on the head by encapsulating the nuances of having a sibling relationship once you’re both all grown up.   You can find “Katie” below (bandcamp) or on Spotify.   Not Your Babe by Not Your Babe

New Words – “Gave You More”

December 3, 2025

Buffalo-based New Words is led by vocalist Benny Scheibel – they’re here with the ’00s-inspired bombast of new single, “Gave You More.” With the energies of Jimmy Eat World and a hint of All-American Rejects, “Gave You More” is built around a super catchy guitar rhythm and a rolling drumbeat. Scheibel’s vocals are proud and powerful, complimented perfectly by the thundering basslines found here. This one was tailor-made for anyone processing a breakup – so, especially if you’re feeling heartbroken, let the anthemic vibes run through your bones and be prepared to be humming this one the rest of the week.   “Gave You More” is available on Spotify, too.  

Big Sleep – “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo”

December 3, 2025

Big Sleep are doing a lot of doo-ing on their latest single, “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.” With the energy of The Strokes that have been listening to a little bit too much Interpol, Big Sleep have those jangly garage-rock chords ringing true, while also sounding a little bit downtrodden. Downtrodden in a good way of course – this one is catchy as hell. From what we can tell, this Dublin quartet usually keeps to the expansive and atmospheric (and godspeed to that, folks), but we’re here for this new doo doo doo doo doo energy too.   You can find “Doo x5” on Spotify too.    

Ananya Ashok – “Unrealized Dreams”

December 3, 2025

Ananya Ashok combines classical South Indian influences with modern indie-pop songwriting to create her very own signature sound – if that’s not incentive enough to check out her latest single, “Unrealized Dreams,” we don’t know what is. Built around the distinct sound of the veena (you can look it up, we had to too), “Unrealized Dreams” carries a distinctly Indian flair without ever venturing into world music territory. In fact, if they did it as well as Ananya does, more artists should consider using it for its lovely twang. On top of that, Ananya’s voice is subtle but beautiful, and her melodies are incredibly tasteful… And since this song is about trying to have a more open mind, you should just listen to the song anyway.   You can find “Unrealized Dreams” on Spotify and Apple Music.    

Shrimp Eyes – “Birds”

November 28, 2025

For the birds, this track is not! “Birds” is the newest from South East London based Shrimp Eyes. Giving me the unfortunate task of having to think about the eyes of shrimp is most certainly tempered by being catchy as fuck. Falsetto-y (except not, because people clearly practice singing) lyrics combine with a dope bass and some absolutely fucking understated guitar lines. Just when you think you have it figured out the guitar takes the center stage of the track and does some proto-soloing that makes your head turn.   You can hear “Birds” below from Soundcloud and over on Spotify. The other three fourths of their Wondering EP can be in the same locations. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for; BBC, Spotify, and Apple Music also seem to think they’re hot shit. Oh and so do we. We’re pretty important too.  

Lover – “Bones”

November 28, 2025

“Bones” is the latest from Melbourne-based musician Lover. Super stripped-down but not lacking in soul, the track is pretty much acoustic guitar and drums. This gives a lot of room to really showcase the impeccably recorded lyrics, which sounded like they were recorded on golden mics. Speaking to the track, Lover had this to say:   “Lyrically the song focuses on things of my past, with feelings of angst leaving my family back home in New Zealand, and trying to reconcile the fact that I won’t be spending as much time with them anymore.”   You can hear “Bones” below from Bandcamp, as well as on Spotify. The rest of the EP, Life In Secret, is available as well and worth the listen. Great example of superb range of sound while keeping in step with their vibe. If you’re interested in the visual medium, the music video is available on[...]

Violet UltraRay – “woods”

November 28, 2025

Keeping up with the forest theme from October’s “girl in a tree” (that we covered here), Violet UltraRay brings us her latest with “woods.” Based out of London and a self-described “dream pop shoegazer,” wailing guitars combine with those “under the water” vocals vibe to give a sense of feeling lost (or drowning… which I guess is sort of like being lost). Inspired by late night walks, “woods” certainly gives you a sense of dreamy solitude, which is something a walk in a forest might certainly inspire.   “woods” is available below via YouTube or on Spotify. I couldn’t find out much about the band from their IG which is just fine by me, sometimes we don’t deserve to have all of our questions answered and for musicians to have an air of mystery about them. Keep on rockin’!  

SELL EVERYTHING – “Star Girl (ft. Patrica Lalor)”

November 28, 2025

Self-described “artist collective” bands are always a fun bunch. They have a very Mom-and-Pop feel, like they’re a bunch of hippies in a commune selling honey or something. SELL EVERYTHING doesn’t give off the commune vibe, but all of the other good vibes? Seems like they nail it. Based out of Dublin (the one in Ireland), their latest is “Star Girl,” featuring fellow countrywoman Patricia Lalor. This is probably the best 2:20 of funk-flecked electronica I’ve heard all week; the drum machines and lo-fi synth really make the track.   You can hear it below from YouTube or add it to your chill afterparty mix over on Spotify. Be sure to check out Patricia Lalor‘s offerings as well – her vocals are one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard this week.  

The Empty Page – “When We Gonna Run?”

November 28, 2025

The Empty Page want you to know that their latest single, “When We Gonna Run?” is set in an apocalyptic hellscape – 2025… And even though this trio is from Manchester, that’s a hard relate from us on that one. The anxious energy found on “WWGR?” is palpable and matches the song’s urgency, about wanting to get the hell out of “here,” perfectly – expect overdriven guitars, a freaked-out feeling verse vocal, and a super tasty chorus hook to bring it all home. Fans of Pity Sex, Mannequin Pussy, and SPRINTS are gonna dig this a lot.   You can find “When We Gonna Run?” utilizing the bandcamp embed below, or, use Spotify.   When We Gonna Run? by The Empty Page

Super Flea – Demo

November 28, 2025

It would be safe to assume we’re writing a nostalgia piece about the popular, Cheektowagan market that closed in 2014 and was revitalized in 2022… But no, we’re talking about a new emo/pop punk crew that have named themselves Super Flea. Cooper Taylor and John Carr (of Autoignition, Speed Dial, and other projects) teamed up with Milo Duhn to come out swinging with a three-song EP, simply called Demo… With a few friendly faces in tow. Expect fantastic drumming from Del Paxton’s Greg McClure and the tried-and-true Jay Zubricky/GCR Studios treatment, who both suit this project perfectly.   If their pedigree tells us anything, Taylor/Carr are becoming masters of pop-punk songwriting. Opening track, “86,” is a great place to start – blistering drums from McClure lay the groundwork for Taylor/Carr explosiveness. Fans of Knuckle Puck, Neck Deep, and The Story So Far will enjoy the bratty, gravel-voiced vocals and sharp[...]

Luxury Suite – Sparrows / Starry Eyes (Evalina)

November 24, 2025

Luxury Suite might be a fresh addition to the Rochester marquee, but the DNA here is strictly local royalty. Featuring alumni from previous blog favorites SPORTS and Cottage Jefferson, the new group feels like a logical, sonic handshake between those two previous projects. They manage to fuse the angular, dancey post-punk rhythms of the former with the distinct jangle-pop sensibilities of the latter. It’s a sound that nods respectfully to New Wave titans—think the rhythmic elasticity of Talking Heads meeting the melodic jangle of The Smiths—while keeping a power-pop edge that recalls early Elvis Costello. After a summer of tightening up the set on stage, they’ve finally dropped their debut studio efforts, produced and engineered by fellow Rochester staples Josh Netsky and Sam Snyder of Maybird.   “Sparrows” serves as the high-energy introduction. It’s got a kinetic, upbeat drive where the guitars do a lot of the heavy lifting, chiming[...]

Slow Coast – Home of the Restless

November 23, 2025

We last heard from San Francisco’s Slow Coast when buffaBLOG reviewed their singles “Double Vision” and “Perfect Lie.” We’re happy to report they’re back – Slow Coast just released their stellar album Home of the Restless, which sonically presents itself as beach-y and somewhat psychedelic. The lyrics cover several topics related to self-discovery – here’s a little more from the band about their headspace while writing the album:   “Most of these songs were written in moments where I felt like I was standing in my own way – caught between who I thought I was and who I actually am. It’s about the quiet fights that happen in your head, the stories you tell yourself just to get by, and the clarity that comes when you finally stop running from them.”   Overall, this album is incredibly consistent, offering tunes that are reminiscent of Tame Impala, The Strokes, and[...]

Bullet Brak and R.A. the Rugged Man – “Mighty Dollar”

November 23, 2025

Rap mainstay Bullet Brak made waves for us with his tenacious April single “Eating Good,” and he returns to our pages with more insightful bars delivered with a junkyard edge to them. “Mighty Dollar” discusses the root of most motivations – money and how to make it. Brak’s always hustling, and makes clear thoughout the track that anything he can sell will be sold. The track gets an assist from alternative hip hop legend R.A. the Rugged Man, who’s primary method of income has been being one of the best lyricists in the game for something like 2 decades. His verse fittingly compares his talent to Satchel Paige, and we agree that his brain should probably be donated to science when it’s all said and done. Bump this in the gym, and add it to your favorite lyrical hip hop playlists. Check out more from Brak on Spotify, and listen[...]

Essy – “Thinking About You”

November 22, 2025

Essy is a master songwriter, having written for a bunch of artist on major labels… But we’re highlighting her personal single right now, “Thinking About You.” This is synthpop at its finest – gauzy and easy-going with lyrics about love and regret. It’s the title track of Essy’s new EP not too hot//not too cold and it’s not hard to see why. Give this one a chance, the mysterious verses have a wonderful pull, bursting into a pop-soaked chorus that’s catchy as all get out.   “Thinking About You” is available via YouTube (embedded below) and on Spotify.    

Hardbody Jones – “Nice Little Fit” ft. Nyota Parker

November 20, 2025

The latest single from Canadian artist/engineer/DJ Hardbody Jones is about satisfying your id when your ego gets a little bit ahead of itself. That’s a novel, highly-relatable concept. “Nice Little Fit” explores the cognitive trick of feeling fresh in the face of everything else crumbling. Hardbody and featured artist Nyota Parker offer vocals that fluidly float between rapping and singing as they take turns describing the real-world problems they face, reprieved only by throwing on their respective fits to get some gratification out of the uneasiness. Slick and sultry keyboards pace the single, adding an appropriately silky experience to a track  about feeling good. Hardbody’s got a quality library to explore on Spotify, and you’ll also catch him on our regularly updated New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist.