Album Reviews

Into The Light – Into The Light

December 27, 2023 Nick Sessanna

Rochester-based act Into The Light formed in 2022 and boasts an impressive pedigree of Rochester talent – think members of Bad Bloom, Union, Hard To Know, The Silence Broken, and Achilles. This particular crew is influenced by shoegaze, indie rock, and post-hardcore like Failure, Catherine Wheel, and Quicksand; said influences come through strongly on their debut EP, the self-titled Into The Light (ITL). The quartet worked with record producer Steve Sopchak (of Motionless in White and Ice Nine Kills fame) to create a gritty, guitar-forward album full of raw aggression, chugging chords, and cathartic emotions. It has just as much in common with crushing ’90s grunge like Soundgarden, your favorite Deftones album, and modern-day acts like Superheaven and Teenage Wrist. Album opener “The Thorns of Life” introduces you to the hallmarks of ITL – expect spindly guitar leads laden with thick distortion tones; a rock-steady bassline that’s just as nimble; and[...]

bugcatcher – Slacker

March 21, 2023 Jordan Budd

Rochester act, bugcatcher, write big acoustic-indie tunes for little, yet important moments in their debut full length, Slacker. On the intro song, “Roller,” the project’s lead vocalist, songwriter and main member, Jake Denning, questions changes in his life while a tender guitar riff fades in and out. Responding with indifference, Denning’s voice echoes back onto itself with the vacant phrase “well okay, well alright,” as the instrumentation kindles the project’s gentle, slacker rock sound. Denning has multiple meanings for the title, as he feels there is “a malaise to the way the album flow[s], as it’s “generally pretty mid tempo,” yet he also said it took a long time for him to make, “maybe even too long.” He referred to its origins in late 2020, and how he moved around a couple times during its development. A dreamlike short-story-tune, “Daisy Vs The Grim Reaper,” was one of the first completed.[...]

Carpool – For Nasal Use Only

February 7, 2023 Jordan Budd

Since Carpool’s 2020 release of Erotic Nightmare Summer, the Rochester band has played on Audiotree, added a synth player, toured the country, worked with content creator, hate5six, and yelled “quit a job and fuck every single cop” wherever they went. That’s quite a streak for the underdog emo act, nicknamed Carpy for short. Carpool also became experts on saltines, see tour announcement for more information. The group’s emo-rollercoaster-rock sound oscillates between sugary indie-rock, walloping pop-punk, and derailing math pop fluidity. The moshpit-fuse band throw their weight behind important messages, whether they are handing out police abolition zines or approaching tough lyrical topics like substance abuse, mental health and failing relationships. Their latest work, a five song EP titled For Nasal Use Only, challenges listeners while expanding upon their familiar sound. More danceable than ever, Carpool inject their gravely relatable tunes with upbeat synth ebullience. The lead single and intro track,[...]

Virtual Perfection Cowboy – “Stoned Ape”

December 1, 2022 Nick Sessanna

“There’s really no point to any of this, so please enjoy.” Wise words from recent Rochester native Virtual Perfection Cowboy – they caught our ears with the unique synthwave textures found on their latest single, “Stoned Ape.” Reminiscent of a late 90s video game soundtrack, “Ape” is both soothing and invigorating; it’s full of futuristic synth swoops; ethereal swells; and a neurotic drum beat. With its unique influences, it’s best to hear from VPC themselves – here’s a little bit about the song in their words: “A liquid drum n bass track inspired by the soundtrack of Ape Escape by Soichi Terada and Terrence McKenna’s Stoned Ape Theory. The soft, ethereal sounds and cute animated music video will make you nostalgic for the old PS1 games of the 90’s, while also bringing you into the modern day of psychedelic experimentation. We are an ape with a symbiotic relationship to a[...]

Vibropath – “Overboard”

October 23, 2022 Nick Sessanna

Here’s a cool one from Rochester-based act Vibropath – they sent over the bedroom-pop glory of “Overboard” and we loved it immediately. With a warm, vinyl-record production to the track, Vibropath makes use of plucky guitars, Casio-keyboard drums, and an endearing vocal style to create something catchy and refined. About the song, Vibropath explains: “[‘Overboard’ is] a song about obsessive, over-idealized love. Lyrics are written from the POV of the obsessed individual, who is fully aware their feelings are romanticized, in love for the wrong reasons, but unable to rationalize it away.” ICYMI, we’ve also highlighted a previous single of theirs, “Turning Inside” – be sure to check that out too. You can also find the rest of Vibropath’s discography on Spotify. Vibropath · Overboard

The Demos – “Streetlight Glow”

July 21, 2022 Nick Sessanna

Our Rochester neighbors in The Demos just released a new single, “Streetlight Glow,” that shows off their penchant for writing hooky indie-garage riffs. With its synth-laced choruses; smart pop sheen; and angular indie rock guitar stabs, “Glow” reminds us of The Strokes; Cold War Kids; or even their fellow Rochesterians in Joywave. About the song, The Demos say: “Youthful love under the glow of a streetlight. Streetlight Glow is a song about your first love and the feeling that no matter what happens, everything thing will be alright as long as you are with them.” You can also find “Streetlight Glow” on Spotify. thedemosmusic · Streetlight Glow

Animal Sounds – “Miles (Jonas Song)”

May 18, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

Leave it to the Rochester band Animal Sounds to present us with a song that you could bellow through canyons far and wide. Built around a bouncing bassline and twinkly guitar textures, their latest, “Miles (Jonas Song),” sounds of an echoed call for salvation that we’ve heard in our heads from time to time. “It’s hard to build up a temple on miles and miles and miles of wasteland” is a line I had to take a second to digest in full, and as soon as I did, I was hit right in the feels. Feeling like doing some constructive reflecting on your past for a better future? Listen to Animal Sounds. Stream it on Apple Music and Spotify

Lower Expectations – “Talking To Myself”

May 5, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

The alt-rock band from Rochester by the name of Lower Expectations raised the bar on their latest offering, “Talking To Myself.” The lyrics “when I tell you it’ll be alright, I’m talking to myself,” hit me harder than a train. The righteous rock tune explores the idea of fighting the façade you bring upon your everyday life. It’s a message that sounds comforting coming from someone else; we have Lower Expectations to thank for that. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music Talking To Myself by Lower Expectations

Katie Morey – Friend of a Friend

April 19, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

About two minutes and thirty two seconds into Friend of a Friend, I downloaded the LP in its entirety. It was at that moment I knew that Katie Morey did not come to just play guitar or sing some songs; she came to create a moment that would last forever. The musical artist from Rochester has had quite the year so far with seven singles, a whole collaborative project with Pleistocene called Ontario Girls, and most recently, her debut LP Friend of a Friend… and it’s only April. She’s given us several years worth of music in the span of three months; Morey is a seasoned musician, but it almost makes rookie of the year sound like an understatement. Album opener, “Hotter Than Heaven” is an excellent distillation of Katie’s work. The song starts with plunking piano chords laid overtop simple electronic drum samples that together, create a warm and[...]

Vibropath – “Turning Inside”

April 8, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

The light production blanketed over “Turning Inside” by Vibropath has the goldilocks factor of being just right. Rochester-based artist Vibropath, born Frank Marino-Moore, who I originally thought was a band is a tranquil experience to listen to. I could only imagine how laid back and relaxed his live sets are. It’s artists like Vibropath that inspire others to create their very own brand-like delivery when it comes to compiling sounds into symphonies, and that delivery is evidently displayed on “Turning Inside.” Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music Vibropath · Turning Inside

Arvid – “Ghosty”

March 10, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

Enter the Rochester-based artist Arvid’s realm as he pushes the wave of psychedelia with a lo-fi sense of elegance. “Ghosty” off of his latest project Pyreburning is undoubtedly the purest example of Arvid’s electronic art. This is the kind of music that makes you physically feel a sensation of vibrations riding up your stomach to the top of your head. I’m not sure if Arvid brought us “Ghosty” from a happier place but it sure will take you to one – surprisingly, it’s a song about the death of a loved one. Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music

Bad Bloom – “Automatic”

February 11, 2022 Ryan Sciandra

The spacious vocals bellowed throughout Bad Bloom‘s latest single “Automatic” are hypnotically intoxicating… Which only makes sense, seeing as it was released just two days prior to Halloween, the spookiest day of the year. On the shoegaze-meets-dream-pop flavors of “Automatic,” Jay Trovato smoothly shreds his guitar while Kate Rogers floats along the track with elegance on both bass and vocals. This originally Queens, now Rochester-based husband-and-wife duo shed beautiful darkness onto a sugarcoated world. Preview “Automatic” via Soundcloud below – be sure to add it to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists too. Bad Bloom · AUTOMATIC

Soviet Dolls Release Cover of 80’s Classic “Cruel Summer”

January 23, 2020 Nick Sessanna

Rochester synth-pop act Soviet Dolls has released a cover of the classic Bananarama hit “Cruel Summer.” Set to clips of Night of the Comet, the Dolls’ take on “Cruel Summer” keeps the synthy magic but gives it a polished, 2020 feel. Their take on the song is just a bit darker, with a slightly more industrial feel. Listen for yourself – check out the vid below and check out their latest release here.

The Stedwells – “Wake Up”

October 30, 2019 Matt Moretti

Get your garage rock groove on with a tasty new tune from Rochester’s The Stedwells. The three piece outfit’s latest single is a heavy handed alarm clock rounded out with droning chords and an infectious riff. Ryan Warren brings belts out desperation in a vocal performance that plays right off of the high energy guitar groove and it’s a rock jam in every sense. The Stedwells are slated to drop their Hideout EP on November 22nd, with assists from Grammy-winning engineers Stephen Roessner and Dave Collins. Have a listen below: Wake Up by The Stedwells

Maybird – “Montreal”

October 29, 2019 Nick Sessanna

Maybird is a prolific psychedelic band from Rochester who have been long time buffaBLOG staples… This time around they’ve released a brand new music video for their song, “Montreal.” Any fan of their A+ psych-pop catalog or guitarist “Overhand Sam’s” unique guitar technique will surely be pleased – this one is packed full of tight drumming, ghostly synth howls, and phat guitar chunk. Check it out below.