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Extra Space – “Cig”

March 6, 2024

“Cig” is the newest from Extra Space, a band we’ve covered previously here, and we’re pretty happy with it at the blog. Can’t say I agree with the order – releasing “Cig” after “Toothpaste” (one would think you’d want toothpaste after a cigarette, but that’s just me). but “Cig” sees Joey Puleio and Chris Kyle keeping it mellow and measured with a little less of the folksy twang heard on “Toothpaste.” The drums and guitar are tightly wound but stay at a simmer with some funky time signatures to give the vocals room to breathe. Color me impressed with the perfect balance between simplicity and technical skill; the layering and mastering is impeccably done and after a few listens I’ve heard a new sound each time. Fans of Big Thief, Kurt Vile, or Real Estate would find a lot to enjoy here. You can hear “Cig” over on Spotify or[...]

Bobsled Team – “Analita”

August 14, 2023

Hailing from Belfast, pop duo Bobsled Team brings us some new music in the form of a single, “Analita”, their first new track since 2021’s LP The Colours Blur. The track itself is a jangly dream-popgasm, with wistful-sounding distortion, a la The Sundays or Sixpence None The Richer, backing up singer Kimberly’s singsong voice. Special mention to my NYS peeps: I also got similar vibes to another band that’s a personal favorite of mine – Diet Cig (seriously, check them out too!) Be sure to check out “Analita” on Bandcamp or Spotify (if you’re still sticking around after they jacked up their premium price). As always, be sure to support your favorite local groups (especially if your friends are in a band, c’mon!) Listens help artists, but showing up and buying merch are the best way to put money in musician’s pocket, short of shoving money in their pocket (which I’m[...]

Marella – “Rock and Roll Phase”

June 9, 2023

The track created by San Jose California native Marella titled “Rock and Roll Phase” serves as the third track on the 13-track LP titled Posterboy. The song is a charming, indie pop song that beautifully encapsulates the journey of yearning for an unrequited love. With its whimsical melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the song takes listeners on a captivating adventure of self-discovery and discovering love. Marella opens the track with the line, “She’s in a haze, in her rock and roll phase,” seizing the thought of finding true love with a scene-adjacent individual. The bittersweet-yet-hopeful vocals tell a tale of searching through the vastness of Marella’s experiences, only to stumble upon that one elusive connection that changes everything.  The irresistible blend of shimmering guitars, ethereal synths, and pulsating beats creates a soundscape that mirrors the excitement and anticipation of a newfound romance. As the next line in the chorus after “in[...]

Paul Cherry (featuring Kate Bollinger)- “OBO”

June 9, 2023

Los Angeles, California native Paul Cherry brings an uplifting vibe on his latest single release “OBO” with a feature from fellow California native Kate Bollinger. The opening of this track gets your attention immediately by a couple of quick drums followed by Kate’s beautiful vocals. The instruments used in the beat makes you picture yourself on a beach surrounded by palm trees sipping on your favorite drink. One of my favorite elements of the track is the storytelling within; as soon as Paul starts singing, his first lyrics are, “Hey, thanks for your reply, let’s meet tonight.” The storytelling is executed perfectly, as you feel like you are eavesdropping on their conversation, but in reality, that’s exactly what they want the fans to think. The delivery of the track is done extremely well as it’s not only a lovey conversation, but also an uplifting buoyant vibe.  “OBO” is an enchanting[...]

Quiet Sonia – “Sparks”

April 9, 2023

As per their Instagram: “Quiet Sonia is a Copenhagen-based seven-piece experimental chamber-rock group”. In my wildest dreams I don’t think I could come up with such a combination of words to describe a musical act like them, yet here we are! “Sparks” is the first single off of their upcoming debut album and was, in true chamber-rock group fashion, recorded live in (and I am not making this up) a candle-lit studio over a weekend at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. I have friends in bands who would give their teeth to record something this beautiful in live takes, not to mention over a weekend! Anyone who has an ear for high production folk-tinged post punk fused with an orchestral arrangement will find this tantalizing. Vitamin String Quartet mashed together with Arcade Fire is the most accurate description I can think of, but still doesn’t do justice to what[...]

Koala Harbor – “Can’t Fall Asleep”

March 18, 2023

The first thirty seconds of Koala Harbor‘s debut single off upcoming album Those Who Are Lost Must Wander IMMEDIATELY evokes the more creative MIDI tones of my favorite video game system, THE Sega Genesis (specifically the more dreamlike tracks of Sonic 2 and 3). Make no mistake though, Mr. Harbor (Mr. Koala?) has crafted a gorgeous track that cannot be ignored. They could easily be mentioned in the same breadth as such greats as Toro y Moi and Dayglow. Smooth lyrics and a hearty synthetic layering of their digital tracks leave the listener riding the waves as relaxed as a koala on a eucalyptus farm. Please be sure to check out this sterling example of electronica indie-pop as well as Koala Harbor’s 2023 album, Lost Demos, which includes several delectable remixes of “Can’t Fall Asleep”. These and more can be found on Spotify as well as Apple Music. Please let us[...]

Joe McGuire – “Build A House”

November 2, 2022

There’s something down-home and familiar about the newest single from Joe McGuire… Now that we think of it, “Build A House” is surprisingly twangy considering the musician proudly calls Chicago his home. You can expect a chiming acoustic guitar; a deliciously warbly guitar lead; and Joe’s endearing and heartwarming vocals upon your first listen, but as you listen more and more, you’ll start to envision the simplicities of small-town life. You can also find “Build A House” on Spotify. How Do You Want to Be Held? (Mono + Stereo Versions) by Joe McGuire

Eliza Edens – “Westlawn Cemetery”

September 17, 2022

It takes a lot (an admitted weak spot) for us to latch onto a slow burner, but Eliza Edens‘ latest single, “Westlawn Cemetery” is just that good. Using a unique tuning she borrowed from a Nick Drake song, Edens ponders the intricacies of mortality overtop a perfectly twangy guitar and a barebones drum accompaniment. It’s a gently-plucked, indie-folk masterpiece that is sure to make you feel something, no matter where you’re at in life. We usually try to put these things into our own words, but Edens’ description of the song’s origins is just too powerful not to share – here it is below: “During the depths of the pandemic, I was hunkering down at my childhood home with my parents in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I went for walks every day, usually just up the street to a small, bucolic cemetery where I formed many early memories –[...]

Bo Milli – “How It Is”

August 12, 2022

Bergen, Norway-based indie rocker Bo Milli caught our ears with this not-so-lighthearted jam. The upbeat instrumentals belie the ennui that powers the song lyrically – see the line about those ever-pervasive Strokes hits that seem to have powered the rest of indie rock composition since 2001… Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to you to decide. Further confirming our hypothesis, about the song, Bo says: “Originally the chorus was this tiny bit where I say “you know how it is” — a sort of anti-chorus undermining the idea of a thesis statement. This song is mainly made up of lines gesturing towards a vague dissatisfaction everyone seems to relate to, without really saying much outright.” You can also find “How It Is” on Bandcamp (below) and Spotify. How it is by Bo Milli

Blue Cove – “Soothe”

July 26, 2022

We’re loving the energy coming out of Blue Cove, especially on latest single, “Soothe.” The Chicago-based duo offer a modern take on 2000s emo/pop-punk – with plenty of spring-loaded guitar riffs and catchy, impassioned vocals, this would fit comfortably on any playlist anchored by Soccer Mommy, Charly Bliss, and The Beths. About “Soothe,” Blue Cove say: “A toxic lover can drain you. When you give so much of yourself to a partner, you can ultimately end up with very little energy left for yourself and your own goals” You can also find “Soothe” on Spotify. Blue Cove · Soothe

GZ Grant – “Bonds of Love”

May 16, 2022

The nearly minute long intro on “Bonds of Love” by GZ Grant has the perfect level of anticipation leading into the first verse. I was also relieved GZ Grant used the same chord progression on the guitar’s hook; for it was way too cool to act solely as an intro to this lo-fi rock banger. The musician/singer/songwriter decided that he wanted to be a director as well on the “Bonds of Love” music video and this guy is a perfectionist. The video seems to depict the age-old question of what would happen if psychedelics & rock n’ roll existed in medieval times? Find Out with GZ Grant. Stream it on Apple Music and Spotify  Watch “Bonds of Love” on YouTube

The fin. – “Outer Ego”

December 13, 2021

The fin. is a Japanese duo hailing from the port city of Kobe who are making lots of waves lately (get it?) with their chillwave-inspired indietronica. “Outer Ego” is the title-track of their latest LP which dropped in late-November – it’s a driven, but airy number that features gently plunking arpeggiation; soothing, whispery vocals; and an unmistakable bedroom feel that helps keep it approachable, but sincere. They filmed an accompanying music video that helps show the duality of the band – some filming occurred in the Japanese countryside and other filming occurred in the studio, showing the theme of inner/outer duality that’s woven throughout the album. Check out the music video for “Outer Ego” below – you can find it on Apple Music and Spotify too.

Kindsight – “Don’t You Grow Up”

November 22, 2021

Kindsight seem to have mastered the art of jangly indie rock, case-in-point, their latest offering “Don’t You Grow Up.” This isn’t the first time we’ve featured their warm, fun take on the genre – we singled out their tune “Terminal Daze” last year too for similar reasons… Expect Alvvays-esque vocals with a warm guitar presence that would make both Ben Gibbard and Jeff Tweedy blush. Fun fact: this is actually the first song that this Copenhagen-based crew ever wrote together – as they describe it: “a coming-of-age indie gem.” You can find “Don’t You Grow Up” on Bandcamp (below), but it’s also available on Apple Music and Spotify. Don’t You Grow Up by Kindsight

Spritely – “Imma Buy A House”

September 1, 2021

Digging this pop-grunge tune from bedroom-popper Spritely – “Imma Buy A House” is a “cheeky declaration of independence” from a long-distance partner who was expressing some iffy-ness about Spritely moving across the country to be together… She tells them off with this dark-pop jam; it’s shined-up with pop production while never losing the emo/grunge, guitar-driven sensibilities of someone who has been hurt. Fans of Jay Som or Kississippi will love this one. Check out “Imma Buy A House” via YouTube below – you can also find it on Spotify if you prefer streaming.

Dead Emerson – “Eleventh Hour”

September 1, 2021

Last time we checked in with Dead Emerson, we were jazzed on their latest single, “Sucker Punch.” The one-man-show is back again with another indie-pop banger called “Eleventh Hour.” Emerson recently dealt with some pesky bouts of disassociation, where he felt out-of-body for days at a time… He channeled his ennui into this big-energy song, full of sparkly guitar riffs, punchy drums, and impassioned vocals. Check out “Eleventh Hour” on Bandcamp below – if streaming is more your thing, you can listen on Spotify as well. Eleventh Hour by Dead Emerson