Blu & Nottz – “Giant Steps” (feat. Bishop Lamont, Torae, Skyzoo & DJ Revolution)
Indie heavy hitters Blu and Nottz have long been praised for their lyricism and creative production respectively, and "Giant Steps" as absolutely a flex. Joined by an all-star lineup of Bishop Lamont, Torae, Skyzoo and DJ Revolution, this track is one of those rap...
DC. – “Eye to Eye”
DC. is a groovy-ass-dude. His charismatic flow provides tons of variance to work off of the steadfast beat. The song is a duet with lovely singer Jessie Munro, who handles hooks duty, and interjects her voice in with DC.'s verses for angelic adlibs and retorts. Their...
FEELS – “Roadkill”
Do you ever just get the feels? We do. We were drawn to Helsinki-based duo FEELS for their name but quickly fell in love with the electropop of "Roadkill." The song truly transforms from a slow atmospheric ballad to something exciting and danceable. Fans of Blue...
Sunjacket – “Creepy”
Chicago quartet Sunjacket specialize in creating a combination of dark indie rock and synth-driven pop. Hot off of a premiere from Stereogum, the band recently released their second single "Creepy" which highlights their true talents - syncopated rock lush with...
El Ten Eleven – “Swoon”
El Ten Eleven channels their inner Sleigh Bells on their new track "Swoon." The band is an instrumental duo who recently released a mixtape of rare and unreleased material. "Swoon" is the mixtape's first track, and for good reason. The band utilizes crunchy guitars...
The Nursery – “Digital Ashes”
Vaporwavers The Nursery hit us up recently with the glitchy synth pop of "Digital Ashes." Coincidentally, the Toronto band made its way to our lovely hometown of Buffalo, NY to record their newest EP in a converted monastery. The result is "Digital Ashes," a big pop...
Cold Violets – “Here”
At the intersection between cold and calculated 1980s-era post-punk and present-day indie rock, you'll find Cold Violets. The LA act has evolved from a singer-songwriter folk project to the lush band effort you hear today. Stylistically, Cold Violets are now...
Coupons – Number One Hit Album
Coupons is an Albany-based group that seemingly mastered mid-tempo, just-sad-enough songs. At times they're bluesy, at times they're straight power-pop, and at times they're math-y (namely the drums). In creating their Number One Hit Album, Coupons carved themselves a...
Northern Spies – Autumn Chapter
Rochester-based indie rockers Northern Spies, a project featuring members of several other prominent Rochester bands, have been on the circuit for a few years now. Last year's Nothing But Static EP wasn't quite what the effort's title suggested. The EP, with an armful...
RAEKO – “Need 2 Know (Feat. Mating Ritual)”
Raeko is the moniker of California-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Jason Suwito (he's also one third of indie-pop band Sir Sly). "Need 2 Know" is Suwito's latest musical offering, a collab with buddy Mating Ritual. It's a summer anthem-style tune that takes...
Sam Padrul – “Hold On Me (Feat. Mammals)”
We like Sam Padrul's new jam. "Hold On Me" is a groovy pop track, perfect for a nostalgic summer night. Padrul utilizes vintage tones with a modern sensibility - think 80s Hall & Oates vibes meets contemporary 2016 pop. Fans of Empire of the Sun or Goldroom would...
Ugly Sun Releases Debut Single “Mock Me Out”
It's been a while since we've heard from Arctic Death frontman John Crook. Since the band's split in mid 2011, the members have held tenure in an impressive run of great Buffalo bands, including, but not limited to: Nelson-Type, Crooks, and Father Baron. Ugly Sun is...
TUFT – “Sheep”
LA act TUFT (formerly known as Hi Ho Silver Oh) hit us up with a really solid indie rock number, "Sheep." "Sheep" combines deliciously crunchy guitars with a slew of catchy vocals. The result sounds simple but nuanced - an easily digestible tune full of indie rock...
Solidisco – “Summer Heat”
Solidisco is a Buffalonian act currently capitalizing on our early-August heatwave. "Summer Heat" showcases the group's "special sunshine touch," highlighting its powerful vocal delivery with a deep, vibey instrumental. The song has recently been performing quite well...
They Are Gutting A Body of Water – s/t
They Are Gutting A Body of Water is a rather complex name for an emotional, lo-fi solo act by singer/songwriter Doug Dulgarian. Dulgarian, a lead singer to Albany-based Jouska, proudly released late last month via the project's bandcamp. The album is written as if...
2Beeps – “Burn It Up”
Brooklyn producer 2Beeps (Matt Verzola) blends elements of house, breaks, and electro on "Burn It Up." With melodic vocal sampling and burly 808's, the maximalist, club-ready track places a bright 90's rave-inspired organ melody alongside hyper-chopped vocals and...
The Branch Davidians – Sex, Death, and Things Less Boring
The Branch Davidians have released their EP Sex, Death, and Things Less Boring. Based in Rochester, the band began as an indie folk duo, before lead man Ben Stephanus expanded both the size of the group and the scope of its sound. Their five-song release is full of...
Hot Dreams – “Plungepool”
London quartet Hot Dreams hit us up with "Plungepool," a soaring number that would impress even the most nuanced of indie rockers. The song is about the band moving to London and becoming totally disillusioned after ultimately realizing the city is geared against the...
Fono – “Feet On The Ground”
UK producer Fono’s articulate and forward thinking approach to house music has already landed him in the good graces of dance music elite. He's hot off the heels of a global smash, "Real Joy." Our recommendation, "Feet On The Ground" finds Fono playing with swelling...
Acid Ghost – “All Alone”
Looking for simple, beachy, and swimmy? Acid Ghost's latest effort is an 18-song LP full of "cheesy breakup songs written on vacation." Cheesy might not be the right word - "All Alone" is a chill, heartfelt song about missing making out under the pier while drunk...
Arkivist – “Seeing Stars”
Melding straight-up pop aesthetics with an indie rock flavors, Arkivist got our attention with their debut single, "Seeing Stars." Formed in the rainy winter woods of the northwest, the trio decided to utilize the vocal talents of all three members while exploring new...
Passed Out Share New Single Off Forthcoming EP
Passed Out is the aggressive hat that lead singer Andy Pothier wears when penning frustrated call-out anthems. The Buffalo-based songwriter has been an integral part of the area's growing scene, regularly playing the circuit with his folk-y introspective solo jams as...
The Lamaas – “Bum Lyfe”
The Lamaas are a three piece skate punk band from the West Side of Toronto. They recently recorded and released a six-song EP, affectionately titled Bum Lyfe. We think you should start with the title track - we dug it for its balls-to-the-wall approach and...
Mateo Katsu – “A Special Plan”
"A Special Plan" was written and recorded 12 years ago, but Mateo Katsu thankfully brought it out of obscurity and into our inbox. "A Special Plan" is a part of Mateo's new(ish) EP, White Men Don't Name Their Babies Jesus, full of deliciously lighthearted, lo-fi jams...
SUMif – “Lay Down”
We've been really digging electropop songstress SUMif's sparkly new song, "Lay Down." When the song begins, it sounds both minimalist and layered, pairing SUMif's pleasant vocal delivery with a skittering drum rhythm. "Lay Down" eventually evolves into quite the...
Work Drugs – “Method Acting”
Smooth-fi act Work Drugs recently debuted the title track from their upcoming release, Method Acting. "Method Acting" is swimmy, beachy, and vintage-sounding, bringing to mind the synthy guitar-pop of the 1980s. Fans of Holy Ghost, Miami Horror, or Tears for Fears...
Brat’ya – Call Me
Lovers of layered vintage synths, naked emotion, and neon soundscapes will find much joy on our Album Of The Week, Brat'ya's debut five song EP Call Me. The brainchild of Buffalo by way of Azerbaijani electronica artist Alek Ogadzhanov, Brat'ya combines the...
The Paper Faces – “Mistaken”
After a much-deserved hiatus, Swedish indie pop band The Paper Faces is back with some new tunes. They shot us the video for "Mistaken," and we were very pleased. Their brand of pop is simple, crisp, and easily digestible. The video features a bunch of beachy girls...
Mr. Witch – “Feelin Fine” ft. Devin Lucien & Akira the Don
With an awesome stereo mix, dance-y trap production, and ferocious rapping, Mr. Witch's "Feelin Fine" concoction has got your ears covered. Devin Lucien and Akira the Don contribute vocals to the evolving beat. The front half of the track is a culmination of energy,...
CHALK – “Together”
CHALK are a London based indie/electronica band formed last year. Having played as separate singer-songwriters for some time, the duo decided to join forces, drop the acoustic guitars, and pick up some synths. CHALK takes an upbeat approach to electronica, using...