bugcatcher – Slacker
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...
Fieldrush – “Motorcycle”
Fieldrush is a San Diego-based trifecta who show that they understand how to craft a solid emo/alt-rock track in this year of our Lord 2023 with their latest track "Motorcycle." This single brings something that sounds both familiar yet fresh; something about this...
The Jürgen Clubs – “Soft”
Bringing a level of wit and self-deprecating pizazz that I can't help but find infectious, Danish quartet The Jürgen Clubs' third single is... about the soft member of lead singer Magnus Grilstad. As he puts it: "The song is based on an evening when I wasn't too proud...
Little Champion – “oops i got sad”
The on-stage moniker of Asheville native Dustin Goldklang; Little Champion's sound is that of a well-tuned indie rock bicycle. "Indie rock" is catch all term that gets thrown around, but Little Champion definitely fits the bill: self recorded, produced, and mixed...
Svidden – “Blurry Eyes”
Sweden based artist Jimmy Koitzsch, aka Svidden, is here with their first release, the infectious and deliciously danceable track, “Blurry Eyes.” Jimmy has been behind the scenes in some of Sweden’s biggest acts such as Galantis, Becky Hill, Alan Walker and SEEB (just...
Krooked Kings – “Coming Of Age”
A dandy of a single from Utah-based Krooked Kings, "Coming of Age" has lots of great indie hooks that scratch the discerning music listener's itches. I'm happy to see more bands with appropriate use of synth which I've ranted about before (Krooked Kings use it...
Koala Harbor – “Can’t Fall Asleep”
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...
S.I.L. – “Lonely Nights”
Orlando based duo S.I.L.'s newest track, "Lonely Nights," immediately evokes the pumped up beats of electronica darlings Daft Punk at their most mellow and Billie Eillish at her tamest. Make no mistake though, Silvana and Justin work together inextricably to form a...
Shuttle – “Daydreamin'”
Shuttle brings a tight synth pop track your way with "Daydreamin'," off of their most recent EP sharing the same name. Already having amassed nearly two thousand plays on Spotify (in addition to nearly 500k for equally accessible single "Swimming Through Time"),...
Dragon Inn 3 – “I Can’t Stop”
Dragon Inn 3 is the current project of Kansas City resident and indie royalty Philip Dickey (of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin fame). Along with his sister Sharon Bowie, his wife Grace Bentley, and David Hill they've created the delightful synthpop jam "I Can't...
Gold Spectacles – “Anywhere Else”
Gold Spectacles has released their new track "Anywhere Else," a deliciously satisfying continuation of their unique blend of synth and baroque-pop (see our previous features here, here, and here). "Anywhere Else" is a pop joyride as much as it is a masterclass in...
Curves – “Perpendicular”
Curves has released their latest single "Perpendicular," a emotional, guitar-heavy indie rock jam that you'll feel in the back of your jaw (check our previous feature on them here). "Perpendicular" pulls from the emotional core of reminiscing about a past relationship...
Guy Blue – “No Other Life (Without You)”
Brooklyn-based artist Guy Blue builds a dreamy landscape with the gorgeous and delicate new single, "No Other Life (Without You)." Many artists use ethereal and dreamy soundscapes to evoke a mood, but Guy Blue accomplishes the unique feat of translating the surreal...
DOVVYDOTCOM – “central ’22”
Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, and producer Dov Sikowitz, aka DOVVYDOTCOM, has an excellent, unabashed new single with "central '22." The track brings you in with an unassuming but welcoming buzz-and-hiss jangly guitar intro that sets the stage for the...
Ryan Ritual – “Slip Away”
Ryan Ritual brings you lucky listeners an infectious new single with "Slip Away." The indie-pop track has a gruff, slacker charm that will disarm and enchant you while the nonstop pop pace will have you tapping toes, wiggling hips, and singing along the whole time....
Cooler – Doom Spiral
Cooler, a Buffalo-based three-piece, creates deeply personal, ethereal indie rock fit for the most intimate of moments. Doom Spiral, the group’s 2023 release, is their best work to date. The album centers around themes of opposition and devotion while persistently...
Leon In The Wild – “Quiet Covers Up a Lot”
"Quiet Covers Up a Lot" is the lead single off of California-based Leon in the Wild's self-titled 2023 EP. Leon kicks things off with his warm, pop-forward guitar and conjures dulcet tones that land somewhere between fellow Californians The Beach Boys and Pavement. I...
Sara Devoe – “Magazine”
"Magazine" is the latest of several singles from Albany-area "idiot musician" (her IG bio, not our thoughts!) Sara Devoe. "Magazine" is anything but idiotic - the initial assault is nothin' but bass and tight drums leading into Devoe's earnest lyrics, reminiscent of...
Tinge – “Big Crush”
With "Big Crush," Winnipeg-based three piece Tinge brings a power-chorded banger of a single off of the their EP Big Deep Sigh. "I don't look like much but baby I can rock your work" croons Anishinaabe songwriter Veronica Blackhawk, lightheartedly drawing in a...
Kondratieff Wave Generator – “welcome to the project!”
Coming to you from Oregon, Kondratieff Wave Generator (for brevity, K-Wave) bring us "welcome to the project!" off of the of their debut album High Rise. K-Wave brings joyfully warm guitars, almost as if they're excited-but-not-too-excited-in-a-lowkey-way to bring us...
Xul Zolar – “Tell Me”
The third single off German band Xul Zolar's upcoming album, Heidelbach (March 17) is the tight, synthy darkness of "Tell Me". Out of the three tracks released so far, this happens to be the darkest (although the first single "Protocol" is certainly a close second on...
The Empty Page – “Level Sedentary” (and B-Side Dry Ice)
Manchester-based band, The Empty Page, brings a punk-tinged ode to depression and executive disfunction on their single "Level Sedentary." Taking cues from 90's Sonic Youth, Pavement, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the meandering guitars and singer Kel's voice feature...
Far Caspian – “Arbitrary Task”
Coming out of the gate strong in 2023, Ireland-based Far Caspian (lead by Joel Johnston) delivers a sublime lo-fi indie gem. "Arbitrary Task" occupies the same place in your head you go when you're doing laundry or driving to work, but is indisputably the more...
The Angles – “Out There”
Brooklyn-bred Ashwin Prasanna's latest project, The Angles, brings the soothing track "Out There" off of his self-titled debut record. Warm, poppy guitar leads the way in this wholesome love song. Every chord resonates in your ears as you feel the warmth and joy of...
Beachdust – “An Android Contemplates Love” (and b-side “OFF (O N) RESET!”)
Singles from artists in today's environment of mainly digital releases are easy. You don't have have to go to the record store to pick up a 45 inch record (or cassette) and can just pull up your preferred music service instantly! [/end elder millennial rant] My editor...
Julia Rapp – “What He’s Been Missing”
Julia Rapp brings a cheeky indie-folk tune powerful enough to pull you up off the bathroom floor at 3:30am after a bad breakup. "If he really knew you, he'd know what he's been missin'" Julia has a way of telling you how it is in the same no-nonsense fashion that many...
Trash Pals – “Dinner at Sadie’s”
A subdued, bass-forward track from duo Conor Rayne and Gabe Schnider of Trash Pals (respectively, members of Basstracks and Jon Batiste), "Dinner at Sadie's" showcases strong songwriting and solid keyboard antics. Lyrics like" "Oh Sadie maybe I'm not your type/ I...
B. Miles – “The Year I Felt Cool”
New York based B. Miles brings us this smooth ditty of a single that exudes more than it's fair share of swagger, as B.Miles takes us on a glitzy indie pop romp through what is clearly HER CITY. You'll find yourself bopping along as you're lulled in by her hypnotic...
ATMoney – “ITID”
Tennessee's very own ATMoney is reportedly coming through with his third installment of ITID (I think I’m Dope 3) in March of 2023, but gave his fans a top tier music video with the title track “ITID.” The music video displays ATMoney genuinely rapping his face off...
Steven Araico – “Ivory Keys”
Steven Araico's voice alone emits this undeniably ethereal energy. With such a gentle voice, the instrumental doesn’t need to do much. The percussion throughout “Ivory Keys” grants it universal emotion accessibility; as in you can listen to it in any mood and it’ll...
Abby Nissenbaum – “Shelly Johnson”
Nashville-based Abby Nissenbaum's latest track comes off the top of her 2023 EP Unreliable Narrator. "Shelly Johnson" highlights her hauntingly heartfelt lyrics which shine through on this song, centered around a relationship gone bad; "I can tell you've been with...
Adult Play – “See Me Now”
Adult Play (née New Labor... also previously known as "Jimmy and the Innies" and "Petrol Exit") has obviously worn many hats, and this single is no different. Free-ranged New Englanders from Massachusetts (self-produced and recorded) Adult Play feels like a finely...
ESTHERLIVIA – “TICKLE YOUR HEART”
“…like a kaleidoscope over a vast cityscape.”
“Revenge” – Cole Connor
Cole Connor and mentor, Master Splnta came back with movie-like production on their latest collab. “Revenge” (the video) has double the run-time of the song, but summarizes everything leading up to it, displaying clips of Cole Connor's past with Master Splnta as Cole...
Das Kope – “So Happy”
Adding credence to the adage that "dream pop never dies, it just distorts more," LA-based act Das Kope brings this tasty, ketamine-laced chill tune to the grey matter between your ears and just kinda hangs out there for awhile. This track evokes some 90's era Cocteau...
Moozy – “Minnesota Seems Nice”
"Minnesota Seems Nice" is the new single from fully-independent DC-based outfit, Moozy. Driven by warm synths and a simple, yet deliberate guitar chord progression, members Dylan Rockwell and Pat Dunning take us on a whimsical, poppy romp extolling the virtues of a...
NEWSKI – “Chemicals (feat Matthew Caws)”
New Song "Chemicals (feat Matthew Caws)" is a modern power pop jam from BRETT NEWSKI & the No Tomorrow, and is part of an upcoming release of eight tracks that will be the soundtrack to his book titled, “It’s Hard to be a Person: Defeating Anxiety Surviving the...
Mox – “Trust”
Mox's new release, "Trust," is a hauntingly beautiful track that captures a sense of yearning for safety with disarming casualness. Mox's talent is undeniable, and at just 19 years old, she draws inspiration from artists like Elliot Smith, Alex G, and Built to Spill,...
Khi’leb – “Tempt Me”
Khi’leb came through with an absolute production of a track titled “Tempt Me” from his deluxe album Project In the Suburbs. I pressed play and thought I had an idea of where the track was headed but as soon as Khi’leb laid down the first vocals, that thought went out...
Justus West – “Normal”
Hot off the presses is this new single from Justus West, a talented seven-time Grammy nominee hailing from Kansas City. "Normal" would seem to suggest an embrace of the "same shit, different day" mentality but is quite the opposite; about the song, Justus explains:...
Chris Cubeta – “Architect”
Brooklyn-based artist Chris Cubeta has released the powerful and rhythmic indie-rock song “Architect,” the latest single from his forthcoming new album APOE, which is due out April 7th, 2023. The upcoming album's creation springs from a personal reckoning brought on...
The High Water Marks – “Trouble From The East”
New song "Trouble From The East" from Norway-based The High Water Marks has just been released and you should give the sunny and infectious indie-rock track a listen (find our previous feature on them here). The new single is the first from the upcoming album, Your...
Bees In A Bottle – “Jealous Mistress”
Portland based duo Bees In A Bottle have a new album set to release April 14, 2023 and their new single "Jealous Mistress" is your first taste of the upcoming project. The new album will be a collection of songs that each explore the stories of women who've lost a man...
Jen Cloher – “My Witch”
Melbourne's figurehead of their famous DIY scene, Jen Cloher has exciting new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me upcoming and their newest single "My Witch" has just been released in anticipation of the LP. The catchy indie rock cut plays with more of a pop...
1 REBEL NATION – “television”
"television" is a nicely-layered, wispy single off of 1 REBEL NATION's 2022 album, PORCELAIN. The Los Angeles-based act takes a lot of cues from Melon Collie era Smashing Pumpkins as well as the more contemporary Beach House flavors. "television" feels like a non-stop...
Beano Naboo & The Real Keepers – “Strange Life”
"Strange Life" starts off as a rambling, quirky, bass-driven tune, but quickly turns contemplative and morose; a perfect encapsulation of the past three years. [editor's note: Chris is okay, just dealing with some stuff and he's okay.] Sean O’Brien's (aka Beano Naboo)...
Bliss Abyss – “Bill & Holly”
There is a couple named William and Holly somewhere who are presumably happy with having a song named after them. For the rest of us, Oakland California based Bliss Abyss put forth a subdued, albeit catchy, dream pop earworm. The song details the love story of two...
Seriously – “With Delight”
Surely this can't be Seriously? Yes, it is (and don't call me Shirley). "With Delight" is the first single off their upcoming album Built Environment on the label Earth Libraries out of Birmingham, AL. Crooning Morrissey-esque vocals combined with Proper Synth Usage...
Ex-Pat – We Are All Explosives
Nostalgia is often guarded by the thick, indeterminate fog of our own memory. Ex-Pat, a Buffalo recording artist, wades through this fog. His time-warping artwork is genuine, soulful, and full of personality. Echoing the most gossamer, faded shades of 90s shoegaze and...
freddyboy – “This Time”
freddyboy's new single, "This Time," off his latest EP, Hobby showcases a captivating blend of soft acoustic sounds and electric tones on this tight indie-pop cut. The hazy rhythm of the acoustic guitar is inviting and discreet, wrapping you in warmth, as the relaxed...