Novaa – “I’m Hungry”
CW: eating disorders Here's a super powerful one from Germany's Novaa - "I'm Hungry" perfectly encapsulates the struggles of having an eating disorder and does it with fantastic, honest, and powerful story telling. Lyrically this one is best heard for yourself, but...
ANNNA – “Sunburn”
We just couldn't resist the ultra-cool electropop from Netherlands-based ANNNA here on "Sunburn." If the song's title wasn't hint enough, this tune is the ultimate summer jam - try it out poolside or at your next family BBQ. We guarantee your mom will like the retro...
The Volclays – “Fell For You”
California quintet The Volclays caught our ears recently with their latest jam, "Fell For You." They make a unique mix of psych rock, surf-inspired music, and new wave flavor, reminiscent of The Growlers or Allah-Las. Right away, you'll notice a buzzy keyboard...
Doo Crowder – “Gratitude (feat. Celie Dailey & Shana Vorhauer)”
Doo Crowder specializes in "avant/traditional music" or "praying in the dark-core" (their words, not ours)... But somehow, these genre amalgamations make total sense when you listen to his latest offering, "Gratitude." Crowder (and his accomplices Celie Dailey and...
Lucky Idiot – “Nice Day”
Loving this warbly new jam, all the way from Australia. Lucky Idiot is a brand new three-piece specializing in dreamy indie pop with a pleasant punch. We recommend "Nice Day" as the perfect place to start - with it's omni-pleasant guitar twinkle, thick drum flavor,...
Crooked Steps – “Try Try Try”
We've been feeling this summery, surf-rock jam from Belgian trio Crooked Steps. Their newest jam (and the fun music video for) "Try Try Try" has that feel-good, sunshiny aura that makes summertime so special. With plunky guitar flavor, retro-flavored backup vocals,...
Lola Scott – “Jogging Shoes”
Last time we checked in with Sydney-based singer/songwriter Lola Scott, we were gushing over the magical vibes of her then-latest single, "i wanted to call her but i'm tragic & she's overseas (8 months) [sic]." She's back, this time with another lovelorn single...
Griffith James – “Market and Black (feat. Tennis)”
LA-based singer/songwriter Griffith James teamed up with indie pop luminaries Tennis for his debut single, "Market and Black." Featuring vocals from Tennis' Alaina Moore (Tennis also produced James' upcoming album), "M&B" is a buoyant indie pop jam with hints of...
Ring Finger No Pinky – “Girl Tsunami”
Ring Finger No Pinky defy categorization - precisely why we found ourselves so drawn to the lo-fi-ish vibes of "Girl Tsunami." Equal parts post-punk, garage rock, and modern indie rock (and with a touch of math rock and hardcore), "Tsunami" changes from angular,...
TEOSE – “Oh”
We're loving the grungy vulnerability coming out of Glasgow three-piece TEOSE. "Oh" has it all - the alternative, guitar-based brilliance of 90s college rock; 2021-era heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics; and a uniquely swung rhythm that's as hypnotic as it is ear-catching....
Tunnel Snakes – “Lemon and Salt”
Michigan-based duo Tunnel Snakes (sick Fallout 3 reference) debuted with a fun and propulsive indie rock single called "Lemon and Salt." The duo's fun-loving approach is evident in their upbeat brand of indie rock - expect lots of bouncy guitar goodness, upbeat drum...
Summer Like The Season – “Root Mean Square”
Here's an absolute stunner from Detroit-based indie-electronica act Summer Like The Season. "Root Means Square" brings the intricate electronica of Sylvan Esso and pairs it with Summer's eclectic and ear-catching vocal delivery. Harmonies build upon each other,...
Cathedral Pearls – “Wasted Days”
Here's a stunner from Spokane-based trio Cathedral Pearls. With it's jangly guitar presence, slow-burning tempo, and haunting vocal presence, "Wasted Days" could fit comfortably on a shelf next to other shoegaze/dreampop luminaries like Mazzy Star or Slowdive. We love...
Persona 749 – “Live Order, Pt. 2”
Persona 749 is a bit of a mystery to us, but we can't help but be drawn to the eclectic energy of "Live Order, Pt. 2." Part bedroom-pop, part garage-rock, part nihilistic energy, "Live Order" has a DI-sound recording wise but it totally works for their aesthetic. We...
Junaco – “Paradise”
Junaco (aka songwriting duo Shahana Jaffer and Joey LaRosa) have been wooing us with their latest offering, "Paradise." Jaffer's light and airy vocals lay overtop LaRosa's gentle but propulsive drumming - according to them, it's "music for music's sake," and we can...
Bazemore – “Most, But Not All (feat. Stella Smyth)”
Here's a cool, dreamy collab between Bazemore and Stella Smyth. "Most, But Not All" definitely utilizes elements of shoegaze, dream-pop, emo, and fuzz rock, but it otherwise defies categorization... Think somewhere along the lines of HUM meets Tigers Jaw meets Men I...
crush – “Chewed”
Manchester-based quartet crush play with elements dream-pop and shoegaze on their latest offering, "Chewed." Fans of Slowdive, Mazzy Star, or Ride will immediately find solace in the intimate-but-atmospheric mix of "Chewed..." Expect swirly guitars, a haunting vocal...
Eastrn Social – “Settle”
Newcastle-based solo-act Eastrn Social hit our inbox with the stunning "Settle" and we've been hooked ever since. "Settle" sounds utterly 2021 - warbly guitars, hush-hush vocals, and a commanding pop melody certainly help push this through the static and into your...
Buddy Junior – “stars****”
Last time we checked in with Buddy Junior, we were raving about the genre-bending art-rock of previous single, "Feel Good." We're equally transfixed by latest single, "stars***" - with the same gloom-pop/moody-rock approach as "Feel Good" (yet somehow completely and...
Together Pangea – “Nothing To Hide”
Together Pangea has been kicking around the Buffalo (and beyond) consciousness for some time - we've even seen them in-person all the way back in 2018. They recently caught our ears with the snappy indie rock of "Nothing To Hide" - its simple, guitar-driven energy and...
PRXZM – “I Started This Fire”
Synthpop duo PRXZM caught our ears with the sugary-sweet energy of "I Started This Fire." The duo first met at Indiana University all the way back in 2013 - they've been crafting their lighthearted brand of melodic and honest synth-driven compositions ever since. We...
Superhead – “Supersoaker”
Superhead is a fun indie-punk trio that specialize in rip-roaring, noise-laced guitar songs. "Supersoaker" is a deluge of youthful energy - whether it's the the velcro fuzz on the rhythm guitars or the pushed-to-the-limit chorus vocals, this one brought us right back...
Roleplay – “The Pain Will Set Me Free”
Roleplay really got us going with their latest single, "The Pain Will Set Me Free." Roleplay is the project of Swedish-born Anna Haara Kristoferson - currently based in the UK, she makes cinematic music that combines elements of electropop, indie rock, and disco....
Babe Club – “Need a Girl (remix by whimsy)”
Synthpop duo Babe Club and producer whimsy (Jaani österman from Tampere, Finland) teamed up to create this excellent remix of BC's "Need a Girl." The duo's patented blend of Blondie-meets-Cardigans vibes is perfect easy-listening... With whimsy's touch, the song gets...
Jack Moody – “Touch You”
Virginia Beach native Gary Watson sometimes goes by Jack Moody... And when he does, he writes unique lo-fi rock compositions with elements of jazz, fuzz, and bedroom-pop. We were drawn to "Touch You" for it's left-field instrumentation, aloof vocal delivery, and...
Dakotas – “IKYHAHT”
Upon first listen to Dakotas, you wouldn't immediately think the trio hails from the southern US (or maybe one of the two Dakotas)... But surprisingly, their most recent release, Pretty Lights, was recorded remotely during 2020 between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta,...
JW Francis – “John, Take Me With You”
If you're an avid reader of buffaBLOG, you know we stan JW Francis... From his Christmastime covers to his hooky bedroom-pop singles, there's just something about Francis' warbly sound that gets us going... We're happy to share another amazing tune called "John, Take...
Anne Freeman – “When I’m A Wreck”
Oxford, Mississippi-based singer/songwriter Anne Freeman recently caught our ears with the wistful indie-country drawl of "When I'm A Wreck." Bringing to mind Rilo Kiley or Lucy Dacus with an alt-country twist (and maybe a bit of vintage, 70s melodrama), "Wreck" finds...
Justus Proffit – “Burning The Ground”
Justus Proffit is here with a brand new single, fresh off the heels of a collaborative EP with Jay Som. Proffit's "Burning The Ground" brings to mind acts like Field Medic or Hovvdy while still embodying hints of haunting Elliott Smith flavor. With plenty of ghostly...
The Demos – “Private Eye”
Rochester-natives The Demos are no strangers to buffaBLOG. Their brand of sunny, energetic garage rock is infectious and fun, including their latest offering "Private Eye." With slacker-esque (but engaging) vocals, squiggly synth leads, and jangly stabs of guitar, you...
Thrillhouse – “Take Care”
Brighton based act Thrillhouse create crushing, synth-flavored indie-rock that's right up our alley - we recommend their latest single "Take Care." The song is full of varied musicianship (think bouncing bass keyboards, a fuzzy guitar solo, sparkling guitar...
King Willow – “Kiddie Pool”
Sister duo King Willow (aka Amanda and Julianna Salguero) recently caught our ears with the laid-back indie pop of "Kiddie Pool." Born in the Northeast but currently based in San Francisco, the Salgueros combine sultry harmonies and vintage vibes into their simple,...
Paragon Cause – “Think I’m Going Crazy Over You”
Ottawa-based duo Paragon Cause have us reeling over their latest offering, "Think I'm Going Crazy Over You." The duo, Jay Bonaparte and vocalist/keyboardist Michelle Opthof, craft dark and mysterious synthpop tunes with an ever-so-slight industrial tinge. We're...
Kirty – “Turn You On”
Here's a cool one from Toronto-based singer/songwriter Kirty. Reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers or Soccer Mommy, "Turn You On" is a fuzzy, mid-tempo indie rocker with a prominent, buzzy keyboard lead. The song also comes with a stunning music video that finds Kirty...
HeartBlanch – “Slow”
We've been loving on this single all the way from Ukraine. Kiev-based band HeartBlanch just released "Slow" - an ethereal mix of post-punk and indie rock. Full of haunting vocals, mechanical and calculated guitar strums, and an emotional delivery, we think "Slow"...
Hotel Decor – “Could It Take Me Any Longer”
Not too long ago, we were raving about the psychedelic dream-pop of "All The Rage" by Hotel Decor. What can we say - we're on a HD kick, this time with the summery 80s vibes of "Could It Take Me Any Longer." While "Rage" was a bit more Tame Impala inspired, "Longer"...
Pale Moon – “Parachutes”
Pale Moon is a unique, multi-continental duo who hail from Iceland and Siberia respectively. They're inspired by the music of the 1970s (think Fleetwood Mac), but make distinctly 2021-flavored feel-good indie-pop. "Parachutes" is one of those songs that instantly puts...
Amos the Kid – “Alright”
Amos the Kid (otherwise known as singer/songwriter Amos Nadlersmith) hit us hard with the laid back swagger of his latest tune, "Alright." Sounding like a mix of Phoebe Bridgers and Manchester Orchestra, "Alright" plods along with a mid-tempo groove, sounding...
the Nielsen Family Band – “Act of Love”
Here's a unique slice of freak-folk-inspired indie rock from the Nielsen Family Band. In the lyric video for "Act of Love," the band places faces (animation by Jordan Capizzi) on the photography of Michelle Johnsen... The result is a bunch of talking mushrooms,...
Tristan Armstrong – “It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night” (Tragically Hip Cover)
Gord Downey and the Tragically Hip are mythical figures here in Buffalo and beyond, so we're typically hesitant to give approval to just any old cover of The Hip. We think Toronto-native Tristan Armstrong did a fantastic job capturing the energy of the iconic Canadian...
Colour Tongues – “Fire”
We hope you'll recognize Colour Tongues from our previous features - the proggy indie rock of "Southbound" and the more colorful indie-pop of "Wasted." They're back again with a new song called "Fire" which finds the band turning up the intensity (or at least the...
ViVii – “Smackdown”
Last time we checked in with our Swedish friends in ViVii, we were jamming to the sunny dream-pop of their excellent song, "One Day." We're happy to say they're back (!) with another jangle-pop masterpiece, this time in the form of "Smackdown." Propelled by acoustic...
Lips – “Your Deoderant Doesn’t Work”
Loving this kiss-off (pun intended) all the way from Auckland, New Zealand. Lips' latest, "Your Deodorant Doesn't Work" falls somewhere between bratty and tongue-in-cheek (pun intended, again) and the result is something that is both humorous and spot-on. Pointed...
Sub*T – “Boxing Day”
Fuzzy duo Sub*T were born from a love of live music... And they didn't let a cross-country distance stop them from writing a raucous debut single in "Boxing Day." Jade Alcantara and Grace Bennett have stuffed their song full of ferocious fuzz, driving drums, lyrical...
COOL HEAT – “Levitate”
Last time we checked in with Chicago's COOL HEAT - we were loving on the haunting-yet-driven vibes of "Letting It Go." We just can't get enough of CH's gothy dream-pop, so we're sharing another one of our favs... "Levitate." It is another profoundly haunting track...
Telemarkk – “Bloom”
UK-based artist-producer duo Telemarkk (aka Max Berg and Asad Siddiqui) know how to write an indietronica jam - case in point, "Bloom." Full of groovy bassline funk, gauzy synth swells, and a driving dancefloor beat - "Bloom" encapsulates the retro bombast of the 80s...
Brett Newski – “Life Underwater”
Tried-and-true 90s kid and failed hipster (his words, not ours) Brett Newski has been all around the world playing his brand of brash indie rock... Fun fact: his band is allegedly the first documented band to ever be thrown out of a Wal Mart for playing an unlicensed...
Dolorous – “Arson”
Dolorous is up to something, we just know it. The mysterious multimedia artist (perhaps best known for his music) knows how to hide a unique tale inside of an otherwise innocuous bedroom-pop song. "Arson" sounds like it could be a love song with it's lovelorn falsetto...
Women of the Night – “Lonesome Love”
We've recently been jamming on this glam rock/folk punk bop from NY-based duo Women of the Night. Reminiscent of Wilco or Son Volt, "Lonesome Love" feels sincere and bedroomy while still embodying a uniquely appropriate "wild-west" alt-country vibe. Besides a healthy...
Fixtures – “Never Rest”
Seattle's Fixtures are an angular math rock act creating music in the vein of the Dischord Records sound - think Metz, Bear vs. Shark, or Pile. Our latest recommendation, "Never Rest," twists and turns with twangy guitar stabs and gravel-voiced vocals soaked with...