Latest Posts

The Parade – “Shame”

June 14, 2024

Stockholm based band The Parade bring us their latest with “Shame.” Speaking to the track, the band had this to say: “We wanted something that seamlessly blends catchy hooks, lush arrangements, and heartfelt lyrics. The song will hopefully transport listeners to a world of youthful optimism and boundless dreams, inviting them to embrace their own aspirations and celebrate the joy of music discovery.” I can assure you that this is 100% true. A true pop gem, “Shame” is layered with effects and is fairly straightforward; a catchy house piano hook with the chorus is simply infectious. With only two tracks out so far I don’t have a lot to go on but this band does have some range. The other recently released track, “I’m a Dreamer” is similarly poppy but follows a different path. Between the two songs, you’ll be able to form a solid opinion and (obviously) be hankering[...]

Boy Ferguson – “Grown Man”

June 12, 2024

London-based Boy Ferguson is the brainchild of Oliver Gale, and “Grown Man” is their latest and FIRST single. Per his bio, he composes music for commercials but enjoys making music for himself as a creative outlet. His strength as a composer really shines with this track with a fine layering of guitar, synth, and bass. Small details emerge on subsequent listens; particularly how well he treats his voice like another instrument to push the track forward with his impressive vocal range. This feels very much like an homage to the pop acts of yesteryear, particularly Sting and the Police or maybe Peter Gabriel, but does enough to stand on it’s own and forge forward with his own take on the pop genre. Be sure to give “Grown Man” a listen and keep your eyes peeled for more if you like what you hear! We’ve included the track below from Soundcloud[...]

Eliza & The Delusionals – “Falling For You”

June 12, 2024

Australia based Eliza Klatt, the “Eliza” in the three piece Eliza & The Delusionals, brings us their latest single “Falling for You.” Sure to give you the warm and fuzzies, this pop bop is filled to the brim with Eliza’s impressive vocals and strong bass licks carrying the beat. I’m sure you’ll hear guitar and drums along with an impressive horn solo, but this is all second fiddle to Klatt’s pipes. Fans of artists like Mitski and Lana Del Rey will find some common ground with this track, as well as other highlights from the band like “Just Exist” and “Motion Sickness.” If you’ve been swayed by my words, be sure to give “Falling for You” a listen over on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube down below. For those of you distrustful: you can’t trust me so what makes you think you could trust you?

Great Klons – “Twilight Gardener”

June 11, 2024

The newest from Great Klons is “Twilight Gardener.” The project is band helmed by Scott Klon as a solo effort, but certainly doesn’t sacrifice any sound. Klon is almost certainly a child of the 90’s and he’s got the chops to show it; the guitar feedback and straightforward hooks would have been at home in any liberal arts college that I’m familiar with. That isn’t to say Great Klons are copy cats or just rehashing old ideas, nay! Building on and growing what has come around before is how we get great new music. The low-fi aesthetic employed here, along with the chill abandon, is most welcome in a time where music can often sound overproduced. Obviously a guitar guy by trade, listen to the layers and the simple brilliance of the bass and drums keeping beat – a novice effort this is not. Fans of Parquet courts, Guided by[...]

Nolo the Slayer – Bottega

June 10, 2024

There’s a funny story behind the way Buffalo rapper, Nolo the Slayer got his name. Early on in his music career, while he was going under the name Nolo, he randomly decided to change his Instagram handle to “@nolotheslayer.” On his first official feature, the artist who he had worked with saw his Instagram, assumed that was his artist name and released the feature as just that, “Nolo the Slayer.” At first Nolo was a bit upset about the situation, as it wasn’t his chosen name, but before he knew it, the moniker had already stuck with those around him. He ended up continuting to use it and the word “Slayer” has even become a common adlib for him.  The addition of “The Slayer” gives the name and interesting and unique edge, sounding like the title of some ancient exalted medieval knight. Furthermore, after he’s released and promoted 2023 projects like I[...]

Turnup and GRXZZ – Racin

June 10, 2024

Buffalo alt-rap trio, SPACEBOUND is back with a new single titled “Racin,” a collaboration between two of the members Turnup and GRXZZ. The song features a bustling, noisy instrumental influenced by both old-school Memphis rap and modern southern hip hop. A spiny phonk-inspired cowbell melody gives the hard-hitting song a dark edge. On SPACEBOUND’s louder songs like this one, Turnup often plays the slugger role out of the group taking their tracks to the next level with his hyperaggressive delivery. He draws first blood on “Racin,” yelling his brains out in the tense and repetitive chorus. His following verse introduces the song’s topic, as “Racin” is a risktaker’s ode to living fast or dying young: Jump outta the whip Got the bag on me I ain’t bring no bread If he gotta clip he aint getting all I got Gotta use your head Walking up to the house I was[...]

Mark of Fatality – Last Breath Under One Thousand Stars

June 9, 2024

The intro track off of Erie metallic hardcore band, Mark of Fatality’s debut studio EP, Last Breath Under One Thousand Stars, starts with an air of reverence. A dramatic synth part builds while a speaker says things like “This war was never about good and evil,” “Public places are now a shooting range and artificial intelligence is the new age.” They question “Have we really evolved into complex beings or are we still primitive beasts based on instinct?” He concludes with something he’s sure of: “We all have the Mark of Fatality.” It’s a bit ecclesiastic in the way it describes primeval problems and how relative they are to our current decaying world, you know, in a real metal, hardcore type of way. Anthony Hudock, the band’s guitarist, mentions how early 90s metalcore bands like Undying and Prayer for Cleansing, often included synth intros similar to this one. The spoken-word[...]

Wife and Kids – Magnesium

June 9, 2024

Wife and Kids, a newer name in the scene (with some familar faces), have been gaining traction with their candid alt-folk balladry and sweet sense of melody. The duo is composed of Alex Behrens and Joe Morganti (also in SPACED and gas station.) and a quick stream or two of their music shows these guys are downright talented. Wife and Kids’ tender yet poppy strain of indie-folk and strong singer-songwriter chops are on full display in their first two singles, “Possible” and “Way Back When.” Even still, the duo’s latest, “Magnesium,” might be their best yet. The lyrics on “Magnesium” have a real, personal, and weighty quality to them. The singer touches on brief yet sentimental ideas throughout the track, giving the feeling of flipping through a scrapbook of related but separate memories. Despite the lyrical ideas feeling somewhat disparate at times, them being together feels quite important to the songwriter’s[...]

Bromsen – Brothers in Mind

June 9, 2024

Bromsen is a Berlin-based duo composed of two brothers, Richard and Karlo Bromsen. These bros have been performing music together since the mid aughts – like a phoenix, their love for music reignited and rose from the ashes of their previous endeavors. Brothers in Mind is the result of their passions, an impressive, synth-soaked offering that embodies the icy synth pop you’re probably expecting from a couple of German synth enthusiasts. With mechanical arpeggiations, fiery guitar theatrics, and genre-appropriate baritone vocals, Bromsen has conjured the spirit of the 1980s through the lens of 2024-era songwriting. Falling somewhere in place between 80s synth pop (think Men Without Hats or Naked Eyes) and 00s era acts like The Knife or The Faint, there’s plenty to enjoy here… As long as you like synths, that is. “One By One” is a perfect introduction to Brothers in Mind – a robotic synth flagellates as it crescendos into[...]

Flamy Grant – “S.P.R.K.L.”

June 6, 2024

Just in time for pride month, songwriter and acclaimed drag queen Flamy Grant hits us with the divine pop-funk of “S.P.R.K.L.” Full of uplifting messages and anchored by a fun funky vibe reminiscent of Bruno Mars or The Bee Gees, “S.P.R.K.L.” urges us to be our true selves and rub it proudly in the faces of all of our haters. The lyrics here perfectly embody the ebullient vibes that Flamy so perfectly encapsulates – their powerhouse vocals carry this song, which is saying something, as there is also a true in-the-pocket groove to be found here. Check out “S.P.R.K.L.” via Soundcloud below or add it to your favorite feel-good Spotify playlist. Flamy Grant · S.P.R.K.L. feat. Ricky Braddy

Maria Køhnke – “State of Confusion”

June 5, 2024

Maria Køhnke is a Danish based musician is back with her latest track “State of Confusion;” her first since 2023’s “Sportscar.” At it’s core, “State of Confusion” delves into the pitfalls and meaninglessness of dating these days (for those of you who DON’T know it’s a lot of ghosting and gaslighting). Musically, the production value is quite strong with Køhnke’s vocals melding together with the synth and guitar; wispy and ethereal yet still managing to catch you with impressive hooks. The measure and control shown are equally impressive, as the track simmers but never boils over and makes you wonder what the rest of the EP will look like (kinda like a good single should). You can hear state of confusion on Spotify, Apple Music, or down below from YouTube. Can confirm that this is a great track to listen to both while sitting pensively or driving on the expressway[...]

Snoozer – “Love’s Permission”

June 5, 2024

Based out of Pennsylvania, Snoozer (aka SNZR) is brother/brother duo Mike and Tom Kelly, and “Love’s Permission” is their latest. Chock full of that excellent guitar “phuzz,” you’re treated to a solid three-plus minutes of delightfully rambling shoegaze. Understated and chill for the first third of the track, things start to open up and get loud and weird in the middle and end. Fans of bands like Slowdive, Modest Mouse, Bright Eyes, or anything in that fine line between shoegaze and slacker rock will find a lot to enjoy with the brothers Kelly. You can watch the music video (yes, an actual music vid!) for “Love’s Permission” down below, or listen to the track on Spotify. If you like what you hear, their full album Mid-Earth is out on Friday the 13th in September. With the band forging forward in earnest with a second major release in as many years,[...]

The Gold Watch – “What Do I Do”

June 5, 2024

The Gold Watch is a project by Spencer Pope and “What Do I Do” is their latest single released from their album Missing. Right off the bat, I’m hooked by the heavy synth presence that sticks with you throughout the track. The rest of the 3:43 is chill vibes all the way with some light background drums and Pope’s dulcet tones dancing harmoniously with the synth. As per the artist, the track is: “…about feeling powerless to help someone in a relationship…” Certainly something many of us can find relatable on some level. You can hear “What Do I Do” on Spotify or down below from YouTube. If you enjoy this, the rest of the album is well worth a listen (Look Out Mars was another favorite of mine). Fans of Arcade Fire would find a lot to enjoy here, with the rest of tracks being varied so you won’t[...]

Lean Tee – “bad dream/lethargy”

June 4, 2024

Baltimore based Lean Tee‘s new single, “bad dream/lethargy,” is not only spot on with describing my morning, but also managed to help freshen my day with their unique brand of “emo-eclectic.” The intro guitar riff is simple yet perfect and could easily find work with a supporting role on the next Wes Anderson film. The shoegaziness of the track slides over a bit for a fun drum beat that sounds lifted from a 90’s hip hop track, which was what really sealed the deal for me. You’ll find yourself boppin’ along in no time and, like many morose sounding songs, find yourself a bit better off after a listen. Fans of Alex G or Pinegrove would find a lot to enjoy here, with a new layer unlocked on each listen. You can hear “bad dream/lethargy” down below from YouTube or over on Apple Music and Spotify. If you enjoyed it[...]

Rupe – “My Friends”

June 4, 2024

LA based (that is, Louisiana) Rupert Lange, better known under his stage name of Rupe brings us his newest track “My Friends,” a lovingly crafted bedroom pop song. Rupe brings the Day Wave vibe with his DIY work ethic – having written, recorded, AND engineered all of his music. While the full accompaniment of bass and drums adds plenty, make no mistake: this is a guitar track through and through (and we’re not mad about that). You’ll find a lot to enjoy with Rupe, especially for fans of Real Estate or the aforementioned Day Wave. At only 25 and still making music, there’s hopefully a lot more to come from Lange as he continues to share his craft with the world. You can hear “My Friends” below from SoundCloud, as well as Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to check out his slew of other singles as well; including “goodbye,[...]