Latest Posts

Softer – “Messed Up”

December 18, 2024

LA based four piece Softer brings us their latest with “Messed Up;” a heartfelt shoegazy dream pop gem. Warm bass and guitar tones lead the way initially but bow down to lyricist Belinda Cai’s haunting vocals that echo through your soul.   Partly based on the second to last episode of Bojack Horseman and Cai channeling the cavalcade of emotions following the suicide of her sister, you might think “how are these related, Chris?” Well, dear reader, Bojack Horseman might be a seemingly crass look at stardom through the lens of a famous horse, but it actually delves into very real life feelings. Speaking to the track in relation to this, the band had this to say:   “The song is about all of the regrets and guilt one has in life in relation to other people and how, in a space free from time, our minds, and bodies, we[...]

Lucky – “Never Know”

December 17, 2024

The debut single from Australian native Chelsea Knight, better known by her stage name Lucky, is the incomparably catchy “Never Know.” Hazy guitars compliment Knights vocals, bringing to mind early Silversun Pickups but standing well enough on their own without being a rehash.   The track itself is a love letter to nostalgia and starting over: “…forgetting something beautiful, in the hopes of experiencing it again for the first time. Turning the clock back to a time when things were simpler, pop culture was trashier, and pants were baggier….” Listeners of Soccer Mommy will find a lot to enjoy here too, especially with the strong focus on hazy guitars and vocals.   You can hear it below from YouTube as well as Apple Music and Spotify. Be sure to keep your ears peeled for more; this is one of our top artists to look forward for the month.  

Wandour – “Glow”

December 15, 2024

“Glow” is alllll about the vibes and Wandour brings it in spades with his latest. Originally from Indonesia, Wandour has been making the rounds since 2019 and hasn’t stopped since.   House aficionados will be most at home here, but is super accessible to indie fans from all walks of life. Drums and bass coalesce with a gamut of effects all across the spectrum to make this an easy ear worm to pick up and almost impossible to put down. Autotuned vocals are your guide through this musical journey, but this is a feature and not a bug – you’ll be thumping to the beat from start to finish.   You can hear “Glow” below from Soundcloud. Throw on your favorite visualizer and be sure to add it to your EDM playlist via Spotify to help get your night hyped up. If you find Wandour playing near you definitely check[...]

young friend – “golden rule”

December 15, 2024

Vancouver based young friend has a new track guaranteed to make your hips sway with their newest, “golden rule.” Other than not being the biggest fans of capitalization, they are a JUNO nominated artist, so certainly one of our heavier hitters here (the Canadian equivalent of the US Grammy Awards, that came about ten years after the Grammys started).   Delivered in a cheeky and, dare I say, sultry means; the golden rule apparently is all about hookin’ up, gettin’ nudes, and bringing your romantic interest to see bands on the weekend (and that’s fine). Sexy synth and jangly guitars do a lot of heavy lifting and make this an instant add to your playlist. If you’re not instantly hooked within the first ten seconds then please get your ears checked.   You can watch the music video for “golden rule” below on YouTube. It’s available pretty much anywhere you[...]

Milk & Bone – “FORGONE”

December 12, 2024

Milk and Bone, made up of secret vampire duo Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Camille Poliquin, bring us their latest track “FORGONE.” This is a track I’m sending to my friend Amanda in the AM because it really just…fits her vibe. There’s a light industrial tinged flavor that would pique her interest; the drum machines, synth, and bass all combine to a delightfully dreary delight. I will eat my left shoe if I’m wrong, but there’s a little bit of Amanda in most of us (in the not weird way, probably). So be more like Amanda and embrace this track and your inner goth (even if they’re hiding, they’re there).   You can watch (and hear) the music video for FORGONE below from YouTube. Be sure to add it to your moody goth-esque indie playlist on Spotify too! And I know I said this was a single, but there are not one….[...]

Ciao Malz – “Gold Rush”

December 12, 2024

NY based by way of Connecticut, Ciao Malz (aka Malia DelaCruz) brings us her newest single “Gold Rush” hot off of her Safe Then Sorry EP – and a clever turn of phrase to boot. This felt like a very warm and luscious track; dripping with the lightest helping of drums and guitar that falls somewhere between indie folk and psychedelic. DelaCruz’s vocals are second to none and she does the “haunting yet approachable” so so incredibly well.   Fans of Clairo, Soccer Mommy, or the comings and goings of Adrianne Lenker would find a lot to enjoy here.   You can hear “Gold Rush” below courtesy of Soundcloud. You can add it to your chill indie playlist over on Spotify as well. Be sure to check out the rest of the “Safe Then Sorry” EP and tip your hat to a fine wordsmith like Ciao Malz.      [...]

Stripes – “Forever, It Won’t Change”

December 12, 2024

“Forever, It Won’t Change” is the newest single from NY based Stripes (of the non-white-color sort). Channeling some Karen O/Yeah Yeah Yeahs vibes in the best way possible, Izzy MK and company give us the ole razzle dazzle. A raucous opening begins with a cacophony of sound and never takes its foot off the gas but for a short breakdown of bass and drums. 2:58 feels like the perfect amount of time for a pop track of this caliber, but, at the same time, I want another track. With the bands output, I’m sure we won’t wait too long!   In what is simply a criminal act by the band, they put the most adorable dog on the cover of the single yet don’t feature the dog (named Luna, apparently) once in the music video.   Check out the music video for “Forever, It Won’t Change” below from YouTube and[...]

Bodywash – “Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)”

December 5, 2024

Montreal based Bodywash and their cover of “Last Christmas” won’t lose you Whamageddon, as the rules explicitly state that covers are exempt, so listen to this and you will be safe (at least here… maybe).   Bodywash is Chris Steward and Rosie Long Decter – college friends who eventually started making music together. Their rendition takes away the 80’s synth and massive amounts of cocaine (seriously, watch the video – the snow is clearly allegorical) and brings a more contemporary feel with understated, blissed-out guitar and slightly more contemporary synth.   They do a great job of recapturing the breathy vocals without being overwrought, which is an impressive feat on its own. I think the existential dread that gets overlooked in the original is also a bit more fleshed out.   You can hear the “Last Christmas” cover over on Spotify and add it to your rotation of holiday songs[...]

Tag Dag – “Suburban Summer”

December 5, 2024

“Suburban Summer” is the latest single from Melbourne based Tag Dag. From what I can tell, this is a solo act as the writing credits are for a Andrew Peter Longmore Chalmers. With that many names, you’ve gotta friggin’ rock, right? With all seriousness, absolutely.   Filled to the brim with layered lo-fi phuzzed out guitar, this was, for me, an instant ear worm… Ever have that song that just gets stuck in your head constantly? For me that is “Feel the Pain” Dinosaur Jr. I’m by no means a superfan but casually enjoy them. The comparison to “Suburban Summer” is an easy one, but totally on the nose. They also tie in hints of 80s post-punk (think Joy Division) with splashes of 2000’s era goodness like Cloud Nothings or JAPANDROIDS.   You can hear “Suburban Summer” below on YouTube or add it to your Aussie mix over on Spotify.[...]

They Owe Us – “Hobo Waltz”

December 2, 2024

Swedish based They Owe Us is the project of Kristoffer Ragnstam, known for working with Mumford & Sons as well as Maia Hirasawa. Reminiscent of Joshua Tillman’s big sound he brings as Father John Misty, you’ll definitely feel the vibes of the psychedelic pop meets dream pop that Ragnstam brings to the fold here. Guitars, drums, synth, and a surprising horn section will get you worked up and ready to take on the world. I felt some vibes of early Doors too; something my editor’s mother would certainly appreciate (she seriously loves Jim Morrison).   You can hear “Hobo Waltz” on YouTube or add it to your cool indie rock playlist that you share with your parents on Spotify. If you like what you’ve heard you won’t have too much to wait for their next full length; All on RED is due out on April 25 of next year.  

Brave The Storm x Diviners x Rave The Storm x Arnie Way – “Rivers”

December 1, 2024

“Rivers” is the latest single and a HUGE collab between LOTS of different people (including Brave the Storm, Diviners, and Arnie Way). The track itself is very melodic, with a surprisingly heartfelt sound that will most certainly reverberate through your skull. This is a great track for indie rock fans who maybe aren’t super into EDM to get more of a taste than the mainstream. With a very vocal-forward mouthfeel, “Rivers” feels accessible without sacrificing the pulsating beat that makes listening to EDM so great. Queue this up, feel the vibes, and you’ll most assuredly have a good time. You can watch the lyric video for “Rivers” below on YouTube as well as add to your EDM flavored playlists for a fun night (or after party) on Spotify.    

Housewife – “Divorce”

December 1, 2024

Housewife, the project of Brighid Fry (she/they), brings us their latest single with “Divorce.” We previously covered Housewife here and, much like then, we love what’s happening. Fry does a fantastic job of building up; playing off of the guitar and drums with her vocals and giving everything enough time to percolate/crescendo… and then falling back to leave us wanting for more. Divorce is seldom a fun or uplifting subject but Fry does a spectacular job of keeping the listener engaged and not dragging us down in the doldrums. You can hear “Divorce” (with lyrics, which is super helpful for me because I need the written word to understand anything) on YouTube or add it to your your Spotify playlist of badass indie dream pop. The rest of the EP is well worth the listen -specifically the aforementioned “Life of the Party” as well as “I Lied.”  

Kevin J.B. O’Connor – “Follow Me”

December 1, 2024

Transplanted Buffalonian Kevin J.B. O’Connor, currently in the warmer climes of Kentucky, is someone we’re quite familiar with here at the Blog. From his original moniker of KO (here, back in 2021, so long ago) or Buffalo band Coral Collapse, which he was also part of (here, slightly less longer ago). O’Connor has crafted here an incredibly mellow yet strong guitar forward track here. It takes a real musicians musician to throw down with just their vocals and an acoustic guitar and that’s exactly what happens here. You can hear “Follow Me” below at no extra charge on YouTube below. You can also add to your slightly mournful yet kind of uplifting Buffalo based playlist on Soundcloud or Spotify. If you like what you’ve heard with “Follow Me,” be sure to check out the other nine tracks on his 2023 album “Alternatives.” Once a Buffalonian, always a Buffalonian – sorry[...]

The Breakables – “Stonehenge”

November 24, 2024

“Stonehenge” is the latest from Toronto based four piece The Breakables. Counting at least one Buffalo Bills fan among them, they were obviously alright in my book (before I even hit play on the track). After I hit play though, I’m happy with what I hear, as I’m greeted by a smooth-as-butter bass line that is featured throughout. The rest of the track is jangly, with almost frenetic guitar picking, set off by some random piano and bell-tone effects thrown in. Fans of Grandaddy, Pinegrove, or even Arcade Fire would find a lot to enjoy here between the instrumentals and lyrics, as would anyone who is a Buffalo Bills fan who wants to support another Bills fan.   You can hear “Stonehenge” below from YouTube, as well as the usual Spotify and Apple Music. With a new album album on the way December 6 and ANOTHER single coming soon, you’d[...]

see through person – “girl talk”

November 24, 2024

“girl talk” is the latest from Fort Myers based emo band see through person. Emo comes in all different shapes and sizes and, no, it wasn’t just a phase. “girl talk” trends toward the faster paced, mathier flavors of Cap’n Jazz or Algernon Cadwallader but forges ahead well enough that they stand on their own. You’ll find some funky time signatures that ebb and flow with excellently-plucked guitar and bass strings (in a word, melodic). I won’t ruin when you’ll hear the screaming, but it’s there (and whoever does the lyrics absolute nails it, which is no small feat).   You can hear “girl talk” embedded below courtesy of YouTube or add it to your emo revival playlist on Spotify or Soundcloud. If you like what you’ve heard, be sure to check out the band’s debut album every way of living, of which this is the third track. “Stupid Joke” was[...]