Latest Posts

Sugar Soap – “Living Uptown”

August 11, 2024

“Living Uptown” is the latest from Australian indie pop band Sugar Soap and we couldn’t be happier to hear it at the Blog. A band we covered a few years ago (here), we’ve missed a couple releases since then but not on purpose (it’s been a weird four years). The band has definitely grown, but not in a drastically different way (that I could hear at least – just the little things). 2020’s Like Minds was a bit more in your face and definitely rocks, while “Living Uptown” brings a sort of beachy/bedroom pop vibe that we’re all about. Don’t mistake that for not being energetic and fun though, the drums and guitar drive this track forward with some synth interludes to mix things up (plus some wacky effects throughout). If you put the Arctic Monkeys on a beach and made them listen to the Beach Boys for a couple[...]

Letting Up Despite Great Faults – “Dress”

August 10, 2024

LA and Austin based Letting Up Despite Great Faults has a new single, “Dress” off of the EP of the same name. A delightful indie dream pop four piece, they’ve been playing together in some form since 2009 and haven’t looked back (well, went on a hiatus for awhile but it sounds cooler to say they didn’t look back). The track is impeccably put together with a strong bass line underpinning the whole song, but never once overpowers the the wispy guitars or vocals. From the start to the end it’s a lesson in simplicity that doesn’t sound it; LUDGF is obviously teaching the 400 level course for it. Speaking to the track, songwriter Mike Lee had this to say: “…Thinking about old and former friends and loves, and then thinking about my own funeral, I quickly got stuck on this curiosity of what everyone would wear. You know, the[...]

MacGregor Burns – “She Never Took a Chance On Me”

August 10, 2024

LA based MacGregor Burns brings us his latest with “She Never Took a Chance On Me.” Producer Luke Temple pulls double duty and also contributes to the track musically. I’ve never heard of MacGregor Burns until this moment but I felt immediately connected to his slacker rock chill acoustic guitar, with some incredibly warm tones that feel vintage (maybe you can ask Luke, he might know). Fans of Car Seat Headrest would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who pines for a Neutral Milk Hotel reunion tour (and maybe a dash of Conor Oberst). You can hear “She Never Took a Chance On Me” below from YouTube, Bandcamp, or Spotify. This will make an easy addition to your sad breakup mixes or general rotation. If you like what you’ve heard there’s an album coming in the fall and there’s and earlier release this year “Paradise Motel” that is[...]

baby tsar – “Have You Ever Heard the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?”

August 7, 2024

“Have you ever heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?” is somehow a song that I had not heard of until today, by the band baby tsar. For those unfamiliar, it’s a quote nerds like me are familiar with from the Star Wars universe. From what I can tell this has nothing to do with Star Wars (other than the name), but that’s okay because we love a cheeky title. Hidden behind the name (that I’m not typing out again, even copy and paste) is a well crafted emo pop song in a similar vein as Taking Back Sunday or The Starting Line. Midwest intro, drums, blistering guitar, all perfectly attuned to the vocals. It was really nice hearing this style again, as it caught me unawares; I haven’t jammed out this hard in a long time. It was never a phase MOM! You can hear “Have You Ever[...]

Yndling – “Make Me Want You”

August 7, 2024

Yndling brings us their latest track “Make Me Want You” off of Mood Booster, released August 2. Based out of Norway, Yndling brings her personal brand of diaphanous dreampop and we are all about it. If Yndling’s vocals are the star, the synth certainly acts as a supporting cast member – it does some heavy lifting. Both work together seamlessly to set the mood to friggin’ gems like this: “I could taste the ghost right off your breath/ should know I had no chance.” Lyrics lulling you, yet filled with longing? Shivers. I love it when lyrics make me feel something. Fans of Beach House would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who enjoys a morose dreampop track. While we didn’t review the whole album I did give it a listen and can confirm that if you enjoy this then you’ll enjoy the rest of the album,[...]

Montgomery – “Baker”

August 7, 2024

Toronto-based band Montgomery brings us their latest with “Baker.” Max and Pat, bringing the “two dudes in a basement” sound with a drum kit and guitar, bring a power chord filled emo bonanza that millennials and Gen Zers who listened to their siblings’ albums will definitely appreciate. This was the perfect line between nostalgia and new music – a nod to what came before but still very much forward thinking. Honestly my favorite part was the guitar solo toward the middle end of the track; I think a lot of bands forego how much power they wield with their axe and forget they can just let loose. You can listen to “Baker” down below or throw it on your emo playlist on Spotify where it will nestle in quite well with the likes Modern Baseball, Saves the Day, or Hot Mulligan. The band is releasing a new EP August 9,[...]

Roma NYC – “Nostalgia”

August 1, 2024

Roma NYC, seemingly fronted by Andrew Francini, brings us their latest track “Nostalgia.” Presumably from NYC, Francini pairs acoustic and electric guitar well – though we hear more of the latter, acoustic still manages to hold its own as a backbone. “Nostalgia” adheres to the KISS method (keep it simple silly, not the band) and it certainly bears fruit as an indie bedroom pop jam. It’s really easy to find yourself tweaking this and that, and all of a sudden you’ve lost the plot and it’s not even the same song you started off with. Roma NY’s approach here is the result of obvious hard work with no shortcuts taken. Fans of girl in red would find a lot to enjoy here, as would any enjoyer of a well crafted pop track. You can hear “Nostalgia” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard here,[...]

Glass Spells – “Haunting”

August 1, 2024

“Haunting” is the newest track from San Diego based Glass Spells off of their Crystals album, released July 18. Composed of Anthony Ramirez and Tania Costello, they are synth pop personified and will be stuck in your head long after you put down the headphones. Dark and sexy with a drum machine to boot, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you were transported to an 80’s darkwave convention. Ramirez takes charge of the instrumentals while Costello breaks through the sound wall with her impressive pipes. I could try to break down “oh yadda yadda yadda the synth does this and the drums do this” but I wouldn’t do it justice… Throw it on, especially if you’re feeling like boppin’ your head or shaking your hips. Fans of Alice Glass or anything that pairs well with a gothic dance party will find a lot to enjoy here. Also, seriously, look at the[...]

Pet Snake – “Trust Issues”

August 1, 2024

“Trust Issues” is the latest from Pet Snake’s Hard EP – released earlier about a week ago under Dance to the Radio Records. The solo project of Liverpool based Evelyn Halls, “Trust Issues” continues her crushing yet earnest brand of indie folk tinged pop. Featuring a soothing a mix of acoustic guitar with a light touch on drums and bass, Halls’ echoey vocals mesh well into what I can only describe as delightfully warm, even given the subject matter. Fans of Sharon Van Etten or Angel Olsen would find a lot to enjoy here; the way Halls shares her emotions with the listener along with perfectly orchestrated melodies being the biggest similarities. You can hear “Trust Issues” below from YouTube or save the entire EP to your sad but beautiful feelings mix on Spotify. Not just me who has that, right…right? Be sure to check out our thoughts on a[...]

Rupe – “Pick Back Up!”

July 30, 2024

Just over a month ago, we covered Rupe’s May 31 single, “my friends” (here), and here we are again with another track: this time it’s “Pick Back Up!” Picking back up from where he left off – “my friends,” set in July, was a love song, but Rupert (aka Rupe), apparently found his friends a month later in August. This track is all warm guitar tones switching off with more frenetic pickings, and back again. Rupe’s patented relaxing-yet-poignant vocals, with maybe a little more (well deserved) swagger than his previous work. As the month is clearly mentioned in both tracks, I can’t help but hope that we’ll have some pumpkin spice latte and snowball fights in the near future. You can hear “Pick Back Up!” down below from Rupe’s Soundcloud page or throw it on your late summer boppin’ around list on Spotify.

Midheaven – “M.H.D”

July 30, 2024

Indie power couple Sarah Eiseman and Andy DeLuca of Midheaven bring us their latest track, “M.H.D” (Mental Health Decline). We previously covered them here along with their 2023 track “Heaven” and, heavens me, we missed one early in January 2024; “Heartbeat” (sorry, we were hung over). “M.H.D” is a blistering dream pop guitar lasagna (layers, get it?) with a side of ethereal vocals that feel like an homage to the Dandy Warhols or another sparkly-but-grimy band from the late 90s/early aughts. They really captured the shoegaze-meets-indie sleaze vibe and anyone who falls into the millennial or elder millennial camp will enjoy this track. Be sure to check out the music video for “M.H.D” below – it’s trippy and has a delightful 90’s aesthetic that anyone with an ounce of class would enjoy. You can add it to your “Bands With a Buffalo Connection” playlist on Spotify too! You can’t take[...]

supergloom – “Bleed Me Out”

July 30, 2024

LA based supergloom is a four piece and not a huge fan of capitalization – but that’s okay, because their new track “Bleed Me Out” is both capitalized and a solid track. Leaning heavily into the shoegaze/dream pop vibe, this is all about the guitars and the menagerie of pedals the band employs. The band packs in a ton of sound that managed to keep me entertained for the 3:45 I thought the track was, but was surprised to see a run time of 4:51. I’ve always said anything over four minutes really has to grip me and obviously this did, because it felt like no time had passed at all. Fans of Radiohead, Gish era Smashing Pumpkins, or DIIV, this is for you. Speaking to the track, the band had this to say: “This song is about being so comfortable in a situation that you allow yourself to be[...]

TIFFY – “Mirror”

July 29, 2024

“Mirror” is the latest from TIFFY, a spiffy band led by front woman Tiffany Sammy and they are most certainly NOT iffy. Coming in just under three minutes, this truly one of the best bedroom pop tracks I’ve listened to this year. Through the magic of film or cloning (the jury is still out), Tiffany is playing synth, guitar, bass, and drums on the music video; a not so subtle proclamation of “hey, I fucking rock.” She also was paying attention in “Writing a Hook 101” because I was indeed hooked with the intro guitar riff and you should get your ears checked if you aren’t as well. The rest of the track is sprinkled with synth and more impressive guitar – not to mention an absolutely stellar vocal range. FFO: Speedy Ortiz or, one of my personal favorites, Diet Cig tldr; Talented multi-instrumentalist TIFFY clones herself to make a[...]

Widows Gold – “Gaslighter”

July 26, 2024

Don’t be a fool, Widows Gold is the real deal and “Gaslighter” is their latest track. Formed by Madeline Star and Ben Saurer during the pandemic, they’ve since put out numerous singles, and an album, Love Drops, released in early 2023. “Gaslighter” goes heavy on the guitars while still leaving lead lady Madeline Star time to shine vocally (but never really letting up very much). The sound and vibe match The Cardigans at their peak, The Strokes, or even Canadian juggernauts Metric. The band itself says their influences lie with the 2000’s rock revival/CBGB out of NYC. “Gaslighter” is very much a song by a band still on the upswing – the swagger and confidence is just unmistakable. This is another great example of a band who is a hair away from blowing up and you’d do well to pay attention *now*. You watch the “Gaslighter” music video down below[...]

Eliza & The Delusionals – “Lately”

July 23, 2024

It’s always fun to see bands I’ve written about before (here) pop back up in my rotation and Eliza & The Delusionals is no exception. It gets even better when you do a double take and say to yourself “is that the guy from Silversun Pickups singing too?” Spoiler alert: it is indeed the guy from Silversun Pickups and his name is Brian Aubert, and the track is a treat to new fans and fans of either band. Featuring a fabulous synth riff and a sub five minute run time with some rollickin’ guitar riffs, you’ll be fully invested in this track from the get go. Listen to the first thirty seconds now (I’ll wait); if you aren’t hooked within the first thirty seconds just don’t bother listening anymore. For everyone else, holy shit wasn’t that awesome? Can’t believe those aforementioned losers didn’t listen for thirty seconds. Be sure to[...]