Latest Posts

Clover Pilot – “Denial”

August 20, 2023

A mysterious indie-rock solo project from New Mexico, Clover Pilot bring us their latest single, “Denial.” Having released music at a pretty steady clip since 2021, including a full length this year, Clover Pilot seems to have a strong affinity for industrial-esque effects and electric drums. The distortion in “Denial” (you’ll know it when you hear it) would sound overwrought in 99% of songs with similar effects but here it just works – excellent mixing with the vocals, a bluesy guitar swagger, and a unique production style being the chief reasons. If you enjoy some of the more experimental takes from bands like Radiohead, the hyperpop earblasts of 100 gecs, or some of the more “out there” compositions of Panda Bear, you would find plenty to enjoy with Clover Pilot. Be sure to give “Denial” a listen over on Sound Cloud, Apple Music, or Spotify. Clover Pilot · Denial

MONOWHALES – “Hear Me Out”

August 20, 2023

Toronto band MONOWHALES‘ latest single “Hear Me Out” dropped just a few days ago but has already wracked up a decent play count – and we can see why. Having won a JUNO (Canadian Music association award) for Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2022, previously been featured on the blog, and supporting fellow Canadian group Mother Mother on their tour. “Hear Me Out” is a bit of a change-up for the group as this track is less synth focused and leans into good ole fashioned alt-rock guitar sensibilities. Speaking to the song singer Sally Shaar had this to say: “When I’m on tour, I get to surround myself with the most accepting and welcoming people on earth… I feel so heard, so supported. ‘Hear Me Out’ explores how difficult it is for me to live without that outlet.” Fans of the aforementioned Mother Mother (a personal favorite of mine)[...]

Super City – “Getouttahere”

August 20, 2023

Baltimore based band Super City bring us their brand of infectious garage rock with their newest single “Getouttahere,” a track that will surely get your hips swaying and head boppin’. The band really turns their guitars up to 11 and just don’t look back at all – blowing through 2:29 with nonstop hooks and singer Dan Ryan’s crooning vocals. I could try going into the intricacies of how their drums and bass also do some heavy lifting too (or something similarly pretentious) but in all honesty, just go listen to this absolutely blistering track. If you’ve ever listened to The Hives, Electric 6, or Queens of the Stone Age and wanted something that somehow falls between the three bands, *holds up phone to music* LISTEN TO THIS! Give “Getouttahere” a listen over on Spotify, Bandcamp, or the music video over on Youtube. If you’ve enjoyed this, their full length is[...]

Otis Shanty – “Daylight Savings”

August 20, 2023

Massachusetts based quartet Otis Shanty brings a late summer B-side track (with A-side energy), “Daylight Savings,” off their Early Birds single. The band has been making music together for almost five years, and it shows in the strong composition of  “Daylight Savings.” Mostly leading with a chill guitar track that gives way to lovely diddly of a bass line, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a trumpet making an appearance – courtesy of Sadye Bobbette (and no, it’s not a ska song). The shoegazy distortion effect really takes a front row seat for the latter half, but rather than take away from Bobbette’s vocals, it enhances them. Fans of indie darlings Real Estate and Courtney Barnett would find a lot to enjoy here, especially with the strong buildup to the indie equivalent of a breakdown. You can hear “Daylight Savings” as well as the lead single “Early Birds” over on Spotify.[...]

Child Seat – “The Punchline”

August 20, 2023

Los Angeles based indie pop duo Child Seat, consisting of Madeleine Matthews and Josiah Mazzaschi, recently debuted their new single “The Punchline.” Don’t let Matthews’ clownish appearance lull you into a false sense of humor, behind the synths and wispy vocals is a reflective song about comparing where you are versus where you thought you would be in life. The twee music video, evoking some Wes Anderson vibes, was my preferred method of listening as it takes away some of the bitter draught of the subject matter that really connected with me on a personal level (seriously, clowns and sepia tones make everything better). From the jangly guitar and superb pipes of Madeleine Matthews to the non-stop synth storm, fans of Beach House, Alvvays, or MGMT would find a lot to enjoy here. Be sure to check out “The Punchline” over on Spotify or the aforementioned music video on Youtube. Don’t[...]

Made of Mana – Made of Mana

August 18, 2023

Made of Mana (MoM) is a jazz-infused quartet from San Francisco, and their self-titled EP was recently released July 28 – in anticipation an LP coming later this year. MoM is made up of four lifelong friends (Phil, Sean, Dane, Alec) who have worked together previously with MoM being their latest and greatest effort. The band’s influences include Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer – you’ll be able to tell when you hear blistering guitar solos aplenty and good ole fashioned finger work. I gotta say, this album is smooth; the first track (and latest single) “Tired of Waiting” is a masterclass in jazz-adjacent rock with the tightest of guitar/drum combo I’ve heard in awhile (listen for the solo around 2:40). Speaking to the track, the band had this to say via their website: “We spend so much of our lives being told to be patient, when we really need to[...]

PAWS – “Disenchanted”

August 18, 2023

Hot off the press, Scottish alt duo PAWS brings us their newest track “Disenchanted,” released in anticipation of their self-titled album. In “Disenchanted,” bandmates Phillip and Josh have crafted a fresh indie track that manages to pay honest homage to alt 90’s rock while embodying a spirit and ethos of mid-2023 indie rock. With echoing vocals and desperate guitar that reverberates through your soul, fans of Cloud Nothings or Real Estate would find a lot to enjoy here. Also, though wildly different, for some reason the vocals call to mind that of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. I can’t quite put a finger on why, other than it just *does*. Give “Disenchanted” a listen on the previously linked Bandcamp or Spotify and be sure to let us know what you think!

Heatmiser – “Lowlife (’92 Cassette)”

August 18, 2023

You’ve probably heard of Nirvana, 90’s grunge, and Elliot Smith, but you may or may not be familiar with a band that shared a the same area geographically with Kurdt Kobain et al… Counting Elliot Smith among its members, Heatmiser was a force to be reckoned with in the 90’s that, for whatever reason, wasn’t ensnared in Sub Pop’s campaign of owning 90% of the 90’s. “Lowlife” is being released ahead of the forthcoming twenty-nine track compilation from Third Man Records. The song itself is quintessential grunge… In that it’s an alt-rock-punk tinged track. Blistering guitars coupled with singer Neil Gust’s raucous, guttural vocals is a perfect first track to, if you’re like me, be introduced to the band. Check it out on Spotify and give the rest of their back catalogue a listen if you’re feeling nostalgic. and check out the compilation due out October 6 if this is[...]

SOMOH – “Favourite”

August 18, 2023

Sophia Mohan aka SOMOH (a clever shortening combination SOphia MOHan,) brings us a dandy of an alt indie track in “Favourite;” Produced by Far Caspian (you may have heard of him, we certainly have.) Leaning into more the alt-indie vein, the song is gentle with an acoustic guitar backbone and drums punctuated by fabulous distortion a la indie darlings Soccer Mommy or Jay Som. Speaking to “Favourite” Sophia had this to say: “‘Favourite’ is about trying to feel a sense of validation through ‘fixing’ everyone’s problems but your own. There’s a childlike obsession that comes with having a saviour complex…” You can hear “Favourite” over on Spotify, as well as some of her other tracks including the heartfelt “I’ve Been Saying This.” Let us know what you think via the comments on our social meedz and if you’d like to hear more like SOMOH! SOMOH · Favourite

Phasez – “Insecure”

August 16, 2023

Ottawa-based Phasez is an alt/new wave project by a secretive musician named Miguel (I know this because his IG is set to private.) Very much wearing his heart on his sleeve, Phasez is very much progressive and a supporter of BLM as well de-stigmatizing mental health issues. We latched on to “Insecure” for its thoughtful message about how not being sure of yourself can easily make you question who you are… Not to mention the super tasty hooks set in a tasteful 80s sonic palate. Check out “Insecure” below, on Spotify, or on Apple Music.

Bobsled Team – “Analita”

August 14, 2023

Hailing from Belfast, pop duo Bobsled Team brings us some new music in the form of a single, “Analita”, their first new track since 2021’s LP The Colours Blur. The track itself is a jangly dream-popgasm, with wistful-sounding distortion, a la The Sundays or Sixpence None The Richer, backing up singer Kimberly’s singsong voice. Special mention to my NYS peeps: I also got similar vibes to another band that’s a personal favorite of mine – Diet Cig (seriously, check them out too!) Be sure to check out “Analita” on Bandcamp or Spotify (if you’re still sticking around after they jacked up their premium price). As always, be sure to support your favorite local groups (especially if your friends are in a band, c’mon!) Listens help artists, but showing up and buying merch are the best way to put money in musician’s pocket, short of shoving money in their pocket (which I’m[...]

Bollo Bollo – “Melt This”

August 14, 2023

UK-based indie quartet Bollo Bollo bring us their newest single “Melt This,” freshly released 8/11, and it’s a quite the humdinger. Starting out wispy and subdued, there’s a solid percussion-forward lead-in to vocals from singer Bradley Ayres’ sublime voice that leads into the crux of the song. Vibrant synth come into the fray along with a stellar bass line, propelling the track forward. Speaking to the song, the band had this to say: “It’s a song about having troubles in a relationship. Rather than taking the seemingly easier route and ‘burying-your-head-in-the-sand’, it’s about tackling the issues head on.” Fans of post punk era bands like Joy Division or their more contemporary counterparts Interpol or Tame Impala would find a lot to enjoy here. You can hear “Melt This” over on Spotify or Bandcamp, as well as their previous tracks such as the superb “Forever Stay.” Bollo Bollo · Melt This

Bathe Alone – Fall With The Lights Down

August 13, 2023

Atlanta musician Bailey Crone, better known as Bathe Alone, recently released the latter half of her double EP Fall With The Lights Down (Velma). That, along with, Side A: (Louise), August 4th, completes the homage to her great-grandmothers; whose pictures adorn the cover of the album and their respective EPs. Speaking to this (and the iconic ’70s era photos that adorn the covers), Crone had this to say: “I was browsing my dad’s Facebook and he had uploaded all of these family photos… She just looks super unhappy and out of context being on a boat… Then there’s another photo of the other great-grandma in a yellow vest with a picnic basket next to her. I thought these photos were so weird and powerful.” We’ve covered Bathe Alone before at the blog, which you can find here; Nick called 2020’s single “Calm Down” a “beautiful slice of dream pop.” Fall With the[...]

Elle Belle – “Saturday”

August 9, 2023

Elle Belle is one of many projects on front man Christopher Pappas’ plate, including but not limited to: making music for Nasa, a musical, and a couple TV pilots in pre-production. “Saturday” is the second single released in anticipation of his newest album How Do I Feel, out September 1 from Little Record Company – a name fans of Rilo Kiley would recognize as being owned by Pierre de Reeder. Pappas shows off a bit with deliciously dulcet voice and understated piano throughout, evoking comparisons of Jacks Mannequin (Andrew McMahon’s erstwhile side project), Stars, or the aforementioned Rilo Kiley. (Kelly, you know who you are and I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy this). The production value is through the roof and well worthy of a listen. There’s a cool little effect that I don’t have a name for (but surely exists) that happens with the piano you should listen for too![...]

The Pretty Flowers – “Wildflowers”

August 9, 2023

LA based quartet and floral aficionados The Pretty Flowers bring us their third single, “Wildflowers,” from their newest album A Company Sleeve (July 14, Double Helix Records). The lyrics deal in part with the challenges of a soul suck corporate job, while the instrumentals lean into a brand of guitar rock popularized by the Superchunks, Teenage Fanclubs, and Wilcos of old. “Wildflowers” is both ode to and a way forward for bands looking to recapture and refine some of the old magic, while bringing their own spin on it (they even have cassettes for sale). Give “Wildflowers” a listen over on Spotify or Apple Music and be sure to check out the rest of A Company Sleeve if you’re feeling the vibes. A Company Sleeve by The Pretty Flowers