Latest Posts

Grave Waves – “Bender”

September 3, 2024

Grave Waves is a four piece from, I assume, California, based on their Linktree and the snooping I did. Plus they look cool without trying too hard, even possibly trying to not look cool which is ostensibly cooler than just being cool. “Bender” is their latest off of their self titled EP, a cheeky alternative rock album that, at least for me, answers the question of what happens if Sonic Youth and The B-52s had a lovechild. The hooks are there, as are the occasional sparks of “Sprechgesang” (aka spoken singing that Fred Schneider is famous for, and, to a certain extent, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon). Bass and guitar feature heavily in this, and it gets a little funky in the breakdown – showing this isn’t just another one-trick-pony punk outfit. You can hear “Bender” on YouTube or add it to your punky playlist on Spotify. The EP is well[...]

Cameron Sonnier – “In Your Eyes”

September 3, 2024

Having released six singles over the past year from his upcoming album Synchronicity, Houston based Cameron Sonnier has absolutely been killin’ it. His latest, “In Your Eyes,” continues his pop domination with a groovy tune, meshing together synth and geetar (with the synth pushing the track forward). It personally reminded me of Silversun Pickups, feeling similar but distinctly separate from their brand of electronica-tinged indie pop. Coming in at just over three minutes, you’ll have more than enough time to pick up what he’s putting down and we know you’ll enjoy the ride. You can hear “In Your Eyes” down below from YouTube or over on Spotify. No word on when the album will be out, but safe to say that we’re getting close since it’s almost the end of the year. Be sure to give the other five tracks released throughout the year a listen, in particular “Burning To[...]

Conflict at Serenity Pools – “fruit bowl”

September 3, 2024

“fruit bowl” is the latest from Conflict at Serenity Pools, a band with one of the coolest names out of the ones we’ve covered at the BLOG (and one we’ve covered before here and here). The track itself leans more into techno territory; a slight departure from “Bosun” and its shoegazy bedroom pop, but still capturing the ethereal, pop-adjacent sound. Luke McQueeney keeps it simple here with synth and drum machines, casting a pall with atmospheric sounds that suck you right in. Speaking to the track, he had this to say: “We didn’t stress about one thing, even though we explored our angst and worries and melancholic feelings earlier, through this we we’re soothed— the catharsis of singing felt transcendent. the light was pervasive, calm, and bright on our walk back from the ocean.” You can hear “fruit bowl” below from the band’s YouTube or add it to your Spotify[...]

Andrew Huston & The Waders – “Tell Me”

August 29, 2024

Andrew Huston & The Waders are, from what I can gather, a California based band and “Tell Me” is the latest single off of their new album “Cycling.” Guitar and piano (like, actually sounds like a piano) coalesce along with Huston’s vocals for a cathartic sounding track full of warmth and longing (and maybe a smidge of regret). This appears to be the fourth single off of the album and it’s placed toward the end. There is a certain amount of finality or the peak of a crescendo to it, which seems apropos for a late single release. Fans of Conor Oberst’s more rockin’ catalogue would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who enjoys something a little sad at the end of the night. You can hear “Tell Me” on YouTube below or add it to your “sort of sounds like Conor Oberst” playlist on Spotify.

Infinitefreefall – “Desecrated Landscape”

August 29, 2024

“Desecrated Landscape” is the latest from South Carolina based four piece Infinitefreefall and it’s a lot of sound packed in just over three minutes (and we love it). Billed as “experimental pop,” this is a great vague term but, like most vague terms, doesn’t entirely do the band justice. The track leans into the shoegazey/psychedelic guitar and mashes together into quite the formidable force behind Maxton Strenstrom’s vocals. This reminded me a lot of Foals but if they had 30% less treble and smoked some DMT – which is nothing against Foals because we like them too! You can hear “Desecrated Landscape” below from Soundcloud or throw it on your trippy pop playlist today on Spotify. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard, be sure to check out the band’s back catalogue and upcoming album due out sometime before the end of the year.  

22° Halo – “Virtual You”

August 28, 2024

22° Halo, with this writing now a repeat Buffablog band, brings us their newest single “Virtual You.” We last heard their second newest single “Bird Sanctuary” back in April and, unsurprisingly, we loved it (you can see our review here). The project of Philadelphia based Will Kennedy, he tends to lean heavily into the lo-fi indie sound to great success and this track is no different. Singing about chasing that cruel mistress nostalgia, there’s a twinge of sadness but it pairs nicely with his bare bones guitar twang and his vocals that are moved along by the underlying bass and drums. As always, we’ve included the link to YouTube for your listening pleasure below as well as Bandcamp and Spotify if you’re looking to add (honestly both singles) to your playlist. Be on the lookout for their new album Lily of the Valley, due out November 8 from Far Caspian’s[...]

Polaroid Fade – “Delancey”

August 22, 2024

“Delancey” is the latest from New Jersey based Polaroid Fade. Born out of a love for bands like The Smiths and The Sundays, this is a full-steam-ahead love letter to alt rock and dream pop, with a hint of indie sleaze. Singer Nicoletta Giuliani belts out some fantastic lyrics with a guitar-forward backdrop and threatens to overpower them (seriously, she has some PIPES). Coming in at just under five minutes feels juuust long enough to hook me but leave me wanting for more, which, if quality of sound is any indicator, should keep happening for some time. You can hear “Delancey” below from YouTube, or add it to your presumably burgeoning dream pop playlist on Spotify (we have a type, ya know?). Their first album Chaos in Poetry will be out sometime this year, so be sure to give the band a follow on their socials or Spotify. Don’t forget to[...]

Johnny Cisneros – “IT’S TOO LATE”

August 22, 2024

LA based Johnny Cisneros‘ latest is “IT’S TOO LATE” and it’s somehow the most relaxing yet frantic track I’ve heard in a hot minute. A follow up to the first track, “NEEDY,” off of his upcoming EP, “IT’S TOO LATE” has a low key sound, but the BPM and Cisneros’ so-called “Spanglish Indie” lyrics for a really unique take that had me hooked from the start. This definitely had a post-punk vibe similar to Day Wave that I find myself enjoying more and more, especially with that crispy vintage crackle that makes it sound like it’s being played off of a vinyl. It’s not too late to listen to “IT’S TOO LATE,” (unless you’re up past your bedtime, in which case you can wait until the morning) available on the usual gamut of YouTube, Spotify, or Soundcloud. The new EP will be out in September, so keep your ears peeled[...]

Lila Holler – “Not Mad”

August 22, 2024

Liverpool-based Lila Holler brings us her latest with “Not Mad,” a fabulously mixed and performed indie pop track that is sure to work its way into both your ears and all your playlists. I particularly enjoyed how easy it was to understand what Holler was singing, because I have issues with some songs here and there where I just can’t understand the lyrics. Holler’s vocals float and flitter around the acoustic guitar and gentle piano track, giving a Phoebe Bridgers or Lizzy McAlpine vibe, but standing strong enough on its own. Speaking to the track Holler had this to say: “I wanted the music to feel as light and bubbly as I felt inside” (mission accomplished, btw). You can hear “Not Mad” below from YouTube or over on Spotify or Soundcloud. This will be on her forthcoming EP so if you’re digging this you’ll want to check that out. If[...]

Make Friends – “I Lose, You Lose”

August 22, 2024

Make Friends brings us their latest with “I Lose, You Lose.” The band is a group of friends who started out six years ago, inspired by indie-dance punk of Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club. The track itself is a tight mix of keys, drums, bass, and guitar with the rhythm section doing a lot of the heavy lifting and driving the track forward. The vocals are appropriately treated as another instrument; falling mostly in an upbeat, singsong, falsetto-adjacent range. The beats are undeniable and you can help but at *least* bop your head along, if not break out into dance. Fans of Hot Hot Heat or of Montreal would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone with ears. You can hear “I Lose, You Lose” on the band’s Soundcloud, Spotify, or the YouTube embed down below. I won’t spoil if it’s an actual actual music video, so I’ll[...]

Lean Tee – “800m”

August 14, 2024

“800m” is the latest track from Baltimore-based Lean Tee, and it’s the perfect thinking persons understated banger of the week. With the press kit they sent us, they (or their record label) called them “up-and-coming” but I honestly don’t think that’s a fair assessment Outdoor Cat records… Lean Tee is already here. This is a superior, fleshy guitar driven song that is absolutely perfect in its simplicity – the guitar refrain is somehow the catchiest thing I’ve heard all week. This isn’t all guitar though, plenty of synth makes its way into the mix and just… sounds perfect the whole way through? This is definitely a band to look for with a strong back catalogue that you’ll find plenty of enjoyment in, especially for fans of Sunny Day Real Estate, Duster, or Pinback. Be sure to check out our previous writeup of “bad dream/lethargy” here. You can hear “800m” on[...]

Mila Degray – “Masculine Charm”

August 14, 2024

Mila Degray is a Florida-based Colombian singer and “Masculine Charm” is her latest single. Starting with the softest of intros and working up to a guitar charged stanza, Degray decrescendos into in almost dream pop haze before picking back up again. These starts and stops wouldn’t work anywhere else, but this is done masterfully and helps it stand out from the rest of the pack. Fans of Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius would find a lot to enjoy here, as would any proper pop aficionado. Speaking to the subject matter and the spark of inspiration for the track, Mila had this to say: “Masculine Charm is about an experience I had with an older famous singer when I was 18 in a nice NYC hotel… He said I had “Masculine Charm.” You can watch the vintage vibe music video for “Masculine Charm” on YouTube or add it to your indie post[...]

Chrome Daphne – “Like It Does”

August 14, 2024

Self professed “Toronto based vibe machine” Chrome Daphne brings us their latest with “Like It Does” and boy, lemme tell ya, they sure friggin’ do here. Made up of childhood friends Ben Cherry and Chris da Silva, we’re treated to a fine ass synth intro that adds in drum machines and bass (with a cavalcade of effects). This is an impossibly smooth track – it’s actually the law that you need to turn the bass up to 11 on this to do it justice. Speaking to the track Cherry had this to say: “Toronto has always had this hustle-bustle/rat-race mentality kinda like New York and I think this song came as a sort of response to that. It’s this realization of the importance of stopping to smell the roses; a shift in perspective.” You can hear “Like It Does” from YouTube below, or add it to your funky synth playlist[...]

Tesha – “In the Fields of Malfunctioned Love”

August 14, 2024

“In the Fields of Malfunctioned Love” is both one of the most depressing song titles and also the latest from Israeli born, NYC-based artist Tesha. Hauntingly beautiful, Tesha’s vocals pull you in and lock you up and throw away the key (and it’s totally fine because we wanna be here). Underpinned by a LOT of sound and a drum machine, everything leads back to Tesha – you absolutely cannot avoid that. The best elevator pitch I could describe would be if Billie Eilish and Björk started a cover band along with copious amounts of weed. Stylistically you can’t ignore the presence Tesha brings; it’s literally impossible (check out her website if you still don’t believe me). You can hear “In the Fields of Malfunctioned Love” down below from YouTube or add it to your far out playlist alongside Billie Eilish and Björk over on Spotify or Soundcloud.

moon:and:6 – “Opportunity”

August 14, 2024

Canadian based moon:and:6 is a project of Michael Chambers and “Opportunity” is his latest; an ode to the Mars Rover of the same name. Musically this is a seemingly laid back affair with dirge-like guitars mixed together with synths on repeat that give an appropriate sci-fi vibe. If you’re a fan of Grandaddy or Postal Service and yearn for their deeper cuts slowed down, this is definitely up your alley. I have a HUGE soft spot for all of the rovers we’ve sent out to the great abyss so this song holds a particular significance for me. (Humans are funny and we will literally bond with a seemingly meaningless hunk of metal thousands of miles away). The tone is particularly somber and I wouldn’t have it any other way -Chambers uses Opportunity as a lens for the human experience and the inevitable end, yet finding the beauty in the struggle.[...]