by Ian McCuen | Aug 25, 2016 | Album Review
For most fans, the wait for new Frank Ocean has felt like more than just four years. However, four years is all it has been since his landmark debut album channel ORANGE firmly put him on the map. Much speculation and anticipation feverishly built up over that time...
by Ian McCuen | Aug 12, 2016 | Album Review
British soul singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has released his second album for Polydor Records. For this sophomore release, he enlisted the help of veteran Danger Mouse to handle the bulk of production duties. Love & Hate is a smooth and melodic record steeped...
by Ian McCuen | Aug 3, 2016 | Rochester
The Branch Davidians have released their EP Sex, Death, and Things Less Boring. Based in Rochester, the band began as an indie folk duo, before lead man Ben Stephanus expanded both the size of the group and the scope of its sound. Their five-song release is full of...
by Ian McCuen | Jul 20, 2016 | Preview
Tonight’s lineup at Mohawk Place boasts a slew of indie rockers. Long Island native Jeff Rosenstock brings his energetic brand of punk to Buffalo, with an extensive catalog of music to pull from. The veteran takes the stage with a few up and comers worth checking out....
by Ian McCuen | Jul 15, 2016 | Album Review
Buzz Records signees Weaves have released their much anticipated debut album. The Toronto-based indie group’s self-titled effort is an energetic amalgam of noises. It’s a delightful smorgasbord, where you’ll find elements of pop, rock, funk, punk, and indie. The...
by Ian McCuen | Jul 13, 2016 | Album Review
Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Robert McDowell are broadening their horizons with their latest project. The pair were enlisted by experimental film directors Dan Kwan and Dan Scheinert (known professionally as The Daniels) to record the score for their newest...
by Ian McCuen | Jul 5, 2016 | Album Review
While attending SUNY Purchase, indie-rocker Mitski self released her first two albums. After graduating, she signed with Double Double Whammy to release a third. Now with Dead Oceans Records, her fourth studio album Puberty 2 is an earnest look at growing up. She...
by Ian McCuen | Jun 21, 2016 | Album Review
Massachusetts natives The Hotelier are just a little bit lighter on their latest release. The underground emo revival champions’ third record, Goodness, was prefaced with a statement from lead singer-bassist Christian Holden. In it, he indicated a subtle shift from...
by Ian McCuen | Jun 8, 2016 | Album Review
Recording under the moniker Car Seat Headrest, Will Toledo has self-released eight albums between 2010 and 2015. He finally made his major label debut last year with Teens of Style, a collection of reimagined tracks from his previous albums, now performed with fuller...
by Ian McCuen | May 31, 2016 | Album Review
Toronto punk rockers PUP are back with their second full-length album. The title, The Dream Is Over, is apparently a jab at vocalist-guitarist Stefan Babcock’s doctor. After incessant touring following their 2014 self-titled debut, Babcock’s vocal cords were shredded....
by Michael Moretti | May 23, 2016 | Preview
Tonight, Sugar City welcomes a lineup of punk and alternative garage rock acts to their back stage. Headlining the evening of noisy rock are Toronto natives La Luna. The group, who specializes in angvlar pvnk, is coming off the release of their second record, entitled...
by Ian McCuen | May 20, 2016 | Album Review
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have been on a tear since forming in 2010. The Melbourne, Australia-based psychedelic rockers are now on their eighth full-length studio album in six years, an impressive output considering they are also relentless live performers....
by Ian McCuen | May 10, 2016 | Album Review
Singer-songwriter heavyweight Sam Beam (know mostly as Iron & Wine) has released another collaborative work, titled Love Letter for Fire. After 2015’s joint effort with Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Beam has teamed up with singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop, who is...
by Ian McCuen | May 2, 2016 | Album of the Week
The latest offering from Wylie Something is a compilation called untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?, presumably a take on Kendrick Lamar’s untitled/unmastered. Wylie Something is the moniker for Buffalo-native turned Philadelphia-based college student, Jacob...
by Ian McCuen | Apr 25, 2016 | Album Review
After a stint in the group Woods and a short lived side project The Babies, singer-songwriter Kevin Morby is now on his third solo record, titled Singing Saw. He has grown with each album, establishing a unique voice in a musical realm of familiarity. With pristine...
