by Jake Sessanna | Sep 13, 2016 | Rochester
Full Body, a slackrock trio from Rochester, released two versions of one song, “Magnesium Deficiency,” on August’s final day. The first, “Magnesium Deficiency,” is a quick punk song with fuzzy bass, robust electric guitar, and...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 10, 2016 | New Music
Constant Companion is an interestingly named band from NYC. Singer and guitarist Cassie Youngstrom says the name, “… refer[s] to all of the companions that stay with us… the demons, the depression and anxiety, the traumas… the music, the art,...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 10, 2016 | New Music
Reading act Sundara Karma is a jangly indie rock band with an edgy, 70s aesthetic in both musica and fashion. “She Said” is the first single from their new album, Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect. Its carefree dance vibes feature a lead guitar din,...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 10, 2016 | New Music
L.A. Spring is a relatively young London act having just formed this summer. The power trio most notably features a low tenor vocalist with a strong and charming English accent, accented by higher harmonies when applicable. “Passerby” has an erupting...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 10, 2016 | New Music
Mothlight is a Californian dream pop act with a unique lushness that bursts from their colorful music. The trio describes themselves as “dream pop birthed from the loins of a nematode,” something surprisingly accurate once you look up what a nematode looks...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 10, 2016 | New Music
Boge is a DJ from Norway who has tackled fellow Norwegian Miss Tati’s deliciously groovy “Don’t Let Go.” Boge’s work gives the song an ethereal vibe, featuring gentle claps, spacious pads, and interesting ricochet whistles. The...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 6, 2016 | Album of the Week
Spear, Pleistocene’s latest, is a more condensed, focused effort from the group as they slashed out some of the noise that radiated from the sonic orb found between the phones when listening to them. Pleistocene’s latest demonstrates the Rochester-based...
by Jake Sessanna | Sep 1, 2016 | New Music
From out the shadows of indie pop comes Miss Joyner, a woman whose dusky voice matches her rather reflective, feminine appearance and demeanor. Grace Joyner and her crew (background vocalist and keyboardist Camille Lucy Rhoden, background vocalist and bassist Dan...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 29, 2016 | New Music
Finnish electro pop duo Villa Nah is back after a rather long 5-year hiatus and are gifting us their latest treat, “Love Chance.” The single, a showcase off their upcoming album Ultima, is delightfully spacey and is like a relaxing swim with your...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 28, 2016 | Preview
It’s the Wild West meets the wonderful ocean. Deep, dark, and cavernous, yet dirty and mustard yellow. Previews of the new Gringo Star album The Sides and In Between are as amusing as they are unique. “Rotten,” Magic,” and “Get...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 23, 2016 | Buffalo
Stress Dolls is the new reincarnation of Buffalo band Wolf which sought a name change and new members. Lead singer Chelsea O’Donnell still fronts the group with her Ben Walsh-like yowl. The new band brandishes a fresh sound with dreamy guitar leads, solid drums...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 19, 2016 | Album Review
Alongside other Albanian groups like Coupons and They Are Gutting A Body of Water is County Mike, a new, mysterious one-man-band fronting a near lo-fi sound that flutters comfortably within the boundaries of alt-folk. The man behind the mask (and beard) is Michael...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 15, 2016 | Album of the Week
Charmer (not named after Tigers Jaw’s latest) is a quintet full of charming young men formerly based out Marquette, Michigan. The band did what many bands decide to do, pack all their gear and relocate to the music metropolis of Rochester as a full band....
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 9, 2016 | Album Review
Coupons is an Albany-based group that seemingly mastered mid-tempo, just-sad-enough songs. At times they’re bluesy, at times they’re straight power-pop, and at times they’re math-y (namely the drums). In creating their Number One Hit Album, Coupons...
by Jake Sessanna | Aug 5, 2016 | Album Review
They Are Gutting A Body of Water is a rather complex name for an emotional, lo-fi solo act by singer/songwriter Doug Dulgarian. Dulgarian, a lead singer to Albany-based Jouska, proudly released late last month via the project’s bandcamp. The album is written as...
