Latest Posts

Hotel Etiquette – “Sounds Like Love”

Sounds Like Love” paints the picture of emo/pop-punk and excludes no details. “We could fuck it up, and if you’re asking me, then it sounds like love…” It’s a line that hauntingly holds true to relationships that sink. Hotel Etiquette (aka Mike Hansen & co.) seems to have found themselves in the classic, unfiltered love tragedy and we love it. The track is followed by a soothing, sugar-glazed minute and a half track entitled “cigarettesafterthebachlor,” containing a dying heartbeat as if it were to represent the sound of love You can find Hotel Etiquette on Bandcamp (below), but be sure to check them out on Spotify and Apple Music too. Sounds Like Love by Hotel Etiquette

Sons of Luther – “The Wrong Way”

Buffalo-based rock band Sons of Luther released a fresh new single, “The Wrong Way,” on February 1st, and within a week it became their number one song on Spotify. It speaks to the intentional songwriting and the “earwormitis” that comes along with listening to something so catchy (and also, the band’s commitment to marketing themselves effectively in today’s musical landscape). SoL somehow combine the sounds of nostalgia with authenticity in a way that it sounds familiar, but not like any band I’ve heard before… At the same time, their lyrics bring about discussions that have been talked about for decades in a way I’ve never heard before. About “The Wrong Way,” Sons of Luther say: “[‘The Wrong Way’] is a mediation on bridging our current cultural divides as an act of resistance. Reminding us to not get “bent out of shape, cause it didn’t go our way.” You can find[...]

The Save Nines – “2 AM, Newport”

Long Island act The Save Nines crafted this dreamy indie rocker – “2 AM, Newport” has a laid-back, swirly aesthetic that feels perfect for a hazy night out (or a warm night in). Pairing slacker-esque vocals with swirling guitar riffs and a nimble bassline, “Newport” would fit comfortably on the shelf next to any Mac Demarco jam or even the breezy, nautical indie rock of Alvvays. The song utilizes an almost jazzy chord progression, especially in the chorus, which gives extra emphasis to the hook – “You’re the thing that’s killing me.” You can listen to “2 AM, Newport” on YouTube (below), or, stream it using Spotify.

Molly Ringworm – “Nana”

“Belly Rings, Dive Bars, + Rot” Sounds about right coming from Southern New Jersey-based act Molly Ringworm – we’re highlighing their latest single, “Nana,” in all it’s trashy indie rock glory. Bringing to mind nineties luminaries like Breeders, Pixies, and Liz Phair, “Nana” celebrates the unique bonds (like the aforementioned subjects) that connect females in friendship. It’s done via jangly guitars strumming unique chords; a rock-solid rhythm section; and frontwoman Sarah Holt’s perfectly-sardonic delivery. Stick around for the noisy guitar solo mid-song. We really liked this one. Check it out below or via Spotify/Apple Music. Molly Ringworm · Nana

JW Francis – “Sweet As A Rose”

We just can’t get enough of bedroom popper JW Francis – his patented blend of warbly indie rock and lo-fi bedroom warmth is second to none. We’ve previously featured his songs before (“I Love You;” “Good Time;” and “John, Take Me With You,” just to name a few), but this time around we’re featuring “Sweet As A Rose.” “Rose” is a bubbling gallop of a song, simmering and bouncing along while JW mumble sings his way through the song. Stabs of warped guitar catch your ear as much as Francis’ uber-pleasant vocal presence does – no wonder we keep featuring his tunes. Check it out via YouTube below – you can also find his entire discography on Spotify.

Mallrat – “Your Love”

We’re Mallrat fans here at buffaBLOG – ICYMI, we’ve featured “Uninvited” and “UFO” previously. The Brisband-based singer/songwriter is back with another dreamy lo-fi pop banger called “Your Love.” Propelled by a trap beat; gauzy synth swells; and Mallrat’s (aka Grace Shaw) lovely vocal presence, “Your Love” works its way into a repetitive chorus that is simple and brutally catchy. It’s accompanied by a fittingly grainy music video, finding Grace wandering around the city lights while pantomiming her song. Keep your eyes peeled for the football field scene – the sprinklers popping on was a moment of pure kismet. Check out the video below and be sure to add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.

Andrea Franz – “Sweet Things”

Mexican-American singer-songwriter Andrea Franz is based in Southern California and you can really hear the sunny warmth of the environment come through in her latest jam, “Sweet Things.” Between the sugary-sweet melodies; the vintage synth backbone; and Andrea’s dreamy presence, this one has us feeling woozy in all the right ways… Lovelorn-but-smart, for multiple reasons, “Sweet Things” feels like the perfect song to throw on your upcoming Valentine’s Day playlist. “Sweet Things” is available below via SoundCloud – you can also find it on Spotify if that’s more your thing. Andrea Franz · Sweet Things

TEEN BLUSH – “Turning”

TEEN BLUSH is dream-pop-meets-new-wave – literally, right in the middle. Imagine a 1980s based new-wave band attempting to write a modern dream-pop track and you’ll have their latest offering, “Turning,” pumping through your audio device. It’s dark-but-warm; vintage-but-contemporary; and driving-but-calculated. Without typing too many more oxymoronic phrases, it’s a post-punk throwback that will have you feeling nostalgic without sacrificing any of 2022’s emotional sensibility. You can peep “Turning” via Soundcloud (below), but you can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music. TEEN BLUSH · Turning

Lividream – “IDONTCARE”

Who DOES care?! Not Lividream – although you wouldn’t be able to tell from the ultra-smooth seventies-flavored, indie-funk vibes here on “IDONTCARE.” Based in LA, Lividream (aka Bryan Rojas) created this indie-rock turned synth-pop project with the goal of getting you “groovin’ n movin” (his words not ours). One listen to “CARE” and we’re pretty sure that you’ll be convinced that he hit his mark – between the swimmy atmospherics and deep groove, “IDONTCARE” will certainly have at least one part of your body swaying with the rhythm. Check it out below via Soundcloud – you can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music. Lividream · IDONTCARE

CdR – “Wherever You Go (feat. Mandy)”

Here’s a cool collab between English producer CdR and American singer Mandy Muse. “Wherever You Go” was born out of an old (but intriguing) instrumental that Mandy brought to life with her vocals. It’s an excitingly blippy instrumental that Mandy’s airy vocals are perfectly suited for. It helps that Mandy’s “wherever you go” refrain happens to be a solid earworm as well. What’s more, this is the duo’s first collab – here’s hoping we hear more in the future. Check it out via Soundcloud below. CdR · Wherever You Go Ft Mandy

Libby Beard – “Your Dreams”

It’s almost memeworthy when a drummer breaks away from their band and creates something of their own, but JR Kurtz (aka Libby Beard) is proving all the haters wrong with their latest offering, “Your Dreams.” Playing around with a Pixies-esque noisy delivery, “Dreams” plays around with raucous (but oftentimes melodic) guitar energy; a bombastic drum presence; and Kurtz’s emotional vocal delivery. It’s perfect for fans from anywhere from Sonic Youth, to Guided By Voices, to PUP, and everywhere in-between. Preview “Your Dreams” below to see what you think – then, add it to your Spotify playlist. Libby Beard · your dreams

Deadwolf – Deadwolf EP

It’s almost as if five musicians from Buffalo went back in time, taking elements from the sixties, seventies, and eighties, and brought them to July 1st of 2021. Those people are Tyler Mendola, Cody Morse, Bryan Williams, Ken Shockley, and Andy Pothier, aka the long-running and never-imitated Deadwolf. The psychedelic rock of their self-titled EP could turn even the straightest-of-edge person into a full-fledged hippy for at least fifteen minutes. My personal favorite, outro track “Sooner or Later,” takes you on a five-minute sonic trip, floating above the thunderstorm of a clouded reality. You can find Deadwolf EP on Bandcamp (below). You can also find the band (and their entire discography) on Spotify and Apple Music too. Deadwolf by Deadwolf

Bad Bloom – “Automatic”

The spacious vocals bellowed throughout Bad Bloom‘s latest single “Automatic” are hypnotically intoxicating… Which only makes sense, seeing as it was released just two days prior to Halloween, the spookiest day of the year.  On the shoegaze-meets-dream-pop flavors of “Automatic,” Jay Trovato smoothly shreds his guitar while Kate Rogers floats along the track with elegance on both bass and vocals. This originally Queens, now Rochester-based husband-and-wife duo shed beautiful darkness onto a sugarcoated world.  Preview “Automatic” via Soundcloud below – be sure to add it to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists too. Bad Bloom · AUTOMATIC

Dolly Sods – “tupelogumswamp”

Hot new gloomy shoegaze band from Buffalo, Dolly Sods is making some literal noise with their debut single “tupelogumswamp.” Comprised of three members of other Buffalo-based bands, Jesse James, Nate Ward, and Andy Pothier, Dolly Sods hit at the very peak of bleak. Heavily reverbed vocals sound as if they’re coming from a cemetery within a church. The instrumental contains much reverb in itself which ties together the loose vocals in a very dark and ominous package. At seven-plus minutes, this one is as epic as it is sludgy in all its doom-and-gloom glory. Check out all the different ways you can listen to “tupelogumswamp” here. tupelogumswamp by dolly sods

Velvet Bethany – “Teamwork”

Movement of the hips guaranteed or your money back! Buffalo based singer-songwriter/producer Allison Mitchell (aka Velvet Bethany) created a peppy tune titled “Teamwork” that will surely jumpstart your heart. Lines like “I feel like I have superpowers” are truly contagious to the soul and inspire a better day. “Teamwork” reached streaming services at the turn of this past new year; and with it’s upbeat pop rock energy, will hopefully usher 2022 in as a new era of hope.  You can find “Teamwork” on both Bandcamp and Spotify. Teamwork by Velvet Bethany