Yep, we can’t help but dig this latest jam from NY-based Ayelle. “Effort” is smart commentary on modern relationships – a dig at social media, relationships, and the ever-so-common (albeit justified) request to, I don’t know… Try a little? Beyond the spot-on social critique, “Effort” has slick pop production and a great chorus. Perfect for when you’re feeling a little bit sassy but want to groove to something anyways. Check it out below and stay up with her on IG.
We’re digging the ethereal vibes of “Fake Girlfriend” from Charleston’s Grace Joyner. This one utilizes gauzy synth textures and a funky, nu-disco bass line as the backbone to Joyner’s haunting vocal delivery. She explores the complexity of a relationship with a “fake girlfriend” – someone who’s there when you need them but not good enough when you don’t. This one is a delicate number with a not-so-hidden sneering undertone; def worth a listen. Check it out below or swing over to her Spotify.
Austrian quintet Catastrophe & Cure wrote something great here – we’re loving on the indie rock vibes on “Another Wave.” Carried by a simple but effective guitar lead, “Wave” is tasteful in all the right ways. Other highlights: a groovy beat; bouncing bass; droning but melodic vocals; splashes of synth ambiance; and breathy exhale flourishes… Not to mention, the perfect mix with just a touch of lo-fi flavor. This one is a secret ear worm – add it to your Spotify playlist for later, too.
Swiss quintet Sirens of Lesbos have us captivated with their smooth nu-disco feels on “Zeus.” Split into a three-act epic, this one eschews typical song structure for something groovy and in-the-pocket in a succinct, three-minute package. This one would feel at home on any playlist featuring Tame Impala, Daft Punk, or Metronomy. Get into their gentle harmonies and tasteful, simmering vibes – check it out below or add them to your Spotify playlist.
War Strings is a cool new LA act whose “My Alien Heart” caught our ears. This one is an interesting electro indie banger that brings to mind Phantogram at their heaviest with a tinge of Radiohead. Pairing huge synthy hits with grindy guitar and bass riffs – the cherry-on-top here is the intensely soaring vocal prowess. We think this one is gonna get your blood pumping with its big, bombastic energy. If you haven’t already, add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’re digging the driving indie pop vibes from LA act Opus Orange on their new single, “Give You Everything.” Reminiscent of other synth-tinged indie folk acts like The Shins, Ra Ra Riot, or Matt Pond PA, “Give You Everything” is packed full of interesting instrumentals and big vocal melodies. This one hits the sweet spot of perfect bedroom-pop production and tasteful musical choices. Check it out below and if you like it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
Big, gothy post-punk vibes from Gainesville, Florida act, Dead Feeling. Their latest, “New Legend Drugs,” takes swimmy-chorus guitar vibes and pairs them with passionate sing-shout vocals and moody synth textures. It immediately summons up a sense of extreme urgency with hints of anger and sadness. Fans of Interpol, Joy Division, or DIIV are going to enjoy this one for sure. Check it out below and if you dig it, make sure you give their new EP, nu.wav a listen through.
Multi-national duo Jupiter Winter have us vibing hard on their latest electropop masterpiece, “Lifetime.” Louisiana-native Lelia Broussard and Vancouverite Royce Whittaker sure know how to combine dancy synth influences with modern indie pop sentiment – “Lifetime” is full of soaring pop vocals with a pulsing synth backbone. Check it out below and if you’re feeling it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
Inventive industrial act Night Slaves will be celebrating the release of their newest LP THREE AND A HALF with a show tonight at Revolution Gallery. Anchored by core members David Kane and John Toohil, the group has recently expanded to include Lucy Bell, Ryan McMullen, and Kelly Mourdant. Their sound is an amalgam of 60s garage rock, psychedelic Brit-pop, darkcore, and just a smattering of sardonic post-punk sensibility. While previous releases, such as 2018’s Night Slaves III, have leaned more heavily towards the darker industrial side, their new album finds the group embracing a new sound. Their new single “ABSOLUTE” is a deeply infectious dance track, much in the spirit of “HandClap” by Fitz and the Tantrums. It will be interesting to see the direction this album takes, but I for one am excited. Providing support will be psych-chamber pop group Parade Chic, and lo-fi dream pop artist Ex-Pat. Revolution[...]
LEFTI is no stranger to buffaBLOG – we’re happy to announce a brand new banger feat. Nicki B The Vagabond in “I Can’t Get Enough.” This one could be straight out of the 70s disco scene, packed with retro drum machine sounds and a lyrical refrain that could fit in with any soulful hit… All peppered with some Daft Punk flavor and Nicki B’s excellent vocal take. This one is five minutes long so get ready to get your groove on – check it out below.
The new year and decade has started with a resurgence of vibrancy in the Buffalo music scene, as newcomers Carrier Pigeons, introduce themselves to the world with the release of their first single, “Death of a Salesman.” The title track has definite traces of 1990s alt and grunge rock. Lead singer Logan Giddins emotes, with strength, a sense of longing. It borders on emo, but does not dive in directly. Perhaps that is due in part to the instruments used on the track. Percussion, guitar, and banjo. The banjo creeps up in the mix and compliments the tone of the track nicely with a metallic Side-B, “Waves About to Break,” seems to flip around the alt-emo-folk balance of “Death of a Salesman.” The second song is an upbeat song with a half-time tempo that makes it hard to not tap your toe. The banjo has a more prominent role, and[...]
“Calm Down” is a dreamy song for sure, but this latest one from Bathe Alone runs just a little bit deeper than that. “Calm” addresses the importance of mental health, in this case panic attacks – the multi-instrumentalist has built a song that ebbs and flows like an actual panic attack. Guitar solos rise and fall, and as the song concludes, it decrescendos into a calmer state once again. Even beyond the metaphor, we just think this is a beautiful slice of dream pop. Check it out below or swing by her Bandcamp to support.
Last time we checked in with Chasing Daze, we were starry-eyed over their ode to teenage summers, “Teenager.” On brand, the Oregon sibling duo is back with another incredible song about teenage summers, “Summer.” All jokes aside, we think these two are really onto something special. Summer pairs an ear-pleasing warble guitar with heartwarming lyrics about a carefree, youthful summer. Not to mention the duo’s knack for absolutely flawless indie pop. Don’t sleep on this one – check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.
Don’t sleep on this haunting new track from Aukland’s Marlin’s Dreaming. “Sink or Swim” is a swimmy daydream, with watery guitar tones and ethereal vocals aplenty from this powerful New Zealand trio. The music video also feels otherworldly, a fever dream full of ancient outfits and outlandish face paint. Fans of Beach House, Real Estate, or Slowdive would dig this one for sure – check out the vid below.
Danish electro-producer Le Boeuf has been on fire lately, especially evidenced on this latest collab with vocalist Tema Siegel. “Last Night” is another head-bobbing dance banger from the Copenhagen native. Lyrically, it’s a fun reminder about effing sh*t up the night before, but it’s also full of catchy, whistle-y synths; upbeat and danceable percussion; and of course Siegel’s light-hearted vocal delivery. We think this one will start your next Friday night off right. Add it to your Spotify playlist now.