Latest Posts

Leo & The Maydays Post New Video for “Leaves and Trees and…”

December 24, 2019

Leo & The Maydays (a.k.a. singer/songwriter Hannah Ruttle) is based out of Ithaca, NY. Her latest offering, “Leaves and Trees and…” is a meandering folksy pop tune – it finds Leo and her band wandering the scenic countryside, hanging out and singing their song amid cemeteries and long winding roads. Beyond that, her music is super clean and has a sense of longing – perfect for this cold winter weather. Fans of Petal, Fleet Foxes, or First Aid Kit will like this one – check it out below.

Human Barbie – “Be Careful What You Wish For”

December 24, 2019

Human Barbie are here to crush your optimism with the minimalist heartbreak of “Be Careful What You Wish For.” This one is so beautifully melancholy; it pairs a dragging tempo with a unique juxtaposition between icy cold guitars and a warm analog mix. MOst poignant is their astonishingly frank assessment of reality – any song that starts with “Be careful what you wish for, cause you’re gonna get fucked eventually” is alright in our book. Head on over to Bandcamp to pick this up or add this one to your Spotify playlist.

Richard Frenneaux – “Arcades”

December 24, 2019

Yo, Richard Frenneaux‘s “Arcades” has really caught our ears. Despite his cool mystique, “Arcades” is an unabashed indie pop jam. Frenneaux pairs big synthy vibes with dreamy guitar parts and hypnotic drums. This is all bolstered by his upbeat indie rock vocals. Fans of Phoenix, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, or Foster the People are gonna dig this one for sure – have a listen for yourself via the Soundcloud widget below.

Koko Neetz – I.T.T.I.P.

December 23, 2019

First, a science lesson: Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. They’re made up of only three basic subatomic particles – electrons, protons and neutrons, as you probably remember from sixth grade. Their dance, multiplied across the 1080 or so atoms in the universe, makes up existence in all its wild, varied forms. The songs on I.T.T.I.P., the new album from Koko Neetz (Andrew Kothen, who you may also know for his guitar work in dreambeaches) are atomic in the sense that they start from almost nothing and put the same few components into motion with each other to propel melodies forward. While the atom has electrons, protons and neutrons, Kothen has an acoustic guitar, a drumset, a quiet piano, a shimmer, the hint of a Mellotron, and his own wispy voice with which to create. And create he does – I.T.T.I.P is both a showcase of Kothen’s[...]

Cold Violets – “Set Me Up”

December 17, 2019

We’re digging the synth-tinged post-punk of LA act Cold Violets. “Set Me Up” exists somewhere between cold 80s post-punk and the sentiment of 50s American folk music, using the energy of the current indie-rock crowd to really propel it forward. Squiggly synths and electronic drums help bolster this one – our favorite part is the left-field manic drum fill that occurs mid song. Check it out below and give them a follow via IG.

BOII – “Footwork”

December 14, 2019

The across-the-sea partnership of BOII seems to be working out just fine – “Footwork” is a simmering indie pop jam making use of effected drum beats and soothing vocal timbres.  “Footwork” is about the early stages of a relationship – a pivotal time where might have to put in a bit of extra effort to make things settle into place. We certainly think “Footwork” should be the beginning of your relationship with BOII – check it out below.

Sture – “Fabricated”

December 14, 2019

Sture is composed of Ukrainian ex-pats living in Finland, creating dark and danceable indie punk. “Fabricated” is refreshing in its simplicity – a low-gain, minimalist jammer with monotone vocals and a pure, unrefined energy. Fans of Interpol, Q and not U, or even Joy Division will get a kick out of this one. Check it out below.

Telemonster – “For Someone Not So Old”

December 10, 2019

Chatenooga act Telemonster have a wide range of influences, clearly evidenced by new single “For Someone Not So Old.” This one is a meandering, five-minute epic of unique rhythms, haunting melodies, and tasteful dynamics. Fans of Grizzly Bear, Radiohead, or Local Natives are going to dig this one – check out the music video below, full of unique imagery and follow them on Instagram while you’re at it.

Mint Julep – “Blinded”

December 10, 2019

How refreshing! We’re digging this chill little ditty from wife-and-husband duo Hollie and Keith Kenniff, aka Mint Julep. This one is packed full of hazy synths, gauzy vocals, and sunny vibe (with a hint of snowy goodness). This one gave us lovely, wintry vibes all around – check it out below and be sure to stay tuned… their upcoming full length, Stray Fantasies, is due out January 31, 2020.

Medusa – “ET”

December 10, 2019

“ET” is the latest offering from Buffalo “genre-crossing, gender-bending” (their words not ours) producer/musician Medusa. “ET,” in this case, an acronym for both Estrogen and Testosterone and the popular 80s movie, is a dark and moody electro-pop banger. It’s surprisingly danceable despite its sludgy tempo and scathing condemnation of the transphobic experiences one might experience. Check out the widget below – if you are liking what you hear, check out their Bandcamp page for more scathing darktronica. ET by MEDUSA

WUGO – “Wugomania”

December 9, 2019

Something about WUGO‘s “Wugomania” feels alien… And yet, the French producer has also tapped into something really warm and magical here. Beneath the shell of a simple bedroom-pop sound is a uniquely structured song, padded with vintage synth tones and uniquely processed vocals. Be sure to give this one a listen so you can judge for yourself.

Kiwi Jr. – “Football Money”

December 9, 2019

You might recognize Kiwi Jr. as Brian Murphy from legendary Toronto indie-poppers Alvvays, but we urge you to take a closer look at the irresistible jangle pop of “Football Money.” Full of shameless hooks, jaunty guitar rhythms, and a cacophonous solo, “Football Money” is the type of cerebral indie rock that is digestible, but leaves your palette yearning for more. Check it out below.

Husbands – “Culebra”

December 9, 2019

Last time we checked in with shimmery indie poppers Husbands, we were talking up the song “Mexico.” This time around, we’re digging “Culebra” which follows their tried-and-true format of swirly guitar pop topped with effervescent vocal melodies. The duo (impressively) splits their time between Seattle and Oklahoma City – their clear charisma would suggest otherwise. Check it out below.

Kape Yeel – “Sex Addicts”

December 9, 2019

Feeling promiscuous? So are Swedish act Kape Yeel and they’re certainly making it known through their latest jam, “Sex Addicts.” Their refreshingly frank lyrics about pornography lay over top a deeply funky groove – not unlike something you might hear in a 70s smut flick… Think Daft Punk, but raucous and horny. Enough innuendo – check this one out for yourself.

Dogs in Stereo – Idle

December 9, 2019

Most of us know what it’s like to feel idle. While stillness itself can be situated in a state of calm, idleness implies expectation of eventual movement. That’s why we use the word to describe a car that’s started, but isn’t moving; we’re still, but the parts inside are still turning. Buffalo’s Dogs in Stereo explore that paradoxical combination of stagnation and restlessness in their new EP Idle, a melancholic, living collection of six songs filled with longing. Idle is a step in a different direction for Dogs in Stereo. Previous efforts by the Dogs exhibited earnest, lo-fi rock with charming melodies and captivating guitar work. The essence of earlier work is still around on this new EP, but clean production and more deliberate songwriting are clear marks of artistic maturity. They’ve also seemed to move into the computer age with more synth than we’ve seen in the past, a[...]