Latest Posts

West Ferry Releases New s/t EP

February 26, 2020

Emo rockers West Ferry just dropped a concise self-titled EP last Friday. Clocking in at just over six minutes, it’s a quick yet impactful listen. Each of the songs has a distinct character; angst. While each had an anthemic quality, the standout was “Forever Home.” The group really seems to have settled on a sound, and the DIY energy is still present in their recording. If not already on your radar, a must listen especially for fans of Cursive, Tiny Moving Parts and early Brand New. Check out the EP below, you’ll have time. West Ferry by west ferry Written by John Smigielski

Strandels – “Breathe It In”

February 24, 2020

There’s just something about the Swedish siblings in Strandels. Their latest single “Breathe It In” is rubbing us in just the right ways. Maybe it’s the breathy harmonies, maybe it’s the lo-fi-and-chill hip-hop beats, or maybe it’s that spiraling acoustic guitar riff… But regardless of what sucks you in, we think this one is full of reasons to listen. Kick back and let this one wash over you – check it out below and give them a follow on their IG.

Palavas – “Giorgio Baroudeur”

February 23, 2020

Get ready to feel funky – we’re digging this new one from Palavas, a mysterious French duo whose latest instrumental offering, “Giorgio Baroudeur,” got our heads bobbing. It’s not often an instrumental jam gets you feeling some-type-of-way, but this one is full of perfectly retro drum machines and hypnotic techno rhythms. There’s not much left to do but click play on the widget below and groove for ~6 mins. Enjoy.

The Day – “Tenderfoot” (The Lemonheads/Smudge Cover)

February 18, 2020

Cover inception! We’re digging this take on “Tenderfoot” – a classic cover from The Lemonheads who put their own spin on Smudge’s original take. Dreamy, Netherlands dream-pop duo The Day made this one their own with an ethereal vocal track and a simple, but incredibly tasteful electric/acoustic guitar backbone. This one is beautifully jangly, just the right amount punky, with a tinge of emo greatness – amazing all around. Listen for yourself below.

Violet Lens – “I Don’t Care”

February 18, 2020

“I don’t care if you don’t care – no, I don’t care at all…” We certainly care, and we think more than just nihilists will enjoy this light-hearted, carefree jam from Taiwanese act Violet Lens. Pairing spindly guitar leads with bright, jangly power pop, “I Don’t Care” showcases the band’s English-lyric’d work (take a deeper dive and you’ll find a bunch of songs in Mandarin). This one is a good time – check it out below. I Don’t Care by Violet Lens

Rival Cavves – “Flower Bud”

February 18, 2020

Rival Cavves is more than just a bedroom-pop act – on any given night, you might catch them performing on the edge of a cliff, recreating a bedroom on stage, or handing out free swag to the audience. While they certainly put on an engaging show, we’ve definitely been jamming on their latest release, “Flower Bud.” Pairing haunting and moody indie-electro instrumentals with catchy “ay-ee-ay-ee-ay” refrains, this one would be the perfect soundtrack for a chill, evening drive. Check it out below and stay up to date with their Insta.

Tonight: Wild Once

February 14, 2020

Wild Once headlines a night of cathartic emo rock tonight at Mr. Goodbar. Fresh on the heels of their 2019 release Perennials, Wild Once have dropped a new track off their upcoming EP. Their new track “Trophy Girls,” the title track of their forthcoming EP, is an anthemic ode to digital addiction. As lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Mayer says: “On a broad scale… this song is sort of an acknowledgement of how often we catch each other staring at our phones these days. It’s to the point where we often don’t even feel rude whipping them out in the middle of a real life conversation. In both personal and professional situations. We use them to fill the fill the silence, that we get so bored and uncomfortable with so quickly. It makes us more lonely and yet we think it is the solution for loneliness. We weigh our options.[...]

Alphabats – “Leith”

February 13, 2020

Check out the music video for “Leith,” the latest offering from Swedish duo Alphabats. “Leith” is an interesting song that combines aspects of The National, Frightened Rabbit, and modern indie-electro-pop… There’s also a splash of 80s flavor in there for added aesthetic. This one is an effervescent and sunny breath of fresh air, full of throaty synths, spindly guitar leads, and frantic electronic drums. Check out the mysterious duo’s joyride in the music video below.

WOLFJAY – “In Memory Of”

February 13, 2020

WOLFJAY is an indie pop act hailing from Adelaide, Australia. “In Memory Of” has become one of our favs as of late – it combines aspects of indie pop, emo, and electronica into an interestingly overblown, hook-laden tune. This one is jammed full of strong melodies, blasts of guitars and drums, and even a tasteful guitar solo. Fans of 2003-era Blink-182 and smart indie pop a la Generationals will like this one. Check it out below – if you dig it (and we know you will), make sure you add it to your Spotify playlist.

Floral – “The Good Song”

February 13, 2020

Oh man – ICYMI, we were recently jazzed on Floral‘s previous release, “This Year.” If you dug that one, we recommend “The Good Song,” which is just as (if not even more) spicy. There’s no doubt about it – this one is an instrumental math rock jam pairing the Palo Alto duo’s drumming and guitar virtuosity into something collectively mind blowing. Our favorite part is from 3:50 on. If your jaw isn’t left hanging, it’s time to check your headphones. Peep the Bandcamp link below – this one’s available for stream in a few days. The Good Song — Single by Floral

The Golden Age of TV – “Me, You And a Dog”

February 12, 2020

This is a cool one – Leeds act The Golden Age of TV whipped up a rip-roaring single that they’ve titled “Me, You, And a Dog.” Big guitar riffs and a tight, compressed mix give this one a big, bombastic sound. There’s a bit of Los Campesinos! in this one, a bit of Hop Along, and a whole lot of loud, indie rock energy. Better yet – “Dog” is about the joy of getting a new pet with someone special… A subtle way to say you want to spend the next 10+ years together. Check it out below for sure.

Chasing Daze – “Teenager”

February 12, 2020

We can’t help but be smitten by teen-sibling act Chasing Daze. Helmed by bro/sis combo Julia and Ryan Noble, the duo have been crafting smart indie-pop in their small-town Oregon hometown. “Teenager” is their latest – a chill jam built around squiggly, melodic samples. This one really captures the innocence of the teen psyche – imagery of Polaroid pictures, after parties, and garage hangouts are scattered throughout this short, but sweet tune. Check it out below – we think you’ll dig it.

Great News – “Greedy Little Thing”

February 12, 2020

Last time we checked in with Norwegian act Great News, we were jamming on their fantastic, synthy debut, “TV.”  Their next offering is “Greedy Little Thing,” an equally-raucous good-time full of thick guitar goodness and phat pop melodies. Where “TV” embraced the best of the 80s, “Greedy Little Thing” opts for crunchy guitar leads and soaring falsetto.  Give it a listen below.

Cardiac Cassette Releases Three Song EPSnow Birds

February 3, 2020

Buffalo pop-punkers Cardiac Cassette dropped their first three-song single, Snow Birds. Made up of former members of local bands Go Glorious and Better Now, Cardiac Cassette has spent the past year playing shows and recording their first release with Orlando bands Our Escape and Audio Creep.  Snow Birds has the hallmarks of a modern pop-punk release: catchy hooks, heavy power chords off-set by upbeat drumming, and relationship-centric lyrical themes. Cardiac Cassette is the kind of band that’ll reel in fans of mainstays like Saves the Day and The Story So Far, but they’re no carbon copy of what’s already been done. Frontman Pat Kerr’s vocals are resonant and full, with thoughtful, often poetic lyrics, and the guitars offer fresh, ear-pleasing chord progressions. Overall,Snow Birds is a promising first release from a fairly new band on the block. It’s available on all streaming platforms, and below, too. Check it out. Snow Birds by[...]

argonaut&wasp – “TVS”

January 30, 2020

argonaut&wasp and buffaBLOG go way back – we’ve featured them multiple times before (for obvious reasons). This time around, we’re digging the impeccable synth-pop of “TVs.” This one is a super contemporary indie rock jam with hints of retro synth flavor, jammed full of sunny pop melodies and a dance-able pulse… All wrapped up in a succinct 2:30 package. Check this one out below, you won’t regret it.