Sometimes, there’s nothing better than some raucous German surf-punk. Drens certainly nail the sound, especially on their latest offering, “Heat.” Fans of Together Pangaea, Wavves, or Cloud Nothings will like their fast tempos, bratty vocals, and overall sunny disposition. They wrap things up nice and succinct with a cool, slow-down finish. Check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.
Germany-based Shelter Boy is onto something – we dig the delightfully carefree vibes we’re getting from his latest, “Let ’em Go.” Featuring a delivery that is reminiscent of King Krule with the swimmy, guitar-driven indie pop of TOPS and the nihilist energy of Mac Demarco, “Let ’em Go” is the kind of song that explores noodly guitar antics while staying rooted in pleasant song structure. Check out the vid below and let yourself zen out.
Every now and again, an acoustic ballad will come out of left-field and rub us just the right way – this time around, it’s “Miserable” by Australian singer/songwriter Alexander Biggs. His stark and honest vocals are soaked in reverb – they lay beautifully atop his orchestral acoustic pop. fans of Sufjan Stevens, Elliot Smith, or Conor Oberst will definitely find solace in this one. Best of all, it comes complete with a charming, ghost-themed music video. Be sure to check it out below.
We’re digging the dreamy pop sound from Brooklyn solo-act Dominic Sen. Check out the handheld-VHS aesthetic of her latest video for “Natural History.” Between the kitschy retro feels and vaguely romantic lyrics about gift shops and museums, we think this one will make a great addition to your chill-out playlist. Fans of Porches, Jay Som, or Braids will surely dig this one – get your fix via YouTube below.
Blood Capsules paint a vivid picture here on “She Did a Lot of Acid” – the band mixes swirling and squelching guitar noise with creepy organ flourishes and a frantic tempo drum beat. The urgent instrumentals this sextet craft help to set a backdrop for the morose lyrical story of a girl who did a few too many hits of LSD… We think this one is all-encompassing – check it out via Bandcamp below. Calico EP by Blood Capsules
We’re digging the icy sparse vibes of “Apprehension” by California solo act Foliage. This one carries a bit of emotional weight – struggling with the state of one’s mind being in a constant state of worry, among other things. But beyond the stark lyrical confessions, this one has a curiously catchy guitar part coupled with other-worldy vocals. Check it out via Bandcamp below. Take by ❀ Foliage ❀
Math rock band False Pockets has emerged onto the Rochester music scene with its debut, self-titled EP. False Pockets is a creative effort with a layered sound that blends math rock, post-rock, indie, and a dash of prog. The time signatures on the EP are varied enough to satisfy the mathiest of math enthusiasts, but the approach is gentle; even the uninitiated can enjoy every track, each having an interesting yet digestible structure. With charming titles resembling inside jokes and a sparing use of vocals, the EP relies on its instrumentation to tell a story. Each element is crucial, and each member of the band is indispensable to the overall sound. The reverberating guitars are somehow crunchy, clean, and ethereal all at once, the bass is both fuzzy and powerful, and the attacking drums seamlessly guide the songs throughout their varying times and tempos. When the vocals do come, they’re[...]
BDRMM are a self-described ugly pop band whose “Shame” caught our attention. This single from their debut is super promising, boasting an icy, post-punk aesthetic accented by twinkly guitar leads and aloof vocals. Fans of DIIV, Interpol, or Turnover will find common ground here – we love the chill-out spell that this one puts us under. Check it out via YouTube below.
Synthpop duo Magdalena Bay are no strangers to buffaBLOG – we’ve posted several of their songs in the past. They return with more pop excellence with their latest, “Good Intentions.” Airy, lilting vocals lay overtop dance-tinged, squiggly synth accents and an upbeat demeanor. This one should readily appeal to fans of Purity Ring or CHVRCHES with a touch of late 90s flavor. Check it out below.
“Closer” is the debut single from Dead Rituals, aka Italian solo-artist Andrea Caccese. Full of frantic strumming and an ear-catching slide guitar moan, “Closer” has the urgent energy of an exciting new act with the pop sentiment that usually comes with years of writing and releasing. Fans of DIIV, Oso Oso, or The Cure will dig this one – check out the charming animation of the accompanying music video below.
It’s not very often you hear post rock coming out of Western New York, let alone some serious musical landscapes that can take you on a journey from start to finish. Ever Onward, the brainchild of Colin Berardini, readies for a big 2020 with the release of his three song EP, Learning to Breathe. The EP has a very powerful motif and is extremely cohesive from top to bottom. The ambient drones and soft piano hooks act as the sonic glue which really makes this an easy listen from start to finish. The record, which is self-described by Berardini to represent the journey of a relationship from it’s very beginning through to marriage, and all the stages in between. Learning to Breathe begins with “Disposition.” This song serves as the perfect introduction as it begins with swirling synth drones and builds with guitars and keys as it finally erupts at the 2:40[...]
We think you’ll love the latest offering from legendary Omaha act, Cursive. “Barricades” is reminiscent of the lurching, turn-of-the-millenium emotion found on 2000’s Domestica, while still sounding fresh and relevant in 2019. Full of squelchy bass tones, spidery guitar lines, and Tim Kasher’s signature social-commentary-via-impassioned-howls, “Barricades” is full of discordant angst and energy… But Cursive has a way of sneaking just enough pop sentiment beneath the rickety surface of their songs to keep us coming back for more. Check it out below before you add it to your Spotify playlist.
“Lonely Michael” starts off with a cascading guitar riff – a perfect intro to this low-key indie pop jam from Alex Bayly. Perhaps it has something to do with buffaBLOG editor Michael’s lovely name… But in actuality, we really dig Bayly’s alt-folk-pop with its use of unique melodies, chord progressions, melancholy lyrics, and mid-intensity emotion. Check it out below before you add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’re digging the sparse, but moving compositions from singer/songwriter Michael Baker. We suggest starting with “Baby Books,” a simmering batch of urgent indie pop that combines swirling atmosphere with a driven bass bounce. Baker’s ethereal voice floats overtop his songs in the perfect way, covering the painful topic of mental health with a somber but soothing delivery. This one is simple, but sweet. Check out “Baby Books” below.
Kevin Scoma is a lifelong singer/songwriter who has been a vital part of the Buffalo music scene for over a decade. His latest effort comes after an unexpected spiritual awakening that inspired a newfound focus and a refreshingly simplified approach to songwriting. His debut single, “Dream in the Daytime” is a lush, acoustic-folk song layered thick with dreamy electronics and auxiliary percussion. This one is a bittersweet ode to getting lost in the unwanted thoughts that tend to swirl around your head – chronic daydreamers will dig this one for sure. Scoma’s upcoming EP, Into the Weeping Sea will be out soon – until then, be sure to add “Dream in the Daytime” to your Spotify playlist or pick it up via Bandcamp. Dream in the Daytime by Kevin Scoma