Zambia-born, UK-based artist Laxcity caught our attention with the smooth electronic pulse of “Focus.” A velvety vocal from Nakala lays perfectly on top of Laxcity’s r&b tinged electropop. Stick around for the drop in this song, where Laxcity chooses an ever-so-slightly off kilter stuttering rhythm, sure to please even the most nuanced of ears. Check it out below.
Here’s a juicy synthpop morsel to sink your teeth into – we think Low Island are crushing it on the unique, but irresistible “Search Box.” Between the kitschy, left-field lyrics and the ear-catching chorus, we think “Search Box” will intrigue you greatly. Half existential and half irreverent, this one is worth a listen just to make you question your perception of reality. Check it out below.
We think you’ll dig Villa Coola‘s latest ode to lost love, “Tru Luv Magazine.” This one pairs a booming electronic drumbeat with razor sharp vocal hooks and chill bedroom-pop vibes. Simple and catchy – fans of early Death Cab, Say Hi, or Weezer will definitely dig “Tru Luv.” Check it out on Bandcamp below or add it to your Spotify playlist. RIILL by VILLA COOLA
Canadian singer/songwriter Peter Mol caught our attention with the ultra-chill indie electro of “Blur.” Mol’s distinct baritone vocals deliver melancholy lyrics over muffled drums and droning keyboards. It’s sultry, smooth, soothing, and sad all at once – we especially like when it opens up around 2:50. Check it out via the widget below and give Peter some love.
We’re digging this kitschy video from indie electro solo act DEYO. “Digital” has everything you’d look for in a fun-loving, campy vid – impassioned dancing, children’s rides, floppy disks, and an overall 80s vibe. Beyond that, “Digital” is a catchy indie pop jam full of sexy lyrics and nu-disco-tinged guitars and basses. Watch the video below.
We’ve been jamming to this soulful house track by Swedish producer Rasmus Faber. Featuring a tasteful vocal from Magic Woman, “Animal” is the perfect compliment to a chill summer day, fleshed out with a casual marimba and a shuffling electronic beat. Fans of Sylvan Esso or Phantogram will dig this one – check it out below.
Buffalo label Steak & Cake Records is back with another summer single and video by pop act Kelli Bobbi. “July Rush,” directed by Brandon Schlia and starring singer Jazmine Frazier, epitomizes the youthful defiance of summer days and nights. Kelli Bobbi embodies 1980s revival. The name alone sounds like it belongs to an ‘80s pop icon, and the video for “July Rush” serves some fashion nostalgia with oversized jackets, bright high-waisted shorts, crew socks, smoky purple eyeshadow, neon shades, and denim – though you’d probably see these styles walking around the city right here in summer 2019. This then-meets-now aesthetic also comes through in the music, and it’s infectiously fun. The track has an instant, understated catchiness from the beginning; synth, a simple drum beat, and Frazier’s breezy vocals evoke the timeless feelings of optimism and excitement that come when the summer really starts to get going every year. The[...]
Mysterious Brooklyn chillwave artist DJ ST THOMAS caught our attention with his equally mysterious debut jam, “Fodder.” Pairing funk and electronica vibes with distant vocals seems to be working out well for ST THOMAS – we’re excited to hear more when he comes out with his full EP in October. Till then, bide your time with “Fodder,” embedded below.
Arche is a French pop act whose “My Only” caught our eye. The video is full of kitschy, 90s-esque windbreaker vibes (despite what otherwise seems to be a youthful group of musicians). Beyond their music video’s impeccable aesthetic, “My Only” is a super cool pop track – full of far-off vocals and wild synthscapes you’ll have to just hear for yourself. Give it a watch below.
“September Second” is an interesting song – dancy like an 80s pop song but delicate and morose a la reverb-drenched indie rock. Either way – we’re digging the sounds coming out of Brooklyn’s Plastic Picnic. By pairing vintage synth twinkles and jangly guitars with a warm and fuzzy mix, we think PP has created something truly special here. Check it out below.
“So Real” is so, so good. On “So Real,” The Young Punx have crafted a bumping house tune with sincere, retro flair. Live strings and real grand piano truly bring this one to life, not to mention the soulful vocals from Sharlene Hector. This one could be already be a standard if it was a 70s disco smash, but it also sounds fresh and contemporary with true house pizzazz. Check it out via the widget below.
Japanincolor is the solo project from Hundred Plus Club bassist Rafi Bloomberg. Daydreams is a simple, four-song EP that finds the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist Bloomberg flexing his songwriter muscles via interesting collaborations with other Buffalo-based musicians. Intro track “The Theme” is a piano composition by Zekeriya Spoth. Bloomberg seems to revel in collaborations with other artists, using his own knowledge of music theory and musicianship to bolster their contributions. “The Theme” is short but sweet, a beautiful way to start this EP. Song two is “High Shelf,” which features vocals from Carmen & Lizzy’s Carmen O’Keefe. This might be the stand out track on the EP – O’Keefe’s vocals ride perfectly atop Bloomberg’s instrumentals, fleshed out tastefully with lush harmonies, jangly guitars, and a simple guitar solo. If you’ve ever seen Bloomberg perform live, you know how insanely talented he is… The simplicity of Daydreams points to how reserved he can be, resisting the temptation to fill these songs[...]
Mother Nature’s daughters have come down from the clouds with an album of tender and heartfelt songs. Buffalo’s Carmen & Lizzy, cousins who grew up together singing and playing music have released their third effort in three years, 2019’s Climate. An introspective album about their past, present, and future, Climate polishes elements of folk to tackle an ever pressing dilemma: Our Environment. “Carry You,” a short lead off track, gently stirs the album to life with thick and warm acoustic pickings from Carmen, guitar and vocals. The message directly employs pathos with Lizzy, vocals, reassuring that the subject will always have an aid. Bridging seamlessly into the second song, “Shelter,” the album continues its message of protecting the most vulnerable. Lizzy and Carmen highlight their harmonious beauty throughout the entire track, which bolsters the compassionate lyrics, “Even if you want to hide/I’ll shelter you.” Pulling from their bag of magic,[...]
Crunchy, sweaty, rock-n-roll that should be played to summon demigods or while making sweet love under the desert sun has landed in Buffalo. The Crook brothers, John and Harrison, formed the rock duo Ugly Sun and have showed us the portal to a good time with the release of their first album, self-titled, Ugly Sun. The tone of the album begins at the cover. A desert sun setting behind mountains, spends its last few minutes shining down on a group of presumably nude females. If one downloads their album from Spotify, the figures will be blurred. However, I am hard pressed to believe that the brothers made that decision themselves, since their attitudes align with consistently pushing their creative boundaries. “Little Fire,” the album’s first song, and first released track, begins with an airy guitar melody that steadily builds until it combusts into a full on arena rock guitar lick[...]
We think you should check out Anoraak’s latest remix – His latest is for Portugal sensation Pongo on her song “Quero Mais.” Anoraak went with a funky instrumental take, full of nu-disco vibes and distant, siren synths. This one was made for a thumping, throbbing, high-intensity night at the club, perfect for your next DJ set. Get acquainted below and be sure to check out both Pongo and the fantastic label, Kitsune.