Latest Posts

Old Fame – s/t

January 21, 2019

Based out Rochester, Old Fame is a new band formed by veteran local musicians Ben Armes (guitar/vocals), Evan Clark (guitar), Jay Asarese (bass), and Doug Kelley (drums).  This four-piece band is bound to catch the attention of many following the release of their self-titled EP on January 7th. Upon initial listen, Old Fame draws comparison to Coheed and Cambria, mainly in vocals and narrative.  Comparatively, “Blue Savage” sounds closest to a Coheed track.  The instrumentals and vocal melodies in this track are similar to those in Coheed’s early works.  However, the two groups are distinctly different.  Building on such an influence, Old Fame crafts their own sound within the genre with this debut EP. Old Fame delivers intensity through methodical guitar riffs in a tone that captures one’s attention.  While brighter on most tracks, the tone has an underlying sense of eeriness between beautifully crafted solos.  It adds a subtle element of drama, driving[...]

Sunnbrella – “Nick Hornby”

January 19, 2019

Sunnbrella delighted out inbox with their new music video for their latest single “Nick Hornby.” With a driving drumbeat, the shoegaze act’s new jam is sprinkled with melancholy. The video, directed by Filippo Locatelli, takes place mid-makeover, with lyrics all about trying to figure life out/growing as an individual. Check the video out below and try not to move. I dare you.

General Crush – “Big Man”

January 15, 2019

General Crush, aka the brainchild of songwriter/producer Ray Ward, delivered a true gem into our inbox with his live session recording of “Big Man.” Based out of Boston, the one-man-band released a live set recording of his track “Big Man,” which shows similar shades to Pedro the Lion or Say Hi. The lyrics are delivered incredible sullen from Ward, with lyrics about a big man taking someone down. I’m sure there are some more buried themes within this, but that’s what we are gathering after an afternoon jamming to this. Check it out.

Highschool Jacob – “Can’t Get Enough”

January 15, 2019

Highschool Jacob’s latest track “Can’t Get Enough” starts out slowly accentuated by meek vocals, but don’t let that fool you. This single turns into the perfect smokey dance party track early on. At :45 on this electropop track, it goes down with an almost Daft Punk / Boys Noize feel. Get lost in the French disco vibes on this one, as it’s super easy to put on repeat.

Dream Talk – “Get Out”

January 14, 2019

Last month, Dream Talk delivered a funk-y single called “Get Out” that has become quite the earworm. Fans of Joywave, Penguin Prison, or MGMT would be a fan of this nu-pop anthem. It’s super accessible with the driving rhythm section and dancing synths, check it out below.

Ian McCuen – Seasons Fleeting

January 14, 2019

Ian McCuen is a self-proclaimed “purveyor of sorrow,” and now may be a better time than ever to introduce his latest offering. For the depressed and the downtrodden, his somber, three-song EP, Seasons Fleeting, is here to queue in the bleak January blues. What better accompaniment to the false optimism of new year resolutions and the passing of the insincere holiday cheer than McCuen’s acoustic-guitar driven laments about the recently passed “most wonderful time of the year.” Title-track “Seasons Fleeting” is a sleigh-bell tinged ditty about the paradoxical nature of the holidays. Opening line “the tree is covered in twinkling lights” is imagery that directly opposes McCuen’s choice of album cover – a garbage can in a dingy kitchen, wrapped in cheap Christmas lights. Through vibes reminiscent of Bon Iver and Elliot Smith, McCuen gently strums his acoustic guitar and delicately shakes his sleigh bells to describe his hatred of the fleeting seasons. Christmas time[...]

Møme – “Sunday”

January 12, 2019

in December, French producer Møme dropped his latest single “Sunday,” and it iss ideal for a smokey dance floor at about two in the morning. Featuring LA’s Goldwash, it’s easy to get lost in this hazy nu-disco track. Fans of Hot Chip or Royksopp would be keen on this track. The single is from the musician’s new album Møment II, out now via Casablanca Records. Check out the single below, it’s a good one.

Ambein Sloth – “So Long Ago”

January 11, 2019

Ambein Sloth’s driving new single “So Long Ago” is about losing someone but not even knowing if you care.  The project is a concept whirled up by Chicago-based musician and a cartoonist with an affinity for making sloth-based comics. The single seems to be the first for the partnership, but being able to pack this hard of a punch on their first release, I’m sure we will be hearing more from the young project.

Purest – “Waste My Days”

January 10, 2019

Sheffield shoegazers Purest released the title track of their new EP Waste My Days in the end of 2018, but that’s not stopping us from looping it on repeat. The band’s 2018 was quite the whirlwind, performing a slew of dates all summer which included opening slots for Echo and the Bunnymen and The Libertines. “Waste My Days” is the culmination of the band’s efforts for the past year. The track is all about making your way and finding your own in the world. Check it out below.

Pure Mids – “Don’t Quit”

January 8, 2019

Southern California’s Pure Mids are a band we always come back to. They make it awfully hard to quit with their accessible indie pop bangers that seem to land every quarter. Combine a driving beat, 80s synths, with a pleasant bounce and you have their newest single “Don’t Quit.” Pure Mids have the ability to land an earworm almost effortlessly (although I’m sure there is a LOT of effort behind this). Check out “Don’t Quit” below and be on the lookout for more material from the trio, as I’m sure that we will be covering them again.

Noble Kids – “Jaws”

January 8, 2019

Brooklyn-based indie rock act Noble Kids released their new single “Jaws” last month and it might be our first 2019 obsession. “Jaws” is all about staying in a relationship for way too long in order suck that tiny bit of good feelings even though its surrounded by toxicity.  The single is off their forthcoming album Messy Pretty, out February 22, via Rain Hat Records. Have a taste below.

Therapy Dog – “Spilling Milk”

January 7, 2019

Aussie one-man band Therapy Dog released a jangly single in early December called “Spilled Milk.” The song has biting self-reflective lyrics where project head honcho Joshua Hicks channels his inner Robert Smith. “Spilled Milk” is the lead single off Spilling Milk and Getting Ants, which was self-released last month on bandcamp. Stream the single below and be on the lookout for future material heading into 2019. Spilling Milk and Getting Ants by Therapy Dog

Raining Again – “Oh, Bother!”

January 7, 2019

Formed as the reincarcate of UK indie pop act, Marines, Raining Again released their new single “Oh, Bother!” at the tail end of 2018. The single starts with an accessible sing along melody, leading into a growly verse about growing up. “I’m going to break my friends proud, and I’ll run this town, and I will be someone that you talk about,” growls the lead singer in an early 2000s emo styling a la Hey Mercedes or Brand New. It’s a keeper for your January 2019 playlists. Check it out below.    

ERINA – “Nastiness Of The Wait”

January 5, 2019

ERINA hit another one out of the park with their penchant for soulful indie rock in “Nastiness Of The Wait.” The Olympia, Washington natives combine jazz-inspired croons with animated guitar pairings, making for an uplifting sound that’s hard to get enough of. The track’s message doesn’t stray far from this theme, speaking on self-actualization and fulfillment. This is the concluding track off the band’s latest album Birdie, featuring 10 other tracks of buoyant rock goodness. Catch up with the remainder of ERINA’s sophomore album here.

The Faded North – “Security”

January 5, 2019

The Faded North take on the next leg of their sonic journey with their single “Security.” The band’s mix of Brit rock, post-punk, and alternative align similarly with the likes of Interpol, The Vaccines, and Foals. The video for this track pictures vintage film compilations in what appears to be a raw commentary on today’s political climate, masked as a tourism ad. The three-piece has since traded in their UK residency for their current home base in Vienna, and this theme of relocation deeply wound into the video’s essence. Take in the full experience below, and find the band’s recent EP What Did I Miss? here.