Latest Posts

Reynier – “Lukewarm (ft. KESMAR)”

March 25, 2019

Reynier, the moniker for Aussie Jordan Burns released his latest track “Lukewarm” earlier this month, combining forces with KESMAR. The track is all about feeling not into a relationship after a long time and basically just phasing out. KESMAR’s smokey vocals shine on the track. Sound wise this song has a ton of potential, drawing comparisons to Empire of the Sun, Cut Copy, or M83. “Lukewarm” is the first single off the forthcoming EP Surrender, but in the meantime check out the stream below. 

Fredonia’s Karrot Kake Releases New Single

March 22, 2019

Fredonia’s own fuzz-punk trio Karrot Kake just released their new single, “Autopilot,” via Nonexistant Records. Karrot Kake was founded when members Jon Fridmann and Kaleh Mendez-deMello were only in 5th grade. After adding Jon’s brother, Mike, Fridmann, their lineup was set, and the trio has been steadily turning out records ever since. The new single “Autopilot” features its’ fair share of swinging acoustic-guitar work, starts off with just that. Before you know it, drums and electric guitar enter, as does Mendez-deMello’s vocals, which are akin to Wayne Coyne or Jello Biafra. The simple arrangement is sure to sucker you in with an airy and approachable verse, before the band kicks it into high gear and into full-fledged folk- punk mode, where you can tell the band likes to live. The remainder of the track is full of energy, as a fury of edgy near-screaming vocals and frantic drum work keep you[...]

Covey – “Gecko”

March 18, 2019

Covey is the moniker for former UK-based multi-instrumentalist Tom Freeman. Since moving to the US in 2010, the singer/songwriter has been hard at work crafting gentle indie rock tracks, with “Gecko” being no different. “Gecko” has a sound you can get lost in, a la Wild Nothing or Beach Fossils. This is the first single from Covey’s new album, so check it out below and be on the lookout for more from the release.

Class Photo – “I’ve Been Cleaning Your Room”

March 13, 2019

Former STRFKR member Patrick Morris has debuted his new project and first single titled “I’ve Been Cleaning Your Room.” After years and years of touring with the huge indie pop act, the grind had gotten to him. With this, he left the band, relocated to his wife’s home country of Norway, and went back to basics. What emerged was a new power pop act titled Class Photo. “I’ve Been Cleaning Your Room” is a pop song about crossing boundaries and literally cleaning someone else’s room, looking through all of their trinkets and mementos. The sound is simple and infectious, a la Weezer’s early material (way before “Africa.”)The new single is released via 9AM Records. Be on the lookout for Class Photo’s debut release set for later in 2019.

The Tins Reveal New Single “Boulder Soul”

March 12, 2019

Local mainstays The Tins are back with a new single titled “Boulder Soul.” Since we’ve last checked in with the band, the trio has grown to a quartet, adding Aircraft’s Justin John Smith to the line-up. The band is constantly evolving and changing up their sound, making the project consistently interesting. “Boulder Soul” starts out with a bounce-y rhythm section a la The Cure’s “Close to Me,” adding a carefree, dancing key line. Lyrically, it’s about feeling restless and anxious and overall lost in life’s purpose – a feeling many of us can identify with. Be on the lookout for more of The Tins’ new material and their upcoming show with The Demos, The Leones, and Leyda on Friday, April 5th.

Johnny & The Man Kids Release Raucous New Single, “Before”

March 11, 2019

Buffalo lo-fi pop-rockers Johnny & The Man Kids are gearing up for a new release later this spring. In anticipation, they’ve just dropped the first single from their upcoming EP, You Made Me Hurt. “Before” is an energetic blast of overblown distortion, fleshed out with tastefully distorted vocals that sling earworm pop hooks. Fans of The Strokes, Twin Peaks, or Diarrhea Planet will find something to like here – be sure to check it out through the convenient widget below. Johnny & the Man Kids’ new EP, You Made Me Hurt, is due to be released on 4/12/19 via Admirable Traits Records.

Hazey Eyes – “Emotion (ft. Panama)”

March 9, 2019

Emotional dance producer Hazey Eyes may have struck gold with his newest collaboration with Panama, “Emotion.” Hazey Eyes is the stage-name for 22-year-old producer Thomas Michel. “Emotion” shows a complexity and vulnerability that the emerging artist has. It is moody, vulnerable, and a growing earworm, all in one. The song is the first single off of Hazey Eyes’ new album Love Lost, out now. Stream “Emotion” below and add it to your Spotify playlists.

Bruiser & Bicycle – Woods Come Find Me

March 7, 2019

Any musician knows the trials and tribulations of being in a band, perhaps no one better than the remaining two members of Albany psych-folk act Bruiser & Bicycle. Their latest album, Woods Come Find Me, is a transition of sorts. It’s a step away from their full-fledged rock band roots. They are a duo now, and they have accepted their fate as a two-piece. Sure, only having two band members certainly brings its own set of limitations… But the opportunity has come for co-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Nick Whittemore and Keegan Graziane to spread their wings – they’ve used this chance to reinvent themselves, and in doing so, explore themes of existentialism, transitional disorientation, and restless spirits. Say what you will about the current state of indie rock – but Woods Come Find Me, with all its exploration of suspended animation and arrested development, exists in a sort of time warp. Imagine it’s 2005 again –[...]

The Sunset Kids – “Fantasy”

March 5, 2019

New kids on the Vancouver dreampop scene, The Sunset Kids released their first single “Fantasy” a couple of days ago and its straight fire. The Sunset Kids is the working partnership between Canadian singer-guitarist Josh Palmer and Russian-born songwriter Ellaya Zampier. The duo’s new track has an unmistakeable epic M83 feel. Subject-wise, “Fantasy” is all about escapism, whether it be to a hobby or device, or even an intense love. Keep a lookout for the duo’s first album, Volcano, set for release this spring.

Seatbelts – “Spanish Songs”

March 4, 2019

UK indie pop act Seatbelts have a new track called “Spanish Songs” which we can’t get out of our ears. The new band is a side project from James Madden and Ryan Murphy of Liverpool quartet Hooton Tennis Club. “Spanish Songs” is the second single from the act’s new EP Please Slow Down. Lyrics-wise, the single is all about the simple life, dreaming of moving out to the country and away from the busy grind of city life. Our favorite part are the dueling bilingual vocals. Check it out below and be on the lookout for the band’s new EP.

Saltwater Sun – “Blood”

March 3, 2019

On Valentines Day, Saltwater Sun dropped their latest single “Blood,” just in time for the holiday. The band’s new track “Blood” dabbles in elements of indie pop and garage rock. Lyrically, it’s all about the loss of a relative and realizing you are their mark on the world. You are the way their legacy will continue, through their life lessons and influence. This is the first single off their forthcoming EP, The Great Deceiver, due out this April. Take a listen below and keep your ears peeled for The Great Deceiver.

Yandi – “My Name is Yandi”

March 2, 2019

Up-and-coming emcee Yandi released his introductory track “My Name is Yandi” yesterday and it’s raw sound is the soundtrack of our weekend. Yandi is a 24-year-old rapper emerging from Southern California’s rap scene. Produced by Jedi808, “My Name Is Yandi” is the first track off of Yandi’s new full-length and it highlights Yandi’s smooth flow and quick wit.  Check out the title track below or stream the full-length over on Spotify.

Jake Tittle – “Dirty Television”

February 28, 2019

LA-based singer/songwriter Jake Tittle is back with his new single “Dirty Television.” We first discovered Jake Tittle over two years ago, where his nonchalant delivery and clever lyrics were incredibly captivating. With “Dirty Telvision” Tittle continues with his slacker roots. “Dirty Television” is all about being overstimulated with smart phones and Netflix and not appreciating life in general. Delivery-wise Tittle has a mix of Connor Oberst’s more upbeat works coupled with Pedro the Lion. Check it out below.

Ghostpool & Hand Out – NYLA

February 28, 2019

A good ol’ fashioned split goes a long way; both bands get the out-of-town rub. In this case, Buffalo’s Ghostpool have teamed up with New Orleans pop-punkers Hand Out for NYLA, a four-song offering that highlights two brand new songs from each band. Hometown reps Ghostpool kick things off with “Bug,” a mid-tempo banger with the strongest of the emo elements across this EP. Both bands straddle that hard-to-define pop-punk/emo line, but “Bug’s” strong dynamic range gives it a true emotional edge. It pairs forlorn lyrics with guitars that switch from reverb-ed and forlorn to fuzzed-out. Lyrically, Ghostpool laments about being existentially annoying – a babbling nobody with a racing mind, eternally buzzing in someone else’s ear like a god damn bug. It’s a touching and sincere sentiment, even if it’s executed with huge guitars and gravel-voiced, pop-punk brattiness. “Feels Bad” (maybe a reference to the ever-memed “feelsbadman”) is another song[...]

Unwed Sailor – “Moon Coin”

February 26, 2019

In high school, I used to drive a lot of places just to escape the boredom of AOL Instant Messenger and Age of Empires II. I would download new artists on Kazaa, burn them onto a CD-R, and drive 25 minutes to a burger place three towns over just to leave the monotony of the small town I grew up in. Through this, I discovered Pedro the Lion, whose somber songs about divorce and existentialism oddly connected with me as a junior in high school. Enter Unwed Sailor, a band who was heavily featured on my burger journeys/Salvation Army trips.  Unwed Sailor is the moniker for multi-instrumentalist and former Pedro the Lion member, Johnathan Ford. After laying low for the past ten plus years, the post-rock band has returned with a new single off their forthcoming album Heavy Age.  The single “Moon Coin” is atmospheric and frantic at times, but all[...]