Latest Posts

The Six Sevens – “San Francisco”

October 25, 2018

Santa Barbara slacker rock outfit The Six Sevens hit the nail on the head of the quarter life crisis in their single “San Francisco.” The quintet’s jangly guitar lines and bleary drum fills help paint the picture of parental disappointment and being young, broke, and restless. With that grungy and wholesome sound that conjures comparisons to The Front Bottoms or Sorority Noise, there’s a down to earth relatability to this track that will have you hitting replay time and time again. “San Francisco” is fresh off The Six Seven’s latest album, Watch Your Head. Get the full picture with this album and more on the band’s bandcamp page.

Bengal Lancers – “Memory Loss”

October 24, 2018

Indie rock four-piece Bengal Lancers contribute to a vital dialogue in their latest single, “Memory Loss.” The band mulls over the impact of mental health on oneself and others from a stance that’s both earnest and relatable. The listening experience itself is cathartic, letting go of past frustrations and anxieties by way of running guitar lines, potent vocals, and dynamic drum work. This approach to an oftentimes sensitive topic is exactly the kind of understanding and accessibility that’s needed to move society in the right direction. Find similarly impactful themes in Bengal Lancer’s other work here.

Erostratus – “No Show”

October 24, 2018

New York City trio Erostratus take a page out of the psych-rock book in their track “No Show.” Frontman Ben Workman takes an aerial-view look at his experiences and personal connections, piecing them together with clear-cut imagery and anecdotes. The song’s structure takes on a similarly piecemeal feel, connecting disjointed time signatures with modulating keys in a heavy fog of distortion. Its ever-evolving sound allows for an engaging listening experience from start to finish. If “No Show” is right up your alley, stay tuned for Erostratus’ debut album, which promises similarly introspective themes set to a dimly lit New York City backdrop.

Adeline Hotel – “Lightning”

October 24, 2018

The homespun, jangly wonders of Adeline Hotel are certainly not lost on their latest single, “Lightning.” Dan Knishkowy and Co turn up the rugged side of their sound, ruled by spiraling guitar lines, tinny percussion, and a light haze of distortion to smooth it all over. This track is a step away from the projects broodier songs, letting instrumentation shine while the vocals act as the glue that fits everything together seamlessly. It has a homey feel  to it that immediately puts the listener at ease. Luckily, there’s opportunity for more where that came from on the band’s upcoming album Away Together, set for release October 26. Countdown the days with “Lightning” below.

TOLEDO – “Hot Stuff”

October 22, 2018

Indie rock duo TOLEDO draw up a creamy, dreamy hit with their latest single, “Hot Stuff.” Their combination of bubbling electronica, meandering guitar lines, and lofty falsetto provides the all makings for a sunny fall soundtrack. The band broods over the passage of time and the inevitability of change in a way that keeps their lighthearted disposition in tact. With a sound that hits somewhere between Day Wave and The Shins, there’s an addictive quality to this track that seems to boil down to some good old fashioned ascending melodies and engaging instrumentals. “Hot Stuff” comes to us as the prelude to TOLEDO’s upcoming debut EP, due out February 2019. Until then, catch more from the duo here.

Mantell – “Lulu”

October 22, 2018

Melbourne, Australia foursome Mantell grind out some gritty surf rock with the leading track off their recently released EP, “Lulu.” This song takes the breeziness and serenity that we’ve come to expect from coastal-region bands and cranks it up a few industrial notches. The lead-foot distortion, methodic guitar strains, buzzing synths, and unrelenting drum work hammer their point home, urging us to grab hold of our youth while it’s still within reach. A complete DIY project between four long-time friends makes the sound all the more sweet, earning the band well-won radio play and packed gigs at Melbourne’s best and brightest. If “Lulu” has you hooked, be sure to check out the rest of Mantell’s EP Thirty Two here.

Tella Viv – “Bang Boom Crash”

October 17, 2018

Swedish indie rockers Tella Viv are sure to astound you with the explosive, borderline psychedelia of “Bang Boom Crash.” Boasting a huge bass riff, swirling guitars, and bombastic vocals, “Bang Boom Crash” certainly lives up to its onomatopoeic name. About the song, the band states: “[‘Bang Boom Crash’ represents a] materialized world where somebody realizes one’s coffin is the ultimate show off piece.” Morbid, but we def dig it. Check it out below. There are lots of different ways to enjoy “Bang Boom Crash” – check them out here.

Francis – “Wild Heart”

October 17, 2018

Swedish act Francis has released a handful of outstanding standalone singles since the release of their acclaimed debut album Marathon (co-produced by acclaimed French producer Nicolas Vernhes of Daughter, The War on Drugs, and Animal Collective fame). We also recommend “Wild Heart,” a self-produced (but equally delightful) indie rocker about that inexplicable wild child that exists in your chest cavity. Check it out below. “Wild Heart” is out now via Swedish record label Strangers Candy.

Modern Color – “Jacaranda”

October 16, 2018

Melodic SoCal quartet Modern Color have come out swinging with their latest offering, “Jacaranda.” Throughout the song a frantic tempo fades into a downswing, utilizing overdriven guitars and echo-soaked vocals all the while. Modern Color certainly blurs genre lines, but fans of Prawn, Deafheaven, or At the Drive In would all find something to like in this song. Keep up with Modern Color on Instagram. Portuguese Bend 7″ by Modern Color

Yacht Punk – “Need a Reason”

October 15, 2018

Inspired (at least partially) by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, (and also by Queens of the Stone Age, Foals, and HEALTH), “Need a Reason” by Yacht Punk is one of our most recent obsessions. Pairing frantic guitars with a throaty, chorus-laden bass tone, “Need a Reason” was crafted to sound like “the feeling of floating through space uncontrollably.” As with any other song, this one is best experienced for yourself – check it out via the widget below. Be sure to add “Need a Reason” to your Spotify playlist.

Pizzagirl – “Gymnasium”

October 15, 2018

Pizzagirl is no stranger to the blog – in fact, we’ve covered his songs thrice already. This time around, we’re lauding the fantastic “Gymnasium.” Full of pan flute samples and 80s-inspired drum machine percussion, Pizzagirl channels the late 2010s aesthetic of Porches or Clairo with the 80s pop sentiment of Phil Collins. Peep it for yourself below. Check out all the fresh merch Pizzagirl has to offer here.

Darryl Rahn – “Reason to Run”

October 15, 2018

Utica-born, Brooklyn-based Darryl Rahn sent us over the breathtaking folk of “Reason to Run” and we knew we had to share. Pairing a warm acoustic guitar with his soothing tenor vocals, “Reason to Run” continues Darryl’s trend of releasing solid material (having released three full-length albums independently). If you’re looking for the soundtrack to a peaceful fall day, you’ve found it – check it out below. Learn more about Darryl here.

Doctors – “Slip”

October 15, 2018

Doctors are a fairly mysterious indie pop act from New Orleans. We think you should check out their latest music video, the vintage-looking home footage compilation that makes up the cinematography for “Slip.” Beyond the video treatment, “Slip” is an upbeat, shoegaze-inspired jam full of washy guitars and echo-chamber vocals. Fans of Slowdive, Pity Sex, or The Depreciation Guild will dig this one. Give Doctors a follow on their IG.

Anamon Drops Album, New Single “In 3”

October 11, 2018

Most rock songs are written with a particular, predictable pattern in mind – a rise and a fall, a bob and a weave. “In 3,” the new single from Rochester’s Anamon, is more like 5 quick punches to head – unorthodox, but effective. “It’s not real,” croons vocalist Ana Emily over chimey guitars and a headbobbing beat as the song begins. It’s a straightforward enough beginning, but before a minute and a half is up, the song has gone through three total changes already, settling on a shifting dance-rock groove which Monaco looms over, threatening “I’ll send you back to hell, boy/Don’t even try to test me.” By the end, “In 3” has erupted into near-total chaos, with a screaming saxophone ditching melody for noise as the whole band turns up. You’ll be wondering how you got there after three minutes and forty-seven seconds; give the song a few more[...]

Lunar Landscape – “Les Nuits Célestes”

October 11, 2018

French act Lunar Landscape effortlessly transverses the worlds of classical piano and shoegaze-inspired indie rock. We’d like to direct your attention to the penultimate track, “Les Nuits Célestes,” a five-minute instrumental epic full of echoing guitars and an in-the-pocket rhythm section. Fans of Minus the Bear, Explosions in the Sky, or Russian Circles will enjoy this one. The infinite pleasure of being is available via Bandcamp. Check it out. The infinite pleasure of being by Lunar Landscape