Latest Posts

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

RYMO Releases Folksy Debut LP, Pinko Punk

October 10, 2018

Acoustic singer/songwriter RYMO (aka Ryan Morris) wears the DIY badge of honor proudly. Having grown up learning the spectrum of musical performance and production, Morris has now settled down in his native Nashville studio, ready to hit the ground running. Pinko Punk is the first full release from this TN wunderkind, a nine-song lesson in dynamics and delicateness, peppered with a few obscenities for good measure. LP opener “Sideways” is a lovely introduction to RYMO’s gentle acoustic folk. Laced with a plunking water-droplet-synth, the song slowly crescendos until it is fleshed out with the most dynamically appropriate of drumbeats. Perhaps most notable in this otherwise lighthearted-sounding song is RYMO’s choice of chorus – “Well, fuck me sideways…” It’s a unique (but very satisfying) juxtaposition of soft acoustic folk and foul-mouthed poetry. Despite the nautical theme, “3 Day Cruise” trades water-droplets for airy synth pads. Songs like “Cruise” and track two, “When She Leaves”[...]

Carpool – I Think Everyone’s A Cop

October 8, 2018

Rochester quartet Carpool combine the urgency and emotion of emo with the washy bliss of shoegaze. With reference-a-many to smoking, sex, and wearing your heart on your sleeve, their debut LP I Think Everyone’s A Cop perfectly captures a moment in time. It’s a seven-song offering full of strong songwriting and even stronger emotions; see below. Opening track “Cigarette Cough” opens with a short skit before launching into a sloshy, mid-tempo rhythm. Carpool doesn’t skimp on the emo; their songs are certainly full of heartfelt vocals layered over guitar-driven skeletons about love and cigarettes. What really sets this particular group apart is their tasteful use of effects. Guitars are laden with swirls, noisy fuzz tones, and echo-chamber reverb tanks. Sidenote: I think these guys really like cigarettes. Track two, “Another Song About Rachel,” has a surprisingly straightforward fuzz chorus about making love to your s/o and listening to Morrissey. Moments like this particular chorus[...]

Indoor Cats – “Bloodshot”

October 5, 2018

Chapel Hill quartet Indoor Cats hit us up with the 10th track from their self-titled debut LP; it’s a guitar pop track with hints of FIDLAR, Beach Slang, and Guided By Voices worked in. In its own right, “Bloodshot” is a succinct, pop-minded jam that finds the Indoor Cats experimenting with quick tempos, reverbed-out vocals, and jangly guitar tones. Be sure to give it a listen below. Swing over to Bandcamp where you can pick up a cassette or digital dl from the Cats. Indoor Cats by Indoor Cats