Netherlands artist Jo Marches has certainly become a buffaBLOG favorite over the past few years. Yet again, we’re taken with her latest offering, “Monsters.” Wielding an effervescent bass line and layered thick with lush synth work, “Monsters” is Marches at her finest. Marches has a unique way to inject dark vibes into her otherwise lively synth-pop – click play on the widget below and have a listen for yourself. Jo is on Spotify – add her to your library.
We really dig the debut single from LA-based drummer Baby Bulldog (aka Steph Barker). Having cut her teeth playing with Coast Modern, Kate Nash, and Your Smith, the kitschy “I Rly Rly Like U” is the first time Bulldog has struck out on her own. If you’re looking for a light-hearted bedroom-pop joint with tongue-and-cheek lyrics, you’ve come to the right place. Put this one on and enjoy the lighthearted vibes. Put a smile on your face? Don’t forget to add it to your Spotify playlist.
Heavy indie-pop act CREO appeared mysteriously in our inbox with their thunderous and noisy new single, “In The Red.” CREO is a Sydney-based quartet that create bombastic guitar-based anthems, bolstered by a gigantic rhythm section and hard-pop sensibilities. “In the Red” would be right at home on your local alt station. Fans of Young The Giant, Mute Math, or Manchester Orchestra will dig this. Be sure to give CREO some love on Spotify.
Zamaera hit us up with an incredibly vulnerable song, the introspective “Z vs Z.” Acting as a letter penned to her younger self, “Z vs Z” finds the Malaysian rapper warming up to a beautiful orchestra before snapping into something a little more badass. After securing over a million views for her appearance on MTV Asia’s Yo! MTV Raps Cypher, we think Zamaera is worth keeping an eye on – check out the classy black and white music vid below. “Z vs Z” is on Spotify. Get on it.
Bay Area quartet Same Girls likes to keep things fresh, especially evident on their latest single, “Young Minded.” Pairing a talk-speak vocal approach (think Tokyo Police Club, Bombay Bicycle Club, etc.) with discordant indie-pop guitar lines, “Young Minded” is an eccentric ditty that brings a new approach to a well-established genre. There are some lovely harmonies and lyrics here – be sure to check it out below. Be sure to visit the Same Girls Spotify page to add some new jams to your playlist.
Seemingly, the biggest outlier on Red Heat’s new album, Dark Days, is the song “Yojimbo.” Most of the songs on the album are very literal and highly political, but “Yojimbo” is a relatively direct recounting of the movie of the same name. In their fierce, subtly technical punk vernacular, Red Heat recounts the story of a masterless samurai who stumbles into a village ravaged by violence and reluctantly saves it from itself. Except, look at the lyrics: “The bodyguard is trying to kill you, Better get your wallet out. This town is a graveyard now, The cooper’s all sold out. The old mayor plays his prayer drum, While the new mayor’s selling silk, ‘Til they burn the silk house down and put a sword in his gut.” What’s missing here? The hero. There’s no change, no action, no resolution. The agent of change has been excised. “Yojimbo” has been reduced[...]
Norwegian singer Tuvaband (aka Tuva Hellum Marschhäuser) surprised us with the thoughtful metaphor in her video for “Wolfpack.” Pairing nicely with her introspective and existential approach to pop music, Tuvaband finds herself wandering around wearing a large papier-mâché mask. She sheds it at the end of the video in an act of joyous rebellion. Check this out if you’re into The Antlers, Bon Iver, or Lana Del Rey.
Experimental-pop solo-act Airhead DC teamed up with members from Cherry Glazerr for his latest offering, the interestingly-named “Honey-Colored Flame Blown Off My Candle.” The song explores the manic infatuation he (aka Vishal Narang) felt during the first year of a romantic relationship. We dig the overall ethereal vibes and smart pop melodies on this one. His latest release, Crush Hi, is set for an October 26th release date – till then, get your fill with “Honey” below. Airhead DC is also on Bandcamp if you’d like to pick up any of their discography.
Curtsy is a lovely indie rock quintet from California. We loved the lush aesthetic of their latest single, “A Better Pet,” which has also just recently received the music video treatment. In the video, two fun-loving ladies hitch a ride on a stranger’s truck in a night of unbridled debauchery. Curtsy’s wistful indie pop is the perfect accompaniment to their mirth. Be sure to watch the video below to see for yourself. “A Better Pet” is live on Bandcamp. Be sure to check it out.
Alt. pop artist Jong SL is back this year with promising new material. The Toronto via Buffalo singer-songwriter is following up his 2017 EP Ice Cream with a new single, “Driving Away,” foreshadowing an upcoming full length project. Known for his cross-genre blending, the track is Jong’s most fine-tuned and musically diverse release to date. The once light and bouncy air of Jong’s music is now treated with a heavier shade. His previous sound of coffee shop pop meets blue-eyed soul is amplified here with darker and more ambient elements. The tune itself floats through different phases, borrowing from both alt. rock and contemporary R&B, and pairs acoustic guitars with electric ones, and ethereal synth embellishments with a tight modern R&B groove. Even from a lyrically standpoint, “Driving Away” moves in a more melancholic direction, hinting at what is to come from Jong in the future. In regards to the[...]
Buffalo three-piece Nylon Otters are back with a double dose of indie rock goodness. Their dual release of “Pollenblonde” and “Loose Ends” are comparable to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in their volatility. The former is postured with a lazily hypnotic rock beat and mumbly, apathetic vocals while the latter is boisterous and crass with drunken outbursts of raspy hollering. What both have in common however is their catchiness and the ability to crawl inside your head and hang out for a few hours. Do yourself a favor and give these rocking Siamese tracks a listen below. For more Nylon Otters, check them out on bandcamp or check out their show this Friday at Mr. Goodbar. Pollenblonde by Nylon Otters
The multi-talented San Holo (not to be confused with Star Wars alum Han Solo) teamed up with fellow producer Bipolar Sunshine to release the infectious “Brighter Days.” It has the sunny message that despite the trials and hardships that comes along with being alive, better days are always on the horizon. Fun fact: Holo and Sunshine met up in an airbnb and tracked most of the song in one session. Check out their shared virtuosity below. San Holo has lots of different listening options – check them out here.
Toronto duo Teen Ravine have a hot new single on their hands with their latest jam, “Friend of a Friend.” Inspired by a soul-crushing break up and a debilitating concussion respectively, Teen Ravine pooled their collective misery to create their debut LP, released this past August. We were drawn to “Friend of a Friend” by its ethereal pop vibes – pairing electric piano with tight 80’s drum and synth tones. Their entire debut is currently on Spotify – check it out.
Feel good vibraphone heroes Welks Mice dropped a new single “Your Heart is the Purple Sage” that, in true Welks form, is virtually indescribable yet deeply affecting. Maybe it’s the naked, searching purity of Max Weiss’s vocals and the distinct sense that’s he singing TO YOU or his poetic and philosophical lyrics that come at you fast and insistent; maybe it’s the Andre Welks vibraphone that seem to gradually harmonize with your soul, or the intimate immediacy of the lo-fi production. In any case “Your Heart is the Purple Sage” is a refreshingly cathartic balm for the soul that feels just right, and it’s definitely worth a listen. Your Heart is the Purple Sage by Welks Mice
The UK’s indie punk rising stars, Fresh, give apathy a monochromatic face in the video for their recent single “Nighttime.” The Londoners playfully exude their situational angst, traipsing around the woods in a strictly all-black dress code. Lyrically, the track touches on deep-rooted insecurities and thoughts, giving a voice to that negativity while whittling it away. It’s a jumpstart of distortion, drive, and distress, utilizing powerful vocals, measured percussion, and smoggy guitar lines to hammer their message home. If you’re lucky, you caught the band on one of their recent tours with Camp Cope, Caves, Me Rex, and other DIY punk outfits throughout the UK. Find this, along with the track’s B side “Daytime” and other releases here.