Latest Posts

Dagny – “I Love You Like That”

November 3, 2017

Following her ode to liberation “Wearing Nothing,” Dagny’s “I Love You Like That” possesses the universal pop appeal and structure of what should be a surefire smash hit. “I Love You Like That” starts with a light instrumental touch and reserved vocals, which meets a series of handclaps and rising intensity until the chorus breaks the Norwegian songstress completely out of her shell. The repetition of the root words “I love you” serve to foreseeably mesmerize the listener enough to prompt some uncontrollable finger snapping, foot tapping and the like. The pulsing beat present thereafter propels the song to the status of being an even greater earworm; the same goes for the minimalized part two-thirds of the way in, which transitions back into the final chorus seamlessly. In the vein of artists like Robyn or fellow Norway native Annie, Dagny shows her capability to rework the potential of ‘80s-sounding punches[...]

Darryl Rahn – “Still In Luv”

November 3, 2017

Darryl Rahn’s Newlywed Records debut “Still In Luv,” is a three-minute slice of perfect indie pop, raises the momentum of the up-and-coming singer-songwriter, a New York City-bred artist acclaimed by alternative rock band Guster and discerned favorably by college radio stations statewide. Carried by a thumping bassline and impassioned vocals, “Still in Luv” welcomes in splashes of guitar—both acoustic and fuzzed-out—as well as trickling piano lines. Though the dispirited lyrics cleverly reevaluate the memories experienced alongside someone still entrenched in love (or “luv,” rather) with another man, the tune manages to stray away from balladry and instead takes up a deceivingly buoyant sound. Around the 2-minute mark, the song gives way to a wordless midsection and a breakdown of instruments. The song ends with one last build-up, after a line of questioning shows apparent recuperation from the anguish of lost love before culminating in a cry of “did you tell[...]

Nothing Casual – Blank Slate EP

November 2, 2017

Funktastic guitar licks and striking solos quarterback “Breakdown,” the opening salvo of Nothing Casual’s Blank Slate, the band’s first release since rebranding themselves (they were formerly known as White Shade). Thankfully for Nothing Casual, the guitar work helps mask the rather off-putting vocals of Matt Sacha, whose unique delivery sounds just out of place here. Blank Slate manages to recover rather quickly from its auspicious start on the following “394,” as Sacha’s mellow tones gel perfectly with the track’s indie pop sensibilities. Zach Moore’s howling guitars again work to pace “394,” as the band’s penchant for lush melody gets put on display. The closing “What a Shame” follows suit, with Sacha’s sleepy aesthetic perfectly complimenting Moore’s wailing riffs. The guitar-driven bridge during the song’s latter stages is a highlight. The EP is raw and messy at times, but Nothing Casual do a yeoman’s job in clicking at the right times[...]

clawmachine – “Notion”

November 1, 2017

Vivid psych pop experimentalist Dylan Lindquist pens another chapter in his collaborative musical adventure as clawmachine with a new track: “Notion.” Spearheaded by the lyricism and vocal stylings of fellow Gold Coaster Whitney Veitch, the pair put their heads together to create the melodic equivalent of distinct gratification. “Notion” draws fuzzy bass lines, fluttering synths, and bright guitar tracks into the fray while Veitch soulfully serenades as the melodic cherry on top. It’s a call to give into your instincts and embrace the simple satisfactions that life brings you. This track is the first single released at the forefront of clawmachine’s upcoming EP, Good Harvest.

Loyal Lobos – “Dirt”

November 1, 2017

It’s pretty undisputed that some of the best, most impactful music comes in the wake of heartbreak. For Andrea Silva, known under her performing moniker as Loyal Lobos, this concept is all too familiar. Now, she’s developing her trademark in hauntingly raw recordings like her single “Dirt,” settling in at the intersection between folk, country, and rock. Silva’s tender vocals breathe life into the track, while intricate guitar lines and temperate percussion provide added balance and stability. With an objective to expose the beauty in melancholy and her penchant for enchanting melodies in tow, Loyal Lobos knows how to hit where it hurts while smoothing over the affliction, all with a lilting refrain and consoling instrumentation of choice. In Silva’s own words, “Dirt is a song about toxic attractions. Chemicals fooling you and your instincts and for the moment it seems real and special but then it isn’t but you[...]

Blonde Maze – “Thunder”

October 31, 2017

Following last year’s debut single release, artist/producer Blonde Maze is back in the game with her new single “Thunder.” Under her pseudonym, Amanda Steckler channels wispy vocals, ethereal marimba tracks, ambient synths, and pulsing beats into her brand of indie electropop, drawing comparisons to stirring songstresses Låpsley, Maggie Rogers, and The Japanese House. “Thunder” speaks on how time plays a part in the change and evolution of an emotional connection within a relationship. As Steckler puts it, “Sometimes, with a relationship’s maturity, you lose your patience more, you let your guard down, and you get hurt, but the beauty of this maturity is that there becomes no one else in the world you are as comfortable growing with.” Get a feel for the track below, and stay tuned for a flurry of new singles, as well as an EP release for Blonde Maze in the next year.

Nydge – “Not You (feat. Effee)”

October 31, 2017

We think you should give this dank collab from Detroit producer Nydge (aka Nigel Van Hemmye) a spin. His new dark-pop anthem “Not You” has been brought to life via Columbus recording artist Effee’s sultry vocal stylings. About the song, “Not You” tackles one of the most common fears – getting close to someone new. All we’re saying is, we love how simple and unapologetic this song is. Get into it.

WYO – “Falling”

October 31, 2017

Wilson, Wyoming’s cinematic indie rock upshot WYO heralds in the release of their debut album with their single “Falling.” The duo took shape after frontman Andy Sorge met multi-instrumentalist Scott McKay Gibson while in New York City attending film school. From there, WYO dug their roots into scoring short films, documentaries, and commercials, and the rest is history. Their keen eye for orchestrating shines through in “Falling,” compiling radiant guitar strains and running bass lines with backing synths and rolling piano chords. The result is a freeing and expansive soundscape that conveys as much feeling as a soul-bearing confessional. While the lyricism is inherently anecdotal, the stirring instrumentals tie in perfectly to hammer home a universal emotion that resonates all too well. Be on the lookout for WYO’s upcoming album Untamed, and in the meantime check out the band’s other singles here.

Sheph – “Simple”

October 31, 2017

Notoriously secretive rapper Sheph sent us over his latest jam “Simple” and we find it very intriguing… Intriguing enough to post. We can’t find any information about this dude (save his hometown of Arlington, Texas), but every now and then, a song like this comes around that is good enough to speak for itself. Give “Simple” a spin below and you’ll see what we mean. You can check out the rest of his discog via Soundcloud.

Johnny & the Man Kids Release Single “I’m Just a Man”

October 31, 2017

Within the first 40 seconds of “I’m Just a Man” by Buffalo natives Johnny & the Man Kids, a grouping of instruments coalesce one by one—rollicking drums, chiming guitar, a buoyant bassline, a keyboard replicating a theremin, and intervening vocal calls of “1, 2, 3, 4.” Lead singer John Marciniak lyrically pleads with a love interest, tossing his pride to the curb while insisting on living each day to the fullest. The lines “now I / know that I’ll find / some peace of mind / knowing you’re fine” meet a thunderous instrumental barrage before falling back to that initial guitar line and, fittingly enough, a call to “slow down.” “I’m Just a Man” then reintroduces the remaining instruments only to wipe them all away again with exception of an ascending bassline and ethereal sound effects. After another build-up, the words enter, flipping the message to “don’t slow down” instead.[...]

Jon Lewis Band – Baby Brother EP

October 29, 2017

Not too far removed from the release of their Exquisite Corpse full length back in May, Rochester’s Jon Lewis is back with Baby Brother EP, a new collection of emotionally penned, fuzzed out indie rock. “Let It Go” opens Baby Brother with reckless abandon; Lewis’ hazy yet potent vocals underpinned with fervent driving indie rock, before the band opts for cleaner tones and bright melodies on the following “I’ve Got Mine.” EP standout “Hanging On” is instantly memorable thanks to culpable melodies that leap off the record as Lewis spins urgent bar after urgent bar (‘What should you say / When my light is fading / And all my bad decisions come collecting / To keep me hanging on / Would you keep me hanging on?’). The mid-tempo “Ride With Us” features perhaps the best work of drummer Jacob Walsh, and passionate closer “I Want Your Heart” brings Baby Brother[...]

David Harks – “Avalon”

October 28, 2017

Berlin-based, British artist David Harks has us reeling from the easy-going electronica of his latest single, “Avalon.” “Avalon came to me in a dream,” Harks claims; a dream where he left behind his earthly possessions and traveled off to space to leave materialism behind. If only, David! Fans of Passion Pit, Capital Cities, or Foster The People will surely enjoy this one. “Avalon” is available via a variety of platforms, all of which can be accessed here.

Beach Kicks – “Obsession”

October 28, 2017

“Obsession” is an attempt to embody pure ecstasy, that is, according to mastermind Cezar of Beach Kicks. We can’t help but agree; “Obsession” is a smooth, almost hypnotic combination of electronica, r&b, and indie rock sentiment. Featuring unique vocal samples, swirling synth pads, and delay-laden guitars, we think Cezar does a pretty good job of spreading the love. Dig it? Add it to your Spotify playlist.

Harlan – “Sunny”

October 28, 2017

Memphis, TN act Harlan is a fresh new indie act with a bright debut single in “Sunny.” Lead singer Harlan Hutton’s voice conjures images of fellow indie-rock queens like Lauren Mayberry (CHVRCHES) or Molly Rankin (Alvvays). The rest of the band is a perfect compliment, running the gamut between peppy indie-pop and swimmy psych-tinged guitar rock. Their debut is due out in early 2018 – till then, get your fill of “Sunny” below.

Davis Absolute – “Flood”

October 27, 2017

Phoenix, Arizona native Davis Absolute supplies us with some invigorating hip hop to head up our weekend with his single “Flood.” The track combines powerful vocal delivery with ambient soundscapes, tiptoeing the line between the calm and the storm. All bases are covered instrumentally, tying in hauntingly sustained synths and bubbling electronica with sizzling cymbal work and syncopated bass beats – setting the tone as languid and electrifying at the same time. “Flood” comes off Davis Absolute’s recently released 7-track EP, Eden.