Latest Posts

soft siren – “Almost Crying”

October 17, 2024

California based soft siren, a project between Sidewalks and Skeletons, Count the Clock, and CASHFORGOLD, brings us their latest single “Almost Crying.” I have no idea how three different bands come together like that, but the results are far more than satisfactory and indeed kick ass. The gentle yet deliberate instrumentals do a reverse shoegaze to dreampop parabolic arc mix. More specifically, it starts in the dream pop-verse (watch out MCU) and gradually shifts gears into a hazy shoegaze romp. The vocals from Jacqueline Torgerson (of CASHFORGOLD) are appropriately wispy-yet-very-much-grounded-and-present. The 90’s influences of bands like Cocteau Twins and Slowdive are unmistakable and purposeful yet are simply the same chords with a fresh coat of paint. Anyone who came of age in the 90’s will have a ball here, as well as anyone with even a passing enjoyment of the less is more approach. You can hear “Almost Crying” below[...]

MANA – “Nauseating Me”

October 17, 2024

Irish-bred (but Berlin-based) three piece MANA brings us their second single “Nauseating Me.” I got some Kings of Leon vibes in the best way possible – the passionate vocals were reminiscent of singer Caleb Followill. The guitars are immediate and in your face, but then pull back a little bit for the bridge, combining jangly and at times more effects laden shoegazy antics (that lends itself to a post-punk feel). As per the band: “The lyrics allude to defiance and hope in the face of polarization, cynicism and displacement.” I’m personally awful at hearing the lyrics without them written down in front of me, but based on the instrumentals, that seems to track! You can watch the music video below on YouTube or add it to your “Irish Bands Other Than Dropkick” Spotify playlist. No hate, people just assume it’s just them and Sinead O’Connor who came out of Ireland[...]

Optometry – “Comets”

October 17, 2024

Los Angeles based duo Optometry has a new track out called “Comets” and it’s the next juicy synth track you’ve been looking for. Made up of John Tejada and March Adstrum, they absolutely obliterate your ear drums in all of the best ways with a delightfully rhythmic thump (apparently made possible by vintage drum machines…which begs the question…are vintage drum machines just drummers from the 80’s imprisoned inside a drum kit?) Synth and drums combine forces with vocals from March Adstrum (who has performance and writing credits), and she does a wonderful job bringing depth and warmth to an otherwise mechanized affair. Fans of Tame Impala (who I still refuse to believe is one person) will find a lot to enjoy here, especially those with an appreciation of the use of vintage equipment. You can hear it below from YouTube or add it to your Spotify playlist of dark drum and[...]

Clover County – “Ultraviolet”

October 15, 2024

Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Clover Country brings us her latest single “Ultraviolet.” The track is beautifully produced with a steady acoustic guitar leading the charge that meshes well with CC’s vocals. The gentler parts are tenderly picked, but never lose their luster, along with horn interludes and little bits of what sounds like xylophone thrown in for fun. The strongest part is undoubtedly the vocals, as Clover Country ebbs and flows with the instrumentals with her strong set of pipes. Fans of indie country pop crossovers like Band of Horses would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who secretly enjoys Taylor Swift but is too embarrassed to say so. You can hear “Ultraviolet” below from Soundcloud or add to your indie pop playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. The other two tracks on the single are well worth your time, and skew toward a more country mouthfeel[...]

SLVCKR – “Park Bench (Freestyle)”

October 15, 2024

Over a whimsical flute sample, alternative/lo-fi rapper SLVCKR brings a raw, unfiltered, and airtight flow to his latest single “Park Bench (Freestyle).” Tapping south Florida rapper Pouya, SLVCKR’s effortless on the mic, switching up rhyme schemes and providing that authentic freestyle feel. With an ear for bright, Sega Genesis-type instrumental samples, SLVCKR’s beat choice provides a good juxtaposition with his venom-tinged delivery as he spits through his clock-and-dagger rhymes. Production features cartoon-y and over the top vocal samples sprinkled in, giving the track an air of “I’m just fucking around, but it’s nice, right?” Check out more releases from SLVCKR on Spotify, where he raps into darker influences that’ll resonate with fans of $uicideBoys$ and dungeon crawlers.  

Bolt Seminar and DJ MATCH – “BRAVE”

October 15, 2024

Bolt Seminar vocalist Dell Wells teams up DJ MATCH for “BRAVE” – a track where Wells takes us around the world in 141 seconds. Starting in Te Waiponamu in Māori, Wells ventures down familiar roads like Route 66 and into the barren lands of Uzbekistan in an empowering track that reminds you that new travels and discoveries are always worth it. Wells delivery is high energy, charming, and without fear as he tries out flows and bellows out the hook with with his whole chest. Production from DJ Match is a throwback boombap beat, with some 90s vibe instrumental samples and tasteful turntables. Bolt Seminar is a Brooklyn-based, four-piece hip hop art project that includes scratching, visuals and graphic design in their list of roles. Follow Bolt Seminar on Spotify and take a look through some of the past artwork from members John Sarastro and Ephemerel.

A Days Wait – “Long Lines”

October 14, 2024

A Days Wait returns with their new indie pop single “Long Lines.” The band is no stranger to buffaBLOG as we’ve covered this project’s alliterative 2022 single “Tongue Tied” and 2023’s “Signals.” “Long Lines” continues with accessible college radio rriendly style that A Days Wait mastermind Adam Alfano has close to perfected. The latest single is all about trying to be a positive person, but constantly encountering negativity and hoping to bust through it.  A Days Wait continues its charitable mantra by donating proceeds for “Long Lines” again to a cause. Please don’t ask me what the charity is because I don’t know. I hope its a good one. A Days Wait · Long Lines

My Friend Noel – “Will Somebody Love Me?”

October 14, 2024

NYC -based quartet My Friend Noel have a new self-doubting single, “Will Somebody Love Me?” The premise of the track is highly relatable to all growing up and searching for happiness. Am I annoying? Will anyone find my quirks attractive? Does the person I bump into at the bodega four times a week getting my AM Celsius even notice me? The band formed in 2023 after the core trio of Katelyn Barr (vocals/guitar), Anna Young (bass), and Ivy Wang (drums) decided to flesh out their sound and head to the internet to get a lead guitarist. After numerous inquiries from online weirdos, the band found the refreshingly normal Kyle Redd. Since the expansion, My Friend Noel has been rising in the underground indie scene across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Fans of Snail Mail, Beach Bunny, or Diet Cig would be into these guys. Check out “Will Somebody Love Me” below and[...]

Orchid Mantis – “Dead Malls (ft. Cathedral Bells)”

October 14, 2024

Dreampop act Orchid Mantis returns with the hazy new track “Dead Malls.” Mantis, the moniker for Atlanta-based experimental musician Thomas Howard, has been cranking out lo-fi earworms since 2014. With the new single, Orchid Mantis combines creativity with Orlando bedroom-pop project, Cathedral Bells, on this collab. The track uses the metaphor of dead malls to parallel old memories and nostalgia which lands strong with these shoegaze elements. Fans of DIIV, Film School, with a touch of Future Islands rhythm section would be into this one. Check it out on Spotify and give Orchid Mantis a follow to keep up with their promising 2025. orchid mantis · Dead Malls (feat. Cathedral Bells)

Phat Kat – “Still Bubblin'(14KT & Tall Black Guy Remix)”

October 14, 2024

Soul sample specializers 14KT and Tall Black Guy reimagine Detroit rapper/hip hop historian Phat Kat’s 2023 track “Still Bubblin'” for a spacey boom bap remix. Over soulful, ethereal production that could fit in on the Space Jam soundtrack, Kat talks about mature men problems, like exchange rates and checking mail, and cutting out friends. Kat’s bars have the same sharpness that made him a difference maker in the 90s Detroit scene. 14KT & Tall Black Guy reframe Kat’s slick rhymes with especially soulful vocal chops and floating Steve Miller Band-esque keys. You may recognize Kat’s work from his collaborations with other midwest legends, most notably J.Dilla, Slum Village and Black Milk. Listen to this track and more boom bap from Phat Kat on Spotify – and check out soulful chops from 14KT and Tall Black Guy while you’re there.

Pilot-Field – Songs From South Buffalo

October 14, 2024

There’s no shortage of great punk rock bands in Buffalo – Pilot-Field joined that canon earlier this year (and also last year) and has continued to create fun and excitable nuggets of pop-punk with intent. The band of two McCormicks and two Brennans has just released a two-song EP, Songs From South Buffalo, continuing a trend of simple-but-effective punk rock songwriting that focuses heavily on big melodies set to fast tempos. The album kicks off with “Sweet Home,” an ostensible double-meaning title that references both the very-shoutable chorus refrain and a Buffalo-adjacent locale… And while Sweet Home (the locale) is more of a North Buffalo haunt (I digress). “Home sweet home, home sweet home, far from you’s where we belong” The track is all about being content with your circle. It suits the blasting drums and full-throated guitar of “Sweet Home” perfectly. They continue this same energy on song two, “I[...]

Virgins – “g l i s s”

October 13, 2024

Irish rockers Virgins have been described as “deafening dream pop” (aka, shoegaze) – either/or is a perfect descriptor of their newest single, “g l i s s.” With fuzzed-out guitar that would make the 90’s version of William Patrick Corgan salivate, Virgins slam through this near six-minute anthem with an impossible amount of noise. Winding guitar riffs whirr as reverbed-out vocals soar in a perfect amalgam that will please fans of My Bloody Valentine, Smashing Pumpkins, and everything adjacent. Be sure to add “g l i s s” to your favorite Spotify playlist.

money sign sheed

Money $ign $heed – “In Your City”

October 13, 2024

Rapping wasn’t Money Sign Sheed’s first profession. The Virginia rapper tells tales from the trap with a matter of fact delivery on his latest single, “In Your City.” Over a hazy, spacey, twinkly beat $heed reflects on his prior professions – reminding us that he does not need rap to make money. $heed’s shared the stage with Buffalo-bred tastemakers Griselda – and you’ll find common ground in their brutal honesty and authentic depictions of their life outside of the booth. Check out $heed’s Spotify page for more of his recent gangsta rap/boom bap releases.

Stripes – “Operation: No Hell”

October 13, 2024

NYC based Stripes, a four piece lead by Izzy MK, bring us their latest with “Operation: Not Hell,” a raucous affair that’s filled to the brim of… just plain ole fun! Jangly guitars feature heavily that get taken over with MORE furiously attacked guitar that just feels like an amusement park ride that goes up and down and sideways and upside-down. I got some Phoenix-meets-Alvvays-with-a-shot-of-adrenaline vibes here, but neither have the copyright on fun, as that seems to currently belong to Stripes (not to be confused with that other stripe-themed band). You can watch the music video for “Operation: Not Hell” on YouTube  below or add to your zany bops playlist on Bandcamp or Spotify. This track really sang out to me and if you’re into bouncing obnoxiously around whatever room you’re in, this is the song for you! Their other tracks vary, but be sure to also check out[...]

Ferrn – “Drowned”

October 12, 2024

“Drowned” is the latest from Ferrn; a Chicago-based band that seems to be the brainchild Ryan Joseph Fernandez Backman (based on what I found in song credits). Self-described as “Chicago swamp pop,” we’re greeted with a delightful synth intro that gives way to fuzzy guitar and Backman’s vocals. The synth really goes into some interesting places throughout the track and shares the spotlight 50/50 with the guitar. I was disappointed I didn’t hear more swampland creatures featured, but I’ll forgive that for such a tight sound – plus, swamp creatures are notoriously difficult to work with (and are on a strike last I knew). Fans of Day Wave or Local Natives would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone with an ear for synth and guitar pop. You can hear “Drowned” below from YouTube or over on Bandcamp and Spotify. With two singles and a decent number of[...]