Manchester synth-pop duo KOALAS sent us over their track “Lover” and we’re digging it a lot. Sincere 80s vibes permeate the entirety of this track – think lots of synths with tight and springy snare hits… Not to mention the duo’s close attention to pop melodies via catchy male/female harmonies. Fans of Caribou, Daft Punk, or Empire of the Sun will like this song. If you like “Lover,” head over to iTunes to snag a digital download.
We’re excited to spotlight acoustic duo Carmen & Lizzy, who have been making lots of waves in the WNY music scene as of late. C&L (more specifically cousins Carmen O’Keefe and Lizzy Bassler) specialize in crafting a gentle brand of acoustic folk, reminiscent of acts like The Staves, Nickel Creek, or HAIM. We’re jazzed on their latest offering, “Runnin’ Away,” which features an emotion-filled guitar line and lush harmonies sure to warm even the coldest of hearts. Where Are We Now? is out now via Nonexistant Records. If you like what you hear, head over to Bandcamp for a digital download.
Russian dream pop quartet Ethica supplies a juicy guitar-driven jam with their latest single, “Alarm.” This track brings an edge to the typical indie shoegaze ethos, meeting silky smooth vocals with gritty guitar lines and pounding bass. They play up the contrast well, keeping things refreshing with subtle layers of synth and guitar countermelodies. The result is as much a sympathetic journey on the ears as it is a fiery release. We’re talking distortion-heavy instrumentals a la Muse, matched with the unwavering dreaminess of Alvvays‘ Molly Rankin’s vocal textures. Ethica is traversing new musical terrain, and we’re hungry for more of it. Be sure to look for the band’s upcoming EP set for release next year.
Hip hop wonder kid Esai spits full on fire in his single “Groove.” In just under 2 minutes, the 17-year-old rap aficionado manages to paint a full picture with clever lyricism delivered at the speed of light with perfect clarity. Citing influence from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, Esai takes the full storytelling potential and poetic abilities of the genre and runs with them. The track is set to a low-key, jazz inspired loop with high hat beats, setting the mood while his vocals whirl past. With four mixtapes and three albums under his belt, there’s no shortage of Asai material to sink your teeth into. Check out his latest self titled album for more witty and impactful tracks like this one.
“When the Night Is Through” stands as the debut single from Good in the Dark, the collaboration among Chicago-bred multi-instrumentalist Heather Perry, percussionist Carlos J. Zapata and guitarist Grant Goldsworthy. The band sustains a noise pop sound mixed with traces of disco and pulsating dance, as well as the edge of a post-punk band to a certain extent. Good in the Dark’s first-ever EP Rafters was released late last month. The music video for “When the Night Is Through” could be pinned as a bit perplexing to some, but its oddball humor should shine through and the tune itself should impress too.
The Dirty Clergy’s “Summer Days” should feel like an escape or maybe more so a cause for longing if you live in western New York this time of year. The track sounds like vintage Weezer brightened up by angelic backing vocals and talk of everlasting summer. Nominated for an Independent Music Award, mentioned on the Nights with Alice Cooper radio show and featured on AXS-TV as well as MTV, The Dirty Clergy are headed skyward all while entirely devoid of record label or booking agency assistance.
Minneapolis band Why Not applies a formula of indie rock mixed with math rock and punk to their 2-minute-long single “Dear Friend, Pt. 2.” The track houses irrefutable energy brought on by cutting guitar riffage and unbridled percussive bashing, all of which leads to reminiscence of a Minutemen tune. Furthermore, the song’s somewhat clumsily placed and sung lyrics serve to underline its raw punk aesthetic. “Dear Friend, Pt. 2” was released as a single off the band’s debut full-length released on November 25th, entitled Friends.
With a song title like “Debbie Harry,” it comes as little to no surprise this recent single from German indie rock band NEWMEN encapsulates a sleek new wave sound bearing partial resemblance to that of Blondie, the legendary New York outfit Harry famously fronted. The track is teeming with crisp dealings of guitar and waves of what sounds like ’80s-era synthesizer, not to mention a short passage of softly sung but inviting vocals. This verse is followed by nearly three minutes of building instrumental wonder, which lasts for the rest of the song.
Matt Batey’s solo project Ruler finds the Montana-turned-Seattle-hailing musician pushing out the single “Easy Life,” a high-spirited pop-rock masterwork stitched together from the fabric of life’s woes. From dealing with a downer of a 9-to-5 job to a deteriorating relationship, the lyrics express a plea of “why me?” in a world that stomps on the idea of life being easier and more carefree than what reality presents. The final verse summons some advice, telling any soul in earshot to be the one who “takes the wheel.” The humorous music video for “Easy Life” shows Batey facing a slew of stumbling blocks, including opening his guitar case to the sight of broken strings, finding out too late that a practice session was relocated and discovering leaves in place of cash in his wallet.
Escapists, a London-based quartet, lay down an air of menace as their recently released track “Weirdo” settles in with 10 seconds of radio-type frequency and sludgy distortion before breaking into a hard-edged, unrelenting rock groove. The track strikes a perfect balance between chaos and precision in this earworm of a tune lyrically centered around the outsider’s perspective and disillusionment. “Weirdo” is planned to be included on the second Escapists album, due out in 2018.
The Orange County alternative rock four-piece HAWAI starts out their new, endlessly catchy tune “Think About It” with its elegant keyboard line in the forefront while twitchy vocal and separate instrumental cues hint at what’s to come. The track then jumps into a colorful synth-pop soundscape met with lyrics detailing a wordless but tension-filled interaction between two lovers, one sitting expressionless and the other overwrought with anxiety over whether or not he somehow angered her into silence. Written in large part by keyboardist Matt Gillen on a nine-hour flight from Iceland back to the states, “Think About It” is as relatable as it is anthemic. The track is one of five contained on HAWAI’s sophomore EP Hide in the Ocean, released on December 8th through Antler Records.
Michigan five-piece Been Stellar conjure up wintery images a la Home Alone in their latest single “Midwestern Holiday.” Stitching together elements of indie rock, lo-fi, and garage rock, the band knows how to make an impact by way of distorted group vocals and interwoven guitar lines, just in time for the most wonderful time of the year. What starts out as a subdued, almost listless long distance serenade, gradually transitions to an energetic and angsty ode to growing pains and lost love. It’s lends itself as a reminder that coming home for the holidays can be both a blessing and a curse. Check out the single below, and find more from Been Stellar here for additional jangly tracks to carry you through the season.
Lo-fi songster Joe Russell-Brown makes producing a breezy hit sound easy in his title-track single, “Post-Youth Depression.” The 19-year-old may be new to the bedroom pop scene, but he’s already captured the seeming effortlessness of the lethargic vocals and twangy guitar melodies synonymous with DIY greats like (Sandy) Alex G and early Porches. Russell-Brown explores a fondly nostalgic lyricism well beyond his years, smiling back at those simpler days that were hard to appreciate until now. His knack for piecing together instrumental components into a tightly bound, united sound is what takes this track a step further towards a refined and carefully crafted single, worthy of radio play. Is Joe Russell-Brown the next Day Wave? Only time will tell. In the meantime, get hooked on his recently released EP under the same name.
Sometimes there’s nothing more therapeutic than a bluesy guitar riff blaring out of your speakers… We think Londoner Michael Jablonka might be your latest fix, especially his latest single “I Found You.” Blending modern day indie rock feels with bluesy and soulful backbone, “I Found You” pairs a noodly guitar riff with an explosive chorus. Give it a whirl below. If you dig it, do Jablonka a solid and head over to iTunes.
Mmmm, what a groove! We’re digging the funky pop vibes of Swedish producer Light Orange on his debut release, “Hypnotized.” The rolling rhythms and lush harmonies bring to mind equal parts Beck, MGMT, and Prince. With a pedigree like that, it’s no wonder this got the buffaBLOG offices dancing… Oh, and be sure to stick around for the blistering guitar solo at the end. Check ’em out on the IG too.