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COTE – “London”

August 26, 2016

COTE is a mysterious quintet who charmed us with the understated rock of “London.” About “London,” frontwoman Taryn Randall says, “I wrote [the song] over a period of two years, adding and reworking verses as my life continued to shift. Throughout that time, I always found myself returning to the same theme – the desire for control against the necessity of letting go.” Fans of Stevie Nicks and Rilo Kiley would surely enjoy COTE’s rootsy indie rock. Grab “London” off of iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/276585398″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Audiobruz – “Believe”

August 26, 2016

As a follow up to the immensely successful single “Blow,” Italian producer/one-man-band Audiobruz is back with another immense summer banger. “Believe” is his latest, a bass-heavy jam with obvious funk and electronic influences. Fans of Daft Punk or JUSTICE would surely dig Audiobruz’ heady vibes. “Believe” is free for a limited time only. Out now on Audiophile Live. Don’t dawdle! [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/279365793″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Virgin of the Birds – “Spooky, Stony, Barely Over Thirty”

August 26, 2016

Seattle trio Virgin of the Birds hit us up with the retro-flavored indie rock of “Spooky, Stony, Barely Over Thirty,” an ode to aging gracefully. With their imaginative verbiage and obscure pop culture references, the band treads a line between intimate, lo-fi pop and the occasional grandeur of early art-rock. Fans of M. Ward, The Velvet Underground, or R.E.M. would dig Virgin of the Birds. V of the B’s latest, Secret Kids is available via Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/276288974″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kady Rain – “R.A.D. Moves”

August 26, 2016

Last time we heard from Texan songstress Kady Rain, we were crushing on her lighthearted single, “All I Ever Wanted.” She’s back with “R.A.D. Moves,” a continuation of her chokehold on the bubblegum pop genre. Fans of Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Miley Cyrus should look no further – “R.A.D. Moves” is about getting out on the dancefloor and just letting loose. “R.A.D. Moves” is available on iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274769878″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

VHS COLLECTION – “Ghost”

August 26, 2016

“I feel it in my bones, all I need is you” pretty much sums up the yearning vibes on VHS COLLECTION‘s new jam, “Ghost.” “Ghost” is a straight up dance song set to live drums, giving it a unique, organic feel. The song is about the love/hate relationship that New York City folks have with their home town and about the feeling of returning to a home and feeling’s it’s changed somehow. “Ghost” is the first release from VHS’ upcoming release. Till then, check em out on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273370303″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Golden Suits – “Gold Feeling”

August 26, 2016

Fred Nicolaus, co-founder of the band Department of Eagles and main force behind Golden Suits, has mostly been known for contemplative, folk-inflected music. His new track “Gold Feeling” is a feel-good jam about just wanting to dance. About the track, Nicolaus says, “I’m always complicating things in music and life by trying to be clever and ‘sophisticated,’ so it felt really good to do something simple and true — I did really want to dance that night.” Fans of retro 70s jams, MGMT, and Phoenix would dig Golden Suits. “Gold Feeling” will be featured on the band’s upcoming release, Kubla Khan, and can be purchased via this link. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275945120″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

KINLEY & Lonely Kid – “Blackbird 2.0”

August 26, 2016

KINLEY (also a member of Hey! Rosetta) and Lonely Kid teamed up to produce “Blackbird 2.0” and we couldn’t be more jazzed. Lonely Kid was inspired by KINLEY’s song “Blackbird,” and created this upbeat dance edit as a result. We are particularly taken with the video, finding the duo biking around their hometown of Prince Edward Island, Canada, highlighting fellow artists and local landmarks. Check out their music video below.

CAPTIONS – “Bearfights”

August 26, 2016

Captions is an LA act specializing in dreamy indie rock. Their latest single, “Bearfights,” is a spacey and angsty tune that channels their California roots. Their lustrous mid-tempo rock makes use of gently strummed guitars and strong vocal melodies. Recommended to fans of Band of Horses or Real Estate. Captions is due to put out their latest release, Iterations, soon. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272515307″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Frank Ocean – blond

August 25, 2016

For most fans, the wait for new Frank Ocean has felt like more than just four years. However, four years is all it has been since his landmark debut album channel ORANGE firmly put him on the map. Much speculation and anticipation feverishly built up over that time span, with hints at new music along the way that went unfulfilled. Finally, late this summer, Ocean broke the silence and dropped two new projects. The first was a visual album entitled Endless, which included snippets of songs and ideas, pasted together and accompanying a video of him assembling a staircase in black and white. Two days later, he officially released his second studio album, blond (or Blonde; both are used intentionally in reference to his bisexuality). The record is a testament to Ocean’s ability to blend influences and genres, while escaping categorical definition. It’s a unified, singular statement from the singer,[...]

Dwayne Applewhite – “23”

August 25, 2016

Dwayne Applewhite is a smooth operator. Coming off of the successful Pharaogamo project, the rapper  is dropping quality, multi-faceted tracks left and right. The talented MC uses his soft voice to do double duty as both a rapper and a singer. Songs like “4AM Meditation” feature more of this melodic singing from the 23-year-old, but on “23” he saves his chops for a memorable chorus and sticks to the floetry for his verses. “23” is both a celebration and a warning. Applewhite is proud of where he’s at at just 23, but the demons he’s overcome for now are just waiting in the mist. He feels trapped by his surroundings, and questions his faith in it all with lines like”Why do these Jesus pieces got me puzzled?” He’s introspective, weary, and chocked full of profound thoughts. Here’s to hoping Applewhite reflects on his future years with the same diligence as “23.”

Decide – “The Powerless”

August 25, 2016

Demonstrated by the strength of the ironically powerful lead single “The Powerless,” rapper Decide‘s Struggle Inside EP is a motivating, empowering hip hop project. The five-track prepper focuses on day-to-day struggles we face, from struggles with work, to relationship woes, finally settling on closer “The Powerless.” Decide holds no punches as he calls for people to get off their asses and chase what they want. It begins with the line “Imagine me doing nothing just sitting around, looking at wall trying to figure something out.” He remains direct with his bars, and isn’t a fan of feeling sorry for one’s self. Production on the EP is varied, courtesy of the beatmaker Anno Domini Nation. “Rap Shit” has the bombastic thumps and charming piano keys of a Dr. Dre song. “Illusion of Choice” is both cloudy and epic. But “The Powerless” is classic hip hop. Chopped up vocal samples comprise the main[...]

Stress Dolls Release Debut Single

August 23, 2016

Stress Dolls is the new reincarnation of Buffalo band Wolf which sought a name change and new members. Lead singer Chelsea O’Donnell still fronts the group with her Ben Walsh-like yowl. The new band brandishes a fresh sound with dreamy guitar leads, solid drums and bass, and a traditional alternative/pop mix in the band’s debut single “Pills.” Stress Dolls echo groups like Tigers Jaw and Polar Bear Club. Kudos to Stress Dolls for writing a song about pills that focuses on their healing tendencies rather than their fun. The smart lyrics point out that atop medical troubles still sits your everyday crushing defeats and self-degradation that must be overcame. “But with those pills,” sings O’Donnell, “he’s found his way…” Put on your leather jackets, wear your hearts on your sleeves, and prepare for a straightforward powerhouse with a unique vocal twist. Listen to “Pills” below or purchase it here.

Chevron Bloom – EP

August 22, 2016

Buffalo-based indie rock act, Chevron Bloom’s released their debut EP earlier this month. The 4-track EP, aptly titled EP, was recorded in Geneseo, at Temperamental Recordings. In the band’s debut effort, the trio has crafted a tight set of tunes with psychedelic overtones. Each song, though short in nature, still goes through several different shifts throughout its runtime. The EP varies between moments of straight ahead rock and spaced-out meandering. They meld together elements of psychedelic pop, heavy alt. rock and shoegaze, and every transition through styles is seamless. Throughout, the vocals are light and airy, floating overtop of the arrangements, at times like they are barely there. The snare drum is front and center for most of it, sitting comfortably right in the middle of the mix, a consistent and heavy presence through each dynamic shift. In fact, it’s the snare drum that kicks off the record. Opener “Home?” begins[...]

Dutch Criminal Record – “On The Fence”

August 21, 2016

“An indie song about indecision, full of chiming riffs, booming bass and nimble drums.” If this typically describes things that are up your alley, Dutch Criminal Record is the band for you. The quartet’s indie rock is impossibly tight and springy. We think you should start with “On The Fence,” especially if you’re a fan of Foals, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, or Kaiser Chiefs. “On The Fence” is available via Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/268588859″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ghost Wave – “Honeypunch”

August 21, 2016

Ghost Wave is a New Zealand-based act who have been creating some interesting music. The duo has been exploring the sonic possibilities of their psychedelic sound by adding an electronic focus to their warbling, retro-sounding songs. We think “Honeypunch” is where you should start – swirling organs, pulsing synths, and cosmic vocals pepper the track. Recommended to fans of the 1960s or Tame Impala. Radio Norfolk is out now via Flying Nun Records. Buy it here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/243637210″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]