Latest Posts

Dreambeaches – Habits

June 5, 2016

I’ll cut to the chase: These guys are good. Let’s just say I listened to them a few times for fun. Dreambeaches is a colorful quartet that’s barely a year old. Habits’ cover art does them justice, as does their Facebook promo photo take on fruit salad. This extended play is one that takes you on a trip. The music is unique, serene, and psychedelic. You’ll find yourself indulging in the bass-heavy, rhythmically-inclined songs. RIYL The Shins, Snowmine, Foals, and (at times) Tame Impala. Habits, the four-piece’s debut release, begins with “Tiny Spirits.” The track starts off with chirping birds. The band follows suit with some chirping of their own. “I’m tired of looking at life through a window,” is sung as the band plays in melodic and rhythmic symmetry. A wet-sounding deep synth keeps the band grounded through the ongoing tumult. Next, “Habits,” is decidedly beach pop. The catchy composition forces your[...]

Smashing Lads – “Easier Said Than Done”

June 5, 2016

Smashing Lads is a group of English men who just don’t want to go to work anymore (and neither do we). Their new video for “Easier Said Than Done” tackles the simple, age-old question of: “Why the hell do I have to go to work today?” Despite the lyrical content, the song is charmingly upbeat, and this particular quartet’s sound is comparable to classic rock bands like The Beatles and The Kinks, wrapped in a contemporary Kaiser Cheifs vibe. “Easier Said Than Done” is Smashing Lads’ stellar debut single. Check out their website for more info here.  

Luke August – “One Heart”

June 5, 2016

Look out Miike Snow! Luke August is a  promising solo act from Perth who decided to take an electronic approach on his new song “One Heart.” The song is about an unfaithful relationship; the lyrical content compliments August’s yearning vocal approach. Textured synths flesh out the rest of the song, reminiscent of the aforementioned Miike Snow, Cut Copy, and the 1980s. “One Heart” can be purchased from Luke August’s Bandcamp page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265176225″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tigertown – “Lonely Cities”

June 5, 2016

Tigertown is a Sydney-based quartet whose Lonely Cities EP recently found its way into our inbox. We were more than pleasantly surprised with the title track and the snappy accompanying video. Tigertown has been picked up by prestigious tastemakers Neon Gold,  and for good reason. Their nimble brand of synth-pop is reminiscent of other pop giants like Of Monsters and Men, Icona Pop, or lablemate Charli XCX. You can pick up Tigertown’s new EP, Lonely Cities, via iTunes. Give the video for “Lonely Cities” a click below.  

Lost Coast – “This Is Water”

June 4, 2016

“This Is Water” is the result of having one foot planted firmly in the club and the other in melodic pop music. Lost Coast has created a sonic landscape with “This Is Water,” a track full of swelling, growing, ebbing, and flowing. The result is a track that is hard and driving while still remaining subtle and reflective. Fans of Lane 8 or HVOB would dig Lost Coast’s brand of house. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263365957″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lukr – “Fucked Up Summer”

June 4, 2016

Disclaimer: we’re about to let a few f-words loose. Nashville crooner Luke Foley (aka Lukr) is riding the waves of his new summer-themed banger, “Fucked Up Summer.” In the video for the new tune, we see the impressively-bearded Lukr splitting time between his music city hometown and the graffitti-laden neighborhood of Bushwick in Brooklyn. Lukr is chasing that big pop sound and “F*cked Up Summer” is incredibly pop-minded, highlighting Lukr’s quasi-rough, southern-tinged vocals with a set of fucked-up-romance style lyrics. Check out the vid for “Fucked Up Summer” below. If you and your SO are feeling the fucked up vibes, you can snag a free download from iamlukr.com.  

DUDES share debut record Stay Home PT 2

June 3, 2016

Stay Home PT 2 is the debut from the new punk garage band DUDES. DUDES are exactly what you want out of a garage band nowadays, showing off a solid display of nice riffs played at a fast pace mixed with creative use of added effects, but without overdoing it. The band keeps garage rock as it should be: raw, fuzzy, and abrasive. The singer/guitarist plays some nice psychedelic punk riffs with the always pleasing wah/fuzz effect combo. The vocalist shows an impressive range where songs can be compared to groups from Thee Oh Sees to Pissed Jeans. Tracks like “Sun in your eyes” go from a nice slow groove to fast paced as the song progressives making some super sick psychedelic punk jams. The band says it is heavily influenced by Ty Segall, the Spits, and local group Plates. The quality drum work shows influences from stoner metal band Torche The drumming is clearly a priority for[...]

midnight Premieres Single Feat. The Internet

June 2, 2016

Rochester singer midnight returns his electric-soul sound to us by way of his new single “Native America.” In his controlled falsetto, midnight gently navigates through the bounding synths and kicks of the beat. “Native America” is driven upon the sin and dishonesty that resulted in the foundation of our country. The title and track reference both the atrocities committed against the indigenous people of the Americas, and how how the normalcy of violence and stubbornness is engrained in our being. “We’re in Native America,” midnight sings “where the lies are infamous, but the truth, it lives in us.” It is charged and sharp while remaining beautiful and delicate. The track features production from the Internet, well-known for rising up with the hip hop collective Odd Future and receiving acclaim for their 2015 album Ego Death .“Native America” comes ahead of the midnight’s July 1st release of his EP 0:00. midnight describes the project[...]

partycat9000 & awkward island & bimyo – “Hyperdrive”

June 1, 2016

Talk about a slice of TRAP heaven! partycat9000, awkward island, and bimyo. all found each other over the internet (what a glorious time to be alive, right?). Their collective electronica skills turned into a fantastic collaboration titled “Hyperdrive,” a hyper catchy number full of synth swells and dubstep wobbles. Ironically, the album art to this futuristic sounding track is a screenshot of a long-outdated operating system. “Hyperdrive” is up for free download via partycat9000’s Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262821187″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

2ndly – “Ionic Wind”

June 1, 2016

2ndly is a post-EDM act out of NYC whose “Ionic Wind” gets us feeling pumped up. The lyricless track has a very cinematic feel, almost as if a hero is in his preparation montage, ready to take down the evil villain. Dramatic? Maybe on our part… But 2ndly’s dancewave is chill, and it reminds us of Justice, MSTRKRFT, or Daft Punk in the best way. You can pick up “Ionic Wind” on 2ndly’s Soundcloud page for free. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/253680744″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Go Periscope – “Solar Flares”

June 1, 2016

Seattle and Buffalo may be on the opposite sides of the country, but our brutal winters are surely the same. “Solar Flares” from Go Periscope is the result of a few, frigid indie rockers yearning for warmer days. As it turns out, blurring genres out of winter boredom can often result in excellent synth-pop. “Solar Flares” is a purposely sun-soaked dance song in the vein of Van She, The Knocks, or St. Lucia. “Solar Flares” is currently available via Go Periscope’s Soundcloud for free download. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261701776″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lesionread – “Listen To Me”

May 31, 2016

Local multi-media artist Lesionread (aka Shawn/Sean Lewis/Louis) seems to be everywhere lately, playing shows with a band, gearing up for his split release with Space Cubs, and most recently, releasing a wonderfully trippy video for “Listen To Me.” The gorgeous kaleidoscopic visuals are cut perfectly in time to the sweetest sounds we’ve gotten this far from Lesionread, so perfect that one can pleasingly anticipate when the soothingly psychedelic visuals will change. Even the LR psycho sound and vision breakdown seems pleasantly mesmerizing in execution for this preternaturally satisfying slab of art. Lesionread has a mixtape release party with Space Cubs coming up at the Mohawk this Friday featuring Mooses, Dogs In Ecstacy, Little Cake and Jack Toft, as well as a headlining spot at the Herd Fest 2016 kickoff June 16th, also at the Mohawk. Check out the clip for “Listen to Me” below. Lesionread – Listen To Me (Official Music Video) from Shawn[...]

PUP – The Dream Is Over

May 31, 2016

Toronto punk rockers PUP are back with their second full-length album. The title, The Dream Is Over, is apparently a jab at vocalist-guitarist Stefan Babcock’s doctor. After incessant touring following their 2014 self-titled debut, Babcock’s vocal cords were shredded. His doctor informed him that the dream was, in fact, over. Instead of calling it quits, the group defiantly pushed forward, bringing forth a sophomore album full of dark wit and in your face punk rock. The record opens with a gradual ascension into chaos as “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” asserts a severe and earnest sentiment towards life on the road. From there, it’s a non-stop parade of heavy guitars, aggressive drums, yelled gang-vocals, and self-loathing. The riffs are satisfyingly catchy, suggesting a pop inflection on their unapologetic edginess. The album possesses a drunken swagger and laments life’s many failed relationships and endeavors. The Dream Is Over feels like the youthful melancholy of The Front Bottoms combined[...]

Secret Pizza – Nothing Needs to Happen

May 29, 2016

Rochester’s Secret Pizza doesn’t sound cheesy like their name might imply. Instead, they embody badassitude, something the sweet, old lady with sunglasses on the black and white cover of SP’s upcoming release, Nothing Needs to Happen, carries. Nothing Needs to Happen is the group’s first proper LP, wrangling in tracks from previously released EPs and sessions, and man does it hit home. The albums starts of with “Where do we go from here?” a roaring, feedback-filled swarm of music. “No, I’m not that steady,” sings Phil Shaw, admitting to a feeling many know well. The song continues by raveling you into a fuzzy blanket of guitars, keeping you awake with a kickass bassline. “Where do we go from here?” is answered by, “Anywhere!” The screams and fighting of the instruments turn the listener into a well-understood pile of mush. “Oh my my,” is hushed at first, at least before Secret Pizza[...]

Rokenri – “Sullied Tide”

May 29, 2016

Rokenri is a Brooklyn-based band whose laid-back aesthetic is both haunting and intriguing. Their song “Sullied Tide” caught our ears this week, and for good reason. The tune is about trying to relax despite knowing there is an insane amount of chaos happening in the world. Rokenri’s songs are uniquely composed, but if we had to compare them, we’d say that they have the chill vibe of a Real Estate song, the choppy math-rock sensibilities of Maps & Atlases, and a slight tinge of Fleet Foxes’ knack for harmonies. Rokenri’s debut full length, Donkey Donkey, is out now. Pick it up for $1 at their Bandcamp page.