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TORCHES – “Future”

May 6, 2016

TORCHES are a duo from LA that makes danceable indie pop tunes. They are inspired by a sentimental attachment to music in their past but driven by their dreams of the future. Not convinced? A listen to their most recent offering, “Future,” might change your mind. Mixed by Chandler Harrod (Best Coast, Local Natives) and mastered by Steve Fallone (The Strokes, TV on the Radio), “Future” has quite the pedigree. RIYL: Foster the People, Grouplove, or Phoenix. You can pick up “Future” on iTunes here.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258464843″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

X-DOG – “Pull Me Up”

May 6, 2016

Any Batavian (or native of Buffalo, Rochester, or any of the towns in between) is sure to remember Vagrant Records’ Down To Earth Approach, whose success in the early aughts cemented their legacy as one of the most influential and successful bands to come out of WNY. After a decade in limbo, all five original members are picking up where they left off in a new project called X-Dog. Fun fact: X-Dog recorded their drums with fellow Batavian and buffaBLOG staple, Anthony Del Plato. “Pull Me Up” is a yearning, mid-tempo jam that mixes 2000s emo vibes with a contemporary power pop feel. “Pull Me Up” is about returning to your hometown – a perfect jam for inspiring a wave of nostalgia as you pull off the 90 and see the familiar sights of home. You can buy a “cassingle” featuring X-Dog’s first two singles, including “Pull Me Up,” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257289178″[...]

LISHI – “Monster Kids”

May 5, 2016

In terms of haunting and mysterious noir-pop, LISHI is at the top of her game. LISHI is an anonymous project, combining both musical and visual experiences into something ethereal and beautiful. “Monster Kids” is her first effort, and finds the character accepting her faults and eventually coming to terms with them. We are particularly mesmerized by “Monster Kid’s” chorus, anchored down by a wonderful blue note. “Monster Kids” is currently available for free on LISHI’s Bandcamp page.

Capyac – “Speedracer”

May 5, 2016

Capyac creates funky, nu-disco tunes that are near impossible to resist. “Speedracer” is their infectious new single, a smooth jam that finds Capyac grooving on par with fellow electro-funkers Daft Punk. The duo more than accurately self-identifies as “balloonwave,” but in case you’re not familiar with that particular genre, fans of Justice, deadmau5, or dancing the night away might find solace in Capyac’s tunes. Capyac’s new album, Headlunge, will be out later this month on May 28th. Until then, you can buy “Speedracer” here.

LANY – “Where the Hell Are My Friends?”

May 5, 2016

Los Angeles-based electro-pop act, LANY, unveiled a new video a couple weeks back for their single “Where The Hell Are My Friends.” In the video, singer Paul Klein navigates through a party and ultimately has a crossroads moment. Why is he in Los Angeles? No one cares about him. He’s just one person out of 40 million people across the state. Should he move? Who would notice? In the end he’s alone in a room full of superficiality. “Where the Hell are my Friends” is upbeat, reflective, earnest, and overall catchy as hell. Fans of Phoenix, Humans, or Holy Ghost! would be into LANY. Check out the video below and try not to jam it all day. I dare you.

MLE – “Moonlight Desires (ft. Walsh)”

May 4, 2016

It’s a slow morning over at blog HQ, but that’s not stopping us from pumping mood music. This morning’s mood is inspired by 80’s electro-pop cover jam, “Moonlight Desires,” originally by Canadian singer, Gowan. The cover is a collaboration between MLE (aka singer Emily Dunlap) and Walsh, an electro-producer. “Moonlight Desires” is all about wanting someone and the obsessiveness that takes over your mind. Enjoy the dark disco vibes below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257306082″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Evil Wizardry – The Garden

May 4, 2016

On April 25, Evil Wizardry released the condensed, electronic beauty that is The Garden. Evil Wizardry is a Utica-grown ambient, dream pop, noise band. A summary of those genres is: Though there are vocals and lyrics to this 5-song EP, don’t try to listen close without a lyric sheet, or your head might explode. It’s spacious vibes can certainly be appreciated, but everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Try to think your way through these songs and you’ll find yourself strangled by the racket rather than cozied in its trippy waves. “Trance Path” begins with a trance drum beat and jangly nineties guitar. Soon, expressive vocal phrases show their heads, though altogether, the song is a warped, making you bend over to listen closer to the somehow distant music. “Trance Path” ends with guitar bouncing up and down from the speakers. Song Two, “Gordon’s First Informal[...]

Julian Lamadrid – “Krule Love”

May 3, 2016

Naw this isn’t a King Krule premiere, but Krule definitely inspired this new track from whiz kid Julian Lamadrid. Born in Mexico, raised in UAE, and currently stationed in Dubai, JL blends smooth R&B and ambient synthpop on his tongue and cheek tracks. Lamadrid shamelessly delivers one-liners like “you got me harder than a Flintstone.” The song is actually about balancing life between the “sweet love” of your bros and the “Krule love” of your bae. You can pick up “Krule Love” on Bandcamp here, or watch the official music video below.

Database – “Nights Off ft. Tidal Caves”

May 3, 2016

Database’s latest collaboration with Tidal Caves is the sound of 11:34pm on a Saturday night. The track, “Nights Off” is an electro-pop gem, heavy with swaggerin’ psuedo-obnoxious talk-rap a la UFFY or a good Millionaires, with Kesha’s “whatever mentality” and 90’s house on the chorus. “Nights Off” can be found on of the forthcoming Database album Vivid Exposition. Give it a listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256715822″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

United Fruit – “Where The Sun Beats Down”

May 2, 2016

Glasgow quartet United Fruit are a tangible burst of energy. Their music is a wall of cacophonous and melodic guitar noise with propulsive rhythms. “Where The Sun Beats Down” is a constant flow with no ebbs. The track is layered thick with guitar noise that never seems to lose its strong sense of melody. It’s hard to nail down an exact genre for these forward thinkers – think a Brit-pop version of emo stalwarts .Moneen. or Foals minus the electronics, all with a subtle tinge of Sonic Youth. “Where The Sun Beats Down” is the lead single from United Fruit’s second album, Eternal Return. Eternal Return’s offical release date is May 13th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257824737″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Flora Cash – “And Ever”

May 1, 2016

Flora Cash is a Swedish/American duo from Stockholm/Minneapolis respectively. Electronic songstress Shpresa Lleshaj was so impressed with songwriter Cole Randall’s songwriting talents that she reached out via Soundcloud. One little comment led to a penpal relationship until the two finally decided to get married. Their fairytale union culminated in Flora Cash, which should appeal to fans of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Blue Hawaii, or The Head and the Heart. “And Ever” is a gentle, acoustic-tinged electronic song that highlights Lleshaj’s hushed, yet soaring vocals. You can find “And Ever” on Flora Cash’s latest release, Can Summer Love Last Forever?, out now on Icons Creating Evil Art. You can order their debut mini-lp here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/252402398″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Brooke Bentham – “Oliver”

April 30, 2016

Brooke Bentham is a 19-year-old songstress with a big voice. We’ve been jamming “Oliver,” a track Bentham penned when she was merely sixteen, a time when naïvety and love are almost synonymous. Most importantly, “Oliver” features Bentham’s breathtaking vocals (falling somewhere between Adele and Bon Iver) overtop a sparse, orchestrated arrangement. There are some singer-songwriters whose delivery can stop people in their tracks. Simply put, Bentham is one of them. You can purchase “Oliver” on iTunes here. “Oliver” is out now via Trellis Records. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257449707″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]  

She Makes War – “Cold Shoulder”

April 30, 2016

She Makes War specializes in no holds barred, female-fronted alt rock. “Cold Shoulder” is a one-two punch to the face, peppered with a squirmy synth line, background ooohs, and of course singer Laura Kidd’s Londonesque delivery. She Makes War is gloom pop at its best – equally glittery and grungy. Think Echo & The Bunnymen meets an English-tinged Bully. The act’s newest release, Direction of Travel, is out now via The state51 Conspiracy. Check it out on Bandcamp.

Grace Joyner – “Real”

April 29, 2016

Grace Joyner spent several years as a harmony singer for several prominent Nashville-area bands before writing her own material. This turned out to be a good decision. Joyner, like many of us, channeled her hurt into a positive outlet – her music. After finding her muse on an EP, Young Fools, Joyner is back with a debut LP. Joyner’s songs touch on unrequited love, coming to terms with personal failure, and the importance of taking action. “Real” finds Joyner’s lilting vocals riding smoothly on top of synthy indie rock undertones. RIYL if you like Copeland, Lydia, or The Bird and the Bee. Grace Joyner’s latest release is Young Fools, out now on Hearts & Plugs. Her new LP, Maybe Sometimes In C, will be out this May. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257200881″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Parquet Courts – Human Performance

April 29, 2016

Parquet Courts is one of the rare rock’n rolls bands in the last couple of years to manage a consistent number of good releases in a short period of time. Coming from Brooklyn, they manage a good work ethic and have put out some actually thought-provoking music that isn’t too pretentious. When Parquet Courts first gained traction with their release of album Light Up Gold, it was apparent that this band was special. The quartet has succeeded by making good music with a genuine message that is unfortunately not commonly seen with many bands when they gain any sort of commercial success. The lyrics Human Performance are poetic and that’s what is one of the many polarizing aspects of the band. The intro track “Already Dead” contains is good preparation for what is to come as it transitions into a small spoken word monologue reminding you to just relax wherever you are[...]