Latest Posts

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[...]

Consequences (ex-Real People) Releases Debut EP

April 28, 2016

One listen through We’ll See How The Year Goes and you’ll realize why Consequences is quite a fitting name. You might remember Sworts as the whirling dervish that fronted Buffalo emo-punks Real People (before their untimely demise last year). This time around, Sworts has traded in his dynamic electric guitar work for an acoustic guitar. WSHTYG is a four-song EP that capitalizes on heartbreak, strife, and the mental games that one must navigate while they struggle through their twenties. “Everything Will Work Out” finds Sworts lamenting “I wish I knew then what I know now.” It quickly becomes apparent that WSHTYG is full of introspective lyrics contemplating the true meaning of love, what it means to be in a relationship, and how another person might define who you are. Throughout the EP, Sworts’ voice wavers perfectly, his high range sitting fragile on top of the otherwise barren acoustic tracks. Tracks like “Irreparable Damage” sound reminiscent of late-90s[...]

Maison Hall – “College Sports”

April 28, 2016

Have you ever had a weird relationship? One that wasn’t necessarily permanent but you made the effort to enjoy where you were at regardless? “College Sports” by Brisbane (yes, Australia!) collective Maison Hall tries its very best to encapsulate that fleeting feeling. “College Sports” was recorded in an abandoned masonic hall in rural Australia. The band kept it relatively lo-fi, opting for few overdubs and no click track. Despite these conditions and dusty (but uniquely mysterious) setting, “College Sports” turned out to be quite peppy… Not to mention succinct, clocking in at a mere 1:48. RIYL: Diet Cit or Blueline Medic. You can check out Maison Hall’s latest release, the 10-song It Was Never About Me, via Bandcamp here. Don’t ignore that very reasonable price!

No Why – “Disconnect. Decode.”

April 27, 2016

Cleveland-based indie rockers No Why quietly released duel singles last month and it has come to be the repeat album of the morning at our office. The second song on the mini-ep, “Disconnect. Decode” is for definitely the late 90’s emo fan, combining intricate-growing guitar work with sweet Matt Pond PA-like vocals.  If you are Built to Spill, Mineral, or Appleseed Cast, then you’ll be into No Why. The two songs were written and recorded by the band, and their debut is available via bandcamp. 

Brimstone Blondes Return With New Singles

April 27, 2016

It’s been a while since we last heard material from plucky Buffalo-rooted glam-rock act, Brimstone Blondes. When we last checked in, the band was a four-piece college-bound band still semi-based out of Buffalo, or at least all their instruments were still in a suburbs basement. Now in 2016, Brimstone Blondes are very much a Purchase band, embracing showmanship, keyboards,  makeup, and glitter. The now five-piece released two songs this week “First Impressions Are Everything” and “Touchdown U.S.A” Recorded with $ell $ell $ell Studios in Manhattan, the A-Side single, “First Impressions Are Everything” is an introduction to lead singer Matthew Danger Lippman’s unique persona and his ability to burn bridges. If you are a fan of the band’s previous works, long gone are the simple garage-rock licks. The Blondes have evolved. Check out “First Impressions Are Everything” below.

NGHTMRE – “Holdin’ On to You (Wet Paint and Wildfire Remix)”

April 26, 2016

Halifax-based future-bass producers Wet Paint and Wild Fire made a mean remix of NGHTMRE’s “Holdin’ On to You.” The song starts out as an atmospheric crawl, with whispy female vocals, and drops about 37 seconds in with expecting instrumentals. Eventually the remix  turns up with playful synth splices into a grandiose sound.  If you are a fan of Keys N Krate or Flume, then you would dig this remix. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256502217″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kevin Morby – Singing Saw

April 25, 2016

After a stint in the group Woods and a short lived side project The Babies, singer-songwriter Kevin Morby is now on his third solo record, titled Singing Saw. He has grown with each album, establishing a unique voice in a musical realm of familiarity. With pristine instrumentals and a storyteller-like prose, Singing Saw may be his best work yet. Nothing here is overly groundbreaking but, much like Tobias Jesso, Jr., he has managed to take the influence of well-traveled sounds and ideas and make them feel fresh and all his own. At moments throughout the album, you can draw lines back to the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Lou Reed, but not without a deep look through Morby’s own lens. He expertly weaves together folk, rock, and Americana, pairing it with vintage and folksy lyricism. His signature hushed baritone voice gives everything a calming, almost hypnotic feel. Singing[...]

The Slums – SORRY

April 25, 2016

SORRY marks The Slums’ first LP release since their inception, and as the band themselves suggested, please blare it from your speakers. This heavyhearted giant is here to apologize for something, or is maybe just stuck in a desperate, depressing downward spiral. Regardless, brutalizing your instruments, screaming your sorrows, and creating nasty, anger-driven material is one way to either get things out of your system or get who/what is causing you pain away from you. Like really far away from you. The Slums have blessed us with a relatable hard rock album, taking pages from Brand New’s and Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band’s books. “Gospel Part I” is the first song on this black album. The LP opener bursts into livelihood after a quiet, overdriven guitar riff. My initial thought when hearing this track was, “… it sounds broken.” That idea was immediately backed by the lyrics, “I’m punctured[...]

Black Honey – “All My Pride”

April 22, 2016

Black Honey’s “All My Pride” has been the flavor of the day over at buffaBLOG HQ. The band’s latest single, off of their forthcoming The Headspin EP. Think the gritty garage-rock stylings of The Strokes if it were fronted by Gwen Stefani with Muse’s bravado and you’ll get an idea what’s in store for  the UK-based quartet’s new single. Looks like the band will be spending much of 2016 at far-off locations in the Middle East and Asia with no word of a states tour in the future. Check out the single “All My Pride” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255573758″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sam Padrul – “Dirty Work (ft. Patrick Baker)”

April 21, 2016

Now that the sun has finally come out, my music taste sheds it’s shoegazey skin and it’s all pop and electro. Sam Padrul and Patrick Baker’s collaboration “Dirty Work” is one of those songs that just oozes REPEAT button.  “Dirty Work” is for fans Robbie Williams, Jamiroquai or Souldecision is they still kept it up. Check it out below and try not to re-listen. I dare you. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256474747″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Brat’ya – “Call Me”

April 20, 2016

Lovers of old school synths and unrestrained keyboard lines will get a huge kick out Brat’ya’s  new single “Call Me.” Brat’ya, a solo project from Alek Ogadzhanov (of Smart House), goes all out with lush electronic textures,  vintage 80’s drum sounds, and almost baroque flourishes that play perfectly off the naked yearning of his lyrics and vocals. This is the definition of modern synth pop, and it can be yours via Brat’ya’s Bandcamp page. Enjoy. Maybe get some rollerskating in under disco lights with this in your earbuds. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258609054″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Harmonica Lewinski Releases Video for “The Slug”

April 19, 2016

Rochester garage-rock group Harmonica Lewinski has released a strange new video, on par with the act’s established demeanor. Harmonica Lewinski has made a name for itself with this aesthetic of lo-fi and trippy rock ‘n’ roll. Their latest single ‘The Slug” is the first taste of their forthcoming album Head Honcho, and their newest material since last year’s Naked Brunch. It calls to mind the sounds of the underground surf rock of the sixties combining it with modern garage punk influences. The single’s video companion really helps bring to life the slimy, DIY nature of the tune. Sure to be a hit at your next sleazy basement party, check out the video below.