Latest Posts

Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression

April 5, 2016

Releasing a rock and roll album at 68 years old is no easy task as the genre is almost synonymous with youthful energy. When you are one of rock’s most legendary icons does that mean you can still release music that was up to par with your early material? That’s a question in which will be debated endlessly, but I can safely say that Mr. Pop still has the weirdness that we know and love along with some fresh creative energy. Pop brings a flavor that isn’t youthful energy, but is no doubt rock n roll. On the icon’s latest effort, Post-Pop Depression, the vocals bring about a sound reminiscent with the likes of Johnny Cash’s sound when he was around the age Pop is now with the added crudeness that we are familiar with when it comes to Iggy Pop. This is certainly not to say that Post-Pop Depression lacks[...]

Ray LaMontagne – Ouroboros

April 4, 2016

On the latest from folk-rock veteran Ray LaMontagne, he takes his sound another step farther from his earlier material. Ouroboros is his sixth full-length studio album, and the sonic palette is as expansive as it’s ever been. The singer-songwriter has enlisted alternative rock favorites My Morning Jacket to serve as his backing band on the record, with their lead singer Jim James serving as producer. It’s James’ unique voice as producer that lends a helping hand in taking that next step. Musically, LaMontagne draws on the same influences that informed the cosmic rock of the early ‘70s, which combined elements of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, psychedelia, soul and folk. He claims that the album came to him in a dream, and therefore he needed to present it as one cohesive record. Much like his influences from the ‘70s, he utilizes the album format as an artistic vehicle. It’s not quite[...]

9 Theory – “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck (ft. Dawn Mitschele)”

April 4, 2016

Los Angeles based electronic-producer, 9 Theory aka Gabe Lehner, released a new song last week that is making the rounds in our office. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” starts of with a 4/4 heartbeat, soft keyboards, and Moby-like snippets from “Natural Blues” accented by smokey vocals. Singer Dawn Mitschele sounds very much like Emily Haines in Metric-prime, luring the listener in for a closer listen. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” is off 9 Theory’s upcoming six-song EP titled Beautiful Things. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254861891″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Saga ft. Blu – “Up”

April 2, 2016

Brooklyn’s Saga has been a king of loosies of late. His latest standalone “Up” is a perfect rap track to transition from the depths of winter into warmer vibes. The warm, easy production is handled by France’s 20syl and is perfectly complimentary to the smooth flows of the rappers. Saga’s well-rounded attack features some really dope rhyme schemes and lyricism, and the song has a great structure. It’s a collaboration with noted emcee Blu, who along with a guest verse brings vocals to the chorus and throughout the song. Working with Blu and headed on a tour with Asher Roth soon, Saga is well on his come-up. Get your spring on and give it a listen. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254754559″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ace of Base – “Don’t Turn Around (MONAKR Remix)”

April 1, 2016

My introduction to Swedish pop sensations Ace of Base came after watching Full House. Stephanie Tanner’s band, GirlTalk (not to be confused with Greg Gillis’ one-man splice machine, Girl Talk), covered one of their singles for a talent show and Uncle Jesse got all stage uncle-y. At the time, “I Saw the Sign” was everywhere and I was happy that Stephanie’s band “made it,” as if a starring role in a show on TGIF wasn’t enough. After months (…and months…and months) of hearing “I Saw the Sign” on the radio, I finally discovered the truth. Michelle Tanner and Kimmy Gibler did not collaborate to write one of the catchiest songs of the early nineties—it was a bunch of Swedish people under the name Ace of Base. This is important because I have a subliminal disdain for Ace of Base because for no reason I felt as though they stole from[...]

M. Ward – More Rain

March 31, 2016

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Matthew Ward (aka M. Ward) has released his 8th solo studio and first album since 2012, More Rain. The restless indie-folk favorite is known for his work with duo She & Him, super group Monsters of Folk, his own solo career, and producing work for countless other artists. More Rain is a nice collection of fun, but familiar, new tunes. Ward doesn’t stray far from his comfort zone on the new record. But why would he if it works? He has made a name for himself by fusing the sounds of classic folk, ‘50s do-wop, and ‘60s rock n roll all through the lens of a modern indie context. There is a certain appreciation for artists who have established a compelling sound and can continue to churn it out, without it feeling worn. More Rain does exactly that. In typical M. Ward fashion, the genre lines[...]

Damien Jurado – Vision of Us on the Land

March 30, 2016

Damien Jurado brings us a unique experience with his newest album titled, Visions of Us on the Land.  His latest release is a 17-track album that revolves around the acoustic guitar.  From the experimental folk genre that has risen from the Indie Rock scene, this album gives us exactly that.  This is a combination of the soft voices and harmonies of Fleet Foxes and the mysterious lyrics and raw acoustic guitar of Iron & Wine. We see much more of an experimental phase from Jurado on this album.  As we hear in the fifth track titled “Sam and Davy,” he opens with a simple guitar riff while singing with an intense echo in the background.  The experimental rock side to this song is the synth that is being played as well making the song sound like it came out of a Pink Floyd album.  With the orchestra instruments slowly coming in[...]

FRENSHIP – “Carpet”

March 30, 2016

LA-based electro-pop tagteam, FRENSHIP, released their first single off their upcoming EP last week and it’s a good one. The duo, composed of two former LuLulemon co-workers, teamed together to craft music they are passionate about / write songs about bangin’ on carpets. The EP, due out this summer, is lush with grandiose-sounding mixtape jams for fans of Passion Pit, Humans, or Stepdad. Check out their lead single “Carpet” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254298840″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sun Cut Flat – “Warped Buddhism”

March 29, 2016

Right from the start, Sun Cut Flat’s new single “Warped Buddhism” grabbed a hold of my ears and would not let go. The Brooklyn-based collective, fronted by Nick Lattanzi with support from a rotating cast of Berklee-trained musicians, is best described as a mix between early Caribou, Antelope or Nomo. Fans of the aforementioned would appreciate the driving/ethereal instrumentals combined with washed out vocals. Sun Cut Flat’s new EP, titled Obscurities, comes out this morning and is available for purchase over here. In the meantime, check out “Warped Buddhism” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254276112″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Wild Year – “Setting Yourself on Fire”

March 28, 2016

LA-based indie rock act, Wild Year, released a single this past month that is totally shareworthy. The track “Setting Yourself on Fire” is starts off like a clean indie popr ock track with lead vocalist Cole Morrall cooing “none of us are what we seem, you’re still talking  without sleep, pictures of me will burn in your hands, you still tell me this was my plan.” Assuming this song is about this song is about the disintegration of a relationship, the chorus is what is most powerful and lingering. If you are a fan of Memory House, Trails and Ways, or Beach Fossils, you’d probably dig Wild Year.  Check out “Setting Yourself on Fire” below.

Lost Kings (ft. Katelyn Tarver) – “You” (Proppa Remix)

March 25, 2016

Without a doubt, one of the hottest pop singles of 2016 thusfar has been Lost Kings’ and Katelyn Tarver’s “You.” It came in just the right time for when Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” was one play away from getting annoying. Almost on cue, Lost Kings and Katelyn Tarver delivered a song that nourishes our need for falsetto vocals, bass drops, Latin rhythm, and an infectious chorus. The song was perfect… until Chicago-producer Proppa got a hold of it, re-worked the song to give it an almost Bag Raiders feel, and made this song absolutely contagious. Take a listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/251193042″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Alex the Astronaut – “Half of 21st Street”

March 24, 2016

Aussie native turned temporary New York transplant, Alex the Astronaut, released her first single close to a month ago, and it’s an indie-pop gem. Alex is a passionate story teller, and “Half of 21st Street” is a testament to her skills. The song is a love story (as half of songs are), of two individuals that start innocent and develop into something that is real.  If indie-pop Regina Spektor with an Australian accent sounds appealing, then you’ll be into Alex the Astronaut. Check out “Half of 21st Street” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/246479469″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kindatheart – “Perception”

March 22, 2016

Sometimes a song just hits you at the perfect moment and seems almost like you are in a movie. This is what happened to me when I popped on “Perception” by University at Texas  at Austin enrolled ndie act Kindatheart, when I was driving through into the nicest day since November watching dirty snowpiles melt into nothing. The quartet’s sunny sounds is obvious a product of their environment of constant and sometimes brutal Texas sun. If Buffalo’s Bryan Johnson and Family are Lake Pop,  Austin’s Kindatheart is River Pop.

Kvlt Ddy – Springing Graves

March 22, 2016

Kvlt Ddy (pronounced “Cult Daddy”) is a band native to Syracuse that issued their fifth release, extended play Springing Graves, a little more than a week ago. The EP’s cool color schemed cover art looks like a beautifully violent fuse of Avatar‘s prettiest foliage and The Terminator’s skinless skull –  an accurate visual for the music, oddly enough. Kvlt Ddy’s self-proclaimed pop bummer rock and lo-fi emo genres justly portray their songs. Kyle Beam, Alex Palumbo, and friends composed shoegaze with two different stylistic foci: synth-heavy, effect-drenched shoegaze, and a fuzzy, distant, noisy variant. Admittedly, the group’s duality helps give the three song-EP an overall lost feel. Springing Graves makes it easy for you to keep your head down and bob about half-wittingly, forgetting your troubles. “Lingering Will” is the first song off this boisterous crew of recordings, the name providing effortless foreshadowing for what is to come. The tune begins with a clean,[...]

Plain Brown Envelopes – Love In A Plain Brown Envelope

March 21, 2016

Alright Buffalo, let’s slow it down a bit. This week’s AOTW comes from a fresh collaboration between songwriter Bill Nehill (TMMC, Poison Arrows) and arranger Katie Quider (Space Is Haunted, The Patterns). The new project, titled Plain Brown Envelopes, channels low-tempo dark folk vibes, Nehill’s brooding songwriting conjuring Jeff Mangum in his darker moments and at a significantly lessened BPM. Quider’s backup vocals and arrangements provide a ghostly edge to the gothic-tinged folk project, whose eight-track debut Love In A Plain Brown Envelope offers a deceptively powerful collection of tracks perfect for the last gasp of a long winter. At the core of Plain Brown Envelopes sits the enduring songwriting of Bill Nehill. The craft is juxtaposed nicely with elements of both stoicism and desperation, tonalities spread throughout the album like a hand of fanned-out playing cards. The strange thing about this album is the fact that it was recorded[...]