Latest Posts

MD WOODS Releases First Installment of Young and Vain Series

July 11, 2014

Early last month, Rochester folk act, MD WOODS, released the first installment of a four-part series titled Young and Vain. Part 1, logically titled Young and Vain 1., is four tracks of sparse, haunting folk that fans of Bonnie Prince Billy, Amen Dunes, and the Low Anthem would be wise to check out. No word on when Part 2 will be released, but you can follow MD WOODS bandcamp page to keep an eye out. In the mean time, listen to Part 1 standout “Bird” below.

Interpol – “All The Rage Back Home”

July 10, 2014

New York post-punk heavyweights, Interpol, have released a video for “All The Rage Back Home,” the first single off their first album in four years. Now a power trio after the departures of Carlos D and Brandon (Secret Machines) Curtis, Interpol has been gearing up to make a return with some shows in Europe in anticipation of the release of El Pintor in Septemeber, and this Paul Banks directed clip offers a glimpse of this retooled and stripped down edition of the band.

Steve Gunn – “Milly’s Garden”

July 9, 2014

Steve Gunn’s music sounds like coming home after a long journey from some far away place. Last year’s Time Off was a spare and easy album to fall into, comprising of Travis picking guitar figures that hint at the Dead circa American Beauty. I saw him earlier this year in an air condition-less club in Northampton, Mass., and I dug his set more than Kurt Vile’s, who Gunn opened for (and at one time backed up). On stage, Gunn seemed bothered and disinterested, telling the crowd that his music was on sale in the back before trailing off and mumbling, “It’s complicated.” His music, though, was the exact opposite: simple and serious, comprising of just him, a drummer, and a bassist. His guitar style feels like you are being strummed up and down by a thousand feathers, and his voice is pure. “Milly’s Garden,  the new single off his forthcoming[...]

NehruvianDOOM – “Darkness (HBU)”

July 9, 2014

The announcement last summer that underground rap titan MF DOOM would be collaborating with then 16-year-old rapper Bishop Nehru sparked a lot of questions. Who is Bishop Nehru? And why him? Why would a rapper with such a legendary discography choose to make an album with an unproven kid? To what extent are they working together? So we anxiously awaited nearly a year for something to come out of it. This week, we got a a new song/video in”Darkness (HBU)” that raises even more questions than before. Bishop Nehru provides some good flows and thoughtful lyrics, but now all the questions surround DOOM. Is he going to rap on any of these songs? The song is good, but the beat is recycled from one of DOOM’s Special Herbs instrumental projects. Will there be new DOOM production? Is DOOM going to appear in any upcoming music videos? Will this thing actually drop[...]

Work Drugs – “Double Life”

July 9, 2014

Our inbox was graced this morning with the new single from Work Drugs, a Philadelphia based dream-pop outfit. The band’s latest track, “Double Life,” taken from their forthcoming fall release Runaways, is full of smooth vocals, 80s guitars, and no lack of dance ready beats, and sounds like Holy Ghost meets Two Door Cinema Club. If you want a local spin, think Like A Parrot and the guys from Fashion Expo 1990 collaborating and you may have “Double Life.”  The band is self described as “Philadelphia’s premier Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band.” Perhaps a local promoter could land them a spot in a sweaty basement later this summer.

Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear

July 8, 2014

Australian-born singer/songwriter Sia Furler is probably one of the most popular and influential artists in pop music today, although you’ve probably never heard of her name, nor even seen her face. But with pipes like Mariah Carey and a collaborative resume that ranges from Christina Aguilera to Eminem, Sia is certainly no Adele. Sia’s previous releases, filled with quirky yet soulful tunes, have peaked in the low 50’s on the Billboard top 200. Her latest album, 1000 Forms of Fear, however, shows Sia at her most pop-oriented and anthemic yet. Sia couldn’t have chosen a better opener to the album than “Chandelier.” Starting with a light jazzy verse, the song soon transitions into the best pop chorus this year for sure. Sia belts more than she ever has, pushing her range to new heights. This is a song that will easily make it onto KISS 98.5, but is also a[...]

Pink Elephant Releases Grungy, Self-Titled Debut LP

July 8, 2014

The debut LP from Rochester’s Pink Elephant is a head-rush of grunge, punk, and psychedelia that fans of bands like Mudhoney and The Melvins will likely be quite fond of. For 10 songs, the band captures the energy of pre-mainstream grunge mixed with late-60s psych rock similar to the 13th Floor Elevator. The album makes a strong impression, and should do a fine job of introducing the band to a larger audience. The best track might be “Stupid Fuck,” which features the kind of self-lacerating rage that wouldn’t exactly be out of place on a Dinosaur, Jr. album, or maybe one of Soundgarden’s pre-fame efforts. Lyrics about putting a picture of your self on the wall “to remind myself that I’m a stupid fuck” is the kind of vitriol that Chris Cornell might have shrieked about back in 1989, long before the embarrassing Timbaland collaboration and Michael Jackson covers starting[...]

Lewis Watson – The Morning

July 8, 2014

Lewis Watson may have millions of views as a YouTube star and a rising social media presence at only 21 years old, but he’s unlike many of his other youthful counterparts on the cusps of fame. Instead of spiraling out of control since he’s gotten famous, Watson has preserved a down-to-earth authenticity that’s kept him grounded and even helped to maintain his uniqueness while others his age have sacrificed creativity for mainstream trends. In the vein of other singer-songwriting guitarists like Jake Bugg and Ed Sheeran, Watson’s debut album, The Morning, delivers maturity far beyond his age and a distinct musical style that will without a doubt find its niche somewhere in the alternative market. Over the last two years, fans of Lewis Watson have gotten a plethora of insights on what his debut album would sound like due to five highly successful EPs that featured a mix of originals and[...]

The Get Money Squad – Nothing’s Wrong

July 7, 2014

A spanking-new collaboration from Network’s Quinton Brock and producer Jon Bap keeps it fresh and brings forth a batch of songs with an unexpected new sound. Dubbed The Get Money Squad, the duo gets summery with their debut EP titled Nothing’s Wrong. Think the carefree attitude of Mac DeMarco meets the poetic softness of Shuggie Otis. Bap’s jangly guitar riffs compliment Brock’s smooth vocals nicely, and the combination is cooler than John Stamos double-fisting a pair of large Slurpees. Damn, that’s cool. Nothing’s Wrong is our Album of the Week. “Bohemia” introduces the EP with a quick minute of dialogue before melting away into a hypnotic instrumental section that I wish was much longer. The opener bleeds right into “June666” (my favorite of the five tracks), which chronicles a relationship between the devil and his significant other while a simple drumbeat and a fun bass line carry the song through[...]

Local Songstress, Wolfaerie, Releases Whimsical Full Length

July 2, 2014

Earlier last month, Buffalo-based, experimental pop artist, Wolfaerie, released her debut album Natural Flight, an 8-track collection of delicate blips and beats backing angelic vocals. The album’s stand out track,  the playful, hushed “Ghost Girl,” has shades of Bjork or even a tender, Amber Coffman led Dirty Projectors. Check out the full release over at Wolfaerie’s bandcamp page, and listen to “Ghost Girl” below.

MitchArizona Debuts with a Trippy 7-Song EP

July 2, 2014

Buffalo producer MitchArizona combines ambient beats and chopped, pitched, swirling vocals to create an impressive first EP on Sincerely, Arizona. His creativity in his song composition and structure creates a unique trip-hop experience that you can just vibe to. Some of the songs feature nonsensical vocals and others feature reflective lyrics that Arizona stretches and manipulates to the listener’s desires. It’s a cloudy, thoughtful, and ambitious effort into a burgeoning genre, and I’m excited to see where this talented producer will go from here. Check out “ARZ$ $tillne​$​$” below.

Ignorant Owls Drop Debut Single

July 2, 2014

It’s pretty rare that a Buffalo band pops up on the internet that we have not been clued in on. With that being said, we were delightfully surprised with the debut single “Space Invaders” by Ignorant Owls. Comprised of Joseph Wright, Josh Jager, and Wyle Lukow, the trio’s single channels the lo-fi indietronic hybrid perfected by Wild Nothing/DIIV, meanwhile alluding hints of Harlem Shakes or Passion Pit. Keep an eye out for further music from this new act. In the mean time, listen to “Space Invaders” below.

Landlady – “Girl”

July 1, 2014

Fresh off one of the stand out performances of the Silo Sessions Launch Party last month, Brooklyn buzz act, Landlady, have released the latest single from their forthcoming album Upright Behavior. The driving song, which sounds like a nice blend of Peter Gabriel, Future Islands, and Sunset Rubdown, continues to enforce the band’s captivating, if not off beat, blend of jagged, toe tapping indie-rock. Those who caught the band’s set under the shadows of the grain mills a few weeks ago can certainly vouch. Upright Behavior is set to drop on July 15th, but in the mean time, listen to “Girl” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156153884″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Mikaela Davis Releases “Out There Alone” Single

July 1, 2014

With a lengthy US tour on the horizon, Rochester-raised harp player, Mikaela Davis, has released her latest single, “Out There Alone.” One of her poppiest numbers yet, the track features fluttering, sunny harps backing Davis’ whistful cooing that should put her the category of indie-pop contemporaries like Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. Keep an eye out for Davis as she brings her tour through Buffalo on Friday, July 25th at Buffalo Iron Works.

Robin Thicke – Paula

July 1, 2014

It’s been almost a year since Robin Thicke released his most successful, self-titled album to date, which notably scored him countless radio airplay, Grammy nominations, and multiple Billboard Music Awards. Now, he’s back at it, eying up the top of the charts by following up last year’s summer hit “Blurred Lines” and “Give It 2 U” with an album so entirely consumed by heartache over his estrangement with actress wife Paula Patton that he went along and titled the whole project Paula. Whether you believe the album is a heartfelt plea to win her back or another marketing scheme to garner interest, one thing is for sure, Paula is a misguided collection of remorse and humility that certainly misses the mark in almost every way possible. If this is indeed a charade, Thicke is  pulling out all of the stops to keep it alive including: a very public acknowledgement of[...]