Latest Posts

Wild Arrows – “Got To Know”

November 3, 2023

Mike Law, aka Wild Arrows, has been shapeshifting his sound for nearly a decade, each release re-imagining his identity while holding onto his core identifying qualities of a singular voice, eccentric songwriting and crushing lyrics. Law’s latest single “Got To Know” takes those tenets and folds them into a glimmering indie pop shape that affects as much as it dazzles. Law’s voice arrests your attention as its plosives pop with each punch of gurgling bass synth. Shining tones flare and shimmer as they take turns peering out from the thick of the synth groove thus creating a flirtatious mood that provokes you as it seduces you. Fans of MGMT and Passion Pit will find lots to love on this single. Listen to Wild Arrows new single “Got To Know” now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. Catch more from Wild Arrows on their Instagram and Linktree.

Unknown Venus – “The Worst”

November 3, 2023

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and harpist Unknown Venus is an emerging artist that just started releasing their music to the masses. Her latest cut to make waves is the brooding and acidic single “The Worst” that boils over with rage filled bile brought out from a relationship that turns from bond to exploitation. Venus sings with a dispassionate tone that wilts its target with a acerbic, barren, frigid inflection that perfectly encapsulates the songs message by tone alone. She etches the songs chorus with a corrosive tongue “You want the best for me, I guess I want the worst for you.”  Venus crafts a melting world with guitar lines that disperse and cascade down with diffuse tones while a muted kick drum hammers like a heart pounding with hate after your psyche has fully realized how little someone close to you values you. Fans of EMA, Mitski, and Angel Olsen[...]

Vlimmer – “Teerritt”

October 30, 2023

Coming to you from Berlin, Vlimmer’s latest single “Teerritt” is from his August 25 album Zerschöpfung. We previously wrote about him a few years ago here, and loved what we heard then – not too much has changed in that regard in the ensuing years. The track itself is a masterclass in the gothier musics – specifically post punk/industrial/darkgaze. Picking up where bands like the Cure and Joy Division left off sort of starts to give you the idea of the sound, but not the whole picture. The drum machine, sorrowful lyrics, and synth are all there – along with Vlimmer’s impeccable attention to detail throughout. Speaking to the song (and the meaning behind the word teerritt) Vlimmer had this to say: “‘Teerritt’ is literally about being so exhausted that you lay down on the tar of the street. And when you crawl across it becomes some sort of really slow[...]

Steven Van Betten – “Friendship”

October 30, 2023

Based out of Los Angeles, Steven van Betten‘s latest single is “Friendship” off of his debut album Friends and Family (October 28, Future Gods). Bringing that fuzzy vintage folksy feel, “Friendship” features van Bettern’s soothing vocals with guitar but also throws in catchy synth. With each verse corresponding to a different friend you’d think this would turn into a “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” type scenario, but, as van Betten helpfully points out, “… but I’m trying to be in bed by 11/ someday I’ll write a verse for all of my friends and the song will be never ending…” Fans of Sufjan Stevens or Neutral Milk Hotel will find some similarities they can latch onto here, between the composition and musical style. You can hear “Friendship” along with the rest of the album over on Spotify or Soundcloud. Future Gods · Steven van Betten – Friendship

maxime. – “the life and death of a dog”

October 27, 2023

Montreal act maxime. is no stranger to the blog – check out our previous features here and here. They’re back with another heady jam, this time dipping into hyperpop territory with the sludgy bass groove of “the life and death of a dog.” Sounding utterly 2023-flavored (think Aries or Paris Texas) while paying homage to 90s-era acts like Prodigy and Fatboy Slim, “dog” slinks and slithers into your ears with its unabashed bombastic nature. It’s left-of-center, sure, but that’s what makes it so great… A genre-blending amalgam of all the things you love about music. “the life and death of a dog” is available now on Spotify. maxime. · the life and death of a dog

Bo Milli – “Chewing Gum”

October 25, 2023

Fresh off her latest EP, Making Friends, Emilie Østebø brings us her latest single “Chewing Gum” under her stage name Bo Milli. Hailing from Bergen, Norway, we’ve covered Bo Milli a few times (you can find those here). “Chewing Gum” is a fun track with a rollicking guitar that gives way to a slick bass line that would make my bass player friends go “nice.” I felt the grunge 90’s vibe with Østebø’s focused yet relaxed boppin’ lyrics. While being grouped in with other indie luminaries Soccer Mommy, Bully, and Phoebe Bridgers may seem like a daunting task for a 23 year old, she had this to say: … Just kidding I have no idea. I’m sure it’s probably flattering or humbling at a certain level but just let her make her music. She did have this to say on the track though: “‘Chewing Gum’ is a macho-anthem expressed with unconvincing[...]

Best Noodles In Town – “Host”

October 25, 2023

Indianapolis emo/alt three piece Best Noodles In Town (BNIT) recently dropped their track, “Host,” and we at the blog were pretty dang impressed. Released October 17, “Host” showcases the band’s slick composition of polished guitar and heartfelt vocals that bring to mind Hot Mulligan or Microwave while also channeling the New Found Glories of yesteryear. As a whole, you can tell they’re giving it their all at being an original act and not just a rehash of the emo acts of the aughts. They sneak in a backup screamo scream partway through the track that sounds fantastic and, having tried to sing along to screamo, I can say a proper scream is harder than it looks. Be sure to check out “Host” over on Spotify or Bandcamp, released in anticipation of their EP due out at the end of the year. Best Noodles In Town · Host

Fake Shape – “Black Bear”

October 25, 2023

Hamilton, Ontario based indie experimental four piece, Fake Shape, brings us their latest single “Black Bear.” With the basic drums/bass/guitar that most bands implement in some way or another, Fake Shape also incorporates the trumpet adjacent flugelhorn. Side note, I’m sorry to anyone who ever taught me about music in high school because I’m sure you mentioned a flugelhorn at some point and I wasn’t listening. The beginning of the track starts out with nice diddly of a wispy guitar and very tight drums leading the charge with vocalists Chester Edington and Olivia Brown coming in for a harmony. For me, Fake Shape answers the question “well what if Radiohead was born in Canada and was about 20% more jazz influenced.” The piece crescendos to about the 2:20 mark and a trumpet solo takes over, eventually giving way to some bass limelight. If you’re not impressed with this track, you[...]

REW – “Plastic Lungs”

October 24, 2023

Indie act REW has just released their new single “Plastic Lungs,” an enigmatic cut that blends shoegaze, bedroom pop, indie, and doom to great effect. Electronics beep and squeal to open the track, creating a structural skeleton that REW’s layered vocals fill like plumes of smoke before the most exciting aspect of the track kicks in, a deep dropped guitar melody that lurches the whole track forward with a hefty stride. The doomy notes churn and bubble while REW sings a hook that surfs on that voided out guitar tone. “Plastic Lungs” blends the songwriting sensibilities of Elliot Smith with the crushing fuzz of Smashing Pumpkins and Deftones and is definite worth numerous spins. Listen to “Plastic Lungs” the new single from REW on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Youtube. Find more from REW on TikTok Born Losers Records – Too · REW – Plastic Lungs

Psychic Shakes – “Home”

October 24, 2023

Plymouth-based Max McLellan, aka Psychic Shakes, brings us his latest single, “Home,” a hazy lo-fi indie jam that captures the conflicting pang of melancholy and warmth of love adeptly. 2022 was a pivotal year for Max that shaped his songwriting, he and his partner’s joyful discovery of impending parenthood led to a profound reevaluation of his artistry in a post-pandemic world. McLellan’s confessional songwriting bares fruit as he wrangles with this new identity and how that perspective tilt tints the world, revealing shades of life that were muted before. “Home” has a warm ennui driven perfectly with warbly guitar energy that exemplifies Max’s bittersweet revelation of missing your home when the world shifts beneath your feet, while always finding a haven with the partner you love. Listen to “Home” by Psychic Shakes on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music. Find more from Psychic Shakes on their Instagram Good Eye Records ·[...]

talker – “TWENTYSOMETHING”

October 24, 2023

Celeste Tauchar, aka talker, continues her momentum after a trio of critically loved EP’s with her latest single “TWENTYSOMETHING,” a cathartic blast that’ll bring you peace through rage. Tauchar wrangles the angst, confusion, and depression of your mid twenties then lets it explode out of your chest. Tauchar’s stomping rhythms and pointed songwriting invites you to direct your distaste away from yourself and point it towards the world that stopped making sense and drained your wallet. The camaraderie that raging against circumstance brings is the perfect antidote for the insular self loathing that modern digital life structures around you with hidden hands. Yell, dance, sing, kick, scream along with “TWENTYSOMETHING” knowing everyone else feels the same as you and that it’s gonna be okay. Listen to “TWENTYSOMETHING” the latest single from talker on Spotify. Find more from talker on their Instagram and Linktree.

Prude Boys – “I’m Cold”

October 24, 2023

Prude Boys came together in 2013 centering around bassist Caroline Thornbury and guitarist Quennton Thornbury’s songwriting. They built out from that structural spine through tireless local gigs and a need to fold in their eclectic musical tastes into their flawless garage rock core. The culmination of their years of writing and touring is their debut album Greatest Hits, a tour de force from the trio with many must listens. One of those musts is their newly released single “I’m Cold,” an ethereal garage rock track that blossoms into a raucous emotional rout. Smart song craft is abound in this nuanced rocker, feeling familiar yet completely alien simultaneously because of its polychromatic acoustics. Caroline’s vocals are achingly beautiful, she shows pristine expressive qualities comparable to Jeff Buckley’s riveting howls. Quennton’s guitar is tantalizing and enigmatic, delicate and growling, they climax with a blistering solo that will have you replaying “I’m Cold”[...]

Sonny Falls – “Cemeteries”

October 20, 2023

Sonny Falls turns a normally somber locale into something palatable and pleasant here on “Cemeteries.” Granted, I love walking through “Cemeteries,” but the soundtrack to my visit isn’t typically a pleasant indie-pop track… Songwriter Ryan “Hoagie” Wesley Ensley seamlessly melds an acoustic guitar backbone with tasteful percussion, swimmy guitar work, and his omnipleasant voice. Ensley ends the song with a jam of sorts that reads as powerful and meaningful without ever dipping into overblown-for-the-sake-of-epicness territory. Fans of Bright Eyes, Spoon, or (deep cut here) An Angle will love what Sonny/Hoagie has to offer. You can find “Cemeteries” on Spotify and Apple Music.

Courtney Farren – “I Must Like It”

October 19, 2023

Released October 6 in anticipation a full length effort next year, Courtney Farren’s newest single is “I Must Like It.” Originally from the Bay Area in San Francisco, she has found herself anywhere from Boston to Croatia (and currently back in California). With this wanderlust comes experiences, which fuels her creative juices as an artist. With some truly awe inspiring compositions, Farren’s vocals bring to mind artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Lorde, and Florence & The Machine. Not merely a rehash of old ideas or borrowing from other artists, she blazes ahead creatively with a fresh look ahead for the indie pop aesthetic. Be sure to check out “I Must Like It” over on Spotify or Apple Music. If you’re feeling the vibes there, dig deeper on her previous effort from April of this year with Rabbit King. 

Frogs Show Mercy – “Chester’s Privilege”

October 19, 2023

A band we’ve covered previously (here and here), Frogs Show Mercy brings us their latest single “Chester’s Privilege.” Beginning with a sample of an interaction they had with Instagram personality Chester Stone, it immediately switches gears to some raucous geetar and some bellowing vocals that will have you feeling like it’s the early aughts all over again. You might feel a slight buzz from the breakdowns and changeups, but the penultimate twist comes around the 2:40 mark…. And I won’t ruin it for you. Suffice to say, you might think you’re listening to an entirely new song. Lots of great energy from this Miami group, please give it and some of their other tracks a listen especially if enjoy bands such as Dismemberment Plan, Tigers Jaw, or Title Fight. Hear “Chester’s Privilege” over on Spotify or Apple Music.