Latest Posts

Ricky Lake and Tommy with the Tool – “Trigenco – (Outro)”

May 10, 2026

Paradoxes fascinate Bay Area-s based artist Ricky Lake. The experimental rapper’s found inspiration in duality; the mixture of oil and water. His latest track, “Trigenco,”  fuses alty bedroom pop production with freestyle rap delivery. The dreamy, jaunty, molasses guitar loops meet a clever contrast in Ricky and Tommy’s conversational delivery. “Trigenco” explores the sensation of loving something that’s left you. “Do you even need me? … Feel like I fell in love with a ghost town.” The back half of the track really explores the swirling layers production, as the lines get more repetitive and the sentiment settles in. Check out more Ricky Lake and Tommy on Spotify, where you’ll find the Homme EP once it drops. You’ll also see this track on our Best of 2026 playlist. And be sure to dig the visuals for “TRIGENCO” down here to capture the energy of this duo.

Odile Ohms – “Don’t Give It Wings”

May 8, 2026

Odile Ohms knows a thing or too about nipping things in the bud… Even a cursory listen to new single “Don’t Give It Wings” makes that pretty evident. Through boxy drums, a digestible four-chord progression, and Odile’s haunting-but-enticing vocal presence, “Don’t Give It Wings” feels soothing, even in it’s powerful message. You know we like to hear from the artist themselves in scenarios like this – here’s what Odile has to say about the lore of “Don’t Give It Wings:”   “I think stability is most important during your teenage years, and for me, that was when everything was uprooted. It created a dissonance between who I thought I was and who I was becoming. When your world catches fire and you can’t stop it, you start to believe that’s your life, and that you’re no better. ‘Don’t Give It Wings’ is about catching that lie before it learns how[...]

Overnight Parking – “Mercy Might Martyr Me”

May 8, 2026

They just don’t make ’em like this anymore, folks. Gone are the ’90s and early ’00s where bands got in a room and made some quiet/loud Midwest emo, but Overnight Parking is here to remedy that. Elements of Braid, Unwound, and American Football radiate out from this jangly jam, which artfully combines twangy, Telecaster (TM) tone with fuzz-laden walls of sound. It’s noisy, it’s heartfelt, and it was recorded on a Tascam 388… So if you’re a fan of Deep Elm Records, Jade Tree, or Polyvinyl Records’ output, you’ll have no qualms adding this one into your rotation.   Check out “Mercy Might Martyr Me” via the bandcamp embed below, or, on Spotify. Mercy Might Martyr Me by Overnight Parking

Barz Banga – “Crack Era”

May 4, 2026

You can almost hear the latest single from Buffalo rapper Barz Banga the moment you get eyes on the cover art. Bills-era Marshawn Lynch, branded with “Beast Mode” text down by his galloping cleats greets you as the most powerful horns you’ve ever heard trot out to kick off the beat. “Crack Era,” the new single from the Brooklyn-born, Buffalo-bred artist is appropriately declarative, boldly announcing a fearlessness that stems from when and where Barz grew up. Perfectly timed for windows-down weather, “Crack Era” is punctuated with booming bass – your neighbors might get transported to 2009 when they hear you coming. If you’re looking for more of this throwback hip hop style, make sure to check out Barz on Spotify, and while you’re there, give our Best Hip Hop 2026 playlist a spin.

Rashad + Confidence – “Non Stop”

May 3, 2026

You gotta hear the timeless instrumental longtime beatmaker Confidence has cooked up for his collab with Rashad. “Non Stop” sounds like it came straight off a Gang Starr record. Confidence is in his bag, chopping up delicious piano lines, rearranging them into a head-knocking production prime for a veteran emcee like Rashad to find inspiration within. It even includes some scratching to add texture to an extra smooth selection of instruments. If there was any doubt about the quality of the artists involved, Rashad takes care of that with his lyricism. “Non Stop” is a braggadocious reminder of what traditional hip hop is supposed to sound like. This track appears on The Element of Surprise, a collaborative EP between the artists from 2011 that they’ve remastered for 2026. It’s just in time to add to your cruising playlist so you can play it with the windows down while you lock eyes[...]

Phenomeinal – Growth

May 1, 2026

Rochester rapper Phenomeinal channels his spirituality and desire for greater self into his tracks. Phenomeinal’s relationship with Jesus stands as a driving force, and he makes that clear in the opening lines of “Growth,” where scripture brings him solitude. His latest release explores how faith, ambition, and resolve coalesce into the drive that’s carried him to success despite the challenges that lurk around every corner. While it’s faith-forward, “Growth” isn’t lacking for bars. Phenomeinal effortless shifts into new lines, carrying over rhyme schemes and assonance line-to-line with clever phrasing and sounds. The track’s lofty subject matter is matched by fluttering flute and a grounding bottom half. Its percussion shouldn’t be discounted too. Give this a listen and add it to your rotation. Check this track out on Spotify – you’ll also find it on our Best of 2026 playlist. Give the visuals a peep below if you wanna get a[...]

Jack Landess – “Everytime”

May 1, 2026

Nashville-based solo act Jack Landess hit our inboxes with the surfy bedroom-pop of latest single, “Everytime.” Jack’s music is ultra-soothing – almost aquatic, and reminiscent of the oceanic scene that he used as his album cover. Plush guitars twinkle underneath Jack’s hushed vocal delivery – catchy and calming all the same. Through and through, “Everytime” is a love song – here’s a little bit more about the song’s inspiration from Jack himself:   “This song is about just wanting the love of my life, Jane, to be with me just as she is. Bringing forth both the hard times and the great times, I just need her at her core.”   You can find “Everytime” via the YouTube embed below and also on Spotify.    

Alela Diane – “Dusty Roses”

May 1, 2026

Alela Diane is a Portland songcrafter whose been carving out a quietly extraordinary career for more than a decade. “Dusty Roses” is her latest stunner – a folksy meander that highlights her darkly heartfelt vocals. Acoustic guitar twinkles gently behind Alela’s vocals, set off by gentle drumming and stabs of thumping bass. The heavy nature of the song is part of the appeal here, and it’s powerful enough to let Alela explain for herself – see below:   “I wrote this song about a dear friend of mine whose path took a wrong turn a number of years ago. I think she’s still alive, but no one knows where she ended up. I believe that we all have the capacity to lose ourselves along the way. I’ve seen it happen again and again, whether through mental health struggles, drug use, addiction, trauma, depression, or grief. So many of us have[...]

Bending Backwards – “I See You From Here”

May 1, 2026

Copenhagen-based act Bending Backwards brings their power trio energy with latest single, “I See You From Here.” We hesitate to use the term “power trio,” although “I See You From Here” is certainly powerful in its own right. Bending Backwards’ music is jittery, jangly, and unsettling in the perfect way, set off by a haunting wail that cuts right to the bone. This one made us feel things, and we think it will make you feel things to – hence, the feature.   You can find “I See You From Here” via the Bandcamp embed below.   I See You From Here by Bending Backwards

Autoignition – “Not For Nothing”

April 29, 2026

Buffalo punk rockers Autoignition are ready to blow out your speakers with a new EP – they’ve started strong with new single, “Not For Nothing.” After three long years of waiting, this is exactly the kind of song you want to hear from your local punk mainstays – lyrics barked with such ferocity that you can almost feel the spittle flying at you from the Mohawk Place stage, set off by blistering drums and huge guitars. These are the kind of songs you need to sit down and form your own bond with, so if you’re into emotional stuff that’s supremely guitar-driven, Autoignition is definitely going to be your thing.   “Not For Nothing” is out now – all the different ways to listen can be found here.    

Garet Camella – “Balance”

April 26, 2026

LA based Garet Camella is a solo act of (you’ll never guess the name) Garet Joseph Camella. His latest, “Balance” is a clean guitar track through and through that leans into the indie pop feels. Dude clearly knows how to slay with that axe but he keeps it measured and controlled with this track; giving his vocals room to breathe and the groovy bass licks shine too.   You can hear “Balance” below on YouTube as well as Apple Music and Spotify. Camella’s upcoming EP Just Passing Through is coming in the first half of May (no specific date given). That’s fine though, if you wanna hear more be sure to pop a follow on Garet Camella’s socials or streaming. Don’t worry, music Mommy or Daddy will tell you if you ask.        

Frog – “Best Buy”

April 26, 2026

New York based Frog brings us their latest single, “Best Buy.” Just a week past the release of their new album Frog For Sale, we realize we haven’t written about them since last year’s “WHERE DO I SIGN VAR. III.”   Honestly, the intro of “Best Buy” feels the closest to frog-like I’ve heard so far. The “ba-dum, ba-do” gave me “couple of frogs hanging out on lily pads” vibes and I can’t unhear/unsee this head canon. It’s a little jazzy and laid back with a rambling bass couple with geetar pluckings with background synth. I also associate frogs with jazz because of some book or acid trip (or both) so this really just makes 1000% sense to me.   You can hear “Frog for Sale” below from Bandcamp, as well as over on Spotify. The rest of their album, Frog For Sale, is available in both spots as well. Welcome back Frog, glad[...]

southpaw + Dope TAF – “Book of Genesis”

April 23, 2026

Hinted by their name, rising Bay Area hip hop producer southpaw brings power from unexpected angles on their latest single “Book of Genesis.” Classic boom bap drums set the tone, but the haunting “Joanna” vocal sample and whimpering saxophone pack the hardest punch on southpaw’s board. The track gets an assist from rapper Dope TAF, who counters the melancholic production with a bit of gusto, asserting his status in the scene. As a complete package, “Book of Genesis” offers the levity of hip hop bravado with the anchoring southpaw production, making for a really well-rounded listen. Add this one to your boom bap playlists. If you’re feeling “Book of Genesis,” make sure you check out southpaw on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Best Underground Hip Hop playlist a spin – you’ll hear from southpaw and other talented emcees making waves in 2026.

Personal Style – Garbage Can E.P.

April 23, 2026

It’s not often we’re met with a release that has everyone standing up from their figurative seats, but Buffalo-based band Personal Style continues to exhibit the kind of skill that only builds on their hype with their new four-song Garbage Can E.P. – a pulsating post-punk serenade that scratches all the right itches and further cements the group as one of the most exciting outfits in the region.   Formed in the fall of 2019, the project brings together Bryan Johnson, Evan Wachowski, and Stephen Floyd, a trio of local scene stalwarts. With a collective 15+ years spent cutting their teeth in Buffalo’s DIY circuit under various monikers (Mapmaker, Patchwork, Bryan Johnson and Family, Mallwalkers, many more), these veterans have traded their individual histories for a cohesive new chapter with the project. Garbage Can E.P. was recorded with Jay Zubricky (GCR Recording Studio) and Justin John Smith (Mammoth Recording Studio),[...]

2ŁØT – “Tread”

April 21, 2026

Rising band 2ŁØT is forging a new sound that they’ve labeled “electronic jam music” or EJM. Their latest single, “Tread” jams the hypnotic rhythms that you’d usually hear in those more free-flowing and long-form tracks into a tight two minutes. It brings the jam to the study beats structure. Led by a magnetic trumpet line and supported with piano, flute, and an enchanting vocal line, this one’s easy on the ears. 2ŁØT’s off to a strong start in 2026 with “Tread” and other highlight releases like “Come Together” and “Favorite Star.” Give “Tread” a listen on Spotify — while you’re there, check out our new Study Beats and Instrumentals playlist. We wanna drive you through with the fuzzy glow of traffic lights, the moon, or your computer screen.