Latest Posts

Clover Pilot – “Denial”

August 20, 2023

A mysterious indie-rock solo project from New Mexico, Clover Pilot bring us their latest single, “Denial.” Having released music at a pretty steady clip since 2021, including a full length this year, Clover Pilot seems to have a strong affinity for industrial-esque effects and electric drums. The distortion in “Denial” (you’ll know it when you hear it) would sound overwrought in 99% of songs with similar effects but here it just works – excellent mixing with the vocals, a bluesy guitar swagger, and a unique production style being the chief reasons. If you enjoy some of the more experimental takes from bands like Radiohead, the hyperpop earblasts of 100 gecs, or some of the more “out there” compositions of Panda Bear, you would find plenty to enjoy with Clover Pilot. Be sure to give “Denial” a listen over on Sound Cloud, Apple Music, or Spotify. Clover Pilot · Denial

MONOWHALES – “Hear Me Out”

August 20, 2023

Toronto band MONOWHALES‘ latest single “Hear Me Out” dropped just a few days ago but has already wracked up a decent play count – and we can see why. Having won a JUNO (Canadian Music association award) for Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2022, previously been featured on the blog, and supporting fellow Canadian group Mother Mother on their tour. “Hear Me Out” is a bit of a change-up for the group as this track is less synth focused and leans into good ole fashioned alt-rock guitar sensibilities. Speaking to the song singer Sally Shaar had this to say: “When I’m on tour, I get to surround myself with the most accepting and welcoming people on earth… I feel so heard, so supported. ‘Hear Me Out’ explores how difficult it is for me to live without that outlet.” Fans of the aforementioned Mother Mother (a personal favorite of mine)[...]

Super City – “Getouttahere”

August 20, 2023

Baltimore based band Super City bring us their brand of infectious garage rock with their newest single “Getouttahere,” a track that will surely get your hips swaying and head boppin’. The band really turns their guitars up to 11 and just don’t look back at all – blowing through 2:29 with nonstop hooks and singer Dan Ryan’s crooning vocals. I could try going into the intricacies of how their drums and bass also do some heavy lifting too (or something similarly pretentious) but in all honesty, just go listen to this absolutely blistering track. If you’ve ever listened to The Hives, Electric 6, or Queens of the Stone Age and wanted something that somehow falls between the three bands, *holds up phone to music* LISTEN TO THIS! Give “Getouttahere” a listen over on Spotify, Bandcamp, or the music video over on Youtube. If you’ve enjoyed this, their full length is[...]

Otis Shanty – “Daylight Savings”

August 20, 2023

Massachusetts based quartet Otis Shanty brings a late summer B-side track (with A-side energy), “Daylight Savings,” off their Early Birds single. The band has been making music together for almost five years, and it shows in the strong composition of  “Daylight Savings.” Mostly leading with a chill guitar track that gives way to lovely diddly of a bass line, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a trumpet making an appearance – courtesy of Sadye Bobbette (and no, it’s not a ska song). The shoegazy distortion effect really takes a front row seat for the latter half, but rather than take away from Bobbette’s vocals, it enhances them. Fans of indie darlings Real Estate and Courtney Barnett would find a lot to enjoy here, especially with the strong buildup to the indie equivalent of a breakdown. You can hear “Daylight Savings” as well as the lead single “Early Birds” over on Spotify.[...]

PAWS – “Disenchanted”

August 18, 2023

Hot off the press, Scottish alt duo PAWS brings us their newest track “Disenchanted,” released in anticipation of their self-titled album. In “Disenchanted,” bandmates Phillip and Josh have crafted a fresh indie track that manages to pay honest homage to alt 90’s rock while embodying a spirit and ethos of mid-2023 indie rock. With echoing vocals and desperate guitar that reverberates through your soul, fans of Cloud Nothings or Real Estate would find a lot to enjoy here. Also, though wildly different, for some reason the vocals call to mind that of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. I can’t quite put a finger on why, other than it just *does*. Give “Disenchanted” a listen on the previously linked Bandcamp or Spotify and be sure to let us know what you think!

Heatmiser – “Lowlife (’92 Cassette)”

August 18, 2023

You’ve probably heard of Nirvana, 90’s grunge, and Elliot Smith, but you may or may not be familiar with a band that shared a the same area geographically with Kurdt Kobain et al… Counting Elliot Smith among its members, Heatmiser was a force to be reckoned with in the 90’s that, for whatever reason, wasn’t ensnared in Sub Pop’s campaign of owning 90% of the 90’s. “Lowlife” is being released ahead of the forthcoming twenty-nine track compilation from Third Man Records. The song itself is quintessential grunge… In that it’s an alt-rock-punk tinged track. Blistering guitars coupled with singer Neil Gust’s raucous, guttural vocals is a perfect first track to, if you’re like me, be introduced to the band. Check it out on Spotify and give the rest of their back catalogue a listen if you’re feeling nostalgic. and check out the compilation due out October 6 if this is[...]

SOMOH – “Favourite”

August 18, 2023

Sophia Mohan aka SOMOH (a clever shortening combination SOphia MOHan,) brings us a dandy of an alt indie track in “Favourite;” Produced by Far Caspian (you may have heard of him, we certainly have.) Leaning into more the alt-indie vein, the song is gentle with an acoustic guitar backbone and drums punctuated by fabulous distortion a la indie darlings Soccer Mommy or Jay Som. Speaking to “Favourite” Sophia had this to say: “‘Favourite’ is about trying to feel a sense of validation through ‘fixing’ everyone’s problems but your own. There’s a childlike obsession that comes with having a saviour complex…” You can hear “Favourite” over on Spotify, as well as some of her other tracks including the heartfelt “I’ve Been Saying This.” Let us know what you think via the comments on our social meedz and if you’d like to hear more like SOMOH! SOMOH · Favourite

Eversame – “Warm Flower Sided Road”

August 16, 2023

Eversame is a quartet based out of Žilina, Slovakia. Their music spoke to us all the way across the Atlantic for it’s longing mix of shoegaze, emo, and jangle pop – one listen through “Warm Flower Sided Road” will give you an idea of what we mean. Delicate-but-hurt vocals lay overtop a Midwest-emo backbone, complete with acrobatic bass lines and wistful guitar strumming. Mid-song, a crunchy (but still chiming) guitar punctuates the gloom, which absolutely crushes the listener emotionally. Fans of Petal, Tancred, and Sunny Day Real Estate will love this one for sure. You can find “Warm Flower Sided Road” on Bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music. tell me where the flowers are by Eversame

Phasez – “Insecure”

August 16, 2023

Ottawa-based Phasez is an alt/new wave project by a secretive musician named Miguel (I know this because his IG is set to private.) Very much wearing his heart on his sleeve, Phasez is very much progressive and a supporter of BLM as well de-stigmatizing mental health issues. We latched on to “Insecure” for its thoughtful message about how not being sure of yourself can easily make you question who you are… Not to mention the super tasty hooks set in a tasteful 80s sonic palate. Check out “Insecure” below, on Spotify, or on Apple Music.

The Freeloaders – Cheap & Used

August 14, 2023

Pittsburgh-based act The Freeloaders are a band that knows their roots. There’s never a wrong time to acknowledge where you come from, and this quartet certainly does that (and does it well) on their latest LP, Cheap & Used. This ten song collection is full of songs that nod to rock and roll heavyweights like The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and Neil Young while also channeling 90s guitar rock like Radiohead, Cracker, and the Jayhawks. The Freeloaders have an all too familiar origin story – as childhood friends who grew up playing covers of the aforementioned bands, they cut their teeth perfecting the classics… That is, before the pandemic hit. Whether it was an itch from being stuck at home or just a change of heart, this quartet decided to buckle down and start creating their own songs. Cheap & Used is the result of that burning desire to make art, an[...]

Bobsled Team – “Analita”

August 14, 2023

Hailing from Belfast, pop duo Bobsled Team brings us some new music in the form of a single, “Analita”, their first new track since 2021’s LP The Colours Blur. The track itself is a jangly dream-popgasm, with wistful-sounding distortion, a la The Sundays or Sixpence None The Richer, backing up singer Kimberly’s singsong voice. Special mention to my NYS peeps: I also got similar vibes to another band that’s a personal favorite of mine – Diet Cig (seriously, check them out too!) Be sure to check out “Analita” on Bandcamp or Spotify (if you’re still sticking around after they jacked up their premium price). As always, be sure to support your favorite local groups (especially if your friends are in a band, c’mon!) Listens help artists, but showing up and buying merch are the best way to put money in musician’s pocket, short of shoving money in their pocket (which I’m[...]

Bollo Bollo – “Melt This”

August 14, 2023

UK-based indie quartet Bollo Bollo bring us their newest single “Melt This,” freshly released 8/11, and it’s a quite the humdinger. Starting out wispy and subdued, there’s a solid percussion-forward lead-in to vocals from singer Bradley Ayres’ sublime voice that leads into the crux of the song. Vibrant synth come into the fray along with a stellar bass line, propelling the track forward. Speaking to the song, the band had this to say: “It’s a song about having troubles in a relationship. Rather than taking the seemingly easier route and ‘burying-your-head-in-the-sand’, it’s about tackling the issues head on.” Fans of post punk era bands like Joy Division or their more contemporary counterparts Interpol or Tame Impala would find a lot to enjoy here. You can hear “Melt This” over on Spotify or Bandcamp, as well as their previous tracks such as the superb “Forever Stay.” Bollo Bollo · Melt This

Grrrl Gang – “Blue-Stained Lips”

August 13, 2023

Yogyakarta, Indonesia-based act Grrrl Gang sure knows how to write an upbeat jam – if you don’t believe us, one listen through the summery, punky pop rock of “Blue-Stained Lips” should be enough proof. A pure and lighthearted song about loving and cherishing your significant other (even if they have lips that are stained blue by Curacao), “Lips” brings all us tired millennials back to feelings of puppy love from days long past. Fans of The Go-Gos, The Linda Lindas, or Liz Phair’s poppier canon will find lots to love here. “We were at a party one night, and I drank this blue cocktail, and it left a stain on my lips, making them blue. I thought I looked super ugly, but my boyfriend still thought I was perfect and kissed me, regardless. The line ‘Kiss me on my blue-stained lips’ is a metaphor for him liking me and accepting[...]

Molly Millington – “Foreign Accent”

August 13, 2023

Molly Millington embodies feelings of youth, love, and longing on her latest single, “Foreign Accent.” “Everything sounds better in a foreign accent,” Molly explains, and we can’t help but relate to the romanticizing of someone’s surface-level traits. It’s backed up by a shiny and shimmery indie pop instrumental, complete with jangly tambourines, crisp guitars, and subtle hints of synth. Molly further explains her mindset below: “’Foreign Accent’ is about doing things you usually wouldn’t purely because the way it’s presented is not what you’re used to. For example, saying yes to a marriage proposal because you’re in another country and everything seems more exciting and romantic but then remembering when you get home that you actually don’t believe in marriage and possibly might not even be into men.” You can find “Foreign Accent” on both Soundcloud (below) or Spotify. Molly Millington · Foreign Accent

Jet City Sports Club – “Drug Store (Waste My Time)”

August 13, 2023

Sydney’s Jet City Sports Club are back with a brand new indie pop jam called “Drug Store (Waste My Time).” In case you missed our previous features on JCSC (see here and here), “Drug” finds the band continuing to hone their brand of glassy, beach inspired indie pop a la Alvvays or Beach Bunny. Sweet vocal melodies and a driving bass are highlights here, anchored by both crunchy and chorus-laden guitars. About the song, the band explains: “When I started writing this song, It was about always wanting more from a significant other, but it evolved into a sort of longing and desperation to be seen by someone you don’t even really know. Someone who might not even know you exist yet.” Check it out via Soundcloud (below) or Spotify. Jet City Sports Club · Drug Store (Waste My Time)