Latest Posts

Sea Glass X Sky Adler – “Weekend”

June 15, 2023

Last time we checked in with Sea Glass, we were waxing poetic about singles “Pinecone Alley” and “I Have Jokes (If You Wanna Hear One).” There’s a reason we keep coming back to Sea Glass (and frequent collaborator Sky Adler), and one listen through their most recent tune will explain why… “Weekend” is a ’90s-reminiscent slice of slacker-pop that brings to mind early Weezer, Pavement, and even a hint of Viagara Boys – expect plunky guitar riffs, spicy melodies, and a uniquely beeping metronome sound keeping constant time. Adler remarked about his time in the studio with Sea Glass: “We discussed how much we missed high school and also how scared we were for kids still going through it. ‘Weekend’ was born pretty quickly in that reminiscent yet somewhat dark state.” Check out “Weekend” on Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp. Weekend by Sea Glass, Sky Adler

Famous Friend – “Prism (Better Than This)”

June 14, 2023

Famous Friend (aka Zachariah Carlson) is an LA-based writer/producer/artist specializing in surfy bedroom-pop songwriting. We’re recommending “Prism (Better Than This)” for its upbeat vibes – expect twinkly guitar textures that are washed-out with love; punchy Casio-beat drums; and Carlson’s omni-pleasant vocal delivery. Fans of Day Wave, CASTLEBEAT, and Still Woozy will find lots to dig into here. “Prism” is the first single off of Famous Friend’s debut LP, Garbage King… Be sure to check it out on Spotify.

Stereosity – “Manny, Manny!”

June 14, 2023

Stereosity is a four piece from Orange County, California consisting of four friends (two of which are brothers) who love “warm tones and silly words.” Self-described as “calculus rock” (surely a play on words of the popular math rock genre), Stereosity memorializes a beloved (and weird) family dog in “Manny, Manny!” You’ll hear lots of genre hallmarks here – wailing and passionate vocals; start-stop guitar work; and more emotion than you could shake a stick at (there’s a pun on playing fetch here somewhere, but we’ll just leave it at that for now). Fans of Tiny Moving Parts, Macseal, and Delta Sleep will love this one. You can find “Manny, Manny!” on Spotify and Soundcloud or via their Linktree. Stereosity · Manny, Manny!

Anya Baghina – “It’s Clear To Me”

June 14, 2023

Anya Baghina (whom you may recognize as a member of Soviet Girls) is here with an alt-folk-dream-pop song she’s calling “It’s Clear to Me.” In the best way, “Clear” is straightforward and sentimental – lightly chorus-laden guitars and gentle fuzz elements power this jangly gem forward while Baghina’s ultra-sincere delivery adds a healthy midwestern emo flavor. This one has appeal across multiple genres – if you’re a fan of Beach Bunny, Alvvays, or Petal, Anya’s work is definitely up your alley. Anya’s album is due out June 23rd – until then, make sure you check out “Clear” on Spotify and Apple Music, too.

Hundred Plus Club – Doom and Bloom

June 12, 2023

Buffalo-based band Hundred Plus Club (HPC) stays on par with their poppy, story-driven music in their latest three-song EP, Doom and Bloom. The band teamed up with Admirable Traits Records yet again to record this project which joins the ranks alongside a number of excellent singles, EPs like 2016’s For You and 2017’s Everybody’s Friend, and a split with their fellow Buffalonians in Cooler.  The opening track and lead single “Garden Cruise” dives into the problems of love (in whatever form it may take) – within the first few lines lead singer Zain Shirazi exclaims, “Love makes, Love makes us cry.” He sings with such a cold and calculated pain that if you close your eyes and imagine yourself alone at night, you’d feel like you can run through a brick wall head on. Essentially, that is the picture that the band tends to draw for their fans; being able[...]

Off Contact – “Dressed to Kill”

June 9, 2023

Four piece post-punk outfit Off Contact are an eclectic group of local scene stalwarts from Sioux Falls, SD. Following their killer second full length, they’ve just released their third single, the inventive, evocative, and hawkish “Dressed to Kill.” Each member has their roots deep in the same local scene, some even owning the venues that are its life blood. This passionate fandom and deep-rooted love culminates, creating striking music that reflects four individuals and a scene that has a string pulling at each of their hearts. Buzz saw lead guitar wails while a fat, melodic bass line leads it forward with unending momentum. Singer Lindy Wise lays into the track with earnest and endlessly cool howls finding his space on the track and clearing the way for stark and delicious unified gut punches from the instrumentals. Fans of Interpol, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, Ought, and Ty Seagull will[...]

Graham Grease – “On Replay”

June 5, 2023

Washington, DC based band Graham Grease brings us a post-punk tinged single with “On Replay.” This is a bit of a change-up from when we last covered them back in ’21, but still in fine form (as Nick aptly pointed out: “…the ear-catching discordance of Pile, the eternal-slacker vibes of Pavement, and grittiness of early Nirvana…”). Whereas 2021’s “Teething” was more of a nod to the 90’s grunge bands of yesteryear, “On Replay” goes with crooning vocals a la Talking Heads and the layered guitars more in line with “Machina” era Smashing Pumpkins with a bit of the freak-out vibes of Q and not U. Bonus clout: studio drums were laid down by Spike Smith who has previously played with Morrissey and the mixing was done Jonathan Schenke who has worked with Parquet Courts, Liars, and Snail Mail. You’ll be more than impressed with the depth of sound throughout this track.[...]

Rosie Quartz – Philophile

June 5, 2023

Buffalo-based band Rosie Quartz specializes in guitar-driven songs soaked with luscious reverb. Their surfy vibes and easy-going disposition has resulted in a new, three-song project they’ve titled Philophile (i.e. a lover of loving). Throughout your first listen, you’ll feel like you’re on a bicycle riding a hundred miles an hour on a sunny breezy day, your hair flying wildly through the wind. The drums throughout each song brought by Alex Bogart make your head bop unconsciously along with the smoothness of the guitar brought by Adam Cwynar and the deep bass grooves of bassist Ron Walczyk. When Sean Pratt’s voice first hits in the song “Constellation Prize,” you get a sense of fresh air you didn’t know you needed. Overall, their music has a vibe that is very calming and warm that makes you want to lay back and stare at the stars late at night. The project was produced[...]

Mirrorball – “Red Hot Dust”

June 4, 2023

LA-based duo Mirrorball are here to lull you into a haze with their latest single, “Red Hot Dust.” Singer/songwriter Alexandra Johnstone and multi-instrumentalist and composer Scott Watson have crafted something stunning here, driven by somber piano plunking and Johnstone’s ghostly vocal presence. Big hooks and morose moodiness will remind you of Lana Del Rey or Beach House with a hint of the rawness of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (indie rock producer Chris Coady, who has also worked with the YYYs and Beach House also produced this track). The hard hitting melodies of lines like “red wine it’s a thriller/ it’s a god damn killer” cut right through you – as they explain it: “[‘Red Hot Dust’ is] a dreamy drive up the foggy, west tree-covered coast before the sun comes up arriving to the pink open desert.” Be sure to add “Red Hot Dust” to your favorite Spotify playlist.

Marni – “Manny’s Song”

June 3, 2023

Skin-prickling electricity pours from “Manny’s Song,” the latest single from Marni – each section is steeped in irresistible shoegaze influences. Melodies from delicate guitar lines fracture into fat washes of noise that hold their shape, creating a duality of mood that aligns with the theme of the song – the good and bad voices inside a person’s head. Marni wields texture and progression masterfully in the song structure. The five sections call back to previous verses while folding in new elements which brings an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. Short, gorgeous, gut punching, cathartic, expressive, and joyously creative… Give this one some spins for sure.  Fans of My Bloody Valentine, Deftones, and Brand New will find lots to love in this. Listen to the new song “Manny’s Song” by Marni on Spotify and YouTube. Find more from Marni on their Linktree.

Smokey Brights – “Long Goodbye”

June 3, 2023

Seattle natives Smokey Brights have released a slew of singles leading up to their exciting new full length, Levitator. Their latest single, “Long Goodbye,” features bombastic guitar and vocal harmonies belted out to hit the back of house. Fronted by the married duo of Kim West, on keys and vocals, and Ryan Devlin, on guitar and vocals, the band is at their most anthemic on this track. With Devlin taking the lead and then being joined by West and bass player Luke Rägnar for a three part harmony, they absolutely blow the roof off the chorus. The new track focuses in on deteriorating relationships and how all the animosity, aversion, and languish felt up to that defining final schism is all part of that “Long Goodbye” Listen to the new track on Spotify and Apple Music and catch their new full length there as well, you can also find the[...]

Sea Lemon – “Cellar”

June 3, 2023

Seattle musician Natalie Lew, known as Sea Lemon, has just released the introspective, lush, shoegaze single “Cellar.” Lew lays ethereal vocals over each other that sound like howling winds pushing through caverns of your psyche. The rhythm section brings it with tumbling drums and bass, creating a pulse that balances the ghostly singing while pushing you into a perpetual free fall feeling. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Natalie’s sonics evoke her home’s palette with a feeling of blue-green pine forests outside of rain streaked windows while you stare out, unfurling the tapestry of your inner mental machinations. Here is Natalie talking about that and how the song came into being: “‘Cellar’ was inspired by my love of really classic horror and thriller films, like Blow Out and Misery, and how loving scary movies can sometimes feel like something is wrong with you. That idea of the ‘cellar’ in the song[...]

mid – “Dirty Blonde”

June 1, 2023

Is it surfy? Is it shoegazy? We’re not sure, but we’re loving the energy coming from mid. The trio, based in Alexandra, VA is high school aged(!) (with one outsider named Throb), and they are making an incredible amount of washy noise with latest single “Dirty Blonde.” Big, bombastic, fuzzed-out choruses are sandwiched by wailing guitar noise and reverbed-out vocals. It’s youthful, it’s loud, and its fun… And it’s also something best experienced for yourself – make sure you check it out below. Mysterious. Check it out on Spotify and/or Apple Music if you’re as intrigued as we are. mid · Dirty Blonde

Madge – “notss”

June 1, 2023

Every now and then we need our hyperpop fix, and non-binary artist Madge is the artist to do it for us most recently. Having written for/collaborated with artists as varied as Pussy Riot and Portugal. The Man, it’s no surprise that “notss” is a hyped-up banger that sounds like a waterfall of candy probably tastes… Probably. Helium vocals and pulsating bass electronics will keep your body moving and grooving at speeds previously unknown to mankind. Madge wears many hats (literally), as they are also a fashion darling (aka model) – even their description of “notss” is artistic af: “The soft torture of mixed signals and the excitement of captivity. I can’t help but think that getting strung along like this is just keeping me strung out on something I like.” Check out “notss” on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.

Ali Dellas – “Chasing You”

June 1, 2023

Rising Aussie singer/songwriter Ali Dellas is back with another sugary-sweet indie-pop track called “Chasing You.” In case you’ missed it, Ali’s been on our radar for a while – here’s her previous love song, “Heart Eyes.” She continues her trend of perfectly upbeat songs that somehow never stray into that oh-so-familiar lovey-dovey cheese. With a punchy drumbeat and jangly acoustic guitar strumming, Ali zeroes in on a unique aspect of being in love – here’s what she says about “Chasing You” below: “Chasing You is about having a surprising sense of peace about being in love with someone else because you’re confident that you’ll still end up together.” You can find “Chasing You” on Spotify.