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S.I.L. – “Lonely Nights”

March 18, 2023

Orlando based duo S.I.L.‘s newest track, “Lonely Nights,” immediately evokes the pumped up beats of electronica darlings Daft Punk at their most mellow and Billie Eillish at her tamest. Make no mistake though, Silvana and Justin work together inextricably to form a nouveau-jazz-adjacent smart sounding vibe all their own. Silvanna’s soulful voice fills your inner being while the tightly wound bass and drums fill your body with longing. I feel anyone who is familiar with band such as Rubblebucket and the aforementioned Billie Eillish/Daft Punk comparisons would feel most at home with S.I.L. Be sure to check out their various singles and 2020 full length Sunshowers on Soundcloud or Spotify. S.I.L. · Lonely Nights

Shuttle – “Daydreamin'”

March 18, 2023

Shuttle brings a tight synth pop track your way with “Daydreamin’,” off of their most recent EP sharing the same name. Already having amassed nearly two thousand plays on Spotify (in addition to nearly 500k for equally accessible single “Swimming Through Time”), Shuttle is clearly no stranger to melodious pop tracks. I cannot, however, in good conscience recommend “Daydreamin'” to the layperson; in their forward they sent buffaBLOG it was clearly labeled as “music for non-human animals who travel in space.” Would this have been on the soundtrack to Laika, one of the first animals in space (cruelly) part of the Russian’s Sputnik 2? Maybe, maybe not. However, were I to assemble an away team in my “travels,” I would most assuredly choose Shuttle as a stalwart second mate – along with more established luminaries such as MGMT and Tame Impala (M83 can come too). “Daydreamin’s” carefully coordinated synths will[...]

Dragon Inn 3 – “I Can’t Stop”

March 16, 2023

Dragon Inn 3 is the current project of Kansas City resident and indie royalty Philip Dickey (of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin fame). Along with his sister Sharon Bowie, his wife Grace Bentley, and David Hill they’ve created the delightful synthpop jam “I Can’t Stop.” While there are seemingly no dragons, Dragon Inn 3 will certainly be a wonderful host to your ear buds if you’re familiar with such acts as Eurythmics and early, less depressing, Depeche Mode (seriously, check out 1985’s Catching Up with Depeche Mode and tell me I’m wrong). Dragon Inn 3 brings back the fun and whimsy of the 80s with the production and sleek songwriting skills of modern day indie rock (and gives SSLYBY fans a tasty slice of new content), reminding you that it’s okay to dance to rock ‘n roll. Be sure to check out Dragon Inn 3’s sophomore album Trade Secrets, out April[...]

Gold Spectacles – “Anywhere Else”

March 16, 2023

Gold Spectacles has released their new track “Anywhere Else,” a deliciously satisfying continuation of their unique blend of synth and baroque-pop (see our previous features here, here, and here). “Anywhere Else” is a pop joyride as much as it is a masterclass in eclectic textures and pop construction. Tape hiss, bright muted keys, and tempered pop vocals are just the beginning of this track’s arsenal of sonics, with acoustic guitar twinkles, a vintage hammond organ, and an energetic bassline each finding their moments to shine. Gold Spectacles’ ear for timing and construction will wow you as their vocal staccato stylings fit perfectly within their delectable slices of pop sounds like zero tolerance machining. Here is Gold Spectacles talking about the new song: “We wrote ‘Anywhere Else’ on a trip to Barcelona, our first time abroad since the pandemic, because we didn’t want to go home. We borrowed a guitar and[...]

Curves – “Perpendicular”

March 16, 2023

Curves has released their latest single “Perpendicular,” a emotional, guitar-heavy indie rock jam that you’ll feel in the back of your jaw (check our previous feature on them here). “Perpendicular” pulls from the emotional core of reminiscing about a past relationship that crossed their life’s path once and its better to stay that way based on the destruction it caused. The track evokes the turbulent relationship with sonics that are loud, discordant, and messy, but never veers too far from a indie rock groove anchored by the song’s kick drum. “Perpendicular” has purposeful rough edges and fat guitar melodies that pair perfectly with a earnest howl of a chorus that will pull on your guts as you howl along with it. Listen to Curves new song “Perpendicular” on Spotify. Perpendicular by Curves

Guy Blue – “No Other Life (Without You)”

March 13, 2023

Brooklyn-based artist Guy Blue builds a dreamy landscape with the gorgeous and delicate new single, “No Other Life (Without You).” Many artists use ethereal and dreamy soundscapes to evoke a mood, but Guy Blue accomplishes the unique feat of translating the surreal into music through their songwriting and production. Every aspect of the song works to bring the listener into a dream, even the humble pulsing synths growing out of the distance that begin the song create the effect of a dream that has just blossomed in the mind the moment after the window of consciousness has slammed shut. A humble drum machine joins the construct and then shifts as soon as it becomes familiar by adding a reverb that grows and pushes the congruent dream vision further. Guy Blue wields progression masterfully here, adding sounds that are familiar but bent, so they simultaneously read as alien also – another[...]

DOVVYDOTCOM – “central ’22”

March 13, 2023

Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, and producer Dov Sikowitz, aka DOVVYDOTCOM, has an excellent, unabashed new single with “central ’22.” The track brings you in with an unassuming but welcoming buzz-and-hiss jangly guitar intro that sets the stage for the beautiful guitar picking backbone that the song drops into. The buzz has that irresistible warmth of a tube amp that simultaneously tickles the cochlea and heart, and Dov’s patient songwriting dances with that warmth so well, creating a sonic progression that is eternally pleasing. As a music fan, this writer is a straight sucker for lyric forward song writing and Dov delivers that so well as his soft warm confident singing lays out his poetry so clearly with the sparse production of the track only focusing on guitar and vocal. This creates an emotionally gripping center similar to greats such as Death Cab for Cutie, Alex G, and Dijion. Here[...]

Ryan Ritual – “Slip Away”

March 13, 2023

Ryan Ritual brings you lucky listeners an infectious new single with “Slip Away.” The indie-pop track has a gruff, slacker charm that will disarm and enchant you while the nonstop pop pace will have you tapping toes, wiggling hips, and singing along the whole time. Bright steel guitar highlights flash by as guitars, synths, drum machines, and hand claps all create a wash of pop deliciousness that feels like a hot summer drive with the perfect breeze cooling the back of your neck. The sonics link perfectly with Ryan’s lyrics about new love feeling like a revival after being shut down emotionally (along with the rest of the world) because of the pandemic. Ryan sings those lines with vocals that are mesmerizing and catchy, blending a growling layer beneath his melodious singing that is reminiscent of the undeniable stylings of Future Islands. Here is Ryan talking about the decision for[...]

Cooler – Doom Spiral

March 13, 2023

Cooler, a Buffalo-based three-piece, creates deeply personal, ethereal indie rock fit for the most intimate of moments. Doom Spiral, the group’s 2023 release, is their best work to date. The album centers around themes of opposition and devotion while persistently shifting between a confessional love story. Throughout the project, distance between people is a constantly developing undulation. Cooler braves this emotional disparity while engaging in intricate heart-to-heart discussions. The group fills out their already-strong sound with layers of carefully-laid, familiar guitar lines, sludgy bass flavors, and newfound sleek electronics, resulting in a sound they describe as “dreamo.” The album’s intro, “Gentleman,” was the first recorded with their current lineup, currently consisting of Alley, Jake, and Nick Sessanna. Breaking through the mist, the song’s flagship guitar line is as sentimental as it is catchy, while Alley’s reserved, melancholic delivery dazzles amidst lyrical dejection. “Succulents” is a meditative groover that aims to[...]

Leon In The Wild – “Quiet Covers Up a Lot”

March 12, 2023

“Quiet Covers Up a Lot” is the lead single off of California-based Leon in the Wild‘s self-titled 2023 EP. Leon kicks things off with his warm, pop-forward guitar and conjures dulcet tones that land somewhere between fellow Californians The Beach Boys and Pavement. I particularly enjoyed the story told throughout this track; seemingly about that special someone that you maybe haven’t been able to spill your true feelings to. According to Leon, he “[has] always been the guitarist, the producer/engineer, the person mixing/mastering, background vocalist, etc. This is my first step into the wild as myself.” If this track caught your ear, definitely check out the rest of this six song EP which is available on Spotify. Additionally, if you happen to have the means of playing it, you can pick up the cassette on his Soundcloud page and head to the beach with your Walkman and surfboard. Leon in[...]

Sara Devoe – “Magazine”

March 12, 2023

“Magazine” is the latest of several singles from Albany-area “idiot musician” (her IG bio, not our thoughts!) Sara Devoe. “Magazine” is anything but idiotic – the initial assault is nothin’ but bass and tight drums leading into Devoe’s earnest lyrics, reminiscent of indie luminaries Perfume Genius and (coincidentally) boygenius, albeit with a bit more bite. Devoe is currently a a senior at Geneseo in Western NY and has an EP coming in the near future, so keep an eye on your favorite music consumption app. Check out her other singles Spotify and let us know if you’d like more Sara Devoe (or Devoe….esque?) on our Twitter page. Sara Devoe · Magazine

Tinge – “Big Crush”

March 12, 2023

With “Big Crush,” Winnipeg-based three piece Tinge brings a power-chorded banger of a single off of the their EP Big Deep Sigh. “I don’t look like much but baby I can rock your work” croons Anishinaabe songwriter Veronica Blackhawk, lightheartedly drawing in a relatable energy to one of those crushes [cries internally]. Blackhawk’s vocal range and intelligent lyrics bring to mind Blue Album and Pinkerton era “Weezer,” Colleen Green, and Camp Cope while still forging ahead on the strengths of the band’s excellent chemistry. Definitely check out the rest of their EP on Spotify or Soundcloud! Coming in at just under seventeen minutes, you’ll get through this delightful gem during your morning commute or shower time and undoubtedly like me you’ll be looking for more. House of Wonders · Tinge – Big Crush

Kondratieff Wave Generator – “welcome to the project!”

March 7, 2023

Coming to you from Oregon, Kondratieff Wave Generator (for brevity, K-Wave) bring us “welcome to the project!” off of the of their debut album High Rise. K-Wave brings joyfully warm guitars, almost as if they’re excited-but-not-too-excited-in-a-lowkey-way to bring us their brand of chill, vintage-tinged bedroom-pop. The wispy riffs driven by steady drums and bass evoke a mix between early iterations of The Strokes (specifically their stripped down performances) and more modern bedroom-pop luminaries like Day Wave. This is a great band to get in on the ground floor with as they’re just hitting their stride and with such a strong initial outing, there will hopefully be more to come. This is a great track (and album) to listen to if you’re in for the night in your pj’s and want to just v i b e. Check out Kondratieff Wave on Spotify or YouTube.  

Xul Zolar – “Tell Me”

March 6, 2023

The third single off German band Xul Zolar‘s upcoming album, Heidelbach (March 17) is the tight, synthy darkness of “Tell Me”. Out of the three tracks released so far, this happens to be the darkest (although the first single “Protocol” is certainly a close second on the hopeless meter). Light synth and guitar work float flawlessly along with with dreamily haunting vocals that move “Tell Me” along at a steady, if morose clip. Dripping with self-loathing is the bread-and-butter for acts such as The Cure and Interpol (you may have heard of them), but Xul Zolar manages to make this track sound like more than just another goth-pop retread. Give Xul Zolar a listen if you own a black parasol or (like me) may have eaten many lunch by yourself a lot growing up. Xul Zolar · Tell Me

The Empty Page – “Level Sedentary” (and B-Side Dry Ice)

March 6, 2023

Manchester-based band, The Empty Page, brings a punk-tinged ode to depression and executive disfunction on their single “Level Sedentary.” Taking cues from 90’s Sonic Youth, Pavement, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the meandering guitars and singer Kel’s voice feature prominently. Citing such depressive luminaries: “I’m Vonnegut/ I’m Plath/ I’m Proust/ I’m Bonnie Grape/ I’m Charlie Brown/Sometimes I wanna sleep forever…” toward the end of “Sedentary” really cemented my opinion on the wit of Kel’s lyrical composition. While “Level Sedentary” gradually warms up your ear drums and drags you to the couch for a chill day, the B-Side “Dry Ice” comes out kicking with thumping bass and drums. While initially a shock heel turn, you’ll soon find yourself matching Empty Page’s energy and bopping along to this masterclass in indie pop punk. If indie bands were stocks and I were Jim Cramer I would be yelling “STRONG BUY” with spittle flying[...]