Latest Posts

Sonic Blume – “Falling Behind”

September 27, 2023

“I’m sleepyhead, I’m cheesy bread.” Within the first five words of “Falling Behind” by New Jersey-based act Sonic Blume, it feels like they’ve summed up the collective millennial/gen z experience. Sounding somewhere like the child of “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies and modern day dream-pop emo (aka dream-o), “Behind” is as emotionally crushing as it is validating. Driven by its wry guitar lines and eclectic lyrics (seriously, there is some genuine wordsmithing going on here), this one struck a chord with us on multiple levels. You can find “Falling Behind” pretty much anywhere music can be consumed, including: Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

Illiterate Light – “Always Always”

September 20, 2023

There’s just something fun about the latest single from Virginia-based duo Illiterate Light. Playful, ebullient, and generally upbeat, “Always Always” is built around an inescapable vocal hook that digs into your brain, latches on, and refuses to let go. With a sound that perfectly meshes southern-tinged indie rock (think My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, or Fleet Foxes) with the synth-laced hooks of Foster The People or Passion Pit, we think “Always Always” is a shoe-in to refresh your tried-and-true playlists. You can find this fun little ditty on both Spotify and Apple Music.

Mali Velasquez – “Shove”

September 17, 2023

Tennessee based Mali Velasquez (check our last feature on her here) has turned many heads with her single releases leading up to her debut album I’m Green due out October 13 via Acrophase Records. “Shove” is a gorgeous continuation of that trend – the track is reflective, cathartic, haunting and lush. Delicate picked guitar lines circle themselves and lock into a heart stopping drum rhythm that creates an atmosphere that feels like an ouroboros of cannibalistic anxieties. Mali’s wavering, earnest vocals possess an emotional quality that arrests the listener, and that quality only expands and consumes you more as she layers more of her singing onto the track. The way those vocals entwine with the bass creates an otherworldly experience that both possesses you and manifests the emotional themes of her songwriting. Fans who love Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers, Elliot Smith, Julia Jacklin or Soccer Mommy should definitely find lots[...]

PARCS – “Wait!”

September 17, 2023

PARCS‘ sound has been peculating and taking shape in the South Wales scene over the past few years. Recently the group, originally just the married duo of Joe and Elly, added members Kristy and Liam resulting in new spaces to play off one another. The group’s new creative alchemy culminates in the latest single “Wait!,” a lush, teasingly restrained dance track with four to the floor drums driving your hips to groove. Sparse production gives the platform for Elly’s striking vocals to enrapture you before the grooving bass and melodic synths kick back in making you lust for the dance floor. The new track balances anticipation and release to create a ticklingly inviting experience that makes your brain tingle and toes wiggle. Fans of The XX, Caribou, and Daft Punk can find lots to love on this succulent dance track. PARCS had this to say about the origins of the[...]

atmos bloom – “Sea Legs”

September 17, 2023

atmos bloom rode the momentum of their successful debut album Flora and moved from Manchester to South London to build their full live band. The full monty of that ensemble is on display for their latest single, the dream-gaze jam “Sea Legs.” The new cut drips with reverb drenched guitars that mesh with haunting pop vocals creating an undulating ethereal pulse that can blend into itself then emerge from its own echoing depths. The whole of their sound has the pop melodies that hook and the fun of surf rock with a vampire aesthetic, all with a bittersweet center that squeezes your stomach while you weightlessly head bop and sing along. Fans of DIIV, Washed Out, Waxahatchee, and My Bloody Valentine will find lots to love on this one. Listen to “Sea Legs,” the new single from atmos bloom, now on Spotify and Youtube. Find more from atmos bloom on[...]

Floyd Thursby – “Teenage Ladybug (feat. Mademoiselle)”

September 16, 2023

I am neither teenaged, nor a ladybug, but “Teenage Ladybug” by Floyd Thursby and collaborator Mademoiselle made me feel things. A simple song with a bluesy guitar backbone, “Ladybug” pairs Thursby’s wry songwriting with Mademoiselle’s matter-of-fact, hush-hush vocals. With lyrics about living in trees and smirking while perched upon a daisy, it’s tough to literally relate to “Ladybug…” But something about it feels real to me all the same. It’s very possible that this song is just a joke, but if you really think about it, teenage ladybugs really don’t get any respect. No respect at all. Probably. You can find “Ladybug” on YouTube (below), Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Ostrology – “Only A Dream”

September 16, 2023

Is aural LSD a thing? If it isn’t, we think Ostrology has invented it with new single “Only A Dream.” If you could take Mac Demarco and turn the “Demarco” knob all the way to 11, you might have a good idea of what to expect. Warped and warbly to the max with wild lyrics to match, “Dream” is disorienting in all the right ways. Is the song out of tune? Could it even possibly be in tune? Is that even a guitar? Question upon question will build upon themselves – needless to say, we’ve never heard anything like this. Toke up with some dank bud and give this one a listen, we’re pretty sure it will change your life. Check out the equally trippy YouTube video below. You can also find it on Soundcloud.

Vast Robot Armies – “Like A Bug”

September 16, 2023

Vast Robot Armies (VRA) has been kicking around for the good part of a decade and that storied experience shines through on latest single, “Like A Bug.” With heavy nods to the band’s pedigree, friends, and collaborators (Sometimes Why, The Life And Times, Shiner, and Sundiver just to name a few), “Bug” is a cavalcade of dark grungy guitars, plunking electric pianos, and booming drums. Having evolved from a solo project to a full-fledged collaborative band, VRA has run the gamut of different forms and shapes – if “Bug” is any indication of their future trajectory, buffaBLOG will be paying attention. Check out “Like A Bug” via YouTube (below), or stream it on Spotify or Apple Music.

Bazemore – “in your arbor”

September 13, 2023

According to an unverified post on the genius.com page listed on his Instagram; Bazemore is based out of Baltimore and is a triple threat of producer/musician/sound engineer. His latest single is “in your arbor,” and it’s a simmering, noisy romp with ALL of the guitar layers and ALL of the feedback. It’s a mashed-together conglomerate of shoegaze and EDM that shows off Bazemore’s composition chops – the way he builds the guitars/effects/drum machine to a rousing crescendo shows a true mastery of his craft. Fans of M83, My Bloody Valentine, or my personal favorite Beach House would find a lot to enjoy here. While shoegaze typically eschews a gentle electronic beat for sheer noise, you can’t help but ignore the driving rhythms and washy presences here. You can hear “in your arbor” on Spotify, Apple Music, or if you’re thrifty like me, here’s the YouTube link.

Dirty Nice – “SHARK!”

September 13, 2023

Dirty Nice is the UK duo Charlie Pelling and Mark Thompson that spawned from their love for cartoons, comedy, and indie music. Pelling works closely with stars of the UK comedy scene and uses his gift for inhabiting their eccentric worlds to craft the universe of Dirty Nice with Thompson. The cartoon world their music calls home is simultaneously irreverent, vibrant, endearing, enthralling and exciting. Dirty Nice’s ear for song craft is apparent on their latest single “SHARK!” which blends the effortless cool of chillwave with the youthful energetic punch of indie rock. Manic energy pours from the spazzy guitar which is softened with a tube amp sound that is crunchy and delicious. The song bends and shifts with hyperactive vocals that deny expectation without alienating the infectious cartoon pop punk sound the song creates. Dirty Nice’s second full length Surrenderland featuring “Shark!” is due out November 3rd via Chiverin.[...]

Belot – “The Good Life”

September 13, 2023

London native Belot continues her brand of “awkward pop” with her latest single, the title track to her upcoming EP The Good Life, due out October 20th from Submarine Cat Records. Belot’s imaginative song crafting is on display as she wields a glossy spacey pop palette that grooves and soars through technicolor stars. The track is carried by Belot’s ear wormy pop vocals and a seamless funky bass line that fills every beat with an electric elastic momentum. The track delights with those evocatively inventive vocals and bass all while shimmering synths radiate twinkling star light all through the song – even Belot’s vocals find their home skyward as her singing shoots off with rising firework trajectories. Belot’s pop alchemy is working wonders by bringing in a hand clapping beat and a choir belting out our feel good refrain that makes for golden moments that are sumptuous and drives you[...]

Pale Puma – “Down By The River”

September 11, 2023

Amsterdam-based four piece dreampop band Pale Puma brings us their newest single “Down By The River” off of their recently released album Haunted By Dreams That Were Never My Own (September 8, Excelsior Recordings). Shimmering guitars backdropped by slick bass create a shoegazy vibe with singer Django Duijns’ echoing voice wallowing in (calm) despair. Feeling somewhere between an upbeat Interpol or less upbeat Alvvays, Pale Puma’s sound is unique enough that they stand on their own quite well. The album itself is well worth the listen if you enjoy “Down By The River,” which you can find over on Spotify. My next favorite was probably “Sea of Discontent,” especially for letting bassist Remy de Kok shine a bit more. Be sure to let us know what you think over on our social medias – Facebook or X (aka Twitter, seriously that was the silliest rebranding of all time).

Helenor – “Bad2”

September 6, 2023

Brooklyn born musician David DiAngelis, the brains behind Helenor, brings us a nice diddly of a bedroom indie pop gem with his newest track “Bad2.” Beginning with a hooky lo-fi synth (that reappears throughout the song) DiAngelis wastes no time establishing a steady pace, bolstered by acoustic guitar, that builds upon itself. Speaking to the track, he had this to say: “This is a soundtrack for pretending you have the ability to be present…. ‘Bad2’ is a ball and a chain and a weighted walk through a vitamin D soaked summer day.” “Bad2” gave me Real Estate vibes, but slowed down and deconstructed. Fans of Alex G, Bonny Doon, or even MGMT would also find a lot to enjoy with “Bad2” and the rest of DiAngelis’s impressive catalogue. You can find that and more over on Spotify or YouTube if that’s your music listening preference.

GRRL GANG – “Better Than Life”

September 2, 2023

Grrrl Gang, a power punky trio from Indonesia, brings us their latest track “Better Than Life” off of their new album sharing the same name. We previously covered them here, and had nothing but good things to say then… But to be fair that was mid August and we generally don’t turn on a band that quickly! You’re immediately assaulted with the full force of the entire band playing their hearts out and singer Angeeta Sentana droning and screaming into the mic a la Karen O. Just when the song reaches its peak, it’s over and you’re onto the next song. I can definitely get behind a song that grips me like that and manages to simultaneously give me what I need while leaving me wanting for more. I got some Sonic Youth noise vibes with with a touch of Ramones with this track, especially with it coming in at[...]

The Lovelines – “May Be Love”

September 2, 2023

Mysterious sister/brother duo, by way of Germany and Florida, The Lovelines bring us their latest single “May Be Love.” I found in it a fun, meandering piece that was honestly *so* relaxing to listen to that I felt like I was on vacation. The wavy guitars interspersed with the sister’s (no idea of their names, unfortunately) singing creates a soothing atmosphere that dream pop aficionados will most definitely enjoy. It’s a perfect, sauntering, dog days of summer vibe for that one last hangout by the pool. I think the most accurate comparison is probably Alvvays with the jazz vibe turned up like 30%. This was honestly a great stepping off point and I found some of their other tracks such as “1-800-LOVELINE” and their biggest hit “Strange Kind of Love” to be equally awesome. Be sure to check out “May Be Love” over on Spotify or Apple Music.