Latest Posts

Icon South – “Dinner Date”

March 18, 2026

There’s magic in every layer of Dallas-based Icon South‘s newest melodic new hip hop track, “Dinner Date.” Sunset strums, soulful flute, and South’s sultry harmonies are just a taste of what you’ll find deep in the mix of the song. They build a heavenly wall of sound that pulls you into the production of the track. Icon’s lead part, half-sung half-rapped, settles into the rapper’s questions of loyalty from his environment, before ultimately showing some extra love for sincerity in his life. Give that first minute a listen to catch a really satisfying percussion drop that finds a new groove in the song. If you’re looking for more servings of “Dinner Date,” check out Icon South on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, updated every week.

Adetola – “NEW SWAG ORDER”

March 17, 2026

Tallahassee-based rapper and singer Adetola continues her run of anthemic releases with her latest single, “NEW SWAG ORDER.” Distorted, glitchy bass floods your bones while a tiny little melody meets between your ears, making “SWAG” a full-body listening experience. Fittingly, Adetola’s vocals are swagger-filled and chalant-lacking, revelling in her position as the coolest possible person to be handling this beat. Her lyrics call back to the late 2000s hip hop scene — referencing no ceilings, coups, and swag of course — while her delivery and production are distinctly of the moment. Adetola first graced our pages with 2025’s “OHKAYE,” another high-energy track geared for a sleazy, sweaty after-hours party. Check out more from her on Spotify if you’re looking to explore this sound some more, and get into our 2026 Underground Rap Playlist while you’re at it.

Night Moth – “Horse”

March 13, 2026

Night Moth is not horsing around with “Horse.” Their latest clocks in at just 1:28, but jams a lot in within that fleeting timeframe. The opening words “If I could be anyone else/I’d be a horse/Galloping through the Montana fields” say it all, and I can’t agree more. The vocals and guitar are clean with a folk indie mouthfeel that anyone with a modicum of good taste can get into (looking at you fellow buffaBLOGGER Ron).   You can hear “Horse” below from Soundcloud, as well as on Bandcamp. Their socials are currently set to private but I’m sure if you pop a follow you’ll unlock the access you so crave. You can dig deeper with their label, Worry Bead Records (based out of NYC in Queens) if you care to dive down the rabbit hole – we certainly have in the past.  

figure eight – “hummingbird”

March 13, 2026

California based figure eight brings us their latest with “hummingbird.” Low key AF vocals go for the slow burn, so much so that you’ll be lost betwixt the harmonies and mournful guitars. If you could quantify the feelings and longing the band creates atmospherically with the instrumentals alone, you’d probably have a cure for loneliness. I felt equal parts sadness and hopefulness and I’m still not sure which was the stronger emotion.   “hummingbird” is available below from Bandcamp and on Spotify. “until the sun swallows the earth” is the second half of the single and well worth your time if you enjoyed the first half. Shorter but somehow a deeper dive, you’re certainly not left wanting.   until the sun swallows the earth / hummingbird by figure eight

The Library is On Fire – “Intrusive Thots”

March 13, 2026

The Library is On Fire and you can lay that at the feet of Steve Five, the founding member of the band. “Intrusive Thots” is hilariously current while giving a nod to the melodies of yesteryear. Diving right into the lo-fi 90’s aesthetic, the band finds their blissful, lo-fi tone and stays there. Slacky raucous guitars and that “idgaf” grunge carelessness come home to roost – you won’t be disappointed. Plus, who doesn’t love a good pun about thots?   “Intrusive Thots” can be found on both OnlyFans and the YouTube music video below.  You can hear that and the rest of their five track EP on Spotify.          

COOL HEAT – “Not the Same”

March 13, 2026

You may or may not feel the same after COOL HEAT’S “Not the Same,” but you’ll be able to accurately question what the same might feel like. The brainchild of Chicagoan Eden Sierotnik, he holds the honor of being only the second person I’ve heard of with the name Eden. He differs from the Eden I know with his love of the post punk synth and eerie soundscapes… Whereas the Eden I know might be a bit more into show tunes, or perhaps the soundtrack to Wicked.   Eden’s vocals adapt to the humdrum of the instrumentals and will put you in that good, numbed-out spot that you can’t help but be attracted to. Icy-cold electronic textures spin a dark and moody vibe, which, as astute readers can probably tell, is a surefire way into our blackened hearts. We’ve previously covered the band here and, much like then, have nothing[...]

Lateral – “Fruit Bearing Yields”

March 13, 2026

“Fruit Bearing Yields” is the latest from self described the “scrongly rockers” of Lateral. Coming out strong with a proggy math rock kick in the teeth, you can tell they’re just showing off how fucking good they are as a group. Bass/drums/guitar are hitting all the shots in the corner pocket while you’re waiting for the breakdown (that’s already happening and the song is done, jeez, you need to pay attention better). Speaking to the track, vocalist Erik had this to say:   “‘Fruit Bearing Yields’ is about feeling guilty for not liking a gift you’ve received for Christmas or birthday, but then after getting further into it I realized it was about self actualization and coming to terms with parts of myself I fall short and addressing the root causes of said problems- while kicking myself for not doing it sooner.”   You can hear the track below on[...]

Lynx Cane – “mistletoe”

March 12, 2026

Do you remember your first love? Raw, innocent, and as real as anything you’d every experienced. South East London producer and rapper Lynx Cane recaptures that emotion, and blends in a little bit of slowcore for his latest track, “mistletoe” “Our love was mystical. but you miss those lips on the mistletoe.” Lync channels a sullen, spacey beat into his lyrics. Over a tight 1:45 track, Lynx recaptures the emotion of first love. No matter how that ended in reality, there was a devastation to its closure. Playing producer too, Lynx develops an emotive undercurrent to accompany his lyrics. Wandering guitar notes pair with a driving beat, as Lynx attempts to recapture the a moment in time. It’s a statement track for the tight run, asking the listener to explore more of this journal on subsequent tracks. The visuals for this track are a great intro to the artist too[...]

Alex Northrup – “Golden Child (pt. I)”

March 10, 2026

Alex Northrup is at it again, creating his hyper-unique brand of electro chamber pop with a brand new single, “Golden Child (pt. I).” Northrup has a very unique retro-meets-contemporary style that utilizes Beatles-esque instrumentation, Supertramp jauntiness, and modern-day ideation to create something just left-field of timeless, at least in the sense that it doesn’t sound quite like anything else. Plinking harpsichords and “Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime” type synths give this a truly vintage feel, but Alex’s eclectic style keeps this rooted in 2026-type magic. Beyond all that, where are all my fellow gifted-kid-burnouts at? This one is for you, especially lyrically.   “Golden Child (pt. I)” is available now on bandcamp (embedded below).   Golden Child (pt. I) by Alex Northrup

MEMORIALS – “Dropped Down the Well”

March 8, 2026

The frantic new single from MEMORIALS is the latest banger blaring through the buffaBLOG office speakers as of late. Soaked with organ and brimming with neurotic post-punk energy, we’re reminded of SPRINTS, The Walkmen, and even Ceremony when we listen to this jam. Ripping basslines, monotone vocals, and blistering drums are the engine that make “Dropped” roar – get this one going on your next road trip, just be careful not to push the pedal all the way down to the metal.   Check out the video for “Dropped Down the Well” below. It can also be found on Spotify and bandcamp.    

riley hp – “finelovin”

March 8, 2026

riley hp sounds like he’s about to fall apart on latest single, “finelovin.” Bridging the gap between Mac DeMarco and Atom and his Package, “finelovin” has all the straight-through-the-interface-DI tones you could hope for. It’s a fitting, lo-fi approach for riley hp’s lyrical content about impostor syndrome and how it relates to love. Janky and fun, “finelovin” is the kind of song that simultaneously feels like it cares too much and not at all… And that’s worth writing about.   Check out “finelovin” on Spotify and Apple Music    

The Mad Mile – “Smiths”

March 7, 2026

Last time we heard from London-based duo The Mad Mile, we were waxing poetic about previous single “Wendy Houses.” Perhaps topically, new song “Smiths” deals with the fallout and feelings from your favorite neighborhood bodega going under new management and turning into convenience-store-slop. The duo have an uncanny way of making their songs sound haunting and mysterious while still retaining a catchy quality – this one reminds us a lot of Autolux with hints of Pinback and Wombo.   Check it out below or peep it on Spotify.   The Mad Mile · Smiths

JIRI – “ClockWork”

March 5, 2026

Raleigh-based emcee JIRI emphasizes substance and skill with each of his releases. In his latest track, “ClockWork, ” JIRI makes it clear he’s a different cat. It has all the markings of a single – earworm beat with a tasty looping melody, rapidly evolving sing-songy flows and a chorus that can get stuck in your head on initial listens. JIRI sets himself apart with the skillful storytelling he’s able to weave into a song this accessible. “ClockWork’s” narrative tells the story of a lady who falls for JIRI’s inevitable charm — or does she have different, more sinister intentions? A couple expertly placed lines take this from a typical braggadocious track into one that subverts your expectations. Give it a spin. Check out more from JIRI on Spotify – while you’re there, take our Best of 2026 playlist for a spin. You’ll see JIRI and other talented rising rappers on[...]

Stephen Becker – “Bad Idea”

March 3, 2026

Stephen Becker bridges the gap between Wilco and Big Thief on latest offering, “Bad Idea.” Slow-moving, but not lacking in artistry or intensity, Becker fills “Bad Idea” with jangly acoustic guitar, layered thick with tasty guitar licks. His lilting brand of folksy bedroom-pop is ethereal and easy-going, even if the subject matter is a little heavy. Sometimes it’s best just to hear it straight from the artist’s mouth, so here’s a poignant snippet from Stephen on where his head was at when he was writing this song:   “‘Bad Idea’ is about a breakup I went through after seeing the ballet – the haunting feeling of the dancers’ movements lingering in my mind, the sad-sweet taste of spiked lemonade on the train ride home. I was thinking about, and trying to manifest, change with a newfound determination to break free from unhealthy routines and patterns in life and in love.”[...]

Cape Crush – “Calm & Delivered”

March 3, 2026

Released in anticipation of their debut album, Cape Crush has shared their newest single with us, “Calm and Delivered.” Based out of Massachusetts, this four piece is unabashedly emo and we love it. Epically bodacious guitars wail in your face with the fury of a thousand room temperature PBRs.   Ali Lipman’s vocals feel heartfelt but never whiny or self righteous; with the story behind them coming from her experiences as a parent and a woman. She goes on to say it:   “…is about the pressure to be emotionally regulated when everything around you is overstimulating.. .It’s inspired by my journey as a parent… As well as my journey as a woman, where setting boundaries is often interpreted poorly… So it’s really about finding your inner-power as a woman and not being afraid of your rage or frustration.”   You can watch the music video for “Calm and Delivered”[...]