Latest Posts

Akete – “Last House on tha Block”

February 3, 2025

Rapper and multi-instrumentalist Akete finds inspiration with the classics – demonstrating as much on their latest single “Last House on tha Block.” Featuring boisterous horns of Steely Dan’s “Home at Last”, “Last House on tha Block” is bursting with liveliness. The up and coming Akete delivers an effortless freestyle to match that bright production – flexing rap skills,  life wins, and quippy one liners to flow through his freestyle. Hip hop in its purest form: “I’m not crazy, I don’t think I know karate. Can’t nobody stop me.” Take a listen to Akete on Spotify and check out the track on Soundcloud below. Akete · Last House on tha Block

The Feather – “All My Life”

February 2, 2025

Winning the award for one of the most wholesome songs you’ll hear this week, “All My Life” is not a Foo Fighters cover, but rather a song of sibling love by Belgian solo artist The Feather (aka Thomas Medard, of Dan San fame who are also worth a listen). This song is filled to the brim with vibrant synth and *impeccable* bass licks that will leave you in a puddle. Medard’s vocals along with the groovy effects (both electronic and visual in the video below) craft an impossibly catchy track.   You can see the music video for “All My Life” below from YouTube. You can add it to your synth heavy playlist(s) on Spotify. Keep your ears peeled for more after this and 2024’s “Invisible” album; you won’t be left wanting but you’ll certainly be hankerin’ for more.  

KOTE – “To Be Horrified”

February 1, 2025

“To Be Horrified” is the latest from mysterious musician (and possible time traveler and/or vampire/deity) Veronique Bertelle, better known as KOTE. Bertelle’s lyrics mesh well with the tight combo of drums, bass, and rhythm guitar and showcase a story of strength against the patriarchy. Speaking to their experiences, Bertelle had this to say:   “My name is Veronique Bertelle, but I am not me. I don’t live, nor have I ever lived, by your rules of space and time. I was born in the United Kingdom in the ’50s, in an era that already felt the first beats of a musical revolution. In 1984, I was reborn in Italy, a fracture in the timeline that redefined who I was. Until 1990, I lived between 1965 and 1975, moving between Los Angeles and El Cerrito. In those places, immersed in sound and experimentation, I walked alongside artists I intimately knew through[...]

Jacob King – Drink From a Fox’s Head

January 31, 2025

Buffalo-based music scene staple Jacob King released two singles under his solo name earlier this month and it’s full to the brim with freak-folk psych-pop elements. Jacob King may be a familiar face/name, as he’s been gaining much buzz with his project T.T.T.T., as well as numerous stints in different bands throughout the local scene (most recently with Hal & Pals and Cramps tribute act, Side Stitches). The new batch of singles highlights King’s dexterity as a musician and ability to chameleon his style.   The first song, “Drink From A Fox’s Head,”  has a sun-soaked start that leans heavily into the more psych-y elements of the release, showcasing a bit of a Blind Melon tinge with some Burger Records parallels. Let’s hope the lyrics are a metaphor, as the chorus has King wailing “I drink my tea from a Fox’s head…” That’s just gross if it’s true and it’s[...]

Two-Man Giant Squid – “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)”

January 29, 2025

Brooklyn post-punk act Two-Man Giant Squid released their driving new song “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)” earlier this week. The track is the lead single off the band’s forthcoming self-titled album, out March 7, 2025 via Mint 400 Records.   The band started as a faceless solo bedrom project from Mitchell Vonikur, eventually fleshing out to a live fivetet. The new single is about the frustrations of the creative process, letting dead ends take up too much time and effort. Not everything has to be perfect, it’s important to embrace creativity and the voice-in-your-head isn’t always right.   “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)” has the post-punk rawness of Parquet Courts, the crescendo indie groove of early Modest Mouse, and the franticness of LCD Soundsystem when they are giving Nancy Whang a rest. Check it out below.   Weird Recordings (you’ve got some) by Two-Man Giant Squid

Avery Friedman – “Flowers Fell”

January 29, 2025

Brooklyn indie artist Avery Friedman debuted her first single “Flowers Fell” yesterday and it’s been on repeat all morning in the buffaBLOG HQ. Although Friedman’s sound is well developed and deep, she only started playing live shows in July 2024. In a chance show-share encounter, Friedman gained the attention of Sister.’s James Chrisman, who eventually went on to record and produce the singer/songwriter’s debut album, New Thing.    “Flowers Fell” is the lead single off of the album, and is about the changing of the seasons and growing through art. In esssence, the song is inspired by the falling of the leaves, which in turn feed the ground, which make stronger environments. This is a metaphor for growing as an artist with experiences, heartache, and failure. These all make a person stronger in the end. Check out the single below and keep your eyes peeled for New Thing, out on[...]

Buddy Wynkoop – “Electric City”

January 29, 2025

Oregon art punk project, Buddy Wynkoop, have a new single that’s bound to get you to the dance floor. The four-piece formed in 2019, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and seemingly emerging stronger as a project. They are a current staple of the lauded indie scene in Portland. “Electric City” is an amalgamation of some of the most noteworthy art punk acts. Their new single “Electric City” combines IDLES’ punky staccato semi-spoken delivery, with the bleep bloop playfulness of LCD Soundsystem and first wave nods to DEVO. “Electric City” is the first single off the forthcoming album Better Than Botox, set for release February 20, 2025. Mark it in your calendar. In the meantime, get a taste for the band that’s selling out venues in the pacific northwest below. Electric City by Buddy Wynkoop

Mark the Aquarius – “SEV ONE SIX”

January 28, 2025

Buffalo’s very own Mark the Aquarius is back on the scene with “SEV ONE SIX” – a timely anthemic single for the city as we rebound from a particularly disappointing end of season. Filled with swagger, Mark’s venomously delivers himself and the city as the “Us” in an “Us Against the World” conflict. His intense wordplay is the strength of the track, dropping fervent city, wrestling, and Sway references in the same breath. “SEV ONE SIX” features bombastic production – giant MOP-style horns and swirling strings, matching and elevating the intensity. The “SEV ONE SIX” music video features vintage Buffalo scenes intermixed with Mark’s local performances – check it out for a nice nostalgic experience. Listen to more from Mark the Aquarius on Spotify and check out him and more up and coming artists on our Underground Hip Hop Playlist. 

Errol Eats Everything – “Round N Round”

January 28, 2025

Industry veteran Errol Eats Everything steps back into the booth with a new persona and a cyclical short story to tell on his latest single, “Round N Round.” Channeling Jay Electronica through his deep voice, vivid imagery, and impressive internal rhymes, Errol talks through the cycle of gun violence and its impact on communities – cultural commentary that Errol espouses throughout his releases. “Round N Round” features a dastardly jazz loop on which Errol certainly eats. The Errol Eats Everything character is coupled with a Boondocks/hip hop Boss Baby character to ramp up the interest and immersion in Errol’s performance – Check it out on IG for the full experience. “Round N Round” is the second single from the NYAM! EP with an album to follow in February – follow Errol on Spotify to keep tabs on that and other releases. Listen to “Round N Round” alongside other recently-featured underground[...]

quickly, quickly – “Enything”

January 28, 2025

Portland, Oregon based quickly, quickly is the brainchild of Graham Jonson, and “Enything” is their latest song. I was briefly disappointed as I thought this was going to be a celebration of Enya (jk), but was genuinely very impressed with the lo-fi bedroom pop mouthfeel. The cavalcade of instrumentals, both big and small, reminded me of a lovechild betwixt Elliot Smith and Sufjan Stevens; parts jazzy and folksy, but altogether a most satisfying endeavor. If you aren’t taken in by the music video below, you’ll at least be able to enjoy crescendos that come out of nowhere and fade back.   You can watch the music video for “Enything” below on YouTube. You also have your pick of  Bandcamp and Spotify so you can throw this on your bedroom pop playlist (of which you should have many from us, right?).  

Fright Years – “Do What You Wanna”

January 28, 2025

Edinburgh based Fright Years brings us their latest track with “Do What You Wanna.” The rare, bass-heavy track that celebrates the idea that we can find joy in expressing ourselves without fear or judgement. The intro reminded me of “I Am One” from Smashing Pumpkins first album, Gish, with the heavy emphasis on the bass and drums. The guitar comes in the help carry us through the rest of track just before a minute has elapsed, but, in all honesty, I could listen to this chunky bass riff allllll day long.   You can hear “Do You Wanna” below from YouTube or add it to your punky/psychedelic-adjacent playlist on Spotify. The single also includes “Aftersun” and “Stars” and are also worth your time, showing the true range of the band.  

georgia, georgia – “friends”

January 28, 2025

It’s been a minute since we last heard from Italy-based musician georgia, georgia. We last covered her here back in October and, much like then, we’re quite stoked to hear her latest offering “friends” (back then it was “things you do”).   Other than thumbing her nose at capitalizing, Giorgia Piva has crafted an impeccably catchy dream pop track where the guitar and synth play second fiddle to her vocals. She makes the entire affair sound effortless even with her wispy-yet-strong vocals. Fans of Phoebe Bridgers or Clairo would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who enjoys a well crafted song from start to finish (… so, probably everyone).   You can hear “friends” below from bandcamp or add it to your Spotify playlist of perfect pop songs delivered in a whisper song voice.   friends by georgia, georgia

Label Mou – “Sparkling Lights”

January 28, 2025

Label Mou, Italy-born and based in Germany, brings us her latest track “Sparkling Lights.” Mou’s vocals deftly weave through the house beats that underpin the track. The song was released as a message of support to people impacted by the Los Angeles fires (of 2025). Lyrically, “Sparkling Lights” is “an imaginary story of a devastating natural disaster, inspired by the strength found in love and the transformative power of reconnection, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.” While at first glance this may seem a little on the nose, the track itself was written a few years ago and was purposefully and thoughtfully released.   You can hear “Sparkling Lights” below from YouTube and can throw it on your “chill house around the house” mix on Spotify. I found a few other tracks she was featured on, as well has her past project Might at Night, but this was the[...]

honeygaze – “Heartthrob”

January 28, 2025

“Heartthrob” is the latest single from Philadelphia hyperpop band honeygaze. A combination of EDM, pop, punk, and then some, that comes together better than the sum of its parts (and not some (or perhaps some(?)) Frankenstein mish mash). Encompassing anywhere between Charlie XCX or “scawy monstews and nice spwites :3″ from Fraxiom, it’s quite the gap!   The track itself reminded me a lot of one of my personal favorites: Silversun Pickups – in particular, the fuzzed out guitar which keeps this rooted in indie rock. The synth and voice modulation keep the track interesting but not to the point where the band loses the plot and you’re left wondering what you’re listening to. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! Sometimes you need something so out of pocket that it haunts your dreams. In this case, honeygaze reigns in the wildness of hyperpop to create something left-field, but melodically[...]

Spectaculous – “Tempo”

January 27, 2025

Whimsical compositions and biting lyricism prove to be the secret formula on the debut single from Madison, WI artists Spectaculous. Five years in the making, bandmates Dequadray White (vocals) Jason Kutz (keyboards), Ben Ferris (bass) and Mike Koszewski (drums/percussion) are executing a realized, distinctly unique project. The Spectaculous four recruit additional instrumentalists for “Tempo,” a piece with carefully composed classical music elements (including parts for flute, clarinet, oboe, etc.) in a hip hop package. The bubble gum, Fairly Oddparents palette and Dequadray’s sharp pen combine for a one of a kind listening (and viewing) experience. “Tempo” comes with a fully animated video from DaBolis House that you’ve gotta check out. You can follow the band’s future output, including plans for multiple EPs, on Spotify.  Check out our Underground Hip Hop playlist while you’re there.