Latest Posts

The Burkharts – “Tell Me”

December 12, 2025

Buffalo’s surf-pop loyalists The Burkharts are back in the spotlight with a new single, “Tell Me,” serving up another dose of their 60’s-soaked California style rock and roll. The single, their first new release since 2024, comes hand-in-hand with an official music video that nods blatantly (but charmingly) to the freewheeling antics of The Monkees TV show.    In the video, the boys tee up a series of lighthearted shenanigans as they race through several notable WNY filming locations, all soundtracked by their signature retro jangle and stacked vocal harmonies. Seems we won’t have to wait long for more new music either, as the single is the “first of many to come soon” according to the band’s Instagram.   “Tell Me” is streaming now on all major platforms; check out the music video below.    

Vic Da Baron – “Standing Ovation”

December 10, 2025

Bay Area rapper Vic Da Baron has had a busy close to 2025. We recently covered his DC-inspired “Gotham City,” a gritty piece of East Coast-flavored boom bap, and he’s back to close out the year with a celebratory banger. “Standing Ovation’s” tone is much warmer, built on a rising chorus sample to couple with Vic’s bars, capping off years of hard work with the success and gratification he’s seen this year. My favorite aspect of the production is the fuzzy drum fills — expertly sampled to give a very human feel alongside Vic’s handwritten lines. First, he gave us some grit, now he’s giving us some glean and sheen. Check out Vic on our Spotify playlist, where you’ll hear more hot new tracks from rising rappers.

Teaboi – “nostalgiaquest”

December 7, 2025

Teaboi aims to create music for “all the people in the early 2000s who grew up on typing in address bars on their laptop as their primary form of entertainment…” And honestly, we’re the exact target demographic.   “nostalgiaquest” sounds like the loop behind your favorite, long-lost Newgrounds.com Flash game, or maybe the soundtrack to some long-lost AMV featuring Goku or Vegeta or something… These are all assuredly compliments, as the squiggly, 8-bit inspired tones and earworm melodies that would feel fresh and fun in the latest Sonic the Hedgehog offering certainly bring back those early-internet memories.   “nostalgiaquest” is available now via bandcamp (below), or on Spotify.   4081 players adventuring right now by Teaboi

Jacob the Horse – “666 Chicks”

December 7, 2025

Jacob the Horse throws up the proverbial (or literal, we guess) devil horns on latest single, “666 Chicks.” Imagining a world where women attack men to subjugate and eat them is a wild concept… But “666 Chicks” is a wild song, and this one certainly has the energy to embody that kind of ideology. Expect face-mashing drums, face melting guitars, and a speak/scream vocal that’s witty like The Hold Steady and vitriolic like Viagra Boys. Our favorite line, which we think encapsulates the whole shebang, is the following:   “My grandmother Hannah used to throw Molotov cocktails at Nazis / and I’m paying $10 for coffee / and writing bad poetry / there’s no hope for me”   “666 Chicks” is available on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.    

Alec Craig – “less”

December 7, 2025

Alec Craig is from Grand Rapids, MI. Is that considered Midwest? If the flavors on his latest offering, “less,” are any indication… Then yes, Michigan is considered the Midwest. Expect twinkly, start/stop guitars with jaunty rhythms, harmonics, and lots of widdly-widdly riffs. It’s set off by Alec’s raw and emotive vocals, which, in true Midwest fashion, were all home-recorded. It sounds exactly what you’d be hoping for, and exactly how we explained it… Because we’re professional bloggers, after all. Buffalo is an honorary Midwest town anyway.   “less” can be found on Spotify – embedded below.  

Vic Da Baron – “Gotham City”

December 5, 2025

Rising rapper Vic Da Baron may proudly rep the Bay Area, but his latest track, “Gotham City” feels like a quintessential East Coast track that just happens to be set in a comic book. Built off of a cold boom bap backbone, Vic Da Baron steps up to the microphone with appropriately icy bars. He trades lines with dark piano keys as he speaks the song’s title to his lyrics. Gotham City comes to life, with Vic finessing some expert wordplay to bring characters from the pages of comics into his word, using double entendres with names like Two-Face, Batman and Catwoman. If you’re a DC fan, you’re gonna want to listen to this one. If you’re interested in hearing more from Vic Da Baron, check him out on Spotify. While you’re there, give this track a listen on our Underground Rappers playlist, updated every week.

Giffy Pluggo – “Mortgage”

December 4, 2025

Chicago rapper Giffy Pluggo finds his rhythm and inspiration right in his hometown. In his latest track, “Mortgage,” the Gifted Plug reflects where success has taken him, and though his mindset has evolved, Chicago offers him the fulfillment to match his aspirations. His grounding thoughts demonstrate the authentic connection that he still has to his city with lines like “I’m a busy man on streets that I really ran,” and “never tucking my chain in, I’m too important.” Work’s changed for him over the years, but his love for his city isn’t going anywhere. “Mortgage” is a great addition to the long history of artists showing love to Chicago – give it a spin as you settle in for a cold winter. Listen to more from Giffy on Spotify and Apple Music — while you’re on Spotify, give our recently-updated Rising Rappers playlist a listen. You’ll find Giffy and more[...]

Very Nice Person – “Underwater”

December 3, 2025

The world needs more very nice people, and if Very Nice Person are anything like their namesake, then we’re happy to shine a light their way. Beyond being incredible human beings (we hope), they also happen to write excellent music, which (finally) brings us to the topic of this blog, their new single “Underwater.” Starting out as blips and bloops, the song eventually blooms into a blown-out indietronica earworm that Portugal. The Man probably wishes they wrote first. The Malibu-based duo count Aphex Twin, Phoenix, and Bjork in their list of influences too, which we find apropos.   “Underwater” is also available on Spotify.    

Not Your Babe – “Katie”

December 3, 2025

Not Your Babe is a love song from one sister to another… Full disclosure – I don’t have a sister, but I do have a brother, and I can imagine if this song was called “Jake” that I would probably feel extra connected to this one. But, semantics aside, “Katie” is a stunner from this Redding, CA, Cam-Tyler-led act. Full of fun and punchy energy with a beachy flavor you’d expect from a CA act (even though Redding is ostensibly in the exact center of the state). Expect plenty of twangy guitars and an inspired vocal from Tyler that hits the nail on the head by encapsulating the nuances of having a sibling relationship once you’re both all grown up.   You can find “Katie” below (bandcamp) or on Spotify.   Not Your Babe by Not Your Babe

New Words – “Gave You More”

December 3, 2025

Buffalo-based New Words is led by vocalist Benny Scheibel – they’re here with the ’00s-inspired bombast of new single, “Gave You More.” With the energies of Jimmy Eat World and a hint of All-American Rejects, “Gave You More” is built around a super catchy guitar rhythm and a rolling drumbeat. Scheibel’s vocals are proud and powerful, complimented perfectly by the thundering basslines found here. This one was tailor-made for anyone processing a breakup – so, especially if you’re feeling heartbroken, let the anthemic vibes run through your bones and be prepared to be humming this one the rest of the week.   “Gave You More” is available on Spotify, too.  

Big Sleep – “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo”

December 3, 2025

Big Sleep are doing a lot of doo-ing on their latest single, “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.” With the energy of The Strokes that have been listening to a little bit too much Interpol, Big Sleep have those jangly garage-rock chords ringing true, while also sounding a little bit downtrodden. Downtrodden in a good way of course – this one is catchy as hell. From what we can tell, this Dublin quartet usually keeps to the expansive and atmospheric (and godspeed to that, folks), but we’re here for this new doo doo doo doo doo energy too.   You can find “Doo x5” on Spotify too.    

Ananya Ashok – “Unrealized Dreams”

December 3, 2025

Ananya Ashok combines classical South Indian influences with modern indie-pop songwriting to create her very own signature sound – if that’s not incentive enough to check out her latest single, “Unrealized Dreams,” we don’t know what is. Built around the distinct sound of the veena (you can look it up, we had to too), “Unrealized Dreams” carries a distinctly Indian flair without ever venturing into world music territory. In fact, if they did it as well as Ananya does, more artists should consider using it for its lovely twang. On top of that, Ananya’s voice is subtle but beautiful, and her melodies are incredibly tasteful… And since this song is about trying to have a more open mind, you should just listen to the song anyway.   You can find “Unrealized Dreams” on Spotify and Apple Music.    

Shrimp Eyes – “Birds”

November 28, 2025

For the birds, this track is not! “Birds” is the newest from South East London based Shrimp Eyes. Giving me the unfortunate task of having to think about the eyes of shrimp is most certainly tempered by being catchy as fuck. Falsetto-y (except not, because people clearly practice singing) lyrics combine with a dope bass and some absolutely fucking understated guitar lines. Just when you think you have it figured out the guitar takes the center stage of the track and does some proto-soloing that makes your head turn.   You can hear “Birds” below from Soundcloud and over on Spotify. The other three fourths of their Wondering EP can be in the same locations. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for; BBC, Spotify, and Apple Music also seem to think they’re hot shit. Oh and so do we. We’re pretty important too.  

Lover – “Bones”

November 28, 2025

“Bones” is the latest from Melbourne-based musician Lover. Super stripped-down but not lacking in soul, the track is pretty much acoustic guitar and drums. This gives a lot of room to really showcase the impeccably recorded lyrics, which sounded like they were recorded on golden mics. Speaking to the track, Lover had this to say:   “Lyrically the song focuses on things of my past, with feelings of angst leaving my family back home in New Zealand, and trying to reconcile the fact that I won’t be spending as much time with them anymore.”   You can hear “Bones” below from Bandcamp, as well as on Spotify. The rest of the EP, Life In Secret, is available as well and worth the listen. Great example of superb range of sound while keeping in step with their vibe. If you’re interested in the visual medium, the music video is available on[...]

Violet UltraRay – “woods”

November 28, 2025

Keeping up with the forest theme from October’s “girl in a tree” (that we covered here), Violet UltraRay brings us her latest with “woods.” Based out of London and a self-described “dream pop shoegazer,” wailing guitars combine with those “under the water” vocals vibe to give a sense of feeling lost (or drowning… which I guess is sort of like being lost). Inspired by late night walks, “woods” certainly gives you a sense of dreamy solitude, which is something a walk in a forest might certainly inspire.   “woods” is available below via YouTube or on Spotify. I couldn’t find out much about the band from their IG which is just fine by me, sometimes we don’t deserve to have all of our questions answered and for musicians to have an air of mystery about them. Keep on rockin’!