Latest Posts

Stoker – “IN2U”

September 27, 2026

Stoker is a Chicago-based act that falls somewhere between bedroom-folk and 90s nostalgia. Taking cues from Elliott Smith and his ilk, “IN2U” is about as 90s-coded as you can get. It’s mostly just Stoker and his acoustic guitar, a wry note ringing out here and there. Stick around for the end for a delightful change of pace, but otherwise, relish in the intimately haunting effect that a guy and his acoustic guitar can have on your psyche.   You can find “IN2U” on Spotify – we’ve embedded it below for you.  

Social Creatures – “Sea Glass”

September 27, 2026

Social Creatures is a Brooklyn-based act continuing the trend of excellent, NYC-bred music. Maybe I’m still riding the high of finishing Meet Me In The Bathroom (finally), but we really think “Sea Glass” is a banger on its own. Somewhere between sexy and neurotic, “Sea Glass” boasts a heady bassline, stabs of funky guitar, and falsetto that would make Barry Gibb rethink his disco supremacy. Once that super catchy, cowbell-laced chorus hits, you’re gonna know exactly why we featured this one.   Find “Sea Glass” on YouTube (below) or on Spotify.  

Montell2099 – “ME&YOU”

September 27, 2026

This isn’t the first time we’ve featured Montell2099. And to clarify, there haven’t been 2098 other Montells that we’ve featured on the blog. This is the one-and-only Montell2099 that we’ve featured twice now, with a wave masterpiece called “ME&YOU.” Montell2099 is the brainchild of Montell Pinny, from what we can uncover, and Pinny’s excellent production resulted in this pulsating house banger. Next time you’re in the club, put “ME&YOU” in for the DJ to spin and watch the room explode with energy.   Find “ME&YOU” on Soundcloud (below) or Spotify.   NIGHTMODE · Montell2099 – ME&YOU

Eventually Flowers – “Chasing Time”

September 27, 2026

Eventually Flowers – whether we’re discussing the long-suffering Wandering Dude in my greenhouse or simply making a metaphor for the twists and turns of life, this band embodies that bright outlook with their crispy indie pop. We recommend “Chasing Time,” which stays upbeat with downstroke guitar slams, catchy guitar leads, and subtle synth flourishes. Originally written by Janise (with help from Tom) 10 years ago (take us back to 2016, please, for the love of god), “Chasing Time” has some pre-COVID shimmer. Take a listen to what it used to feel like to still have a little bit of light left in your eyes – it’s embedded below.   Peep “Chasing Time” on Apple Music or Spotify.    

Canalss – “Chop It Off”

September 27, 2026

It hasn’t been too long since we featured our buds in Canalss… But they make the kind of biting, indie-rock-ish, lo-fi stuff that gets us going. “Chop It Off” is about chopping off your proverbial tail – even if you try to blend in, your tail will still grow back… Like a salamander tail, not a rat tail, to clarify. It’s about the search for authenticity in an increasingly inauthentic world, and the pained vocals and strained instrumentals reflect that ennui. Pile/Modest Mouse/Attic Abasement vibes within – listen at your own risk, but keep in mind that this is high risk/high reward.   Keep an eye out for Canalss’ upcoming release, What Every Girl Should Know. Till then, “Chop It Off” can also be found on Spotify.    

Sorry, Peach – “easy”

September 27, 2026

We don’t know anything about Sorry, Peach. Are they a band? Ostensibly. Are they a fruit and vegetable store? Unlikely, but possible. What we DO know is their latest single, “easy,” slaps. It’s indie rock in the vein of Soccer Mommy, Clairo, and Now, Now. Passionate vocals lilt overtop clean, but crispy guitar. It’s the kind of emotion-driven rocker that makes you stop in your own thoughts and remember what it means to feel feelings.   You, too can enjoy “easy” – try Apple Music or Spotify.    

Letter to Elise – the five stages of grief

September 24, 2026

Team Reba! Never in my life did I think I’d be typing that for any reason, but here we are.   This week, we’re celebrating Letter to Elise, who is fresh off an appearance on NBC’s The Voice – a really, really cool opportunity, especially for an independent rock band from our neck of the woods. The Buffalo-based five-piece tout themselves as a “Rust Belt Rock ‘n Roll” band who write their songs with their blue collar hearts… I think that’s fair enough and technically true, but to my ears, this quintet is writing smartly-crafted pop rock, polished far past rust into a mirror-finish shine. Their latest album, the five stages of grief (which I will henceforth be referring to as grief), is razor-sharp and unapologetically glossy, taking cues from indie-pop luminaries like Neon Trees and Walk the Moon, and/or Heartland-esque rockers like The Killers to make a legit run[...]

The Rainlamps – “You Wrote My Favorite Song”

September 22, 2026

Indie-folksters The Rainlamps are gearing up to release a new album and they’re teasing us with the release of lead single, “You Wrote My Favorite Song.” Taking cues from bands like The Decemberists, Pavement, Belle & Sebastian, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, “You Wrote My Favorite Song” details the act of “holding music like private treasure.” Stabs of guitar and breathy vocals burst out overtop jangly acoustic guitar and a trembling mandolin. It’s warm, fuzzy, and genuinely uplifting sounding… and if you’re a fan of “feeling sad at first and feeling happier 31 minutes later” (their words not ours), we think this one’s a dead ringer for you.   Down In The Bush Leagues comes out October 16th, 2026. Until then, get hyped on “You Wrote My Favorite Song,” embedded below via Bandcamp. Down In The Bush Leagues by The Rainlamps

San Gabriel – “All My Time”

September 18, 2026

San Gabriel turns the portamento up to 10 on his latest song, “All My Time.” You gotta love that super-glide-y synth – so sugary sweet that you can feel it coat your teeth… It sets off the almost-psychedelic chillwave that San Gabriel crafts so perfectly. Created mostly while working at a liquor store (getting paid to synth and to stock shelves, nice), “All My Time” would fit comfortably on a playlist next to JW Francis or MGMT.   Peep “All My Time” on bandcamp (embedded below), or, on Spotify.   Adult Onset Goth by San Gabriel

Nik Dandelion – “GLOW”

September 18, 2026

Berlin-based producer/songwriter Nik Dandelion exists at the chillest of intersections – the crossroads between indie rock, lo-fi bedroom pop, and hip-hop inspired grooves. “GLOW” is a wonderful example of this amalgamation – christened as the “pop heart” of Dandelion’s new EP, “GLOW” captures one of those profound early-adulthood moments where you’re crushing on someone HARD, even though you know (even if it’s in hindsight) that the moment is fleeting. Expect buoyant guitars, wood-blocky percussion, and good vibes all around.   “GLOW” is available everywhere – try Spotify or Apple Music.    

maxime. – “fear of missing out”

September 13, 2026

maxime. feels like an artist who is always reinventing themselves (see here and here and here). “fear of missing out” is another eclectic jam from the Montreal solo-act, this time, combining a laid-back groove and tasty melodies into a polished, slacker-pop gem. Taking notes from Porches and Oliver Tree, “fear of missing out” gives off “I barely care” vibes while still sounding like a masterpiece. Good stuff.   “fear of missing out” is on both Spotify and Apple Music.    

Bizou – “Deep REM”

September 13, 2026

Bizou is a verified supergroup – but they rely more on chemistry than pedigree. “Deep REM” is a perfect showcase of that – a shimmery blast of post-punk that swells with synthwave energies. Sludgy bass guitar work provides a dark night-sky backbone for the rest of the song to sparkle across. They’ve been described as “Industrial Enya” (which we kind of fuck with, tbh), but fans of CHVRCHES, Purity Ring, and The XX should consider slotting this into their gothier playlists.   “Deep REM” is available on bandcamp – it’s also on Spotify. Check out absolutely everything they have to offer here.   Deep REM by Bizou

airhockey – “nice day”

September 13, 2026

airhockey urges you to have a nice day on new single, “nice day.” For those of us that prefer to be negative because nothing good ever happens and life is meaningless – that can be a tough message to receive. But hey – for us musicians, we’ve always got our drum machines, our DAWs, and our fancy guitars. airhockey utilizes all three to create the lo-fi goodness of “nice day,” and it’s a nice reminder that next time you feel like sitting around and doom scrolling, you could probably just dust off your instrument of choice and make a cool little song instead. Fans of CASTLEBEAT, The Cure, and Molchat Doma should check this one out.   We’ve embedded “nice day” via Soundcloud below, but it can also be found on Spotify and Apple Music.   airhockey · nice day

Run Along – “Serves You Right”

September 13, 2026

Run Along is a mysterious band – “Serves You Right” appears to be the their one-and-only song. But if this is in fact their debut, it’s one hell of an intro. The band bridges the gap between 2005 emo and modern day pop punk, offering passionate vocals, loud guitars, and a blood-pumping tempo. Sure, they aren’t reinventing the wheel here, but good songwriting is good songwriting, and if this is evidence of what Run Along have in store, we’re along for the ride.   “Serves You Right” can be found on Spotify and Apple Music.    

Sweatbeads – “STAY AWAKE”

September 13, 2026

Who is Sweatbeads? We don’t know. We’re not even sure that Sweatbeads knows. He doesn’t even know if he’s ready to perform – “Here we go – are you ready for my song? Am I ready for my song? Let’s find out.”   We hope we eventually learn who Sweatbeads is because “Stay Awake” is an absolute banger of a song. Chime-y guitars, do-do-do singalongs, and sticky earworm melodies are aplenty here… The songwriting is just absolutely rock solid. This sure to appeal to fans of The Strokes, especially, you know, before the autotune.   You know the drill – “STAY AWAKE” is on YouTube and Spotify.