Jangly, giddy, and just the slightest bit goofy, Indigo Husk have struck gold with their latest offering, “Not Feeling Better.” A self-described self-help mantra, the song juxtaposes feelings of sadness with an inescapably happy melody… My personal favorite touch: a lead guitar that noodles its way in and out of all the song’s nooks and crannies. Check it out via the widget below. There are many ways to consume “Not Feeling Better,” check them all out here.
Australian singer-songwriter Hobart Curtis is a hook-master, case-in-point, his latest single “Don’t Hate Me.” An energetic indie-pop cut, “Don’t Hate Me” is laden with Killers-esque synth work with the 1975-style pop hooks. Packed full of themes of self-loathing and insecurity, Curtis wraps it all into a shiny bubble of washy guitars and driving bass – check it out below. Check out Curtis’ discog on Spotify.
It’s hard not to pay attention when you come out swinging with a line like “lick me like a lolly,” but that’s exactly what Yoshi Flower did on his debut single, “Movies.” Touting an impossibly perfect blend of hip-hop, pop, and electronica elements, we think Yoshi is on to something here. His half-apathetic delivery is intoxicating, and pairs well with the powerful, elephant-esque synths that power the chorus. Check Yoshi out on IG.
Epic? Anthemic? Any number of words could be used to describe the massive guitar-rock of Spielbergs and their latest offering, “We Are All Going To Die.” Channeling the fervor of bands like Japandroids or No Age, this Norwegian trio is raw and refreshingly energetic on pretty much every level. Keep your eyes peeled for their debut EP, due out April 27th. Until then, we have a feeling you’re going to binge on “We Are All Going To Die.” Add this one to your Spotify playlist – you know you want to!
Raise your hand if you like drugs! Mating Ritual aren’t sure how they feel about drugs, but they’ve come to terms with it being a part of their life and they wrote a certified banger about it. “U + Me Will Never Die” is a perfect blend of 80s synthwave and post-punk. There’s something to be said about not being in your own mind for a bit… We suggest you let Mating Ritual take over for a sec and get lost in their pulsing beats. Mating Ritual’s next EP, Light Myself On Fire, comes out May 4, 2018 via Smooth Jaws.
“Chemical Cure” was written on a bad day… “A bad day for our country and our world,” according to synth-pop duo Me Not You. About wanting to lean heavily on chemical crutches to get through the day, their moody synth work in this song evokes feelings of sadness and looming fear. All the while, “Cure” somehow remains irresistibly dance-able. The chorus in particular is incredibly hooky – have a listen for yourself below. Peep their Bandcamp if you’re feeling it.
For his latest release, Ben Talmi isolated himself for three weeks with just a guitar… He ended up writing Distractionism, upon which is the frantic lead single, “The Fear Of Missing Out.” The song is an ode to the modern anxieties brought on by technology and its effects on our interactions with each other… “Missing Out” definitely embodies that neurosis with its frantic electronic drums, which provide a jittery backbone for Talmi’s otherwise upbeat guitar-pop. Check out the music video here.
La Fonda is a dream-pop sextet from Seattle, WA led by two sisters, Veronica and Valerie Topacio. Their latest offering is called “In the Summer,” and it certainly makes us yearn for a time where we didn’t have to layer our clothing just to leave the house. Between bell-tone guitars and an incredibly groovy bass line, the good vibes in this song bring to mind the carefree feelings that come along with warm weather. Click play below and let this one warm your icy bones and heart. “In the Summer” is available on Bandcamp.
Colin Magalong might be onto something… “Blossom” is the perfect mix of funk, r&b, and pop – it’s a super upbeat number that was literally crafted to get you moving (and it works!). There are definitely hints of Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and even Daft Punk here. Magalong’s undying energy and sultry-rasp vocals are a perfect combo for this kind of jam… Peep it below. While you’re at it, drop Colin a follow on IG.
Vacation Forever is a brand new project from Swedish songwriter Zacharias Zachrison. After a very rough 2017, Zachrison started from scratch, resulting in the genre-blurring appoach of Vacay Forev… Combining the aesthetic of early/mid 90s effected drums with vaporwave vocals and a pinch of emotion, we think “Blank Ocean” is a pretty good place to start. Zachrison himself calls it “tropical emo” but there’s definitely some electronica and vapor in there somewhere… Check it out below and decide for yourself. Dig it? Smash that “add this song to your Spotify Playlist” button.
“What could have been?” We’ve all been there before, and Coach Phillips has embodied that feeling in their latest single, “W.C.H.B.?” Beyond the simple, catchy indie rock body, the song features a unique saxophone accompaniment from drummer Chet Baughman… The Seattle quartet also pepper the track with delightful male/female vocals that duel pleasantly throughout the entirety of the song. Definitely worth a listen, check it out below. “W.C.H.B?,” along with the rest of Coach Phillips’ stuff, is available via Bandcamp.
Belgian space-pop act PIANO CLUB sent us over a new music video for “Think For Yourself.” It sounds a little like Daft Punk featuring a sick verse from Missy Elliott (we mean this in an entirely complimentary way), and is infectious enough on its own to get stuck in your brain… Check out the video below and live vicariously through the club-goers featured within. If you like what you hear, PIANO CLUB has a merch store – check it out here.
Birthday Boy is a Philly act who recently caught our attention with the massive guitar-driven sound of their latest single, “Future Me.” Fans of Basement, Citizen, or Title Fight will find lots to like here – emotional lyrics and gigantic, heavy guitar work form the backbone of this track. Their sound is clearly influenced by the grandeur of 90s grunge, but also has a smart, 2010s indie/emo vibe. Have a listen below and judge for yourself. The entire Mercy Rule EP is available via Bandcamp now – check it out. Mercy Rule by Birthday Boy
Long-running Rochester act Cavalcade will be trekking through the snow tonight to play a fervent set at Mohawk Place… Their music transcends genre, but falls somewhere between prog rock and psychedelic indie rock, with special attention payed to pop songwriting. Joining Cavalcade tonight are psych-rockers Moody Cosmos (who are returning after a lengthy absence), and the grungy punk trio of Major Arcana. Tonight’s show is located at Mohawk Place and starts at 8:00pm. Bring $5 for admission. The Switch by Cavalcade
German art-pop quintet Giant Rooks recently caught our ears with the shimmering indie rock of “New Estate.” Their sound is inherently familiar, yet is flavorful enough to stand out from the pack. Full of spring-loaded guitar riffs, tasteful drumming, and an insatiable pep, “New Estate” sounds fresh and optimistic all at once. Their latest EP is out now via Haldern Recordings – check it out via the widget below. There are many ways to support Giant Rooks – check them out here.