If you’re feeling dark and mysterious, Giant Party might just be your new favorite band. “Nighttalk” is a trudging, dark-wave jam full of bubbling swamp synths, cave-echo vocals, and a clear 1980s approach to songwriting. Don’t get us wrong, all this moodiness doesn’t undercut their strong attention to melody – quite the opposite in fact. Give “Nighttalk” a listen below and see what we mean. Add them to your Spotify playlist if you’re feeling moody.
Let’s just say this is one hell of a collaboration… By combining the baroque-pop of London act Gold Spectacles with the panache of NYC producer duo Lick Twist, we get the otherworldly “Lights On Lights Out.” This tune features a dank beat from Lick Twist and the organic instrumentation of Gold Spectacles, a combination that must be heart to be truly understood. We think this has a particular fall flavor – perfect for the current changing of seasons. “Lights On Lights Out” is available through a bunch of different platforms, check them out via the aforementioned link.
Cheem‘s nimble instrumentation and unique song structure has us straight-up jazzed. They just released an impressive fifteen-song release under their belts; “Jacuzzi” is our recommendation for where to start, falling somewhere on the spectrum between mathy emo and something a little more experimental. The musicians in Cheem are deliberately pushing themselves to explore new sonic territory, and it shows. Fans of Dads, toe, and American Football will find common ground here, check it out for sure. Cheem is on Bandcamp. You know what to do.
The retro flavors of Cults are definitely hitting home for us, specifically on their latest single, “Right Words.” The NYC-based duo wrote the song about not letting abstract ideas of success cloud your brain, profound in its own right. Beyond the deep meaning, this song is fun, synthy, and flavorful, reminiscent of 80s masterminds like Cyndi Lauper, Tears for Fears, or Cleaners from Venus. “Right Words” can be consumed via a variety of platforms, all of which can be accessed here.
We’re happy to feature the latest single from singer/songwriter Janet Kim, the tellingly-named “Lovely.” This little nugget of sparkling indie-pop kicks off with a unique violin riff, showcasing Kim’s training in classical compositions and all their complexity. This is followed by Kim’s own brand of high-gravity pop melodies which are sure to get stuck in your head… Especially recommended for fans of HAIM or Daft Punk. “Lovely” is available on Bandcamp if you’d prefer a digital download.
Cina Polada is a shimmering indie-pop combo from Helsinki whose “July 13th” is one of our newest, favorite obsessions. We’re particularly drawn to the frantic drumming on this tune, which reminds us of The Walkmen’s iconic drum work in 2004’s “The Rat.” Beyond the drumming, beautiful guitar work, breathy vocals, and icy synth work peppers the track. Recommended to fans of TOPS, Ra Ra Riot, or Tame Impala. Check it out on iTunes too.
We are for sure recommending the latest downtempo, ambient-pop from Superheart. “Count On Me” combines layered synths, dark-wave vibes, and breathy vocals into something very chill and relaxing. The underwater vibes are undeniable here – sit back, close your eyes, and let the waves of smooth electronica sweep you away. Fans of Future Islands, Jamie XX, or Washed Out should give this one a spin. Superheart could use some love on the IG – drop them a follow.
For the past year or so, solo-act Rees Finley has been a staple on buffaBLOG. Last time we checked in with him, we were digging the feel-good, frenetic pop of “Talk To Me.” This time, we’re highlighting the fuzzy pop of his latest single, “I Don’t Want To Walk Away.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Weezer, Pavement, and American Football, there’s plenty for fans of the 90s, fuzz rock, and emo sentiment to get behind. Rees has his own website… Check it out.
Panama Jane straight up slays it on her new song, “Bags.” Beyond the fact that there are some seriously hilarious lines in this song, Jane has some sick flow. Her particular style of hip hop comes from a deep appreciation of Three Six Mafia and Jack Daniels… Give this one a listen and you’ll never forget your hoe bag ever again. Fans of Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Rihanna are gonna love this one. Jane’s got an Instagram too – slam that follow button.
Shy Luv seem to be on fire lately, having amassed millions of plays on Spotify and scoring supporting slots opening for Foster the People and SG Lewis. We think their latest single “Like A River” is about to continue their hot streak, a psych-pop banger full of upbeat pop hooks and good vibes. About the track, Shy Luv says: “The chords and beat are super happy – we wanted to write this tune based around happiness and the sort of happiness you feel when you’re with someone you love and that feeling running through you.” If you dig it, you should add it to your Spotify playlist right now.
We gotta admit, we’re definitely impressed with Adagio Surf‘s debut song, “Sleepless.” The song is a delightful hybrid of dream-pop and electronica and has a distinct “aquatic” feel, capitalizing on delay-driven guitars, cavernous vocals, and electronic drums. Adagio Surf’s full length will be out soon – until then, chill to the longing vibes of “Sleepless,” which is available on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and Spotify. If you’re interested in a digital download, “Sleepless” is available at a “pay what you want” rate via Bandcamp.
If you’re looking for some heady and moody electronica music, look no further than Club Medd‘s new offering, “Oceans Deep.” This vocalless jam is tough to describe, so we’ll let Club Medd speak for it himself: “I contacted some of my favorite blogs and asked them if they would write about my music but none of them wanted to. One replied that the songs were ‘too heady’ for their blog, another said that they were too moody.” Definitely not too heady for buffaBLOG! Check it out below via the Soundcloud widget. “Oceans Deep” is also available to purchase via Bandcamp if you so desire.
London-based musician Plastic Flowers‘ “How Can I” is a swimmy, borderline retro tune that caught our ears immediately. We’re especially impressed with their juxtaposition of chorus-laden guitars and tight retro drums with a noisy, wall-of-sound approach. PF’s particular brand of dream-pop is peppered with flavors of shoegaze and indie rock – Fans of Slowdive, Mac Demarco, or the 1980s will definitely enjoy this one. Add it to your Spotify playlist too.
Nothing wrong with an endearing indie rock jam with tinges of emo and grunge. Goodnight House, aka Joel Lane, sent us “Can’t Go Back” and we like it a lot. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between 90s grunge (like Hum) and mid-2000s emo (like Copeland), “Can’t Go Back” is a straightforward, guitar-driven jam. Put it on and reminisce, this one’s pleasant as all get out and a true anxiety-reducer. If you like “Can’t Go Back,” it’s up on Bandcamp for a “pay what you want” rate. Analog Echoes by Goodnight House
We’ve been following Honey Lung for some time now – their brand of post-grunge goodness just speaks to us. We last checked in with them this April with the fuzzy goodness of “Sophomore.” Our new recommendation, “Stuttering Mind,” is a slightly “cleaner” departure, but surely continues their tradition of angsty, emo-tinged tunes. A beautiful, clean guitar riff propels this track forward, bolstered by an atmospheric keyboard and a particularly jangly chorus. This one is def worth a listen – check it out via Soundcloud below.