Young Earth are a spry quartet from Dublin who caught our ears with the upbeat indie-pop of “Worth It.” Combining jangly guitar riffs with strong pop songwriting, the band excels at creating old-school, guitar-driven rock with a contemporary 2017 approach. Lyrically, the band tackles the trials and tribulations of young love via inescapable vocal hooks and whoa-ohs. Def worth a listen. Smash that Spotify link and add it to your playlist.
We’ve been spinning this warble-fest by Toy Savoy in the buffaBLOG offices as of late – “Clean Floors” is an ever-so wonky pop song that combines warped guitars, keyboards, and feel-good harmonies into something irresistible. Fans of Magic Potion, Mac Demarco, or The Shins will get down to this one. Be sure to stick it out till they go half-time. If you’re feeling it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
NOLA trio Bent Denim caught our ears with the muffled beauty of their latest single, “All My Friends Are Dead.” Focusing on beautiful, narrative-driven songs, BD jams lo-fi sentiment into a succinct 2:15. “AMFAD” is fleshed out with hush-hush vocals and a hooky piano motif that is sure to please any fan of indie pop, bedroom pop, dream pop, or *insert modifier here* pop. Check out their latest release via Bandcamp.
Beyond the pleasing pastels and ultimate chill-out vibes that the video for “LA in ’83” exudes is DONCAT‘s excellent songwriting prowess. Referred to as “superbly laid back Laurel Canyon style folk,” “LA in ’83” has just enough sparse guitar and soulful lyrics to have you feeling ever-so-relaxed. If you’re feeling it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
Any fan of the 2000s indie-rock scene should recognize the iconic sound of matt pond PA and his distinct brand of shimmering indie-pop. Pond is back at it again with his 12th full-length album, kicked off by catchy and irreverent lead single “Still Summer,” a song glorifying the fond memories of doing dumb and dangerous things in one’s youth. Sadly, this will be Pond’s last album under the moniker matt pond PA, but long-time fans fear not… There is more music to come from Pond in the near future. Swing by their webstore to pre-order Still Summer.
“Real Love” shimmers with retro synths and lo-fi vibes, perfect for a chill-out sesh or a laid-back Sunday. Greek quartet KENNY FREQ. are the architects of our latest recommendation, a group of guys who push each other to write light-hearted, euphoric pop songs. This one reminds us of The Shout Out Louds or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. If you’re digging it, you can support via a variety of platforms here.
Yo, we’re digging the warbly vibes from new slacker-rock duo Spring Breakers. “Shaking Hands” switches from a Mac Demarco-inspired verse to a dreamy chorus without flinching, which isn’t an easy task. What’s more exciting – this is the first song these dudes have written together. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next. For fans of Kurt Vile, Mac Demarco, or Beach House. Add it to your Spotify playlist too.
We’re into this song from Brisbane solo artist Hobart Curtis… “Want Me” is a cascading nugget of sweet indie pop, combining washy guitars, groovy basslines, and gauzy synth pads. “Want Me” is a simple song about wanting to be wanted, something we can all relate to. Match that sentiment with solid vocal hooks and Hobart’s unique delivery, and you have a buffaBLOG favorite. Check it out on iTunes if you’re feeling it.
Pet Symmetry, a veritable emo supergroup featuring members of Into It. Over It. Kittyhawk, and Dowsing, is swinging through Buffalo this Memorial Day eve. They are fresh off of the release of their latest LP, an 11-song offering called Vision, which is full of angular emo and punk with plenty of pop hooks. Rounding out the lineup tonight are Chicago Topshelfers Ratboys, Buffalo Topshelfers Del Paxton, and the haunting emo trio Honey Coma. Doors are at 7pm tonight. The show is at the Modeling Factory with a $5 donation. Vision by Pet Symmetry
“Silhouette” is a great jam, reminiscent of a simpler time… Namely the mid to late 90s where alternative rock bands like Third Eye Blind, Better Than Ezra, and Eve 6 were tearing up the pop charts. Let’s just say Blume Hinges has the same sort of songwriting prowess as these 90s legends, combining catchy guitar hooks with ever-so-slightly forlorn vocals. A true alternative rock banger if we’ve ever heard one. If you’re into it, check out the whole album here.
Indietronica producer shallou has us captivated with his breathy new jam. The Chicago native sent us “Truth,” which comes courtesy of his latest release, his debut EP, All Becomes Okay. Sit back in your seat and relax as you listen to shallou’s unique brand of atmospheric electronica. Blippy drums, pitch-shifted vocal samples, and a wide range of instrumentals await. Add “Truth” to your Spotify playlist.
MNYNMS (pronounced many names) sent over the synth-driven “DENIAL” and we loved it as soon as it hit our speakers. The trio, more specifically Jessica Wahlquist, Lacey Youngblood, and J.Childs, came together organically through a shared energy that seemed unparalleled by many of their peers. Either way, we think this gauzy electronica number is irresistible, check it out below. MNYNMS is offering “DENIAL” for free here.
All of the shoegaze fans out there are going to love this new jam from UK quartet Softer Still. “Wishing Well” is a blissed out, 80s-tinged shoegaze song a la Slowdive, The Cure, or DIIV. Twinkling guitars and reverb-drenched vocals propel this gentle track forth in a way that is sure to please any fan of dream pop. Add it to your Spotify playlist if you dig the dreamy vibes.
“Midnight Rendez-Vous” has been described as “a dark ballad for the unloved” and we couldn’t agree more. The brainchild of Canadian producer Das Mörtal, “Midnight Rendez-Vous” has the familiar thump of an electronica song with a dark and gloomy twist. It’s truly brought to life via vocalist French Fox and his irresistible goth-on-the-dancefloor lyrics. Add it to your Spotify playlist if you’re feeling froggy.
Pray For Sound in an instrumental post-rock project spearheaded by mastermind Bruce Malley. They sent us over their new video for “Everywhere, Everywhere” and we liked it enough to suggest it to our loyal followers. As with any instrumental project, it’s best to let the music speak for itself, but fans of Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, or even ambient pop rock bands a la The Dangerous Summer might will like this one. Check out the video below.