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Graveyard Club – “Nightcrawler”

May 8, 2016

Graveyard Club is a Minneapolis quartet who seem to be taken by all things occult. Beyond the haunting keyboards layered throughout their dark brand of synthpop lies an interest in sci-fi, 50s crooners, and 80s-style pop. “Nightcrawler” is the perfect amalgamation of these interests, having literally been recorded in a 19th century haunted mansion. One listen to “Nightcrawler” and you’ll begin to notice the gothic and romantic imagery worm its way into your ears. You can pick up “Nightcrawler” from Graveyard Club’s Bandcamp page here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255748461″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ohms – “Changed My Face”

May 7, 2016

Blending together fast tempos, gritty feminist punk, and a tinge of sparkly glam, Melbourne’s Ohms are a visceral female-fronted punk experience. The quartet’s “Changed My Face” caught our attention earlier this week, taking note from other bands with fellow “I-don’t-effing-care” front-women like Courtney Love, Veruca Salt, or L7. “Changed My Face” is about using plastic surgery as a crutch to avoid dealing with deeper issues (here’s looking at you, MJ). Ohms’ newest untitled offering can be found here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257897813″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Leitbur – “I Need You”

May 7, 2016

LA’s Leitbur (pronounced light-brrr) is on a roll, producing perfect nu-80s synthpop. They recently released a stellar LP, Antique Travelers. Track three, “I Need You,” is a feel-good summer jam if there ever was one, combining retro beats, catchy synth lines, and a huge chorus. What’s more, the song is celebrating the duo’s upcoming marriage. Judging by “I Need You,” we think they’re starting off on the right foot. We think you’d like Leitbur if you’re a fan of Chvrches, M83, or any music released in the year 1984. You can pick up Antique Travelers here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258477489″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fellow Creatures – “Wouldn’t You Like To Know”

May 6, 2016

Somehow, the circuit-bending weirdos in Fellow Creatures have found a way to turn odd, lurching synths and pulsing guitars into something quite palatable and enjoyable. The Washington, DC quartet is adept at genre-blurring, focusing heavily on writing memorable melodies and pleasant harmonies without sacrificing any of their instrumental quirkiness. Fans of Yeasayer, City and Color, or Menomena would be pleased by Fellow Creatures’ antics. “Wouldn’t You Like To Know” has been turned into a music video which you can enjoy below. You can pick up their self-titled album, Fellow Creatures, on Bandcamp.

TORCHES – “Future”

May 6, 2016

TORCHES are a duo from LA that makes danceable indie pop tunes. They are inspired by a sentimental attachment to music in their past but driven by their dreams of the future. Not convinced? A listen to their most recent offering, “Future,” might change your mind. Mixed by Chandler Harrod (Best Coast, Local Natives) and mastered by Steve Fallone (The Strokes, TV on the Radio), “Future” has quite the pedigree. RIYL: Foster the People, Grouplove, or Phoenix. You can pick up “Future” on iTunes here.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258464843″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

X-DOG – “Pull Me Up”

May 6, 2016

Any Batavian (or native of Buffalo, Rochester, or any of the towns in between) is sure to remember Vagrant Records’ Down To Earth Approach, whose success in the early aughts cemented their legacy as one of the most influential and successful bands to come out of WNY. After a decade in limbo, all five original members are picking up where they left off in a new project called X-Dog. Fun fact: X-Dog recorded their drums with fellow Batavian and buffaBLOG staple, Anthony Del Plato. “Pull Me Up” is a yearning, mid-tempo jam that mixes 2000s emo vibes with a contemporary power pop feel. “Pull Me Up” is about returning to your hometown – a perfect jam for inspiring a wave of nostalgia as you pull off the 90 and see the familiar sights of home. You can buy a “cassingle” featuring X-Dog’s first two singles, including “Pull Me Up,” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257289178″[...]

LISHI – “Monster Kids”

May 5, 2016

In terms of haunting and mysterious noir-pop, LISHI is at the top of her game. LISHI is an anonymous project, combining both musical and visual experiences into something ethereal and beautiful. “Monster Kids” is her first effort, and finds the character accepting her faults and eventually coming to terms with them. We are particularly mesmerized by “Monster Kid’s” chorus, anchored down by a wonderful blue note. “Monster Kids” is currently available for free on LISHI’s Bandcamp page.

Capyac – “Speedracer”

May 5, 2016

Capyac creates funky, nu-disco tunes that are near impossible to resist. “Speedracer” is their infectious new single, a smooth jam that finds Capyac grooving on par with fellow electro-funkers Daft Punk. The duo more than accurately self-identifies as “balloonwave,” but in case you’re not familiar with that particular genre, fans of Justice, deadmau5, or dancing the night away might find solace in Capyac’s tunes. Capyac’s new album, Headlunge, will be out later this month on May 28th. Until then, you can buy “Speedracer” here.

Julian Lamadrid – “Krule Love”

May 3, 2016

Naw this isn’t a King Krule premiere, but Krule definitely inspired this new track from whiz kid Julian Lamadrid. Born in Mexico, raised in UAE, and currently stationed in Dubai, JL blends smooth R&B and ambient synthpop on his tongue and cheek tracks. Lamadrid shamelessly delivers one-liners like “you got me harder than a Flintstone.” The song is actually about balancing life between the “sweet love” of your bros and the “Krule love” of your bae. You can pick up “Krule Love” on Bandcamp here, or watch the official music video below.

United Fruit – “Where The Sun Beats Down”

May 2, 2016

Glasgow quartet United Fruit are a tangible burst of energy. Their music is a wall of cacophonous and melodic guitar noise with propulsive rhythms. “Where The Sun Beats Down” is a constant flow with no ebbs. The track is layered thick with guitar noise that never seems to lose its strong sense of melody. It’s hard to nail down an exact genre for these forward thinkers – think a Brit-pop version of emo stalwarts .Moneen. or Foals minus the electronics, all with a subtle tinge of Sonic Youth. “Where The Sun Beats Down” is the lead single from United Fruit’s second album, Eternal Return. Eternal Return’s offical release date is May 13th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257824737″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Flora Cash – “And Ever”

May 1, 2016

Flora Cash is a Swedish/American duo from Stockholm/Minneapolis respectively. Electronic songstress Shpresa Lleshaj was so impressed with songwriter Cole Randall’s songwriting talents that she reached out via Soundcloud. One little comment led to a penpal relationship until the two finally decided to get married. Their fairytale union culminated in Flora Cash, which should appeal to fans of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Blue Hawaii, or The Head and the Heart. “And Ever” is a gentle, acoustic-tinged electronic song that highlights Lleshaj’s hushed, yet soaring vocals. You can find “And Ever” on Flora Cash’s latest release, Can Summer Love Last Forever?, out now on Icons Creating Evil Art. You can order their debut mini-lp here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/252402398″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Brooke Bentham – “Oliver”

April 30, 2016

Brooke Bentham is a 19-year-old songstress with a big voice. We’ve been jamming “Oliver,” a track Bentham penned when she was merely sixteen, a time when naïvety and love are almost synonymous. Most importantly, “Oliver” features Bentham’s breathtaking vocals (falling somewhere between Adele and Bon Iver) overtop a sparse, orchestrated arrangement. There are some singer-songwriters whose delivery can stop people in their tracks. Simply put, Bentham is one of them. You can purchase “Oliver” on iTunes here. “Oliver” is out now via Trellis Records. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257449707″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]  

She Makes War – “Cold Shoulder”

April 30, 2016

She Makes War specializes in no holds barred, female-fronted alt rock. “Cold Shoulder” is a one-two punch to the face, peppered with a squirmy synth line, background ooohs, and of course singer Laura Kidd’s Londonesque delivery. She Makes War is gloom pop at its best – equally glittery and grungy. Think Echo & The Bunnymen meets an English-tinged Bully. The act’s newest release, Direction of Travel, is out now via The state51 Conspiracy. Check it out on Bandcamp.

Grace Joyner – “Real”

April 29, 2016

Grace Joyner spent several years as a harmony singer for several prominent Nashville-area bands before writing her own material. This turned out to be a good decision. Joyner, like many of us, channeled her hurt into a positive outlet – her music. After finding her muse on an EP, Young Fools, Joyner is back with a debut LP. Joyner’s songs touch on unrequited love, coming to terms with personal failure, and the importance of taking action. “Real” finds Joyner’s lilting vocals riding smoothly on top of synthy indie rock undertones. RIYL if you like Copeland, Lydia, or The Bird and the Bee. Grace Joyner’s latest release is Young Fools, out now on Hearts & Plugs. Her new LP, Maybe Sometimes In C, will be out this May. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257200881″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Consequences (ex-Real People) Releases Debut EP

April 28, 2016

One listen through We’ll See How The Year Goes and you’ll realize why Consequences is quite a fitting name. You might remember Sworts as the whirling dervish that fronted Buffalo emo-punks Real People (before their untimely demise last year). This time around, Sworts has traded in his dynamic electric guitar work for an acoustic guitar. WSHTYG is a four-song EP that capitalizes on heartbreak, strife, and the mental games that one must navigate while they struggle through their twenties. “Everything Will Work Out” finds Sworts lamenting “I wish I knew then what I know now.” It quickly becomes apparent that WSHTYG is full of introspective lyrics contemplating the true meaning of love, what it means to be in a relationship, and how another person might define who you are. Throughout the EP, Sworts’ voice wavers perfectly, his high range sitting fragile on top of the otherwise barren acoustic tracks. Tracks like “Irreparable Damage” sound reminiscent of late-90s[...]