Latest Posts

The Sunmills – The Art of Burning Bridges

May 8, 2025

Seeing as how we’re located in the northeastern US, we don’t get a ton of opportunities to cover acts from Utah. Here’s hoping The Sunmills are our first of many – they’ve just released their debut album, The Art of Burning Bridges, an eight-song collection of riffy rock n roll that catalogues the messy roller coaster that is, well, love. Whether we’re talking ex-girlfriends, failed situationships, and self-deprecation, The Sunmills cover it with a wry smile and a healthy dose of sarcasm. You might leave a listening session of The Art of Burning Bridges wondering “… Are these guys ok?” At the same time, you’ll notice their songs have the same sunshine-y polish that you’d expect from ’90s luminaries like Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Fastball, or Semisonic… And it’s not like those guys weren’t singing about failed relationships to great success.   The album opens with “Take Me Away,” a blast of pop-punk energy[...]

little champion – Peaks Island and Other Places

May 8, 2025

It’s tempting to make a silly turn of phrase like “little champion… big sound” when discussing the new album from Asheville, NC-based singer/songwriter Dustin Goldklang (aka the aforementioned little champion)… But that would be a lie. The reality is that little champion specializes in intimate and loquacious slices of life – aurally painting what seem like oddly-specifically descriptions of oddly-specific places. Underneath the specificities of his writing lies a little pain – like that found in an awkward moment stuck in your head for eternity or, as LC puts it, “trying to laugh about things you’re not sure are funny.” That’s the vibe you can find throughout his latest album Peaks Island and Other Places – super intimate and a little awkward (in the most endearing possible way). at the end of a listen through this album, you really feel like you’ve grown up alongside Goldklang in the oddly-specific town of[...]

Laila Smith – “Diorama”

May 4, 2025

There are plenty of things that will break your heart in this world, so let the latest single from Laila Smith be solace that you’re not going through it alone. “Diorama” is a beautiful indie rock song that showcases Smith’s true pain – softly plucked acoustic guitars layered with spikes of electric guitar bring this one to life, of course, set off by Laila’s lilting vocal presence. She’s really putting herself out there with this one – here’s a snippet about the song:   “Diorama was born out of a very confusing time in my life, a period of deep denial about the quiet collapse of my marriage… We position ourselves as essential in someone’s landscape while knowing any fixed arrangement is a kind of death… The truth of intimate attachment is that all we desire is desire itself—not the messy reality of human connection.”   Check out “Diorama” via[...]

Thought Trials – EARTHRISE/GAIA

May 2, 2025

Buffalo post-metal act Thought Trials are here to blacken your heart with their latest, two-song EP/split, EARTHRISE/GAIA. If you’re expecting a quick, six-minute listen – think again… This quartet specializes in the kind of epic, meandering, atmospheric black metal that journeys on and on through a never ending abyss… or at least 17 minutes worth of the abyss.   Guttural vocals from singer Lauren Davis ring out angrily over drop-tuned guitars from Josh Martin and Erin Malone, while an epic drum performance from Chris Wall thunders underneath. Track one “EARTHRISE,” may be the archetypal Thought Trials song – it crescendos endlessly, with an epic (if aptly creepy) climax that cuts straight to the bone. “GAIA” shows the wide width of the band’s range, running the spectrum from ambient to crushing, channeling everything from Explosions in the Sky to Deafheaven along the way.   As with most sprawling and/or atmospheric projects, this[...]

The Ram – I Am Nowhere, I Am Everywhere

April 30, 2025

The Ram, the affectionate nickname for singer/songwriter Mark O’Donnell, is an “American triptych” (I wish I came up with that, but those are his words, not mine). Living a refreshing Southern California lifestyle while remaining influenced by his northeastern roots (go Bills), his latest album, the Americana and surf inspired I Am Nowhere, I Am Everywhere (IANIAE) is an amalgamation of everything that has made The Ram’s long and winding life what it is. Full of rosy-colored reflections on family life and his beloved late father, IANIAE glides through your speakers with the ease of California living while not-so-subtly informed by his snowier roots.   A cursory observation of IANIAE will show that there are only a few songs that are less than five-minutes long. While there are no three-minute, hook-in-your-face, ruthlessly-catchy radio rock hits on this LP, you’ll soon realize that IANIAE is more of an artistic expression – a picture[...]

Mission to Sleep – A Spark or The End

April 30, 2025

Boston-based act Mission to Sleep have recently dropped their debut album, a seven-song collection of relentless and cinematic alt rock they’ve titled A Spark or The End. Across the EP you’ll hear downtuned guitars, impassioned vocals, and layers upon layers of textures. Fans of the nuanced side of nu-metal (think Deftones) will love what they hear here, as well as fans of heavier, mid-aughts emo-influenced acts like Thrice, Glassjaw, or The Receiving End of Sirens.   The album starts out strong with “No Anchor” – here, you’re immediately thrown into the maelstrom of Mission to Sleep’s sound. This band has found a way to weave intricate, metal-inspired instrumentals into catchy, pop-oriented melodies. They were smart to start here – there’s an immediate hook in the chorus: “Search mission is over!” It’s a juicy earworm, and a harbinger of what to expect as you meander through the rest of this album. Song[...]

Milo – Valve/Whatever

April 28, 2025

Newly minted Rochester-based act Milo has just released a debut, two-song EP called Valve/Whatever. Inspired by raw and emotive music (think Buffalo greats Lemuria or the late ’90s/early ’00s output from Rainer Maria or Rilo Kiley), their music is largely guitar driven with raw-but-endearing vocals. Their poetic and nuanced lyrics focus heavily on storytelling with a hint of attitude; so much so that these songs, especially their charming production value, will make you want to dust off your thick, black rimmed glasses and pull out your ratty Get Up Kids track jacket like you’re discovering your favorite 2nd wave emo bands all over again.   You can catch Milo live at their next show on June 13th at the Psychic Garden in Rochester. Until then, get acquainted with Valve/Whatever (April 18th, 2025) – available now via bandcamp (embedded below), or, via Spotify or Apple Music.   Valve/Whatever by Milo

Kai Bosch – “Popstar Of Your Dreams”

April 23, 2025

We’re Kai Bosch stans here at buffaBLOG (see here, here, and here), but at this point, can you blame us? The alt pop luminary has had a legendary output with no signs of stopping – evidenced by his latest offering, “Popstar Of Your Dreams.” A pulsating electro bass gets the blood pumping while Bosch’s effervescent vocals paint a scintillating picture. This is by all measures a flamboyant and unapologetic pop song, but Bosch knows when to let his emotions fly too.   Kai Bosch has you covered – “Popstar Of Your Dreams” is up now on Spotify, Apple Music, and even Deezer.   Kai Bosch · Popstar of Your Dreams

PHWOAR – Flowers Through the Concrete

April 22, 2025

Birmingham-based duo PHWOAR come out swinging with a strong mission statement on their debut release, Flowers Through the Concrete. Full of full-fledged rock n roll vibes, you can expect big guitars; tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and spot-on takes on social commentary. Driven heavily by guitars and four-on-the-floor drum bombast, this duo of Paul (guitar/vocals) and Helena (drums/vocals) have crafted a full-throated sound that would sound perfect destroying your eardrums in your favorite dive bar.   The EP opens up with “Reckless” – a glammy and snotty introduction to this energy-packed duo. Buzzsaw guitars blast through your speakers with an impressive fervor, while drums slam along as the perfect accompaniment. There’s a retro quality to these tunes – nodding to 90s alt rock greats (think Spacehog or Garbage) while filtering in a bit more 2010s energy from acts like The Black Keys. Being reckless is what this kind of music is all about –[...]

Why Dogs Why – “Play The Hits”

April 19, 2025

Why can’t more bands be like Why Dogs Why and just PLAY THE HITS. Tongue-in-cheek statement or not, their latest song of the same name certainly doesn’t sound like something you’d hear on the radio, but we’re in love with it regardless. This Californian quartet tout this jam as their longest composition to date and its a stunning listen all the way through. With a sexy indie rock progression that dabbles just a bit into Midwest emo, we find the band singing “Dance monkey, dance away” as a metaphor for feeling pressured to behave in a certain way. Get into your feels and let this one sink in deep the next time your boss pisses you off.   Sample “Play The Hits” via the YouTube embed below – Spotify and Apple Music are good to go too.  

PUSH – “wexler”

April 19, 2025

Do you miss Pinback? I know I do (even if they aren’t actually broken up) – and PUSH is scratching that “Penelope” itch with their latest single, “wexler.” The band purposely keeps things raw and intimate with an acoustic guitar backbone and breathy vocals, bolstered by gentle drumming and ghostly sighs of synth. This song is about “solitude, connection, and the weight of memory,” which are the essential ingredients of any existential crisis. If you’re like us and are constantly wavering on the edge of an existential breakdown, turn on “wexler” the next time you’re staring blankly at your ceiling and simply vibe it out. It worked for me!   Find “wexler” on YouTube below (with a helpful lyric visualizer) or on your favorite streaming service – Spotify or Apple Music.  

Red Sun 1981 – “Walking in a Daydream”

April 18, 2025

Red Sun 1981 may tout themselves as lo-fi dreampop act (and they’d mostly be correct), but we think they’re underselling themselves a little bit with that classification. A listen through their latest single, “Walking in a Daydream,” is the aural equivalent of literally walking in a perfectly-produced daydream. Swirling synths surround you like you’re sinking into a bed while sighing vocals support your woozy head like the fluffiest pillows known to man. All the while, punchy drum machine hits carry the song along at a perfect tempo. There’s plenty of room in Buffalo for refreshing and gauzy synth acts like RS81, so get used to hearing about them.   Get acquainted with this fantastic new song via the bandcamp embed below.   Walking in a Daydream [Single] by Red Sun 1981

Elle Belle – “Train to Kyoto”

April 14, 2025

Written in an entirely surprising location, Elle Belle put together his latest single, “Train to Kyoto” in the last place you’d expect. That’s right – on a train to Kyoto. Can you believe it? Us either.   That being said, the gentle electronica here is top notch, with a spicy, lightly-autotuned vocal presence. The composition is purposely bare in nature and the song breathes with both digital and organic lungs. Pleasant guitar plunks, gauzy synths, and project mastermind Christopher Pappas’ airy vocals are all highlights – here’s a little more (quite profound) diatribe about the song from Pappas himself:   ‘Train to Kyoto’ is a nearly lyric-less song I wrote while on, well, a train to Kyoto. I recorded a scratch vocal that started with the only lyric I had at the time: ‘I took the train to Kyoto and I never woke up.’ I improvised the rest of the vocals,[...]

SOZI – Bloom

April 13, 2025

As we enter a much-needed Buffalo summer, it’s time to refresh our playlists with new and exciting music that reverberates that infectious energy – we’d like to direct your attention to the latest from SOZI on her new, four-song EP, BLOOM. Full of airy and infectious alt pop, BLOOM “is all about stepping into a new season of growth and letting go of what’s been holding you back.” If you’ve been stuck indoors for the last six months like we have, this is the perfect way to break out of your shell and embrace the incoming springtime.   “Seconds” kicks off the album with a lighthearted-but-energetic opening. Quick percussion lays the backbone for SOZI’s lilting presence – coming fully into fruition in the super catchy chorus – “How do the seconds turn to minutes? I just can’t keep up.” SOZI continues the profound lyrical content with lines like “these are your best years,[...]

Victims of the New Math – Open Highway

April 13, 2025

Acting like a vessel for eras past, singer/songwriter Thomas Young has channeled his energies into alternative act Victims of the New Math. With a reverence for ’60s garage rock, ’90s alt rock sensibilities, and a love for Guided By Voices-esque production values, his latest offering is Open Highway, a nine-song collection of lo-fi tunes peppered with upbeat songwriting, big energies, and classic-sounding songs that go down real easy. The album tackles many themes, including: love, frustration, fear, and beauty (what else from a classics-inspired album?), and has rightfully been mastered by Todd Tobias – GBV’s producer and engineer. The result is a sunny-sounding album that respects DIY production roots while valuing good songwriting – a fun and laid-back listen that will appeal to fans of psych rock, indie rock, and the gone-too-soon 1990s.   “ORANGE AND PURPLE SKIES” is the album’s opener and for good reason – it’s one of the LP’s[...]