Latest Posts

riley hp – “finelovin”

March 8, 2026

riley hp sounds like he’s about to fall apart on latest single, “finelovin.” Bridging the gap between Mac DeMarco and Atom and his Package, “finelovin” has all the straight-through-the-interface-DI tones you could hope for. It’s a fitting, lo-fi approach for riley hp’s lyrical content about impostor syndrome and how it relates to love. Janky and fun, “finelovin” is the kind of song that simultaneously feels like it cares too much and not at all… And that’s worth writing about.   Check out “finelovin” on Spotify and Apple Music    

The Mad Mile – “Smiths”

March 7, 2026

Last time we heard from London-based duo The Mad Mile, we were waxing poetic about previous single “Wendy Houses.” Perhaps topically, new song “Smiths” deals with the fallout and feelings from your favorite neighborhood bodega going under new management and turning into convenience-store-slop. The duo have an uncanny way of making their songs sound haunting and mysterious while still retaining a catchy quality – this one reminds us a lot of Autolux with hints of Pinback and Wombo.   Check it out below or peep it on Spotify.   The Mad Mile · Smiths

Stephen Becker – “Bad Idea”

March 3, 2026

Stephen Becker bridges the gap between Wilco and Big Thief on latest offering, “Bad Idea.” Slow-moving, but not lacking in artistry or intensity, Becker fills “Bad Idea” with jangly acoustic guitar, layered thick with tasty guitar licks. His lilting brand of folksy bedroom-pop is ethereal and easy-going, even if the subject matter is a little heavy. Sometimes it’s best just to hear it straight from the artist’s mouth, so here’s a poignant snippet from Stephen on where his head was at when he was writing this song:   “‘Bad Idea’ is about a breakup I went through after seeing the ballet – the haunting feeling of the dancers’ movements lingering in my mind, the sad-sweet taste of spiked lemonade on the train ride home. I was thinking about, and trying to manifest, change with a newfound determination to break free from unhealthy routines and patterns in life and in love.”[...]

Stratosphere – Haze / I’m Yours

March 3, 2026

Fredonia’s Stratosphere continues reaching for the stars – the four piece from Buffalo’s beloved college town neighbor (and beloved college rock band incubator) has been wrecking eardrums since their debut in 2024, and latest double single Haze / I’m Yours is an excellent continuation of the band’s sound. “Haze” feels like a continuation of their namesake, both thematically and sonically. Squiggly guitars give way to wall-of-noise guitar choruses, continuing the storied tradition of quiet/loud, guitar-driven anthems made timeless by Pixies or Nirvana. “I’m Yours” leans a bit more into Bleach-era Nirvana sounds, layered thick with Rat (TM) pedal distortion and Grohl-esque drumming. One thing’s for sure, this band makes a tremendous amount of noise – something that’s often hard to capture in a recording, but Stratosphere does surprisingly well. We’re hoping to catch them live soon, but when we inevitably do, we’ll be making sure to bring earplugs (and maybe[...]

Romcom Victims – “Alaska”

February 26, 2026

Are there any bugs in Alaska? Is that a dumb question? Because Romcom Victims are buzzing hard, and their latest single, “Alaska,” is indication why. The band’s been an unstoppable force in the last year or so, putting out jangly college rock vibes that make use of twinkly guitars, lilting vocals, and blistering paces. “Alaska” seems like a step forward for the group – excellent production values certainly help, but the song itself is a neurotic listen through jangle-pop bliss. The bass guitar is thumping, the guitars are plucky and spry (thanks Rickenbacker), and the tempo is fast enough to make this a must-hear on your next trip to Milkie’s or Nietzsche’s. The video itself is a good time too – music videos are notoriously tricky, but the live performance captured is all-smiles and on point, while a CRT tv provides just enough vintage charm to keep it cool and[...]

Mother Nature’s Son – “Angel Attack”

February 23, 2026

Buffalo’s Mother Nature’s Son has just shared a new single, “Angel Attack,” from their upcoming album, The Seven People You Meet In Heaven. Taking queues from sardonic-but-literate emo/pop-punk acts like Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack, and Ludo before them, “Angel Attack” threads the needle between sneering and smiling – pairing squiggly keyboard tones and crunchy guitars with lyrics that touch on demons, ego death, and being kissed suddenly on the cheek. Musically, the song’s synth-smooched approach gives it a uniquely airy mouthfeel – and the slightly-swung, guitar-driven backbone culminates in a cool, phaser-laden solo. At any rate, MNS knows how to craft a catchy hook, and if “Angel Attack” is any indication, The Seven People You Meet In Heaven is going to be full of inescapable melodies.   Check out “Angel Attack” via the YouTube embed below. Other ways to stream/support can be found here.    

sad alex x Grayson Foster – “Eyes First”

February 21, 2026

sad alex and Grayson Foster teamed up for this super tasty indie-pop jam they’re calling “Eyes First.” An ode to falling in love with your eyes first (instead of your heart, which we can’t in good faith totally recommend), “Eyes First” is a perfect duet between alex/Foster that encapsulates that feeling of being overwhelmingly attracted to someone. I know our society questions love at first sight (and rightfully so), but if it did/does exist, the bubbling indie pop that these two crafted together is just about as close to what happens in your brain when you see your new beau.   “Eyes First” is available on YouTube (below) and Spotify.    

The Dahmers – “Underdog”

February 21, 2026

The Dahmers are no doubt inspired by horror films (and the DIY spirit, which I suppose could also be tied to their namesake in a sick way), but their latest song, “Underdog,” is a blast of sunshine-y power pop. Trading bloodied knives for infectious hooks and a wry smile, “Underdog” is a blast of refined Swedish energy, complete with chiming guitars, nimble basslines, and enough vocal hooks to keep it stuck in your head for a week.   You can find “Underdog” on bandcamp (below), or, on Spotify.   CREATURE FEATURE by The Dahmers

TAKER – Sons And Daughters

February 19, 2026

TAKER is a veritable Buffalo supergroup – featuring members of Violent Way, Corvo, Healer, They Live, Big Dog, Big School, Green Slime, Candy and more, their uncompromising brand of oi and punk rock needs little introduction or explanation. On new album, an eleven-song barnburner called Sons and Daughters, TAKER takes cues from The Ramones, The Misfits, and… Guided By Voices? Yeah, you read that right – this will more than likely be our only time mentioning oi and GBV in the same sentence, but hey, there’s a first (and probably last) time for everything. At any rate, the album is fast, ferocious, and energizing… And that’s why we’ve decided it’s our Album of the Week this week.   The album opens with the palm muted onslaught of “Reach Out” – an excellent introduction to TAKER’s stylings. The guitars do a lot of heavy lifting here, thundering overtop rolling tom beats.[...]

Brock Davis – Nothing Lasts Forever

February 17, 2026

Americana is a timeless genre – one that feels inherently tied to history, nostalgia, and feelings of belonging. Santa Cruz-based singer/songwriter Brock Davis has found a home in that genre, especially on new album Nothing Lasts Forever, a 14-song offering that deals with heavy-but-relatable themes like the transience of life, love (and all its implications), and everything in between. A real-life health scare may have shaken Davis (luckily, he’s okay), but if anything, it seems to have steeled his resolve to create something heartfelt and real. The phrase “Nothing Lasts Forever” might be literally true in a vacuum – but at the very least, these songs will live on eternally, and they certainly have the classic songwriting backbone to withstand the slow, cruel hands of time. Here’s a little more from Davis himself about what Nothing Lasts Forever really means to him:   “As I was searching for an album title,[...]

Rayhan – EP 5

February 14, 2026

Here in Buffalo, we consider Toronto our neighbors to the North, so we were pleased to receive the latest EP from Canadian artist, actor, and comedian Rayhan Jabbar. On his latest offering, a three-song EP he’s titled EP 5, Jabbar flexes all of his creative muscles into something all-encompassing and undefinable. Between art, acting, and music, if you had any questions about Jabbar’s multi-talented nature, this EP shifts wildly between hip hop, indie pop, and… Bollywood? You read that right.   Obviously as fellow snow belt dwellers, a song like “Windchill Minus Twenty” might appeal to us, especially as February temperatures plummet to that point regularly… Although we’re probably talking Fahrenheit here in the US – that’s probably much, much colder where Rayhan’s from. Here, he uses  a tough and glitchy beat to rap about how “selling drugs is a right of passage,” and the journey from being a drug-slinging youngster[...]

Fourmile – Fourmile

February 13, 2026

It’s amazing that, as musicians, we can collaborate across literal oceans. That’s exactly what Fourmile did – a collaboration between Buffalo’s Dylan England (of Del Paxton * fame), and a group of London-based musicians (Owain, Cais, Hank, and Tom) that boast a pedigree of other great bands including TTNG, Harlem Renaissance, Big Hug, and Muttering. Their efforts have resulted in a three-song EP, Fourmile, that continues England & co.’s penchant for guitar-driven Midwest emo sounds. Having initially connected when Del P did a European tour, the members have stayed in touch – lucky for us, it’s resulted in new music.   If the album art to Fourmile is any indication – a patchwork of carpets strewn with some guitar pedals (very nice ones, I might add), cables, and Fender Telecasters – this is a guitar-forward offering, layered thick with lots of tasty textures, twinkles, and any other relevant buzzword typically given to[...]

Belle Blue – “Jack”

February 7, 2026

Belle Blue‘s latest song would have been a huge hit in the ’90s… Ironic, since she herself wasn’t even around then. “Jack” is built around sparse guitars and Belle’s world-weathered vocals – culminating in a swelling emotional crescendo that takes us to the end of the song. Belle seems to know the science behind creating “space” in a song – what starts as stabs of fuzzed-out guitar turns into a maelstrom of emotional noise. This one’s a keeper.   Check out the official music video for “Jack” below. It’s also available on Spotify.    

New Words – “Meteor”

February 7, 2026

Last time we checked in with New Words, we were psyched on the big hooks and emo energy of single “Gave You More.” Project mastermind Benny Scheibel is back and has doubled down on the emo energy, this time with a track called “Meteor.” Fans of Listener or La Dispute will appreciate the passionate sprechgesang that kicks this one off, before a chunky, guitar-driven chorus brings everything home a la The Early November or Knuckle Puck. It’s clear Scheibel loves the art of “emo,” in it’s many forms/waves – get sucked in by the emotional catharsis and stick around for the phat hooks.   “Meteor” is available via Spotify – see below.  

halfstride – “Reading With The Lights Off”

February 6, 2026

Halfstride is a newly-minted Buffalo-based band that specialize in indie rock sounds that go down ultra-smooth. Their latest single, “Reading With the Lights Off” is about “late nights, quiet thoughts, and the moments that linger after the noise fades.” A ringing, rhythmic ride cymbal sets the scene for a chuggy, palm muted guitar backbone and an impressively nimble bassline. Astute readers of the blog may recognize former members of Ponder (the Giraffe) in this act, so expect a little bit of funkiness to this otherwise pleasantly straightforward rocker.   Check out the music video for “Reading With the Lights Off” embedded below.