Latest Posts

Kendra Checketts – “Kinda, Sorta”

October 18, 2022

San Diego native Kendra Checketts hit us up with the fresh-faced pop of her latest offering, “Kinda, Sorta.” The song is about the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling about feeling like you might mess up a first date (think lines like “But I maybe, kinda, almost sorta think that I already did”), but the heartfelt vocals and strong melodic background give off a different vibe – this one could sit comfortably on a shelf next to Carly Rae Jepsen or even some of the poppier tracks from Alvvays. Check out “Kinda, Sorta” on Spotify too.

Joe McCarthy & The Faders – “Can’t Trust Myself”

October 18, 2022

If you’re in the mood for a Springsteen-esque jammer, we recommend the latest from Joe McCarthy & The Faders, a song called “Can’t Trust Myself.” This song has all the hallmarks of middle America – a twinkling piano; splashes of synth; workhorse guitars; and a strong-voiced bellow ranting about the troubles that affect us all. About the song, Joe says: “When the harsh reality of life hits, can you trust your emotions, your friends, your family, all of those who sowed naive or dishonest perceptions of the world around them? This song wrestles with forgiveness and redemption in light of the mental anguish that is life in 2022.” “Can’t Trust Myself” is on Bandcamp now (below) – you can also find Joe & Co. on Spotify. Outpost Truck Stop by Joe McCarthy & the Faders

I Was A King – “Lo Pressure”

October 18, 2022

All the way from Norway, indie-poppers I Was A King blessed us with this jangly good time they’ve named “Lo Pressure.” Bringing to mind indie pop greats from the 00s (think Belle and Sebastian, Shout Out Louds, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!), “Pressure” builds upon a pleasantly-strummed guitar backbone with beautiful vocals and a shuffling drumbeat. Retro sensibilities here in a 2022 shell – check it out below. You can also find “Lo Pressure” on Spotify and Apple Music. Fanatic Promotion · I Was A King – Lo Pressure

Sweet Home – “Dream”

October 12, 2022

Durham-based duo Sweet Home are here to serve you some spicy shoegaze – we recommend you start with their latest offering, “Dream.” Full of sludgy guitars, nimble fretwork, and ethereal and endearing vocals, this one brings to mind acts like My Bloody Valentine, Pity Sex, and Smashing Pumpkins. Underneath all the fuzzed-out instrumentals is something hauntingly beautiful and melodic… And sometimes you just need a jam that you can crank up to eleven. This is absolutely that song – turn it up, get lost in the wall of sound, and let your worries fade away. You can also find “Dream” (and the rest of Sweet Home’s discography, including their recently released album Advice) on Spotify. Sweet Homé · Dream (single)

Hound – “Take Off”

October 12, 2022

Glasgow-based quartet Hound are here with a guitar-driven jam they’ve titled “Take Off.” Bringing to mind the power-pop greats of the 90s (think Weezer, Superchunk, and Fountains of Wayne), “Take Off” pairs lightly-crunchy guitars with earnest vocals and an overall upbeat vibe. About the song, Hound explains: “The gist of it is feeling quite close to someone that cares about you and feeling very comfortable and able to talk to them about whatever. It was was very much inspired after a notable couple of conversations between me and my partner at the time, which made us both feel close and trust in each other and together, it was quite a nice moment.” “Take Off” is available now via GoldMold Records. You can also find it on Spotify. Hound · Take Off

Kleo – “Beautiful Life”

October 12, 2022

Normally, we’re pretty black-hearted over here at buffaBLOG, but sometimes an uplifting jam is just the thing you need to get you through your day. Today, we’re highlighting Kleo’s latest single about appreciating how beautiful life can be, aptly titled, “Beautiful Life.” Kleo’s voice lays perfectly atop the synthpop structure, and with plenty of warbly synths to keep you warm and fuzzy inside, this one is sure to brighten up your day. You can also find “Beautiful Life” on Spotify.

Pon Far – “Fever Dream”

October 12, 2022

NY-based act Pon Far stepped up their songwriting during the pandemic – the long-distance (well, across NY) trio sent songs back and forth and ultimately came up with the dreamy vibes found here in their latest offering, “Fever Dream.” It’s a swirly affair, anchored by a strong bassline and swirly guitar textures, both of which highlight the relaxing and lilting vocal presence… Not to mention the sultry saxophone solo. Fans of Men I Trust, Japanese Breakfast, and Waxahatchee will find lots to love here. You can also find “Fever Dream” on Spotify. Pon Far · Fever Dream

RoyBox – “Walk”

October 12, 2022

Mysterious Japanese act RoyBox hit our inboxes with this infectious slice of indie rock they call “Walk.” A dueling, arpeggiating guitar kicks this one off, evoking feelings of urgency… Almost like something’s bubbling underneath, ready to explode. The song inevitably does, into a whirlwind of guitar riffs; a sludgy backbone; and a pounding drumbeat that makes you feel, as they say, “like you’re running.” We think fans of mathy music or more hypnotic bands like Pinback or Prawn will really enjoy this one. Check out the video for “Walk” below – you can also find the song on Spotify and Apple Music.

Doc Backer – “Fleshy Forms”

October 10, 2022

Doc Backer is a man of many talents – he likes to tout that his music making is completely unpredictable, ranging from rap to arena rock, to dark pop jazz at any given moment. One of his eclectic creations, “Fleshy Forms,” caught our ears for it’s uniquely twisted guitar riff and utterly left-field instrumental accompaniment. This one gives us big Gorillaz vibes – but eat your heart out “Feel Good Inc.,” Doc’s ear for hooks and unique lyrical prowess fills the same niche (and he doesn’t need an animated character to stand out from the pack). You can also find “Fleshy Forms” on Spotify.

small pockets – “kite”

October 10, 2022

Atlanta-based act small pockets hit us hard with their latest banger, “kite.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between math rock, bedroom-pop, and alternative, “kite” is full of pitchy delay guitars; blippy splashes of keyboard; and a shuffling-but-crisp drumbeat. Throughout the song, SP ruminates on the highs and lows of life, trying to be mindful of the things that have a tendency to bring them down. While the song transfers from the spicy intro to a more introspective feel mid-song, it will remind you of the different phases of life – sometimes chaotic, sometimes relaxing, but in the case of small pockets, always interesting. You can also find “kite” on Spotify and Apple Music.

The Natural Lines – “It’s a Trap”

October 10, 2022

We’re big fans of Matt Pond PA over here at buffaBLOG – maybe it’s the incoming fall weather (or nostalgia for the first time we heard “So Much Trouble”), but when we heard “It’s a Trap,” the latest offering from newly-minted act The Natural Lines, we couldn’t help but think that it had some definite Matt Pond PA flavor. Turns out we were dead on – it IS Matt Pond PA, here to charm his way into your heart with his trademark chimey guitars; soothing raspy vocals; and a perfect mid-tempo groove that’s as propulsive as it is relaxing. About his new song, Matt says: “The desire to create is a total trap. The repetition and the honing and the quest for fulfillment can be frustrating—maddening, even. The trap is that you can’t stop once you start. It’s never completed, never done. I may never reach the pinnacle of music with[...]

SUGARFUNGUS – “Weekend at Toast’s”

October 10, 2022

Time to get down to a hot, fresh nu-disco banger. SUGARFUNGUS is here with the lighthearted bubbling of “Weekend at Toast’s;” full of bouncy basslines; spiraling guitar stabs; and delicate falsetto musings, this one is sure to get your body moving and your mood rising. The song actually has a great backstory – SUGARFUNGUS explains more below: “Weekend at Toast’s is a theme song for our keyboardist Jackson’s cat, a black American shorthair cat named Toast. We’ve all been there. You’re feeling a little stressed out, or maybe a bit down, and all of a sudden a little spilt oat milk or burnt toast sets you off. We’re here to say don’t let a little burnt toast get you down!” You can also find “Toast’s” on Spotify. SUGARFUNGUS · Weekend At Toast’s

beachtown – “Spin”

October 5, 2022

Bedroom-pop duo beachtown hit our inbox with “Spin” and it captivated us immediately. There’s something intangible about their whirly brand of bedroom-pop that inspires feelings of longing, sorrow, and angst… Which by this point, any dedicated buffaBLOG reader should know we’re suckers for. A shuffling drumbeat powers this one forward, while dreamy guitar noodling, blippy synth textures, and plenty of production magic help to color the background. About the song, they say: “Spin came around a time where I was very frustrated with myself, people and things I couldn’t control. Because of the angsty kind of mood that the song had I just went along with it. The name “Spin” also resonated with us as it describes that feeling of falling into vortexes in your own mind that never stop spinning.”  You can find ALL the ways to listen to “Spin” via this link.

The Mañanas – “Sooner Than I Thought”

October 5, 2022

The last time we checked in with The Mañanas, we were vibing on the jangly sounds of then-latest single, “Don’t Think Your Love Has Given Up.” They’re back with another banger, this time in the form of “Sooner Than I Thought.” The band brings big aughts-era garage-rock flavor to their sound with a nice vintage twist. Despite the upbeat energy here, the song has a bit of a tongue-in-cheek approach to humor – they explain below: “There’s no better way to understand [our] cynical sense of humor than to hear [us] singing in unison ‘My lungs are getting worse and I’ll be gone… sooner than I thought’ as a reference to Unpingco’s cigarrette smoking habits.” You can also find “Sooner Than I Thought” on Apple Music and Spotify.

Thomas LaVine – “Giants”

October 5, 2022

We’re enjoying the easy-going indie folk vibes coming out of Thomas LaVine – we recommend starting with his latest offering, “Giants.” “Giants” is certainly an exercise in layers, pairing plenty of ethereal soundscapes with his otherwise organic acoustic guitar structures. It’s not all ambiance though – bringing to mind artists like Bon Iver and Iron & Wine, LaVine ramps up his falsetto on a hook-filled, ooh-laden chorus that shows just how well he can write a catchy refrain. About the song, LaVine adds: “Giants is about the time spent in adolescence, when you feel the grandest sense of possibility and freedom. The song leans into that feeling of openness, with that idea shaping the soundscape of the track.” You can check out “Giants” via YouTube below – it’s also available on Spotify.