Latest Posts

Megan Slankard – “California”

August 24, 2022

San Francisco-based indie rocker Megan Slankard caught our ears with the breakup vibes of her latest single, “California.” Propelled by her jangly Danelectro guitar strumming and a series of impassioned lyrics, “California” is a super scathing song with a surprisingly (but aptly) sunny backbone. In the music video, Megan takes off on a bicycle to deliver some unwanted possessions of an ex to the local thrift store – it’s fun and cathartic visual representation of sweet, sweet revenge, but more importantly, it also shows the genuine weight lifted off of Megan’s heart. Check out the music video for “California” below. You can find Megan’s entire discography on Spotify and Apple Music too.

Crash Kuda – “Middle School”

August 24, 2022

Summer is starting to wind down, but that didn’t stop Crash Kuda from pumping out this tune tailor-made for surfing and skating fun. The breezy guitar work and tom-heavy drum beat practically begs for a windows-down drive to the beach, while the reverbed-out vocal delivery is just gritty enough to keep thinks fresh for your inner punk. You can also find “Middle School” on Spotify.

Martha – “Baby, Does Your Heart Sink?”

August 24, 2022

Durham-based pop-punkers Martha recently released a burst of guitar-driven energy called “Baby, Does Your Heart Sink?” that we think is going to roar its way through your speakers and into your own sunken heart. Most notable here are the buzzsaw riffs that twist-and-turn through the song, including a spicy solo at the song’s emotional apex… But beyond that, like any good slice of pop-punk, “Baby, Does Your Heart Sink?” is built around a catchy and memorable refrain that is relatable and endearing. About the song, Martha says: “‘Baby, Does Your Heart Sink’ is just your classic break-up song, but one designed to be played at the disco at the end of the world. If there are multiple timelines, worlds, and universes out there, you’ve really got to wonder how things are going in the others, don’t you?” You can also find “Heart” on Spotify.

Tiger Beach – “Keep It Together”

August 24, 2022

There’s something psych-y,-yet-surfy about the new single from Raleigh, NC-based act Tiger Beach. “Keep It together” has an intriguing combination of bratty, angular guitar work and eternal slacker vibes brought forth by the vocals… The juxtaposition of sprung, underlying energy paired with the I-don’t-care mood gives this one a unique combo of mid-aughts indie rock energy and 2022 ennui that has us particularly chuffed. You can find “Keep It Together” on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp as well. Tiger Beach · Keep It Together

Zoey Leven – “I Feel Like A Loser”

August 24, 2022

21-year-old wunderkind Zoey Leven caught our ears with the moody-but-urgent bop of her latest single, “I Feel Like A Loser.” The Vancouver, WA native was struggling with writer’s block and self-confidence so she wrote the self-deprecating “Loser” as a response; ironically, the song spurred a boost of confidence and broke her songwriting dry spell. It’s a confidence booster for sure – driving bass and drums pair up nicely with swimmy, chorus-laden guitar tones and slacker-esque vocals for a song that’s been uniquely positive, even if Zoey’s beating up on herself a bit. You can also find “I Feel Like A Loser” on Spotify. Zoey Leven · I Feel Like A Loser

West Ferry Releases New EP, ‘Out Of Reach’

August 24, 2022

Buffalo’s West Ferry are back with another EP, the five-song Out of Reach. Out Of Touch finds the band further fleshing out their emo-punk sound. Vocally, the band brings to mind the sneering delivery of Conor Oberst in his Desaparecidos days, dripping with just enough sauce to keep things angsty. Musically, the band explores the spectrum of punk, ranging from the fleeting emo-tinged opener of “Everyone/Everytime;” the Pinkerton-era Weezer flavor of the title-track; all the way to the more straightforward punk of “Picked Apart.” You can find Out of Reach on Bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music. Out of Reach by west ferry

Urge Surfer Releases Debut EP, Music Video for “Cursed”

August 18, 2022

Urge Surfer is a brand new Buffalo-based project created by former coworkers Chelsea O’Donnell (Stress Dolls) and Jordan Smith. The duo used the itchiness of pandemic-era angst to inspire their new musical brew – a blippy and hazy blend of modular synth sighs and squelches with hints of guitar. O’Donnell’s distinct vocals lay on top of the music, often sassy and angsty, offering a unique counterpoint to Smith’s dark and calculated creations. The duo exchanged hundreds of emails with no real intention other than to write music… Telling, as their music could fit comfortably next to any Postal Service song (who pioneered this email-based approach back in the early aughts). Fans of Purity Ring, Phantogram, and even Grimes will find lots to like here, as well as synth-heads who can appreciate a tasteful use of arpeggiation and custom-curated patches. They’ve just released a video to accompany lead single, “Cursed.” O’Donnell[...]

Conflict at Serenity Pools – “Other Love”

August 16, 2022

Venice, CA-based act Conflict at Serenity Pools caught our ears with the noisy goodness of their latest single, “Other Love.” Featuring elements of shoegaze, kraut, and straight-up noise (with a healthy dose of DIY production value), “Other Love” sounds like the meandering creations of your local, loud-as-hell shoegazers ripping a phat set in the basement venue next door. This one is truly one-of-a-kind – though there are elements of traditional indie rock throughout, upon first listen, you’re sure to discover something you’ve never quite heard before. Lyrically, CASP explains: “Content and inspiration centers around isolation, self-review in isolation, contemplation, and the yearning for touch and tactile reality.” You can also find “Other Love” on Spotify.

Human Barbie – “Wait”

August 13, 2022

It’s been a minute since we last heard from Human Barbie – we loved (and still love!) the crushing melancholy of “Be Careful What You Wish For” back in 2019. They’re back again with a song called “Wait,” a beautiful and unique song with bedroom vibes and a downbeat tempo that is sure to get your emotions swirling. We particularly love the musical transition from the hopeful verse melodies to a borderline haunting chorus; it swims from gently swung guitar chords into an almost menacing feel. It’s crushing… And if you haven’t figured it out by now, our black hearts here at buffaBLOG are particularly vulnerable to heartbreakers like this one. “Wait” is out now on Poor Man Records. You can find “Wait” on both Bandcamp (below) and Spotify. wait by Human Barbie

Foyer Red – “Pickles”

August 13, 2022

There’s something intangibly amazing about the chaotic indie rock coming out of Foyer Red. Their music, in this case, “Pickles,” exists at the apex of indie punk, math rock, and sweetly-sung indie rock – midwestern twinkles, ebullient bass, and dueling vocal parts come together in a sort of perfectly-imperfect way. To put it bluntly, it’s weird and it’s truly one-of-a-kind… And that’s what makes it so amazing. About the song, they say: “The lyrics are about depressive episodes trapping you in your own home, turning physical space into dungeon space. Everything feels stale; the air gets too warm but you can’t get up to fix it. You’re relying on external factors to make a difference in your world and there’s a sort of intersection of comfort and discomfort.” P.S. ICYMI, you should also check out our previous features of the World of Warcraft-inspired “Slander” and woodwind-laced “Flipper.” You can also[...]

Jet City Sports Club – “Green Thumb”

August 13, 2022

Last time we checked in with Sydney’s Jet City Sports Club, we were waxing poetic about the sparkly beach-pop of their single, “She Don’t Need No One.” They’re back with another shimmering indie-pop gem, this time called “Green Thumb.” If you liked “No One,” you’re sure to like “Green Thumb,” as JCSC is savvy enough to know what works well for them – sun-soaked guitar leads, fun energy, and a lilting vocal presence that’s as pristine as it is pleasant on the ears. You can find “Green Thumb” on Spotify and Apple Music.

Woodlock – “Bermuda Sea”

August 13, 2022

New Zealand/Australian hybrid act Woodlock caught our ears with the mid-tempo groove of their latest single, “Bermuda Sea.” A plodding bassline and chuggy guitar chords provide the backbone for longing keyboard textures and passionate vocals about feeling not-quite-good-enough. Artists will surely relate to the lyrics here – Woodlock touch on the feelings of inadequacy on what it’s like to be “just another band” in a sea of great music… But chin up guys, you made it onto buffaBLOG! A little bit more bout the song from Woodlock themselves: “It’s about feeling lost amongst your peers after listening to so much great music and struggling with the idea that we couldn’t measure up or stand out, it’s about being intimidated by the process of creation and the place we hold within the wider musical narrative. But the chorus is where we find our focus and says, “I refuse to give up[...]

Winsome – “Entertain Us – Live Session”

August 12, 2022

We’re obviously fans of live music, but when a live session catches our ears, you know it’s truly got to be magical. Sacramento indie/emo act Winsome decided to capture some live footage of a new song they’ve been working on by setting up a few cameras in their living room. With plucky guitars lush with reverb, male/female harmonies, and an urgent undercurrent of emotion, “Entertain Us” has us feeling some type of way… We think their brooding live presence will hit you in the feels the way it did for us. Check out the live session below on YouTube.

PLANT – “Lucid Dreams”

August 12, 2022

It’s one thing to make a dancefloor banger, but we always appreciate when synthpop has an urgent feel to it. The latest from PLANT, “Lucid Dreams,” nails that vibe, taking the listener through an intangible dream state lush with buzzing synth flavors and ethereal vocal melodies. The real gem here is the super-catchy chorus hook, but perhaps unsurprisingly, “Dreams” was inspired by a real-life dream – check out how PLANT came up with the concept of the song below: “’Lucid Dreams’ is about an actual dream that I had. I love dreams, I have pretty wild dreams frequently, and hearing about other people’s dreams is one of my favourite things. In the dream that inspired ‘Lucid Dreams’, I was following this stunning, ethereal elf woman through a magical emerald forest. The lyrics of the song detail all the interesting things we encountered, as well as the emotional journey I experienced,[...]

Glom – “I Wanted The Real Thing”

August 12, 2022

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Glom – ICYMI, we’ve previously featured their songs “Fungus,” “Gre[a]y,” and “Again,” because they are genuinely an excellent act. They’re back with yet another banger, this time called “I Wanted The Real Thing.” The Brooklyn alt-rockers sure know how to write a guitar riff – with touches of psychedelia and synth pop and carried by a strong falsetto croon, “Real Thing” fits in perfectly with their technicolor brand of indie rock. They get existential here – here’s a quote from the band explaining their approach: “The line ‘I want to talk with god…’ It speaks to this sense of wanting to figure out, especially right now, what the hell is really going on. Why are things so messed up? Like, who’s the manager here? Who can we talk to to figure things out on a metaphysical level?’ You can also find “I Wanted[...]