Latest Posts

bugcatcher – “Hurry”

October 3, 2025

bugcatcher is one of our favorite local acts (check out our AOTW feature on Slacker here), so it’s a no-brainer that we’d feature new single, “Hurry.” Jake Denning does it again, nailing this hazy, indie-folk-emo-slacker hybrid with aplomb. Plodding acoustic guitars are layered thick, boosted by tapped drums and a foggy atmosphere, leaving just enough room for Denning’s emotive voice to peek through in a delightfully low register. This one won’t blow your shorts off with sweaty dive bar energy, but it will surely make you question your existence in the way that only a great bedroom-folk song can… And by now, you should know that’s a good thing, as we’re all insufferably existential in our own ways.   “Hurry” is available now on Raincoated Records. You can purchase via Bandcamp (below), or, on Spotify and Apple Music.   Hurry by Bugactcher

Stinkus – “Plastic Blue”

October 3, 2025

Our friend Stinkus (aka Tyler Thompson) is a frequent contributor to the blog. You shouldn’t be too surprised – we’re about to tell you about how much we like “Plastic Blue,” too. Thompson wrote it “about a day with my fiancé from the perspective of my thoughts and not my actions,” and then mentions that they were “weird times,” but those odd, poignant experiences often return the most hard-hitting work. “Plastic Blue” continues Stinkus’ trend of literate indie/emo in the vein of Oso Oso, The Hotelier, and/or Slaughter Beach, Dog – let yourself get sucked in by the sticky hooks; you’ll end up sticking around for the dank emotions.   “Plastic Blue” is available now. Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube (below).  

The Noisy – “Nightshade”

October 3, 2025

Philadelphia-based act The Noisy pair up indie rock and classic pop on their latest offering, “Nightshade.” Led by poet Sara Mae, The Noisy’s “recipe” is a complicated one – think Spaghetti Westerns, Body Horror, drag, literature, queer community, and home cooking – but they bring it together into something palatable that straddles the line between pop songwriting and independent grit. “Nightshade” would slot in nicely on a playlist that features Hop Along, Perfume Genius, or even Chappel Roan.   Peep “Nightshade” via the Bandcamp embed below. You can find it on Spotify too.   The Secret Ingredient Is Even More Meat by The Noisy

Urge Surfer – Misnomers

October 3, 2025

Urge Surfer, the moody electro-pop project of Jordan Maelyn Smith and Chelsea O’Donnell, are back with their third release, a three-song EP they’re calling Misnomers. Continuing their trend of creating literate music with a well-thought-out thesis, Misnomers picks up where previous release Alphabet Archive left off. Where AA dove into themes of language and self-identity, Misnomers explores “how misunderstandings can lead one through the haze of heartache and awe.”   Smith and O’Donnell’s chemistry is on full display right from the get-go, as lead song “Responsible” dissects relationship ennui. Dark instrumentals become an immediate theme – more of a dirge than a melt-your-face single, “Responsible” pairs a gently-plucked acoustic guitar with bitcrushed electronic drums. O’Donnell’s one-of-a-kind vocal is set off by a feature by Sheena Ozzella of Lemuria fame – about as close to a Buffalo legend as you can get.   “Public Exits” gets a lot grittier – a sludgy bass feature takes center-stage[...]

Chris Portka – The Album Everyone Wants

September 25, 2025

Chris Portka was originally going to release his latest effort, The Album Everyone Wants (TAEW), exclusively on vinyl. There’s some sort of irony about releasing an album hyped up as “the one that everyone desires” on such an intentional media like wax, but maybe that’s the point. Chris Portka does whatever the fuck he wants – evidenced by his previous effort, the noisy and experimental Trash Music (that we reviewed here), and further bolstered by the not-quite-180-degree turn taken on TAEW. Portka leans harder into the American songbook here on TAEW, never eschewing his noisy indie rocker tendencies, but instead, mashing them together with gentler folk rock backbones; sighing pedal steel guitars; and delightfully weird psychedelia.   While the vinyl of Trash Music ramped up feelings of nostalgia and anxiety, it has a different outcome when listening to the broader, “songwriter” appeal of an album like TAEW. Chris’ left-field shenanigans feel like the flourishes that make this[...]

SOZI – DREAM

September 25, 2025

SOZI is LA-born and raised, and her latest EP, DREAM, is a glittering reflection of that upbringing. Written and produced by SOZI, this end-of-summer blitz is a celebration of all things glitz and glamor. Here’s a little more about DREAM from SOZI herself.   “The ‘DREAM’ EP is all about the illusions we chase, the fantasies we fall into, and the moments of clarity that wake us up. It’s the sound of summer seen through a hazy lens: warm, glittery, emotional, and a little surreal.”   SOZI smartly opens the album with “Superstar” – an archetypal SOZI jam that combines retro disco throwbacks (think Bee-Gees-type staccato strings that sigh and burst) with a modern-day pop sensibility. SOZI’s voice is powerful, but not overwhelming, acting as a lilting presence that floats perfectly overtop the electropop instrumentals… And while the phrase will be forever associated with Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher,[...]

Barefoot on Bumblebees – “Breakables”

September 24, 2025

Did you know that bumblebees don’t sting unless you really piss them off? That must be the inspo behind Barefoot on Bumblebees‘ name – we’re assuming that walking on bumblebees would rile them enough to stick a stinger into you (multiple times even, as their stingers are NOT barbed like a traditional honey bee).   Perfect segue into this heart-stinging song from the aforementioned duo, Barefoot on Bumblebees to be exact, made up of bandmates-since-highschool members Christopher Stryker and Gianna Purcell. “Breakables” finds them exploring a relationship past its expiration date, using a Fender Rhodes as a backbone and chiming glockenspiel as some sort of nervous system. The song is minimalist, but crushing (like a bumblebee’s exoskeleton having been stepped on), capturing “the uneasy beauty of holding onto something that should have been let go.” Fans of Copeland, The Bird and the Bee, and/or Slingshot Dakota will find lots to[...]

Fletcher Sides – “Why”

September 24, 2025

What do we know about Fletcher Sides? Nothing, really. A presser for latest single “Why” doesn’t exist. What we do know is that this song/band rips… Hard. A mysterious duo (if they’re even officially a duo?) tears through a post-punk maelstrom on “Why” – expect whirls of guitar noise, whorls of drum wash, and Fletcher (if that’s even the singer’s name?!) belting out a palatable indie-rock vocal that’s both memorable and melodic. Fans of early Walkmen, JAPANDROIDS, and distortion pedals are going to love the energies here.   Check out the vintage (and equally mysterious) music video for “Why” below, or, add it on Spotify. Lots more from Fletcher here, too.  

Kisu Min – “Uncanny Valley”

September 22, 2025

Poland’s Kisu Min stretch the boundaries between human and inhuman in their latest single, “Uncanny Valley.” The Łódź based quartet specializes in icy but frantic post-punk, led by a spiraling lead-guitar that sounds otherworldy – the signal is barely organic, layered thick with effects. This neurotic energy is bolstered by an absolutely blistering drum presence and set off by glassy-eyed but powerful vocals. Emotional and robotic at the same time, you’ll find yourself experiencing the eeriness associated with uncanny valley while you listen to this one… Or maybe that’s just indie-rock-induced euphoria?   Check out “Uncanny Valley” via the Soundcloud embed below, or, find it on Spotify/YouTube.   Rudolf Steiner House by Kisu Min

Bulgarian Cartrader – “Toothpicks”

September 20, 2025

Do you think any Bulgarian Cartraders know about Bulgarian Cartrader, the genre-mashing moniker of one Daniel Stoyanov? We’re not sure either, but one thing IS for sure – “Toothpicks” is an end-of-summer banger that’s worth your ears. While we’re all draining the last of our PTO, Stoyanov sings about the desperate need to do anything except go back to work. Play hooky? Take road trip, perhaps in a car that has been traded in Bulgaria? Sign us up too… At least we know what we’ll be jamming to.   “Toothpicks” can be found via the forbidden YouTube embed below, or, on Spotify.  

Nep – “Biketoberfest”

September 20, 2025

This song is about getting blocked from living your life by a motorcycle rally in your hometown. It’s niche, it’s catchy, and, fittingly, I can all but guarantee this wouldn’t appeal to any of the bikers at the rally. Instead, Nep‘s lilting presence lays perfectly over driven drums, nimble bass runs, and pretty acoustic guitars. Fans of Soccer Mommy, Jay Som, and Phoebe are going to love “Biketoberfest…” Also, anyone who hates motorcycle rallies, I guess.   “Biketoberfest” is available below via Soundcloud, or on Apple Music and Spotify.   nep · Biketoberfest

The Sways – “Feels Like Deja Vu”

September 20, 2025

Sometimes you need a woozy indie rocker as a nightcap – may we direct your attention to newly-minted act The Sways on their latest single, “Feels Like Deja Vu.” Feelings of nostalgia swirl rapidly – maybe it’s the subtle warbles in the ambiance, or maybe it’s the stunning harmonies. Why not both? Either way, this one was crafted specifically for vibing out – hop in the hot tub on a chilly autumn night and put on this EP.   “Feels Like Deja Vu” is available now via Soundcloud (embedded below), or Spotify and Apple Music.   The Sways · Feels Like Deja Vu

bülow – “Goldmine”

September 13, 2025

*NEW BREAKUP ANTHEM INCOMING*   We’ve all been there – if you’ve been struggling to find the words to tell off your good-for-nothing ex, just give bülow’s new tune “Goldmine” a listen. There’s plenty of “fuck yous” to go around on top of the impeccably-produced dark indie pop here. Whether it’s your ex’s infectious smile or for just setting the bar too high, you’ll be spring-loaded for your next rant.   Side note – lyrically, bülow explains how tough it is to be in your feels on Christmas day which also happens to be your birthday! Those kinds of super-specific details help to give “Goldmine” that ultra-sincere quality that really helps it hit home as hard as possible.   “Goldmine” is available via YouTube (below).  

The Altered Hours – “Turn Away”

September 13, 2025

The Altered Hours made so much friggin’ noise on their new single, “Turn Away,” that we heard them all the way across the pond. Falling somewhere between accessible alt rock and ear-shredding shoegaze, “Turn Away” is a bona fide maelstrom of energy, featuring a chest-rattling drum onslaught, walls of guitar noise, and call-and-response male/female vocals. The Cork-based crew has been kicking around since 2010, so their tried-and-true songwriting is finely nuanced now – fans of Pity Sex, Slowdive, and Yuck are going to eat this up.   Head to the forbidden YouTube link embedded below, or, find “Turn Away” on Spotify.  

Altai – “Brawl”

September 13, 2025

Altai aims for hard-hitting (and succeeds) on latest indie-pop track, “Brawl.” Beneath the Alvvays-esque gauzy synths and swimmy guitars, Altai takes aim at the destructive patterns of what it means to be “macho” in today’s society. Driven by a constant drumbeat and Altai mastermind Tessa Collins’ dreamy vocals, this paints an interesting juxtaposition. Here’s a little more from her:   “I wanted to explore the complexities of masculinity and how society’s expectations of men can lead them down destructive paths… This is to illustrate the patriarchal pressures to suppress vulnerability leading to a vicious cycle of bad behaviour and poor life choices.”   “Brawl” is on Soundcloud (below) and Spotify.   Broken Palace · Altai – Brawl