Latest Posts

Mothica – “forever fifteen”

February 2, 2021

Oklahoma City’s MOTHICA has just released a new single – a powerful, indie-meets-electropop song called “forever fifteen.” Mothica, also known as McKenzie Ellis, is commemorating the 10-year-anniversary of her suicide attempt with “fifteen.” After an adolescence marked by both affliction and growth, Mothica began channeling her pain into music… Here on “fifteen,” Ellis explores themes of suicide, mental health, and sexual abuse. It’s done over somber strums of bass guitar and a subtle drumbeat that encapsulates the anguish of Ellis’ lyrics perfectly. Check it out below or check out her Spotify. MOTHICA · forever fifteen

Chad VanGaalen – “Samurai Sword”

February 1, 2021

Here’s a fun one from Sub Pop solo act Chad VanGaalen – “Samurai Sword” is a folksy strut about, of all things… Losing your good friend’s samurai sword. There’s something pleasantly strange about a Calgary-based folk artist writing a twangy song about an ancient Japanese weapon. Our favorite part? The clangy, pots-n-pans percussion. Check out the quirky, Adult-Swim-esque music video below.

Phaeic – “Feeble Man”

February 1, 2021

Here’s a dark and grungy jam from LA-based trio Phaeic. “Feeble Man” simmers with bubbling energies – it’s fleshed out with fuzzed-out bass presence, jangly guitar angularity, and a powerful vocal delivery soaked in emotion. Simple and digestible without sacrificing any of its poignancy, fans of Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, or Manchester Orchestra are gonna dig this one a lot. Check it out below – “Feeble Man” is on Spotify too. Phaeic · Feeble Man

The Drives – “The Comedown”

February 1, 2021

We’re loving this refreshingly straight-up indie rocker from LA trio The Drives. Full of warm & crunchy guitars, frantic drumming, and an omnipleasant mix, “The Comedown” takes post-breakup feelings and encapsulates them into an oddly-uplifting and vaguely nostalgic jam. This one feels ultra sincere and full of emotion – set off by a classically-catchy vocal melody that would have sounded just as great in the mid-aughts as it does today. Check it out below or add it to your Spotify playlist. The Drives · The Comedown

ViVii – “One Day”

January 27, 2021

Here’s a beautiful one from Swedish dream-poppers ViVii. “One Day” finds the trio playing with sunny vibes, jangly guitars, airy synths, and reverb-drenched vocals. Full of strong pop melodies, the result is something that sticks in your head as it shimmers and sparkles in its own little dreamy haze. Fans of Men I Trust, Turnover, The Cranberries, or The Sundays are going to love this tune – check it out below or on Spotify. ViVii · One Day

MYLO BYBEE – “Spit”

January 27, 2021

Loving the late 90s feel of “Spit” from Boise, Idaho trio MYLO BYBEE. Bringing to mind emo legends like Mineral, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jimmy Eat World, or The Get Up Kids, “Spit” pairs an up-tempo drumbeat with twinkly guitar rhythms and a spindly bass presence. What’s more – this one feels ultra-sincere… It brings us back to the days of basement shows and tight band shirts. Grab a warm PBR and sit back and enjoy this one – it’s on Spotify and Bandcamp.

Katy J Pearson – “Beautiful Soul”

January 27, 2021

Katy J Pearson recently caught our ears with the forlorn indie-folk-pop of “Beautiful Soul.” There’s no denying the UK-based singer/songwriter’s amazing vocals (which paint a breathtakingly soulful picture here), but “Soul” is also bolstered by a dark and mysterious indie rock instrumental layered lush with string sections, brass, male/female harmonies, and an in-the-pocket groove. Person’s got a colorful lyric video for you to check out below too – be sure to add it to your playlist once you’re done.

ESSY – “Cry For Me”

January 27, 2021

ESSY dropped a big, EDM-tinged pure-pop banger in our inbox and we couldn’t help but bite… “Cry For Me” is everything you’d look for in a bombastic pop jam – big, flashy synth leads, a driving electronic beat, and of course ESSY’s undeniable vocal presence. There’s also a surprising amount of substance in the message here – ESSY exists in a self-proclaimed “happy-sad” mode, writing introspective lyrics while crafting music that makes you want to dance. This one certainly ticks both those boxes – listen for yourself below or on Spotify. Essy · Cry For Me (Single Edit)

Hard Yes – “Council Crest”

January 27, 2021

Here’s a cool debut jam from newly-formed duo Hard Yes. “Council Crest” is just the kind of indie rock we’re drawn to – swimmy, jaunty, jangly, and just a little bit sassy. “Crest” has a mix that sounds bedroom-y and sincere without crossing into demo territory… It’s just an all around stellar debut from this cool new two-piece. Stick around for a chorus of ah-ah-ahs around the two (2) minute mark – that’s our fav. Check it out via YouTube below and swing by Spotify after to add it to your playlist.

Blue Canopy – “Motovun”

January 27, 2021

Portland’s Blue Canopy is here to relax you with the sprawling, shimmering “Motovun.” Multi-instrumentalist Alex Schiff (formerly Modern Rivals) is the man behind the name, crafting chillwave-tinged indie electronica that explores themes of anxiety, self-introspection, and past-self. “Motovun” certainly feels introspective, but it’s also ultra soothing, playing with arpeggiating synths and dreamy guitars. Check it out below and listen for yourself – Blue Canopy also has a Spotify and a Bandcamp. Grind Select · Blue Canopy – Motovun

Florence Rose – “Someone New”

January 27, 2021

Florence Rose is the moniker for singer/songwriter Braden Norris… He crafts indie-pop tunes from his home base in Tulsa. We’ve been enjoying his most recent single, a lighthearted tune called “Someone New.” Jangly guitars, tight production, and a sunny, surf rock aesthetic propel this one forward – fans of Wallows, Islands, or Phoenix are going to love it. Check it out below via Soundcloud or here on Spotify. Florence Rose · Someone New

Cal Rifkin – “Break My Heart”

January 27, 2021

Indie/emo trio Cal Rifkin have a home run on their hands with their latest offering, “Break My Heart.” Awkward baseball metaphors aside, “Heart” takes the best aspects of heart-on-your-sleeve emo (think charming late 90s emo, not mid-aughts emo) and mixes it with tasty elements of surf rock, bedroom pop, and a bit of mathy riffing. It’s wrapped up with a warm and fuzzy, vintage-esque mix that’s perfect for this genre. We think this one is a timeless, indiemo classic – do you? Watch the colorful vid below and decide for yourself. They’ve got a Spotify too, if that’s your preferred streaming source.

Balloon Ride Fantasy – “Easy”

January 27, 2021

We’re loving the big synthpop vibes from Philadelphia-based quintet Balloon Ride Fantasy. “Easy” effortlessly juxtaposes the 1980s and the 2020s – it’s layered lush with synth texture, rigid robotic drums, and lots and lots of reverb. The chorus of “Easy come, easy go” is a surprisingly hooky earworm; with so much pop value jammed into a three-minute package, this one is just as much Michael Jackson as it is M83. Check it out below or via Spotify and hear for yourself. Balloon Ride Fantasy · Easy

The Backstays – “No Hot Cargo”

January 27, 2021

Here’s a fresh one from Saint John, New Brunswick-based quintet The Backstays. “No Hot Cargo” is a dark indie rock jam with touches of dream-pop and light flourishes of synth. Further setting this one off is the lovely blend of baritone male vocals and ghostly female harmonies from guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Pete Johnston and violinist/vocalist Serenna Chapman respectively. Fans of The War on Drugs, The National, or The Killers are gonna love this one… Check it out below via Bandcamp or on Spotify. No Hot Cargo by The Backstays

CHIVVY – “In Control”

January 26, 2021

CHIVVY is a trio from Gothenburg, Sweden whose “In Control” has been on our playlists as of late. “Control” is a dream-pop song at heart, with darker elements of post-punk and shoegaze that peek through over the course of the song. Dark, chorus-laden guitar pairs up with the three-piece’s moody harmonies to create something we think is pretty special. Fans of Warpaint, Beach House, and Interpol would love this one. Check it out below – they are also on Spotify if you prefer to stream that way. novoton · CHIVVY – In Control