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Justina Shandler – “Taking Back My Love”

Here’s a nice indie pop-meets-adult contemporary jam from singer/songwriter Justina Shandler. Lyrically, “Taking Back My Love” is a kiss-off to a troubled relationship. With just enough sassy energy peeking through her otherwise gentle delivery, “Love” finds Shandler re-discovering her voice, telling her freeloading ex like it is. Beyond that, the song straddles a fine line between adult contemporary and indie pop, meaning fans of anyone from Carly Rae Jepsen to Lorde to Sara Bareilles might like this one. Check it out below via Bandcamp – it’s also on Spotify. Taking Back My Love by Justina Shandler

Bubblewands – “Go Back”

Bubblewands is an ultra-endearing recording project between singer/songwriter Brian Lonsdorf and drummer Andy Miles. The San Francisco duo’s latest effort, “Go Back,”  caught our ears for its bedroom-fi sincerity and jangly guitar driven appeal. They’ve managed to blend late 90s emo and slacker indie rock (with a tinge of alt-country) into something heartfelt – think Pavement meets Pinegrove meets The Get Up Kids. Check it out below, we think you’ll like it. Footage by Bubblewands

Retrofette – “Photogenic”

Denver synthpop quartet Retrofette are going to make you miss the dancefloor with their new single, “Photogenic.” Inspired by a love of vintage synths and irresistibly compelling beats, Retrofette have created something mysteriously timeless and eerily danceable. Full of off-beat bass bumps, a spooky falsetto delivery, and minimalist drum presence, fans of Metronomy, Justice, or Porches will dig this one a lot. Check it out via Soundcloud below – they’ve also got a Spotify for you to enjoy. Retrofette · Photogenic

oramor – “Crisis”

Loving the silky smooth bedroom-pop stylings from LA-based oramor. “Crisis” is built on a swirly, muted guitar backbone that pairs well with a bunch of swelling synth work, start-stop rhythms, and oramor’s gentle croon. The chorus of “So take your time/You can take what’s mine/We will be just right forever” is a definite earworm that shows off oramor’s nuanced ear for pop melody delivered with vaguely romantic lyrics. “Crisis” appears on oramor’s new, three-song EP, Sunsets. It’s currently available via Bandcamp. Sunsets by oramor

KO. – “Evergreen”

You might recognize solo-act Kevin J.B. O’Connor from his previous role as front man of Buffalo-based indie quartet Coral Collapse – he’s since relocated to Lexington, KY and started up a solo project under the name KO. We’ve been vibing on his latest effort, “Evergreen;” full of folksy drum shuffles, reverb-soaked guitars, and O’Connor’s endearing vocals, this one is a feel-good tune that falls somewhere on the spectrum between Real Estate and fleet foxes. Check it out below, but also be sure to visit his Bandcamp or swing by his website for more info. KO. · Evergreen

Humble Braggers Release New Music Video for “Better”

Buffalo synthpop heroes Humble Braggers are back with a new music video for their reimagined jam, “Better.” The video finds the HB boys getting raucous in a backyard beer pong session, complete with NFL-quality can punting (Go Bills!), table flipping, and plenty of quasi-drunken bliss. Juxtaposed against the band’s tomfoolery is front man Tom Burtless, smoothly mouthing the lyrics and dressed to the nines in an expertly-decorated room. It’s a good look for the Buffalo mainstays, who continue to pump out mature and polished music (and evidently having a great time doing so). Like all of Humble Braggers’ work, “Better” is another absolute earworm, full of tasty synths, soaked in reverb, and tinged with just-enough vintage 1980s flavor. Check it out below – If you prefer to listen elsewhere, you can find all of the links here.

Spiny Norman – “Belt of Orion”

Big rock n roll vibes all the way from The Netherlands here on “Belt of Orion.” Fun-filled quartet Spiny Norman takes a bunch of retro rock n’ roll vibes and pairs it with a slick, contemporary production value… Think The Dandy Warhols-meets-Arctic Monkeys. With psychedelic riffs and la-la-las aplenty, this one has plenty of soaring energy to keep you going for days. Check it out below – its also on Spotify if that’s more your thing.

Worse In Person – “Mouth Breather”

Seattle’s Worse In Person know a thing or two about writing an indie rock gem – just take one listen to the jangly “Mouth Breather” for proof. This one is full of late 90s slacker rock energy with a hint of mid 00s indie rock bombast… Think Pavement-meets-Band of Horses-meets-Built to Spill. With lots of gang-vocal flavor and blue note guitar leads, this one definitely got us going. Have a listen for yourself below and see if it does the same for you… They’ve also got a Bandcamp if you prefer to listen that way.

Butch Wifey – “Wallet”

Here’s a somber indie rocker from Boise, Idaho-based solo act Butch Wifey. Colloquially known as Chloe Ponder, she’s been crafting tunes since she was 15. We’re drawn to the longing of “Wallet” – mining forlorn feelings of loves-now-lost, it’s brought to life with squiggly guitar leads and a jangly guitar backbone. Wifey’s lilting vocals will appeal to any Phoebe Bridgers fans out there for sure. Check it out below, she’s also got a few more jams on Spotify. butch wifey · Wallet

girlhouse- “Knuckle Tattoo”

Great energy here on “Knuckle Tattoo” by girlhouse. Driven by simple guitar licks and a pounding rhythm, this one goes down smooth upon first listen, almost like you’ve known it your whole life. With great, rhythmic lyrical delivery and chorus-drenched guitar leads, this has a wide appeal – fans of Girlpool, Hole, or even Men I Trust will all find common ground here. Check it out below, they’ve also got a Spotify. girlhouse · knuckle tattoo

Ha Vay – “PYT (Michael Jackson Cover)”

Here’s a dope one from San Francisco’s Ha Vey – does “PYT” really need an introduction? Michael Jackson’s classic gets the indie-pop treatment in Ha Vey’s cover version, featuring sassy vocals, an organic-sounding drum mix, and retro-sounding instruments that honor the song’s origins. Let’s be real… You already know “PYT,” so why not give Ha Vey’s version a chance? Check out the at-home video treatment below – she’s also got a discography to check out via Spotify.

Joe Vann – “Age”

Here’s a dope jam from bedroom-pop solo-act Joe Vann. “Age” is a super gauzy jam, full of swells, vintage synth flavor, and Vann’s tasteful bedroom-appropriate falsetto. With it’s low-key energy and tasteful tape-aged flavor, this one should appeal to fans of Ariel Pink, Craft Spells, and Tame Impala. Check it out below (and on Spotify too). Joe Vann · Age

WILLIS – “CranMango”

“Bitter-sweet, which is why it’s called CranMango. Bitterness of cranberries, sweetness of a mango.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves – there’s just something endearing and heartwrenching about this dreamy jam from Florence, Alabama crew, WILLIS. Combining elements of bedroom pop, shoegaze, and a bit of dreamy jazz, “CranMango” feels soulful and heartfelt without ever dipping into melodrama. Fans of Turnover, Men I Trust, or Crumb are going to love this one… Check it out below or swing by Spotify for more WILLIS action. WILLIS · CranMango

Drens – “M vs. D”

Drens are no strangers to buffaBLOG – we previously loved the raucous surf-punk of their previous single “Heat” and the pistolero-punk of previous-previous single, “Yellow Teeth.” Lo and behold, the Dortmund-based act has struck again, this time with new single “M vs. D.” This German quartet would feel right at home on the US West Coast with bands like Wavves or even Cloud Nothings – full of jaunty surf riffage and just-the-right-amount of snottiness in their vocals, “M vs. D” will chase away your winter blues with its fiery, heartwarming energy. Check it out below or head over to Spotify for their discog. Drens · M vs. D

Jaialai – “Victor’s Belt”

Digging this unique one from Miami, FL quartet, Jaialai. Upon first listen, you might think “Victor’s Belt” is a jazz standard, as it employs a distinctly jazzy bass tone… Quickly, it evolves into something a bit more in the indie rock stratosphere, with plenty of chimy guitars and hush-hush vocals. While most of Jaialai’s stuff leans dreamy and shoegaze-y, this one has a super tight jazz-tinged vibe that’s just as much Radiohead as it is Local Natives. We dig it a lot – check out the music video below… Here’s their Spotify too.