Rochester synth-pop act Soviet Dolls has released a cover of the classic Bananarama hit “Cruel Summer.” Set to clips of Night of the Comet, the Dolls’ take on “Cruel Summer” keeps the synthy magic but gives it a polished, 2020 feel. Their take on the song is just a bit darker, with a slightly more industrial feel. Listen for yourself – check out the vid below and check out their latest release here.
Something about “1995” screams late 90s. Maybe its the charming lo-fi mix or the emo-pop musings of singer Adam Hood, but Phobia Quartet really seem to have captured a moment here. Full of the charming indie rock you’d expect to hear on Vagrant or Deep Elm Records in the early 2000s, “1995” nails it with blistering guitar leads and vaguely nostalgic lyrics – check it out below.
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard an inspiring slice of post-hardcore angst. Hanter Dro is a talented Swiss act whose “Turtle Man” has been a mainstay on our playlists. Full of discordant guitars, powerfully emotional vocals, and huge drums, “Turtle Man” is perfect post-hardcore for fans of La Dispute, Balance and Composure, or Pile.
Out of the ashes of Ascot Royals comes Kadeema – the longtime songwriting partnership of Jimmy Chauveau and Tal Vaisman have come together to create “Gotta Get It.” Inspired by the underwhelming monotony of the day-to-day grind, “Gotta Get It” is more about dancing away your problems than letting them get the best of you. This one is certainly full of danceable energy – check out the music video below and see for yourself.
Last time we checked in with Mint Julep, we were jazzed on the lovely synth-pop of “Blinded.” Their latest offering, “Stray Fantasies” is the title track from their upcoming LP – it stays on-trend with pulsing synth textures, ethereal vocals, and a hint of wintry energy. “Fantasies” and “Blinded” are both going to be included on Stray Fantasies, out later this month (1/31/2020). Stay up to date with the married duo via their Instagram.
If you’re an avid buffaBLOGGER, you know we’ve been paying close attention to shoegazy VA act Stray Fossa for at least a few years now. Their latest jam is “Are you Gonna Be Okay” – continuing their trend of bedroom-pop greatness, the trio pairs hush-hush vocals with blasts of synth, warbled out guitar twinkling, and big snazzy basslines. Stick around for the end of the song for an exceptionally cool aural treat – check it out below or snag it from Bandcamp.
Brooklyn based trio Valentin Marx aren’t messing around – their latest banger is “Fair,” a big indie rock jam that owes as much to Wilco as it does Sufjan Stevens. A rip roaring electric piano opener leads into impassioned, wistful vocals before finally breaking into a guitar-based chorus. Full of surprisingly melodic moments, “Fair” is an excellent listen start-to-finish – check it out below or give them a little lovin’ via Bandcamp.
We think Florida indie pop duo Future Ghost are onto something – their debut single “Took My Chance” is full of sugary melodies and a beautifully sunny disposition. Powered by bursts of crunchy guitar and squiggly synth flourishes, “Took My Chance” is reminiscent of Charly Bliss, Diet Cig, or even Speedy Ortiz with a delightful sheen of shiny pop-minded greatness. Check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.
Eastern Exit‘s “More Than I Could Know” is a lovely indie rock song that has been rubbing us the right way. It’s washy with just the right amount of ambiance, but still makes you want to dance with it’s funky bass lines and dreamy vocals. Fans of Tame Impala, Phoenix, or Death Cab for Cutie are certainly going to dig this one. Check it out below.
Fanclub caught our attention with the airy, synth-filled vibes of “Tresspassing.” Utilizing a gauzy, almost-shoegaze approach with tight, electronic drums, this one wormed its way into our hearts by fully embracing its simplicity. Fans of Charly Bliss or Girlpool will definitely dig this one – check it out below and give them a follow on the ‘Gram.
Heart Bones is a unique duo whose home base is split between Texas and Minnesota. This unique partnership has produced one of our new favs, “Open Relations.” This one is a nu-disco-ish pop tune about needing a bit of extra lovin’ outside the confines of monogamy. Fans of Daft Punk, Scissor Sisters, or the 1975 are gonna dig this one – check it out below.
John Moore and Missing Star‘s latest single “Work It Out” recently caught our ears in a lovely way. Moore has been hanging around Buffalo for a while – previously fronting the WNY-based act 53 Days. This time around, he and the Missing Star has pairing a twinkly guitar riff with spacey keys and haunting vocals, revolving around a haunting but catchy refrain of “Gonna work it out, gonna work it out again.” Check it out below and pick it up his latest album on Bandcamp if you’re feeling this jam as much as we are. All In Your Head by John Moore And Missing Star
Leo & The Maydays (a.k.a. singer/songwriter Hannah Ruttle) is based out of Ithaca, NY. Her latest offering, “Leaves and Trees and…” is a meandering folksy pop tune – it finds Leo and her band wandering the scenic countryside, hanging out and singing their song amid cemeteries and long winding roads. Beyond that, her music is super clean and has a sense of longing – perfect for this cold winter weather. Fans of Petal, Fleet Foxes, or First Aid Kit will like this one – check it out below.
Human Barbie are here to crush your optimism with the minimalist heartbreak of “Be Careful What You Wish For.” This one is so beautifully melancholy; it pairs a dragging tempo with a unique juxtaposition between icy cold guitars and a warm analog mix. MOst poignant is their astonishingly frank assessment of reality – any song that starts with “Be careful what you wish for, cause you’re gonna get fucked eventually” is alright in our book. Head on over to Bandcamp to pick this up or add this one to your Spotify playlist.
Yo, Richard Frenneaux‘s “Arcades” has really caught our ears. Despite his cool mystique, “Arcades” is an unabashed indie pop jam. Frenneaux pairs big synthy vibes with dreamy guitar parts and hypnotic drums. This is all bolstered by his upbeat indie rock vocals. Fans of Phoenix, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, or Foster the People are gonna dig this one for sure – have a listen for yourself via the Soundcloud widget below.