How refreshing! We’re digging this chill little ditty from wife-and-husband duo Hollie and Keith Kenniff, aka Mint Julep. This one is packed full of hazy synths, gauzy vocals, and sunny vibe (with a hint of snowy goodness). This one gave us lovely, wintry vibes all around – check it out below and be sure to stay tuned… their upcoming full length, Stray Fantasies, is due out January 31, 2020.
“ET” is the latest offering from Buffalo “genre-crossing, gender-bending” (their words not ours) producer/musician Medusa. “ET,” in this case, an acronym for both Estrogen and Testosterone and the popular 80s movie, is a dark and moody electro-pop banger. It’s surprisingly danceable despite its sludgy tempo and scathing condemnation of the transphobic experiences one might experience. Check out the widget below – if you are liking what you hear, check out their Bandcamp page for more scathing darktronica. ET by MEDUSA
Something about WUGO‘s “Wugomania” feels alien… And yet, the French producer has also tapped into something really warm and magical here. Beneath the shell of a simple bedroom-pop sound is a uniquely structured song, padded with vintage synth tones and uniquely processed vocals. Be sure to give this one a listen so you can judge for yourself.
You might recognize Kiwi Jr. as Brian Murphy from legendary Toronto indie-poppers Alvvays, but we urge you to take a closer look at the irresistible jangle pop of “Football Money.” Full of shameless hooks, jaunty guitar rhythms, and a cacophonous solo, “Football Money” is the type of cerebral indie rock that is digestible, but leaves your palette yearning for more. Check it out below.
Last time we checked in with shimmery indie poppers Husbands, we were talking up the song “Mexico.” This time around, we’re digging “Culebra” which follows their tried-and-true format of swirly guitar pop topped with effervescent vocal melodies. The duo (impressively) splits their time between Seattle and Oklahoma City – their clear charisma would suggest otherwise. Check it out below.
Feeling promiscuous? So are Swedish act Kape Yeel and they’re certainly making it known through their latest jam, “Sex Addicts.” Their refreshingly frank lyrics about pornography lay over top a deeply funky groove – not unlike something you might hear in a 70s smut flick… Think Daft Punk, but raucous and horny. Enough innuendo – check this one out for yourself.
One of Buffalo’s most eclectic exports comes in the form of Witty Tarbox – a genre-bending act who is full of left-field energy and pleasant surprises. We’re digging “Goodbye Jackie” – this one is full of bluesy guitar funk with surf flavor, bouncing basslines, and one-of-a-kind vocals barking stream of consciousness lyrics. “Jackie” just might be the most unique thing you’ve heard all day. Check out the retro-imagery-inspired music video below.
“For What It’s Worth” is a hazy blend of indie rock energy and atmosphere. Fans of Sylvan Esso, Hazel English, or Angel Olsen will enjoy this new song from Rynn – who layers her gentle vocals over a gently over-driven bass and other indistinct, reverb-drenched flourishes. This one is ultra-chill and, despite the lovely and longing lyrical content, will have you vibing out in no time – check it out below and give her a like on FB.
Can’t ignore the phat hooks on this latest jam from Alessandro Ciminata. This Londoner specializes in pulsing electronic indie rock fleshed out with perfect synth patches. “Wasted On Each Other” boasts a huge, catchy chorus – Ciminata’s distinct vocals are delivered in borderline staccato bursts, exploring themes of burn out, love, and longing. This one is excellently-composed and certainly worth a listen – if you dig his stuff, stay in touch by following him on the ‘Gram.
Napoleon Gold dropped one of our favorite songs of 2019 with “Love Don’t Cut Me Down.” Featuring a haunting vocal take from Haiva Ru, “Love” is the truest of electro pop bangers with a chorus that will stick with you for days and days. We’re revisiting this one because it recently got the music video treatment – full of gauzy visuals and lots of dancing. This is one you don’t want to miss – check the video out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’re thinking Canadian act Port Juvee will melt your faces with the frantic, swimmy punk of “Hope to Lose.” Reminiscent of Diiv, Nothing, or Beach Fossils, “Hope to Lose” exudes sounds of desperation, delivered with frantic drums, spaced-out vocals, and the perfect amount of lo-fi energy. Fans of cold NYC post-punk and California surfy vibes will dig this one. Check them out on Bandcamp if you’re feelin’ it.
“Come Back to Me” is palpably emotional. Little Trauma is self-described as melodramatic goth pop… And to be honest, we couldn’t describe it better ourselves. Full of unabashed yearning and an incredibly endearing vocal delivery, this one combines the best elements of The Cure into modern indie pop. It’s something unique and sincere – check it out below or add it to your Spotify playlist. Come Back to Me by Little Trauma
London punk act Fresh are a… *ahem,* fresh, burst of bright, sunny energy. “Cinema Woes” is a minute and a half of jangly punk with an urgent, emo feel… Think Japandroids in spirit with some Hold Steady sentiment for good measure. Fans of the aforementioned acts, An Horse, or Hop Along are gonna dig this one. “Woes” is over before you know it and it leaves us wishing for more. Check it out below and be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist. Cinema Woes by Fresh
Into the Weeping Sea sounds like an epiphany. Enter Kevin Scoma, prolific Buffalo-based songwriter who has carved out a new niche for himself after over a decade of dedication to the craft. This fresh batch of songs comes along with a self-proclaimed spiritual awakening; whatever that enlightenment means to Scoma is clearly reflected in this beautiful and shimmering EP reminiscent of Elliot Smith, Bon Iver, and Radical Face. Throughout his career, Scoma has truly cut his teeth across multiple genres – this time around, he seems to have finally found his true voice. Sea is full of haunting, acoustic-driven folk with subtle flourishes of electronics and left-field instrumentation, all of which suits his unique tenor. Opening track “I Was Never Afraid to Die” evolves from a simply strummed acoustic guitar into a surprisingly fuzzed-out guitar solo – a tactic he repeats on the equally stunning, banjo-tinged “Close to the Truth.” Other songs like “I’ll Be[...]
The Molice are a funky, post-punky trio from Tokyo, Japan who have been resident Buffalonians for quite some time now. Their new music video for “Moving” is a montage of their time here thus far, culminating in a big performance for the Music is Art Festival. You might also recognize footage from Mohawk Place, Nietzsche’s, and a bunch of other cool Buffalo locations, all tied together with beautiful Buffalo-based cinematography captured by Lance Claypool (Pentimento). Beyond the video – “Moving” is a jittery and angular blend of funky indie-rock energy with a sugary chorus sure to get stuck in your head. If you dig The Molice, add them to your Spotify playlist or consider donating to their GoFundMe.