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Goo’s “Other Side” Is a Country-Noir Ballad for Anybody Who Can’t Resist Their Ex
Brooklyn-based songwriter Beck Zegans shares the second single off her forthcoming record Squid Ink Sky, due June 9. Under the moniker Goo, Brooklyn-based singer and guitarist Beck Zegans crafts songs that feel designed to keep you company in your favorite dimly lit corner of your favorite dimly lit dive bar while you stare into your beer and think about What It All Means.
Daydream Review Announce Debut LP with Wandering “Have You Found What You’re Looking For?”
With the lead single from Leisure, the Chicago psych-pop outfit crafts music that lives up to the hazy promise of their band name.
j solomon Dials Up the Angst-But Not His Mom-on New Single “Home”
A staple of the NYC-based songwriter’s live set is finally getting a proper release ahead of Jesse Moldovsky’s Sleeping in the Garden EP. Angst and affection go hand in hand on j solomon’s latest single “Home,” an indie-rock ripper about growing up, getting out, and wondering if maybe—just maybe—you should call your mom more (answer: probably). “I wrote ‘Home’ about how my relationship with my family changed as I grew up and moved away,” says solomon—a.k.a. Jesse Moldovsky—of the tune.
veronicavon Long for Sunnier Days in Their New “Good Girl” Visual
The self-described “glo-fi” duo’s new music video takes cues from Wes Anderson and Napoleon Dynamite. One of the highlights of veronicavon’s dreamy, casually devastating Next Life EP—released last November—is the opener “Good Girl,” a heartbreak number that oozes nostalgia.
Tomper Groove Through the Desert in Their New Video for “Cruise Control”
The SLC-based band’s debut single is a sunny love song about sharing everything from Oreos to The Sopranos. All the best love songs provide a second-hand high, and Tomper’s “Cruise Control” is no exception. Released last month, the Salt Lake City band’s debut single is a sunny indie-pop tune about the joys of sharing your passions with your partner. It’s also a statement of purpose for the band, which is fronted by husband-and-wife duo Tom and Piper Petersen.
ella jane Searches for the Real ella jane on New Single “Warhol”
The LA-based indie-pop songwriter debuts a tender but confident coming-of-age bop ahead of her Marginalia EP. ella jane has spent the last few months teasing her sophomore EP Marginalia with a string of sugary, heart-pounding pop songs about chasing love and trying to hold onto it. But on “Warhol,” the LA-based singer isn’t searching for a partner—she’s searching for herself.
Ivy Lab’s “Dogma” Visual Elevates Sign-Spinning to an Art Form
The London duo share the second single off their forthcoming LP, Infinite Falling Ground. A few weeks ago, Ivy Lab announced their new LP Infinite Falling Ground with “Balaclava,” a heady, slow-burning bass track characterized by the London duo as “sombre, uplifting, arrogant and needy all at the same time.” Now Ivy Lab return with “Dogma,” another slice of moody, meticulously layered electronica that pairs warped vocal fragments with atmospheric beats.
Work Wife Captures the Bliss and Blur of an Endless Night in “Ride, Ride” Video
Colatura’s Meredith Lampe announces her debut solo EP Quitting Season with a softly exhilarating single. Meredith Lampe is best known as a member of the Brooklyn surf-pop outfit Colatura, but the singer and musician also writes and records under the moniker Work Wife. Today she announces her debut solo EP Quitting Season with lead single “Ride, Ride,” a softly exhilarating indie-pop song that captures the bliss and blur of a long night out.
June Jones and Katie Dey Find Each Other in Cyberspace in the Video for New Track “If Only”
The latest single from Jones feels like a knowing hug from across the world. June Jones has a problem: How do you close the infinite expanse of cyberspace? That’s the question at the heart of the Melbourne-based musician’s latest single, “If Only,” a queer internet friendship ballad that touches on the desire to connect and the fear of venturing out of one’s house.
Taleen Kali Serves Rage and Resilience with Her “Flower of Life” Visual
The LA indie rocker wants you to march—and mosh—to the battle anthem and title track of her forthcoming album. From the streets to the studio to the stage, Taleen Kali is here to make noise. “I have seen hell / I have seen rain / I have seen structures / Speak past their names,” the LA-based indie rocker growls on “Flower of Life,” the ripper of a lead single and title track off her forthcoming Jeff Schroeder (of The Smashing Pumpkins) and Josiah Mazzaschi–produced album.
Nisa Announces New EP with the Trust-Issues Bop “Exaggerate”
The Brooklyn-based songwriter shares the title track from her forthcoming Nate Amos-produced project. Nisa—Brooklyn’s Nisa Lumaj—knows exactly how to light a song on fire, fanning it from something small and restrained into something swelling and cathartic. She performs this feat on “St. James Gate,” my favorite track from her 2021 EP Time to Plant Tears, and she achieves a similar feat on “Exaggerate,” the slick lead single of her forthcoming EP of the same name.
Doll Spirit Vessel Freeze Childhood Mementos in Their “What Stays” Visual
The indie rock trio shares the intimate title track of their forthcoming debut album. For Doll Spirit Vessel’s Kati Malison, time is a slippery thing. The present moment is always fading, turning over, melting. It’s tempting to ignore this constant state of loss, but on “What Stays,” the intimate, slow-burning title track from the indie rock trio’s forthcoming debut album, Malison chooses to face it head on.
Fonteyn Takes a Blissed-Out Bike Trip in Her “Girl on a Motorcycle” Visual
The Born Losers signee previews her forthcoming EP with more sepia-tone sunshine pop. Fonteyn—a.k.a. singer-songwriter Suzanne May—has a knack for crafting sepia-tone sunshine pop that shamelessly, satisfyingly evokes one of her idols: Carole King. But a new visual for “Girl on a Motorcycle”—directed by May and Julianne Brough and edited by May—shows the UK-born, Salt Lake City–based musician embodying another legend: Marianne Faithfull.
Jackie Cohen Runs for Her Life in a New Haley Dahl-Directed “Moonstruck” Video
The LA-based songwriter announces her third album with a song dedicated to two national treasures: Cher and Nicolas Cage. It’s all fun and games until your cheer squad tries to kill you. That’s the premise of Jackie Cohen’s new visual for “Moonstruck,” the creeping, frenzied lead single off her forthcoming album Pratfall.
Rapport Take Over a Drive-In Theater in Their “Can’t Get It to Last” Video
The Toronto band celebrates the release of their new EP with a Grease-inspired visual. Not all friendships last forever. People change and grow, move and move on, vanish and resurface and vanish again. For Rapport’s Maddy Wilde, this isn't necessarily a bad thing—it’s part of life. But on “Can’t Get It to Last,” one of the standout tracks on the Toronto synth-pop band’s new EP Floating Through the Wonderwave, Wilde reminds herself that it’s OK to let friendships fade.
Claude Chews on Life’s Thorniest Questions in the Video for New Single “Roses”
Chicago dream-pop purveyor Claudia Ferme shares the second single off her debut album a lot’s gonna change, due August 12. Claudia Ferme isn't afraid to ask big, thorny, call-me-when-you-find-the-answer questions as Claude. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to live like I should,” the Chicago-based dream-pop purveyor exhales at the top of her new single “Roses,” a characteristically reflective, distilled offering from Ferme.
Interview: Charlie Hickey, on anxiety, his debut album ‘Nervous at Night’ and writing songs ‘like no one is ever going to hear them’
Matt Wallock on June 2nd, 2022 Charlie Hickey isn’t quite sure what state he’s in. That’s not a metaphor — the 21-year-old South Pasadena native literally doesn’t know where he is when Buzz Bands LA reaches him by phone a few days ago. “Wichita?” he guesses.
Aunt Kelly Take Responsibility for a Relationship Rough Patch on “Nurturing”
The Chicago band teases their debut album with a fiery, full-throated single about romantic disappointment. There's a lot to love about Aunt Kelly’s jangly, guitar-driven power-pop—satisfying hooks, crisp pivots, gut-wrenching lyrics, retro references—but bandleader Kelly Hannemann’s raspy vocal deliveries tie everything together for the Chicago trio rounded out by bassist Dan Gianaris and drummer Sarah Weddle.
Dylan Moon Crafts Dance Music for Another Dimension with “Deep Time”
The Los Angeles musician shares a new self-directed visual ahead of his sophomore album Option Explore. Dylan Moon’s previous single “10 Apples” found the LA-based singer and producer working at the intersection of trance-like electronica and existential sophisti-pop, and his new single “Deep Time” follows suit.
Ears Wide Open: Little Luna
Matt Wallock on May 5th, 2022 Little Luna, aka Rachael Kathryn Bell, is on a mission to merge feel-everything indie-pop with let-go-of-everything mindfulness. Later this month the Pittsburgh-born singer-songwriter, actress and yogi will release a new EP titled “Through the Self” (out May 20 via AWAL), which closes with a 25-minute-long guided meditation. Previous singles “The Glass,” “Under the Wave” and “Last Time” have dealt with self-acceptance, authenticity and loneliness.
Ears Wide Open: Emily James
Matt Wallock on May 3rd, 2022 Twenty-year-old songstress Emily James was raised outside of New York City, cut her teeth as a singer-songwriter in Nashville, then moved to Los Angeles to further her music career and hone her self-producing chops. She’s already released five EPs, the first of which arrived in 2016, and now she’s rolling out new singles that showcase her penchant for penning bright folk-pop songs that span the spectrum of emotions.
Ears Wide Open: Pepper Lewis
Matt Wallock on April 22nd, 2022 Pepper Lewis (Photo by Mitchell Zaic) If you’ve ever spotted QR code-adorned fliers around Silver Lake or Echo Park that say “ARE YOU HOT? ARE YOU ON PROZAC?” or “DOES YOUR BOYFRIEND HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?!?!,” you might be familiar with Pepper Lewis, aka New York-born singer-songwriter Tessa Weiner.
Video: Momma, ‘Speeding 72’
Matt Wallock on April 22nd, 2022 Momma (Photo by Sophie Hur) Brooklyn-via-Los Angeles indie rockers Momma this week announced their debut studio LP, “Household Name” — out July 1 via Polyvinyl / Lucky Number Music — with the lead single “Speeding 72,” a Pavement-inspired scuzzfest built around a prominent guitar hook.
Video: Madison Cunningham, ‘Anywhere’
Matt Wallock on April 21st, 2022 Madison Cunningham (Photo by Claire Marie Vogel) Madison Cunningham this week released her first single following 2022’s Grammy-nominated “Wednesday (Extended),” and it’s a bristling folk-pop number called “Anywhere.” “You could convince me of anything,” Cunningham marvels in the track.
Video: Ryan Pollie, ‘Best Love I Ever Had’
Matt Wallock on April 15th, 2022 Ryan Pollie Retro-pop troubadour Ryan Pollie last week released a new video for “Best Love I Ever Had,” one of the standout tracks on his recent album “Stars.” Directed by Rob Fidel, the visual is a charming complement to the song, featuring a parade of animated stars, rings, hearts and flowers set behind the musician.
Video: Michael Rault, ‘Neither Love Nor Money’
Matt Wallock on April 14th, 2022 Michael Rault (Photo by Alice Baxley) Edmonton-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer Michael Rault says “Neither Love Nor Money” will do on his latest single, a buoyant psych-rock number about getting by and getting on. “I’ve run for the love and the money for some time, and it seemed fine / but now both of them ain’t coming, running dry” Rault sings over bouncy synths, strings and keys before horns steal the second half of the tune.
Video: Joyce Manor, ‘Gotta Let It Go’
Matt Wallock on April 12th, 2022 Joyce Manor (Photo by Dan Monick) Your favorite pop-punk band’s favorite pop-punk band is back. Joyce Manor last week announced their sixth album “40 oz.
Anne Malin Finds Resilience on “Destroyer” and “Redeemer” Ahead of New Album “Summer Angel”
Anne Malin started recording an album with producer Andrija Tokic in August, 2019, but she only got around to recording two songs before the project was delayed due to COVID. Today those two songs—“Destroyer” and “Redeemer”—arrive as the arresting lead singles off the poet and musician’s forthcoming record Summer Angel, due June 17 via Dear Life Records.
Spacey Jane Capture a Bittersweet Breakup on “It's Been A Long Day”
Australian indie-rockers Spacey Jane have already shared a few singles—”Lots of Nothing,” “Lunchtime,” and “Sitting Up”—off their forthcoming sophomore album Here Comes Everybody, and today the Perth-based band returns with another single called “It’s Been A Long Day,” which finds the quartet mining heartache for rousing melodies as frontman Caleb Harper revisits an emotional breakup.
Popstrangers Commandeer a Shuttered Karaoke Room in Their “In Spirit” Video
Eight years after releasing their sophomore full-length, 2014’s Fortuna, Popstrangers are finally rolling out their third album.
Companion Thaw in Bed After a Chilly Night Out on New Single “Snowbank”
Companion's music exudes a quiet, rustic glow, but the duo behind the project—identical twin sisters Jo and Sophia Babb—aren't holed up in some backcountry cabin. Rather, they're based in Fort Collins, Colorado, about an hour north of Denver. They moved there from Oklahoma in 2020, and since then they've been working on their debut album Second Day of Spring, which arrives next month.
Yot Club’s Ryan Kaiser Shakes Up a Deadbeat Day Job in “u dont kno me” Video
I haven't been to Golf N’ Stuff since I was a kid, but Yot Club’s “u dont kno me” video is making me seriously nostalgic for the plastic putting greens and flashing arcade games of my youth.
Stream: The Americans, ‘Stand True’
Matt Wallock on March 10th, 2022 The Americans (Photo by Sari Thayer) Until this week, the Americans hadn’t released new music since their 2017 debut album, “I’ll Be Yours.” That changed when the Los Angeles-based roots-rockers returned with a new single called “Stand True,” a country-rock bruiser that shows the trio — singer-guitarist Patrick Ferris, bassist Jake Faulkner, and guitarist Zac Sokolow — locking into a soulful, self-assured groove.
Sea Lemon Turns Social Anxiety Into Feel-Good Dream Pop on “Turn Away”
For a song about social anxiety, Sea Lemon’s latest single feels remarkably carefree. “Stop seeing me like that / Wish I’d go away,” Natalie Lew sings on “Turn Away,” which finds the Seattle-based songwriter worrying about how others view her. “Do I seem too sad / To make you wanna stay?
Stray Fossa Soundtrack a Trippy Tour Video with “Better Late Than…”
If the fare on Stray Fossa’s debut album With You Forever—self-released in 2021—channeled the hazy, journeying spirit of early DIIV or Real Estate records, then the band's latest singles find the Charlottesville, Virginia trio shifting into a more zonked-out, psychedelic gear that lands somewhere between Tame Impala and Washed Out.
Ears Wide Open: Woolfy
Matt Wallock on March 4th, 2022 Woolfy (Photo by John Alderson) If you haven’t already met Woolfy, aka British singer-songwriter and producer Simon James, allow his new double-single to serve as a better-late-than-never introduction. “When We Were Kings” and “Heroine” find the Ojai-via-L.A. musician ditching the twinkling, world-is-your-oyster pop of his previous single “Shooting Stars” in favor of soft-spoken, soul-stirring bedroom folk.
Ears Wide Open: Sister Void
Matt Wallock on March 4th, 2022 Sister Void “Where do we go when we die?” Lindsey Nico Mann thrums on Sister Void’s latest single, “Blink,” a grunge-leaning dream-pop number about chasing what you want. Mann is a visual artist — her credits are on music videos by Major Lazer, Sophie Meiers and Teenage Wrist — whose Sister Void venture is now four singles old.
Ears Wide Open: Le Pain
Matt Wallock on March 3rd, 2022 Le Pain (Photo by Julie Orlick) Does “Le Pain” mean “the bread” or “the pain”? Does it matter? Le Pain have only released a handful of songs, but the L.A.-based quartet’s sound is remarkably well-formed: breezy, blissed-out, psych-skewing indie-pop that drifts between English and French, just as their name suggests.
Stream: Lou Roy, ‘Down Since ’07’
Matt Wallock on March 3rd, 2022 Lou Roy (Photo by Silken Weinberg) Lou Roy this week dropped the third single off her forthcoming debut album, “Pure Chaos” (due April 29 via Balloon Machine Records), and it’s a steamy slice of alt-pop from “anti-genre” singer-songwriter Caitlin Notey.
On ‘Stars Already Shone,’ Mount Saint Elias Search for Purpose–and Find Each Other - American Songwriter
Fans of The Head and the Heart might recall that cofounder Josiah Johnson left the band ahead of their 2016 album Signs of Light – first to get sober, then to pursue a solo project. But since 2019, Johnson’s been playing bass in Mount Saint Elias, an Oakland-based indie-folk outfit fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Joey Coe. The pair met as if through fate: “Joey and I—How could we not meet?” Johnson tells American Songwriter.
Trentemøller’s Happy Accidents on ‘Memoria’ Don't Sound Like Accidents at All
Anders Trentemøller, the Danish chillwave luminary known simply as Trentmøller, has only grown more confident in his vision—and more obsessed with analog sound-sculpting techniques—over time. His latest album, Memoria, out now via Trentemøller’s own label In My Room, is characteristically dreamy, but Trentemøller considers it more personal than his previous records, since, for the first time, he penned the lyrics and melodies entirely himself.
SASAMI on “Squeeze”
Web Exclusive SASAMI almost stayed home. It was February 1, 2020, and the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter and producer (full name Sasami Ashworth) was debating whether to catch a show at the now-shuttered Five Star Bar, in downtown LA, with her friend and collaborator Kyle Thomas.
Video: Christian Lee Hutson, ‘Age Difference’
Matt Wallock on February 24th, 2022 Christian Lee Hutson (Photo by Michael Delaney) Christian Lee Hutson has stayed busy since the release of his 2020 album, “Beginners.” He issued a trilogy of cover collections (called “The Version Suicides,” of course) throughout 2021, and he somehow finds time to make cameos at all his friends’ shows, whether he’s backing Lucy Dacus with Phoebe Bridgers, Bartees Strange and Tomberlin at Brooklyn Steel or duetting with Fenne Lily closer to home at the...
Stream: Deb Never, ‘Crutches’
Matt Wallock on February 24th, 2022 Deb Never (Photo by Nate Guenther) Deb Never devotees might recognize the Los Angeles singer’s new single, “Crutches” — out today — as the supremely catchy unreleased song she performed to close out this set at “an undisclosed hilltop location in L.A.” last summer. But you don’t need to be familiar with Deb Never to know this song slaps. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she sings at the start of the track, a bounding impatience anthem.
Joywave Turn Grief Into Gratitude on Their New LP ‘Cleanse’
Grief and gratitude go hand in hand on Joywave‘s fourth record Cleanse, and perhaps that combination was unavoidable.
Loren Berí Announces Debut EP with the Magnetic “My Brooklyn (Is Better Than Yours)”
Loren Berí's Brooklyn is better than yours. There's just one problem, though: Loren Berí's Brooklyn only sort of exists. Today the synth-pop artist announces his debut EP Stray Cat Kingdom with "My Brooklyn (Is Better Than Yours)," a wildly magnetic—and hilarious—homage to NYC.
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