Brooklyn vocal marvel Jonathan Hoard conjures power from the depth of soul seldom explored on his new song, "Tidal Wave feat. Rabbi Darkside" (streaming below). With a powerful yet smooth voice somewhere between Stevie Wonder and Beyonce, the singer/songwriter/arranger has the acumen to match the energy of any track he tackles. As his harmonies swirl and pulse, it’s easy to get lost in the wave’s giant blue heart. Known to many from his accompaniment with the New York jam session known as The Lesson (led by the band Gentei Kaijo), Hoard smashes with his solo work. “Tidal Wave” also includes a ferocious verse from hip-hop ambassador Rabbi Darkside. Brace yourself. Jonathan Hoard performs tomorrow (8.28) at The Brooklyn Bowl as part of The Lesson. – BrokeMC

Back in May 2013, Brooklyn singer/songwriter Janet LaBelle released “Wide Awake Dreaming” (streaming below), a wistful piano track that Brian Wilson would approve of. Capturing a forlorn lover’s sleepless night with imaginative lyrics such as “The world’s an empty cup,” the song shows the merry LaBelle of “Just a Little Rain” or “You Don’t Get It (So Forget It)” as a melancholic nightingale here to coddle us back to rest. Reportedly at work on a new release, Janet LaBelle performs at Mercury Lounge on Sunday (8.30). – Zach Weg

Caverns is a NYC-based indie-rock band whose latest EP, ‘Tonche,’ seamlessly blends elements of psych-rock, prog-rock, and a bit of pop into a replay-worthy debut. The influence of classic acts on the group is undeniable. The EP’s third track, "Count to Five" (streaming below), opens with a psychedelically dark guitar riff that would feel right at home on a Pink Floyd record, and yet there’s enough of their own fingerprints on the music that it has a unique sound. The rest of the EP follows a similar pattern, succesfully blending a modern indie-rock nature with psych-and-prog-rock qualities. Caverns has made quite an impact with its debut record. The opening track, "Ghosts," already has over 30,000 plays on Souncloud, just 3 months after the EP’s release. The band is currently working on new material and you can catch them live at Knitting Factory on September 10. – Patrick Wolff

Originally formed in Vermont, Alpenglow, the now Brooklyn-based band, is dropping its old “atmospheric folk” sound and exchanging it for one with more sonic vibes. This band is blasting off. Their latest EP, ‘Chapel,’ which still encompasses their old sound, can be defined as the word Alpenglow itself: “the rosy light of the setting or rising sun seen on high mountains.” Lead singer Graeme Daubert’s shifting vocals and unforeseen relatability manage to give listeners the sense that they are on one of those mountains. Recently, Alpenglow added some singles to their soundcloud that we recommend you listen to. "Dreaming Too Much" (streaming below), for instance, encompasses the space vibe they claim to be working towards. The band should be previewing some of their work at Rough Trade tonight, August 28th. – Lauren Schechter

From across the pond comes one of the hardest working indie bands today. Founded in 2012, Life in Film is at the halfway point of their first headlining tour of the US. They just finished opening on the Wombats tour a couple months ago, but they’re back at it again, reaching out to new audiences and sharing their artistry with us Yanks. They also put out their debut album Get Closer in April and have more stuff in the works for a sophomore release.

I watched their performance Tuesday, 8/25, at the Rock & Roll Hotel, their first-ever show in DC and I was wowed from start to finish. I spoke briefly with frontman Samuel Fry before the show, who revealed the band all works together to produce their music and that his favorite part of playing live is the unpredictability, giving new life to songs that had only been written and recorded. While at the show, I certainly found new life in songs I had only heard on Spotify. Literally everyone in the crowded space was jamming to the music, dancing and bopping heads to the rich beats. The thick bass shook my beer bottle and the lefty lead guitarist rocked his glasses right off his face. Life in Film has a sound all its own, not derivative in the slightest. Their stage presence was simple and engaging in its appeal, avoiding unnecessary flash and hitting the essentials for a good time. Catch them at their remaining US shows or miss out on a fantastic experience. -Jonathan Goodwin