We can’t believe we haven’t blogged about Grassfight in three years – yes because we really dug their 2011 debut EP "Icon EP" and 2012 follow up "Icon EP2" – two of the best NYC Post-Punk releases of the decade (so far). After that quick 1-2 punch, it has taken the band three years to produce their third work "Please Don’t Tell," also an EP, which again features their claustrophobic, tense, electric sound, led by Nathan Forster commanding and tortured tenor. The record features a better production, but doesn’t compromise in the bleakness department. Check out the title track, streaming below.

Altopalo is a group of very young and skilled New York musicians who have a knack for mixing soul music and edgy psychedelic rock bordering on experimental music. The band – our artist of the month at some point last year – just released their debut album ‘noneofuscared,’ and it’s one of the most daring NYC records we’ve heard this year. In all likelyhood, traditional soul music fans won’t love it, but those who appreciate the experimental attitude that’s at the core of the NYC scene will find a lot to like. Check out single "hahsnheads," streaming below, and see Altopalo live at Cameo on October 18 – the guys are TIGHT! – Photo by Colin Marchon.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Brooklyn singer/songwriter Carrie Ashley Hill just released the celestial lead single "Old Winds" and accompanying music video (playing below) off her forthcoming debut full-length ‘Orion, Low in the Sky.’ Humbly involving, the guitar-plained song sees a wandering heroine out there under the sky, reflecting on and seemingly admiring her easy-going approach to the world. As especially seen in its inventive, shape-shifting visuals (which were directed by award-winning, Texas-based, late-teen filmmakers, The Lenz Twinz), the track is the musical equivalent of a breath: vanishing yet blissful. Hill is set to release ‘Orion, Low in the Sky’ in November, and will perform on the 15th of that month at Rockwood Music Hall as part of Stories You Can’t Tell on the Radio Songs Only a Woman Can Sing: An Evening of Music and Storytelling. – Zach Weg   

CARRIE ASHLEY HILL – OLD WINDS – (Official Video) from Lenz Twinz on Vimeo.

Heads up: Samira Winter premieres a new single mere days before her band’s North American Tour, titled "All The Things You Do". Like celebrated debut album Supreme Blue Dream, "All The Things You Do" verges on the boundaries of shoegaze, dreampop, and neo-psych, with languid beats pouring over melodies temperate and fibrous. It’s a great send-off to summer as autumn falls upon us, and a wonderful tour-parting gift courtesy of Winter (and Burger Records).

Winter leaves on the 18th with indie pop Georgian transplant Allison Weiss, plus NYC’s Mal Blum and Kid in the Attic — first show’s at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall (SF). Los Angeles will be lonelier (and muggier) without the grace of Samira & Co., but fear not: the quartet returns to perform 11/24 at The Echo! Until then, get lovesick with "All The Things You Do" on repeat. – Ryan Mo

Few things are more effective in grabbing our attention than really good press pictures, and Israeli electronic chanteuse Tesha – who recently moved to NYC – sure knows a thing or two about that. But looks are irrelevant if not supported by good music, and, in this case, support was found. Tesha plays a stylishly cinematic, vaguely jazzy form of synth pop, reminiscent of some of the less trippy trip hop bands like Lamb and Morcheeba, but entirely her own. Her voice is confident and full of character, and her comfort zone is in the downtempo side of things, which opens space for the creative electronic arrangements. On her Bandcamp profile you’ll find an instrumental single and a three song EP, entitled "Crystallization," both released in 2014. We paricularly enjoyed opening track "Over the Edge" (streaming). We have three opportunities to catch her live this week within the CMJ music marathon.

Guitarist LG and his band Dead Leaf Echo have been gazing at their inspiring, colorful shoes (and stompboxes) for quite some time now, forging otherwordly sounding songs, while working with producer John Fryer (Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode) and opening for the likes of Psychedelic Furs, A Place To Bury Strangers and legendary British ’90s shoegazers Chapterhouse. The band just released a new track entitled "sunlessoul" (streaming) and has three shows scheduled during the CMJ Music Marathon. We recently ask them a few question about how they generate their sound in this interview on Delicious Audio.

Simi Valley doomgazers SHEER return from the studio depths to announce the release of their debut LP Uneasy, and we couldn’t be happier for them. The 11-song album has garnered comparisons to Galaxie 500 and The Smashing Pumpkins, of which we could say are somewhat accurate. The hooks are fuzzy, the feels are deep, and Gina Almaguer’s voice resonates wildly in our hearts, though we’d rather compare her to Rachel Goswell over Billy Corgan. But don’t take our word for it — SHEER are playing on October 23rd at Carla’s Bakery (best Mexican food in Moorpark, no joke) with noisegasmic locals Sustains, Sea Lions, and Losing End.

If you were sold on our previous coverage of the band, you can pre-order their debut album via The Native Sound. Uneasy will be out on digital download and in limited-release cassettes November 20th. – Ryan Mo