Yucky Duster is a new project comprised of members of Brooklyn-based bands Bluffing, Slonk Donkerson, and The Gradients. Their self-titled debut album was released on June 3rd, and is a colorfully catchy record that takes on a charmingly melodic sound with bits of 60’s surf rock and punk influences scattered throughout. The track “Friend Zone” (streaming below) is characterized by its snotty vocals that ask the question “does that make me a bitch?”, mocking society’s view of a woman who puts someone in the “friend zone.” “Blue Elvis” however deals with the desire for someone you know is bad for you. The song starts off as a slow paced doo-wop before evolving into a surf rock inspired punk tune. While the record is just shy of hitting the 20 minute mark, it packs a ton of different sounds – and fun. Yucky Duster will be playing Aviv on June 15th in support of Melt.

The sound of Tancred, solo project of ‘Now, Now’ guitarist Jess Abbott, hits a nice grey area between punk and power pop. Abbot’s striking vocals and guitar work definitely get the blood pumping, but the band behind her doesn’t miss a beat, integrating the songwriting through skillful and at times subtle dynamic shifts that underline the songs’ tension and release sequence. Rounding out the band’s aeshtetic, Abbot’s lyrics are often incisive and contemplative, and give the music nice emotional and intellectual qualities.  Their latest project ‘Out of the Garden’ shows a developed, refined sound, and we’re surprised they slipped through the cracks of this blog’s coverage.  The band is about to wrap up a US tour with Speedy Ortiz, and will perform next at Great Scott on 6/22. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Brooklyn dream pop band Beverly, who placed third in our Best of NYC Emerging Bands Poll back in 2014 (after Porches and Mitski, what a year!), just released her sophomore full length entitled ‘The Blue Swell," and we can tell you without any hesitation that the record marks a noteworthy improvement both in the songwriting and production departments. Singer/guitarist Drew Citron and her band mates played four gigs in the UK this past May and will be leaving for a two week East Coast tour that will end with a home show at Rough Trade on July 1st. Our sister blog Delicious Audio run a few questions past Drew about the band’s sound and the making of "The Blue Swell" – saee link below.

Beverly, interview about musical gear and the creative process.

We added Beverly’s ‘Crooked Cop’ to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych Rock/Dream Pop songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

This past fall, Nashville-based experimental rock project Boom Forest (aka songwriter John Paul Roney) released a sublime chimera of an album with ‘Post Knight Errant.’ Starting with the guitar-soared “Silver Hair,” which elegantly segues into the a capella-flecked “Been” and then leads to “Cameron” (streaming below), an electronics-flirting track that pleasantly recalls ‘White Album’-era Beatles, the work is both dark and warm, anxious but welcoming, and emerges as something of near beatific power. Roney recently relocated to Brooklyn, and quickly landed a three week residency at the Knitting Factory – the last night of which is next Wednesday (6/15). – Zach Weg 

Dance music needn’t always be bright and fun, as Brooklyn one man operation Informant will show you. Heavy electronics, percussive synth tracks, and an overall ambiguity work to make the body move without consent. It is a conflicted experience, though one that’s difficult to ignore—and could be said to be generational of sentiment. – JP Basileo

Listening to the brand new album ‘Door to the Sun‘ by PA via New York trio The Stargazer Lillies is an experience comparable to getting lost in the fog. The fog, in this circumstance, is of the aural kind, created by an over-abundance of guitar effects employed (very unsparingly) by guitarist John Cep, formerly of Soundpool. The trio will be performing at The Echo on June 12 and then the following day at San Diego’s Hideout.

Check out our sister blog’s Delicious Audio Q&A with The Stargazer Lillies about their favorite guitar pedals!