Aaron Spransy, Kevin Junker, Thom Valicenti, and Matt Freake of Sinnet don’t take themselves too seriously on their new LP ‘Gentle Humor,’ a fuzzy indie pop project that captures the band’s laid-back personality. It’s easy to sit back and chill to tracks like “Mikey & The Land Of Inbetweeners” (streaming below) with their catchy choruses, mellow vocals, and loungy guitar riffs. After a spring tour that hit everywhere from NYC to Madison, the band will be opening for Low Cut Connie at Middle East on August 4th. – Lilly Milman

Brooklyn punk quintet Ellen and the Degenerates will play at Bushwick Public House on July 1st in support of Remnants. On their most recent single, "My House," the Degenerates tap into the high-energy, anthemic sensibilities of ’70s punk with a catchy but appropriately defiant hook ("This is my house/You need to get out"), and a driving rhythm section that brings the song to a screeching halt at just under two minutes. – Ethan Ames, photo by Jeanette D Moses. 

Mixing art and pop rock influences like The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, The Rememberables create songs with driving grooves enhanced by melodic material layered into the musical fabric, hinting at a shoegaze vibe. Hoping to build off of the sound that they achieved on the their self-titled EP, the group plans to release a full length album when they open for Australia’s Royal Headache on July 14th at the Black Cat.

 -Michael Dranove

In her debut single "9 Months", Brooklyn singer Roxiny builds an immersive story which speaks to the besetment of destructive relationships. Included in her forthcoming EP, Rituals, the track develops a climactic build-up through heavy percussion that surrounds the steady dream-pop synth and droning guitar chords, pulling in the listener until the end of this emotional and loaded four minutes. Featuring the singer’s intense and full vocals, which have earned her collaborations with Sleigh Bells and Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), the single stands as a personal message from the young artist, who is an advocate for women’s rights and victims of abuse and injustice, by working with organizations like GEMS, which assists sex trafficking victims. Listen to the single, streaming below, and don’t miss Roxiny next live appearance at the Overthrow New York Boxing Club within a benefit for planned Perenthood.. -Tafari Lemma

The bedroom pop produced by three-piece thanks for coming sets itself apart for Rachel Brown’s distinct vocals that complement their vivid lyrics, often tackling existential themes (“I’ve got my hand inside my skeleton / trying to make myself into a puppet / so someone else can live my life.”) Their new EP ‘thanks for having me’ was finalized before moving to Brooklyn (from Chicago) earlier this year. The record offers a bare bone, often tongue-in-cheek take on lo-fi that relies on simple arrangements and charming melodies, leaving the listener wanting more. The (very active) band will be playing their next show at the Trans-Pecos on July 3rd. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “human being” streaming below.

A label like “Bipolar folk” might leave you scratching your head, but for Kera and the Lesbians, the description fits. Their music is characterized by mood swings: The LA-based duo manages to span a multitude of genres, with singer Kera serving up garage-soul vocals against waves of dark, southern brass, and desert-folk guitar riffs. With an album and 2 EPS under their belt, the band has yet to shy away from experimenting with their sound. Their latest single “I’m Late” (streaming below) demonstrates the band’s chameleon capabilities with a smooth serenade.-Tafari Lemma

Karma Kids Co-Founder Lt. Headtrip raps with the voice of a professional wrestler.  It’s fitting, considering the words he cobbles together for his frenetic verses.  Listening to him rap, you can imagine him tearing off shirt after shirt to intimidate his adversaries.  And with lines like, “I’m dressing in the Emperor’s hand-me-down bathroom gown pants and crown – I’m fancy now” he’s got a firm handle on the imagery he pile-drives into your skull.  “Neck Right” is the first video from his new album ‘Comedy of the Filthbeast‘ dropping today on his Karma Kids label.  

Within the first verse of Umi Copper’s single, “All”, the singer asserts an engaging mixture of soul and R&B–his soothing vocals flow and enchant. The track draws from an emotive range of tones, showcasing lively percussion reminiscent of 70’s afrobeat, and ethereal, orchestrated harmonies, that lusciously serve his lyrics about enduring and unconditional love. The track marks the debut of Copper, who has previously worked among local soul producers. Listen to the new single “All” below. –Tafari Lemma