One of the most surprising aspects of Brooklyn band Cutouts’ debut album Baby Blue Suede is that the title originates from a poem about a Billy Joel song. The crooning of Cutouts is a far leap away from the pop legend provocative pop-rock, but in a weird way, it makes sense for this band. Their thematic goal on this album was to foray into the complex and unpredictable — and they do this well, over a psychedelic soundscape of guitar loops, distortions, and even a refreshing violin part. Their use of characters in songs like “Nina” and “Baby Blue Suede & the Dangerous Three” shows their narrative capacity as artists, as well as their ingenuity. Cutouts are definitely a band to watch in the Brooklyn scene, and they will be at the Mercury Lounge on July 28th. – Lilly Milman

Watch the video for our favorite track “Phone Sex” below.

It’s hard to believe that the singer-songwriter Matt Siffert was born and raised in New York City, since his music fits so comfortably in the Nashville scene. His move to Music City infused his already folksy tracks with Americana influences that can be seen everywhere from the new-found hint of a twang in his voice, to the groove of his guitar. He is slated to release his seventh project Gallatin on July 24th at The Basement alongside Zach Torres. – Lilly Milman

Watch the video for his latest single, “You Left and You Didn’t Say Goodbye” below. 

Avant-pop sextet, Arthur Moon, recently released their sonorously boisterous debut EP, Our Head, and since then, the record’s delicate, electro-tinged 5 tracks have been defiantly stuck in our heads. We recently saw the band at a Sofar Sound show and were mesmerized by their performance (check out the video of their Beatles’ cover from that same show, streaming below), so we highly recommend you check them out at their next live performance at Baby’s All Right on July 30th.

Our sister pedal blog Delicious Audio just published this interview where they talk about gear and the creative process.

Last summer, 20 year old Ben Shirken lost his backpack in Rome — resulting in the loss of his laptop, hard drive, and lyrics he was working on. After roughly five years of inspiration, he had nothing to show for his work (there’s a big ad for cloud backup  systems!). That’s when the jazz-guitarist-turned-producer began a new project, the For Time is the Longest Distance Between Two People EP (created under the stage name Beshken.) Single“Lightning By the Sea” (streaming below) is a dance-oriented ode to regrowth set to the beat of Beshken’s organic-sounding electronica. The full EP is scheduled to be released in later in the year. – Lilly Milman

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

On Saturday, July 22, rising San Francisco funk band More Fatter will be performing live at The Bottom Of The Hill. Made up of two brothers, five friends, a pair of former choir boys and some brass horns, More Fatter released their debut LP titled ‘where are you?’ at the beginning of the summer. The show starts at 8:30 PM, but make sure to arrive early, More Fatter is the local opener for the legendary Chicago funk powerhouse Sidewalk Chalk. So plan on staying late, too. Tickets are $10 and available here. – Joshua Huver

Through an unnerving noir mannerism, Brooklyn band Twin Guns capitalizes on a sinister and cinematic sound, delivering a sludgy combination of post punk tension and Spaghetti Western influences – with all the related "hallucidelic" imagery and hazy sonics. This surreal sound is complemented in the video for "Johnny’s Dead" (streaming below) by a dark atmosphere filled with symbolism that would make Nick Cave proud. Their third album, The Last Picture Show, released in 2015, provides an ominous journey that drifts between sober, shuffling tracks and more aggressive and provocative tunes, showcasing a band comfortable with wide array of musical styles. Catch Twin Guns at Bowery Electric tonight (07.20). – Tafari Lemma

Dust from 1000 Yrs are not trying to take themselves seriously. Despite their "serious" sound, which is at initially somber folk-influenced, they bring an attitude of practical joking to their group. From every album cover including a scrawled, messy font title, to their almost-vaporwave, intentionally off-putting social media, they are not trying with their image. However, this sense of humor offers a healthy counter to the band’s usually slow and whiney music. With the release of DUST 2017, they push their joking one step further, with an album of entirely 80’s synth-pop sounds. Still, there is a balance and individual statement made in this release. Even when the title of a track is called "Smoke Em Up" their is a melodic tone to the release which recalls the emotion of their earlier music. This new album may be silly, but it’s also a way to watch a band that’s always been a little funny enjoy being themselves. See them at the Middle East August 24th. -Allie Miller