“Garbage Collector” (streaming below) is the punchy new single from the Brooklyn psych rock five-piece OxenFree. The main element at work in this song is anticipation; the rhythm section is wired, the vocals are energetic with a huge range, and the guitars are dynamic, yet controlled. Throughout the whole song, the listeners are carefully balanced at the edge of their seat, just waiting for the inevitable explosion. And that’s exactly what OxenFree delivers in the last 40 seconds of the song. The rest of their EP Another Land will be released on October 13th, 2017. OxenFree is currently on tour with Say Brother and their next stop is in Cleveland, OH on August 17th. – Lilly Milman

Cold Beat’s latest work Chaos By Invitation takes us back to the early day of a genre that today is rampant in the indie rock soundscape: dream pop. In single "62 Moons," an upbeat, bread and butter rhythm section, reminiscent of electronic artists of the post-punk years, supports a simple arrangement where electric guitars drenched in reverb blend to perfection with bleepy synths that scream "’80s!", while celestial female vocals indulge in ethereal, droney melodies. Cold Beat will be reaching the end of their Cali-based tour this month after a San Fransisco show at El Rio on August 15. – Pearse Devlin

Listen to our favorite track "62 Moons” streaming below.

With their newest single, “Diner Song” (streaming below) the NYC-based 5-piece Strange Loops have honed in on an electrifying sound that is entirely their own. Mixed and mastered by their own guitarist, Tyler Postiglione, the song channels some less than usual late ’80s influences (Cowboy Junkies, 10,000 Maniacs, even early U2), but with a personal twist. The group conjures up tasteful arrangements with minimalistic leanings, but it’s Sofie Kapur’s vocals that make this track stand out. The rawness with which she approaches the lyrics gives the song an almost tangible energy, through a crescendo that takes her from a soulful and restrained beginning to belting climaxes. You can see them live next at the Footlight in Brooklyn on August 23rd. Concert-goers will be able to download their upcoming EP called New Era, which releases on the 24th, before its official release. – Lilly Milman 

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

The debut EP release Strawberry by Pale Lungs—a four-piece hailing from Murfreesboro, Tennessee—is a tour de force of emo indie rock. It’s lyrically sound with songwriting comparable to Brand New, in addition to having iron-clad arrangements. The EP achieves a sometimes dreamy and lush sound without abandoning tight percussion and guitar parts. It moves slowly but with a definite direction, giving the listener adequate time to soak in every song before moving on to the next. They are currently on the tail-end of a tour, with stops left in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “Sanctuaries” streaming below.

When it comes to the stripped down style of Nashville’s Ariel Bui, less is definitely more. Her 2016 self-titled LP is a look into who she is as an artist, offering edgy folk-twinged tracks driven by the haunting vocals of the singer-songwriter. Her mesmerizing alto is unique for the Nashville scene; she doesn’t belt out soulful choruses or sing with an exaggerated country twang (despite having track titles like “To All the Cowboys” and “Moon Over Kentucky.”) There is a relaxed quality to this album, but emotionally it still progresses with the honesty of a country album. Ariel Bui isn’t trying to prove she’s the best or brightest star. She’s just bearing her soul and hoping it’s enough. (Spoiler alert: it is.) She has three local shows coming up: the Mad Valley Lodge on August 19th, Radio Cafe on the 23rd, and Cobra on September 8th. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “Sycamore Tree” streaming below.

With Teletextile’s “The Lark” (streaming below), it’s easy for listeners to fall for the alternative pop sound without even realizing that it’s being created by a harp. That should be expected from multi-instrumentalist Pamela Martinez, though. In her most recent 2016 EP, she makes you feel all sorts of ways with an array of orchestral arrangements. The five-track project moves around quite a bit, from serene harp accompanied by soft vocals to stormier sections featuring brass and electronic sounds. Single “The Lark” (streaming) expands that sound further by introducing flutes, trumpets, and percussion to bring forth a more soothing orchestral environment, while “Fan The Spark” creates intensity, with dynamic percussion for a more avant style. Teletextile is performing at Union Pool on August 15th at 8PM, alongside Charlie Looker Ensemble and GABI. – Pearse Devlin