Bootblacks offer a gothic melancholia bounced back and forth on synth-pop beats, a menacing vision of gloom that’s infectious. Bootblacks’ post-punk/new-wave sensibility is beautifully paired with Panther Macdonald’s vocals. They’re straight out of the post-punk catalogue: romantic, dramatic, seductive. The band promises a seedier vision of NYC, one of decadence and decay. Their newest work offers a more sophisticated sonic aesthetic, so make sure to check out their new album “Fragments” from (appropriately named, for this release) Manic Depression Records, available 09.14. —Amanda Ogea

Boston rockers Healing Cow boast a catalog of different musical styles in their debut, ANGELA, meshing lo-fi garage with smoother indie vibes. The opener, “High School Luv Song,” is a fun garage rock number, but sounds completely different from the following tracks “Washed” and “The Gilded Cunt”, which feature a more sedated approach in part reminiscent of ’90s lo-fi bands like Ween, but definitely less humorous. Reverbered guitars, calm percussion, and softer female vocals actually create a borderline loungy atmosphere. An interlude transitions the EP back to the initial frantic feel with “Carpetsoft”, ultimately finishing off with “Angelina Jolie”, a funny and quick garage pop-punk track wrapping up the record. The band will be coming back from a string of summer shows with a performance at O’Brien’s Pub in Boston this September 18th, check out the band’s work below! – Pearse Devlin

With their February release entitled Manage, the Nashville-based five-piece The Still, Small Voice have discovered their own, definitive melodic indie rock sound. The EP, which focuses on questioning that which once felt certain, is a six-track long serenade to Southern rock and pop. Lead vocalist Christiana Benton’s ballads are simultaneously sweet and serious. The track “Fear of Breaking” (streaming below) is just one example where she is able to break into an unexpected soprano that builds the song up over twinkling arrangements. And there’s certainly more where that came from on the rest of the EP. You can find The Still, Small Voice playing their next live show on September 19th at The High Watt. – Lilly Milman

Inspired by his 12 years in NYC, Spirit Plate frontman Brian Russ found inspiration for the the passion project Youth Moose—the psych rock band’s sophomore album. Recorded in Russ’ home studio, the LP features tracks presented as a reflection of the New York experience, based on everything from street art to architecture. This record is about finding clarity in the chaos (a feeling any New Yorker can relate to) all while experimenting with new sounds and content. In the single “Daily News Headline” (streaming below) the group tackles themes of political and civil unrest, overlaying a triumphant mashup of gritty guitar arrangements and a lively horn section. The band recently also unveiled the video for second single ‘All Day Long.’ – Lilly Milman

Emo. Traumacore. These are two of the labels attached to MALLRAT as tags on their Bandcamp page. It sounds kind of depressing. But beneath their gnarly, stripped down, heavy-heavy-soft sound is a transcendent – almost bubbly – joyousness that’s bursting with sonic life. The band’s playful tweets give an insight into a playful, humane sensibility that blooms throughout their music:

"all my life thought i only liked pop and pop punk but i actually also like pop country"

The subject matter on the quick, fleeting cuts that make up every breath a fracture (like standout track “i don’t really wanna try”) may be somber, but the feeling in every raw chord and singer Melo Davis’ vocals reveals a blissfulness that can’t be contained. MALLRAT make depressing music that actually isn’t very depressing at all. -juan leon

The video of the always edgy Kim Boekbinder’s for the track “H.B.I.C.” is an explosion of style, color, and choreography all layered over hypnotic synth beats. The non conforming, fashion-forward cast of characters in the video steal the show, while Boekbinder’s detached voice sings out the line “I’m the head bitch in charge, yeah, I’m the head.” She often refers to her music as “witch-pop,” which is accurate given that the repetitive and rhythmic nature of her songwriting seems to put a spell on us. She will be kicking off a fall tour in September, with an album release show at The Mercury Lounge tomorrow (September 9th). – Lilly Milman