Global dembow seems to be a recurring theme in NYC producer ShiShi’s work. A cursory scan of ShiShi’s Soundcloud page shows the “Global Dembow” tag occurring often alongside other internationally-minded fusion genres (“Bollywood House,” “Eastern Trap”). ShiShi’s work itself — joining, melding, mashing musical styles — is fascinating and exciting.

Both undeniably of the moment and yet steeped in traditional beats and rhythms, his latest track “Damelo” shows how societal globalization has brought the sonic commonalities in international rhythms & genres (reggaeton, bhangra, soca, for example) to a convergence in modern music production. The result is a club-ready banger with deep traditional music roots. Other ShiShi tracks explore similar concepts in perhaps even more daring (and rewarding?) ways. “Aarti” is buoyed by house production with bhangra-esque vocals. The result is a stunning, A.R. Rahman worthy work. -juan leon

“Chop Shop” from NYC’s diNMachine is a bouncy, trap-y blur of genres that coalesces into an inventive and accessible burst of noise-pop. Tones shifts, rhythms start and stop, new sounds come out of left field — and somehow it all coheres. The sounds are disparate but always feel intentional.

It’s a testament to diNMachine composer Michael J. Schumacher’s skill at creating a challenging sonic palette that remains effortlessly melodic. At times funky, at times weird, “Chop Shop” is the type of track that welcomes repeat listens for the sheer pleasure of exploring and discovering the skill innately weaved throughout the composition.

diNMachine’s Facebook page describes the band as a "pop music" project. That’s true. But it’s pop music prismed through the lens of influences that range from the Beatles to Autechre. –juan leon

Counterintuitively, Anna Altman is a band of young musicians from Brooklyn with a female lead singer, not a one woman project. Their music brings back (or finally exposes?) adult angst with a bedroom-y, DIY palette of sounds. The indie/alt rock group’s dry percussive section (Christian Billard) and wonky guitars are brightened by chilled-out, conversational vocals by Lucia Arias. Two highlights from their album FREIGHTLINER are "Never" and "White Horse" which showcase the band’s sweet lo-fi aesthetic. Streaming below, opening track and single "The Interview." You can catch Anna Altman live at Alphaville on Dec. 22nd. – Geena Kloeppel

Strange and wonderful things can happen when three talented artists from completely different musical backgrounds join creative forces. One of these "things" is Levitating (streaming below), a mostly hip hop track that merges Sammus‘ rhymes with Olga Bell‘s European flavored electronic production and Xenia Rubinos Hispanic music influences. Born from an instrumental penned by Bell, the track is a perfect example of what NYC is (and has been for awhile): an irreversible melting pot of races and culture, where positive collaboration trumps any difference and distrust. The message here is that (hard) work and curiosity are the best antidotes to intolerance, and these prolific ladies know something about it. Check out the track below, and catch Xenia Rubinos at the Ecstatic Music Fest at the Kaufman Center on January 27th. 

The newest release by San Jose native folk artist Riley McShane is the type of project that sneaks up on you, in the best way possible. Aptly titled Places, it is a drifter’s rumination on what it means to be rooted somewhere—in ways both mental and physical. Recorded in various bedrooms, classrooms, and cars, this triumphant EP is a reminder of what makes the D.I.Y. scene so great. Reminiscent of other indie folk greats like Gregory Alan Isakov, Riley McShane is one to watch very closely (especially since he never seems to stay in one place for very long.) Check out his EP, and catch him playing SoFar Sounds on Saturday (an event almost as nomadic as the artist himself.) – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track, “San Jose” streaming below.

Production is a craft, and Blockhead does it with restraint and delicacy. His earlier work with rap great Aesop Rock proved his talent for beats and hooks, but his more recent solo efforts have shown him capable of unexpected and unusual twists. Instrumental hip-hop demands a high caliber of production and Blockhead’s taste for off-beat samples and ruminating song structures meets the challenge. You can catch the born-and-raised New Yorker next at Elsewhere on December 22nd. – Cameron Carr

Earlier this week, new pop duo MISTY MTN released their first single "Greener" after weeks of teasing the release on Facebook. MISTY MTN consists of Montana-based actress and vocalist Morissa Trunzo and Brooklyn-based composer Lucas Segall. They blend the soft folk music of Big Sky Country with the dark synthetic electricity of big city synths and samplers. "Greener" showcases this sound through Trunzo’s and Segall’s entrancing harmonies and sparkling guitars tucked into pillows of bubbling synth sounds. The duo doesn’t have any shows lined up yet, but for now, you can stream "Greener" below. – Will Sisskind