After honing their skills via two self-released EPs, Brooklyn trio Language is set to release their new EP Plymouth via Good Eye Records on May 18th. The five tracks show the band developing a hybrid sound falling in a space between prog and industrial. “Where To” is a short burst, under minute and a half instrumental displaying the band’s impressive chops. Angular rhythms and sharp cuts emerge from precise placement of drums, bass and guitar . “Game Piece” ramps up the tempo adding shouted punk style vocals over the shifting progression underneath. Title track “Plymouth” emerges out of jagged guitar textures that lead to a softer lyrical center followed by a Zappa-esque extended psyched-out coda. “Into and Out Of” (streaming below) pairs emergency broadcast signals with triple-time high-hat flutters before the full band throttle explodes into a throbbing onslaught. Final track “Square Winds” bring vocals back over an equally hyperactive rhythmic undercurrent. The band will play their release show at Baby’s All Right on 5/16 with label mates Russian Baths, plus Grooms and Mezzanine Swimmers. – Dave Cromwell

Nandi Rose Plunkett’s singing is deliberate. Her voice moves slowly, with seeming ease, as if each line is a response in real time, never rushed but carefully thought out and confident. The music Plunkett makes under the Half Waif moniker is equally precise, particularly on the group’s latest album, Lavender. Though often meditative in its ambience and melodic complexities, Half Waif flexes a knowledge of pop that brings the music to sweeping highs. Throughout, Plunkett contemplates womanhood and the distance accompanied by travel, perhaps best summarized in the opening track’s description of a visit with her grandmother. Both musically and lyrically, Lavender makes for a thoroughly engaging and ambitious addition to the Half Waif catalog. – Cameron Carr

Sofar Sounds has released EZI‘s performance of "Anxious", a track from her debut EP Afraid of the Dark. The songstress — whose real name is Esther Zynn — released the EP at the beginning of the year, having written the songs during what she calls the lowest point in her life. However, with her powerful voice and catchy synthpop arrangements rife with gripping and vulnerable lyrics, things are looking up for EZI; she’s the first signee to Steve Madden’s 5Towns Records, and she’s played shows all across the country over the last few months. In a recent Facebook post, she says she’s the happiest she’s been "in forever." Take a listen to her recent video for single ‘Redemption" and to the Sofar performance of "Anxious" below. – Will Sisskind

Fans of Half Waif or SZA will enjoy the nu-soul of duendita, whose mesmerizing voice and beats will take the stage at C’mon Everybody on June 6th. Anyone who follows Princess Nokia’s work might have already heard duendita’s tracks; for the uninitiated, the artist has three new songs on her Soundcloud available for streaming now. The songs — titled "i’ma get you", "pray", and "yikes!" — all deliver intoxicating harmonies and instrumentation which blend the organic with the electronic. The three provoking tracks give a taste of what’s to come on duendita’s upcoming debut EP, titled direct line to My Creator. At C’mon Everybody, duendita will share the stage with fellow soul artists Zenizen and Cherubim. Listen to "pray" below. – Will Sisskind