Long Island-based songwriter Annie Trezza dwells on inertia throughout new single “Drinking Beneath a Pear Tree,” contemplating the merits of productivity (or lack thereof), quitting drinking, and the unwritten future. The track is an evenhanded tune that seeks not to focus too much on the positive or negative facets of remaining in place, but rather transmit all passing thoughts to the listener lackadaisically through a rolling vocal melody, acoustic arpeggios, and the occasional electric guitar accents. It’s recommended listening for those who find themselves spacing out during these short December days, and for those seeking centering folk that sounds as nostalgic as it is of-the-times; stream it below, and catch Trezza at Mercury Lounge on December 27th.

Ireland-by-way-of-Brooklyn composer Alex Dowling’s forthcoming release Reality Rounds promises an esoteric, experimental affair, an LP that seeks to incorporate faith and futurism into a disconcerting effort. Lead single “King of Thumbs” sounds off as a distress signal from a lonely A.I., replete with autotuned vox, tactile accents, and spacey analogue synths. Dowling conceived Rounds as a hypothetical “future ritual of Dataism, a new religion that worships the eternal flow of data,” employing themes not unfamiliar to fans of Frank Herbert and Phillip K. Dick in cinematic fashion; his music dips deep into the uncanny valley, finding a place where the human voice and computer-produced tones intersect, exacerbating this uncomfortability to deliver visceral, confrontational electronic music. It’s a bold take on the Singularity, a vision that will be expanded upon when the record drops January 31st; stream “King of Thumbs” below, and catch Alex Dowling at Shapeshifter on January 29th.—Photo by Emma O’Halloran

I’m On Your Side is the latest LP by Sonny Santos’s project The Shivers, and it’s a muted, atmospheric record; most of the album’s nine tracks saunter along, accompanied by minimalist synths, mild electric guitars, and an understated vocal performance. It gives the entirety of the album an introspective quality, spotlighting Santos’ melancholic lyrics and hushed vox, while providing the necessary instrumental backbone to keep things engaging. It’s perfect for listeners seeking something quiet, but never sleepy; stream it below, and catch The Shivers at the Sultan Room on January 9th. 

Brooklyn-based performance artist and musician Wsabi Fox may have dropped the video for “Flamingo” a few months ago, but it’s lurid, captivating visuals have a way of remaining with the viewer long far longer than its five minute run time. A dance between Ruben Sindo Acosta and Wsabi Fox bandleader Jennae Santos, dramatically captured amidst flashing lights and alternating day-night shots, lends a compelling aesthetic to the band’s stumbling, synth-friendly prog rock; it’s final image of Santos, lying motionless on the floor, as Acosta is seemingly recedes into the darkness, leaves onlookers with a haunting mise en scene. It’s a taste of the type of poignant performance Wsabi Fox will bring to C’mon Everybody on January 23rd — watch it below. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Tall Juan’s psych-garage rock has been a consistent presence within the New York D.I.Y. scene of the last five years, but on new LP TALL JUAN PLAYS CUMBIA, the enigmatic artist exchanges guitar pedals for auxiliary percussion, opting for a more genre-specific album that retains all the charm and quirks of his existent releases. Single “Vienes y Te Vas” is a sunny cover of a cumbia staple, and while a departure from the fast and rough sound we’ve come to associate with Tall Juan, feels instantly familiar. Coupled with tongue-in-cheek video of the artist playing music on the beach and the occasional superimposed sappy imagery, and you’ve got an alt-latinx bop tucked away for warmer months. Watch it below, and catch Tall Juan at Knitting Factory tonight.

Oakland’s Gorgeous released Gorgeous this fall and we just want to give an extra shout out to the band. They’ve got a funny B-52’s vibe but with a poppier, modern clever feel we dig on hard. Where are the shows, girls? We are ready, Freddy. –Lucille Faulkner