Queens-based avant-garde musician Annika Zee synthesizes sounds both tactile and intangible on Factory Pageant, producing experimental electronic with a freeform vocal jazz slant. Lounge-like percussive lines underpin twisted synths, dreamy pads, and wurlitzer keys, with Zee’s voice echoing outwards, all of which contribute to a thoroughly spacey, atmospheric effort — though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its share of delightfully discordant segues. Utilizing a variety of genre-influences keeps the record interesting and readily transformable — the future house type beat of “Super Model” jarringly changes to the atonal slow jam “Roses, the Red” to the mellifluous blue wave of “Lydia” back-to-back-to-back. Regardless of its wide-ranging sound, Factory Pageant remains cohesive in Zee’s boundary-pushing ear and penchant for the weird — in lieu of attending Annika Zee’s now-cancelled March 20th show at Planet X, give it a listen (or purchase) below. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Evenhandedness is the name of the game for New York songwriter Jason Ross. Under the handle Moon Sand Land he impressionistically charts life’s various ups and downs on split EP The Duality of Man, letting recollections of the oceanside views, secret-sharing, and afternoon trysts fall out his mouth in a signature, exasperated drawl while leading a lofi cadre of collaborators in garage rock unison. In line with the EP’s title, there’s an impeccable balance that permeates this project’s duration — the oftentimes frustrated nature of Ross’s emotive vox is cut with the brightness of his instrumental backing, a pleasant blend of shimmering 90s electric guitars and progressive, exciting song structures, which keeps this extended play interesting throughout its four tracks. Give this submission a stream below.

“Mimi,” the debut single by dream folk project Carli & the Dark, firmly establishes artist Carli Naff’s aptitude for magically realistic songwriting over the course of an atmospheric four-minute sonic novella, rendering hazy recollections of an evening in a manner that seems like an oracle’s visions. Gradually shifting from the minimalism of guitar arpeggios to a a full band, as sparse percussion and slide guitar enter the fold, Naff’s vocal performance retains its distant-yet-powerful quality before coming to an abrupt, forlorn stop, echoing into the recesses of the night as quickly as they manifested. With an equal emphasis on electric folk and dream-pop production, this track is recommended listening for fans of Andy Shauf and Songs: Ohia alike — give it a listen below.

New York trio Yancy appropriately named their 2018 LP Hi, Neighbor! — their noisy, melodic punk and seemingly upbeat demeanors indicate they’re more than likely to have their fair share of run-ins with the folks next door, though you’d expect them to be friendly in mitigating any noise disturbances. Such bright energy is the consequence of a conscious decision to base their sound around triumphant guitar riffs and a bombastic vocal performance that sounds like the the lovechild of Tim Kinsella and Ian MacKaye. As such, their music is well suited for a specific subset of aggressive yet well-tempered individuals, tunes for people who bare wide grins in a mosh pit. Give it a listen below, and catch Yancy at Alphaville on March 19th.

Listening to “Daylight,” the latest single by New York folk artist Hayfitz, feels in many ways like exploring an old, abandoned house. Atmosphere-inducing artwork aside, what begins as a hushed, almost secretive track gradually expands to become a rich offering that showcases songwriter Brandon Hafetz’s aptitude for layered, chilled instrumentalism; every nook and cranny is filled with echo-laden guitar arpeggios or ambient synth. As the track progressively brightens, however, Hafetz’s falsetto remains a tethering force, with lyricism that details the difficult chats that are oftentimes necessary. “[The song] serves as a constant reminder to have the scary, sober conversations, even if it means letting your guard down,” Hafetz said of the track via email, a sentiment fitting for his abidingly somber vocal performance. Give it a listen below, and keep an eye out for his forthcoming LP Capsules, out 5.29. Photo by Sam Cope