"Television Eyes" by Steady Sun (strreaming below) is one of those songs that only takes a few seconds to keep you hooked. It’s only one of many gently persuading psychedelic tracks on the NYC-based band’s June 2017 remarkable album "Indifferent World." Clearly inspired by the British psychedelia of the ’60s, the band’s paced acid guitars and Hammond organs open up space for Dylan Nowik’s familiarly "out there" melodies. Other surprising instruments appear throughout the album, including cello, accordion, what sounds like an oboe, and the unmissable sitar. Where this project departs from vintage psychedelia is in the controlled pop structure and flawless production, that never falls into the traps of self indulegence (so often triggered by the doping substances this kind of music is linked to!). If you are in the mood for some mildly mind altering music, don’t miss these guys’ show at The Knit on September 23rd. – Allie Miller 

Yohuna is a one person electronic project by NYC-based Johanne Swanson that walks the line between airy synthpop, bedroom pop and ambient music. Her 2016 release is her fourth since 2011; appropriately entitled ‘Patientness,’ the record rewards those who persevere and are not in a rush. Her intimate sounding vocals at times feature brutally honest lyrics, always delivered with a deadpan attitude at times reminiscent of Nico. Yohuna will be performing like at Alphaville on September 23rd. -Allie Miller  

With a track that will literally explode through your speaker, Blame Candy takes all the appeal of Neon Trees and brings it into 2017. A band catchy enough to be on the radio, Blame Candy deliver plenty of memorable melodies peppered with oohs aahs.  This is pure pop’n’roll, with added in some heart strung lyrics and hooky electric guitars. You can catch them at Our Wicked Lady on Wednesday, September 20th. – Allie Miller

Life’s A Garden and Soil It are the commanding titles of NYC-based Worthless’ latest album and opening track. In this coy contradiction, Worthless introduces us to the play of their extreme, vintage sounding, "scary-clown" inspired psychedelia. With fun-house organs, clattering mallets, and the occasional whiny vocal harmonies, the band embraces anything strange and confusing. After nine album releases on their stacked bandcamp, another record full of ideas and experimentation, entitled "Barrel of Barrows" is set for an October 6th release on label Beyond Beyond is Beyond. Their name maybe be worthless, but their repertoire of music speaks otherwise. 

The second most important thing in rock or folk music, after the actual song, is the vocals’ character. There’s no need to be a great singer if you are blessed with a voice that carries that elusive quality. Nick Llobet, an upcoming solo act from the NYC area, has it, and also happens to write really good songs. With his latest EP, Where To?, released this June, he delivers four gritty but immensely charming tracks: one is purely acoustic dream-folk bliss – with not-so-dream lyrics ("Puke My Thoughts"), while others flirt with indie, lo-fi and psych influences. Title track, "Where To?" is a wandering psych-folk gem for laying on the grass, channeling Bob Dylan’s spoken singing and Mac DeMarco’s inventive but simple arrangements.  "Ear to Ear" borrows the loud/quite/loud production trick of the grunge bands of the ’90s, but adapts it to a songwriting approach that’s poetic, rather than energetic. Closer track "River" is a simple a garage-pop song you will want to dance along to live, at Nick Llobet’s next show, scheduled for September 10th at Sunnyvale. Do not miss! – Allie Miller 

We added "Where To?" song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Told Slant, an artist known for writing some of the saddest songs possible, has recently released a semi-happy song. 2016’s album "Going By" and celebrated 2012 release "Still Water" contained tracks that sounded like band leader Felix Walworth was having his emotions wrung out of him while playing. But his recent collaborative release with Chicago’s The JCW, entitled "Moonlight or Flashlight" (streaming below), sounds like a serene love song with a melancholic edge and an (almost) upbeat drum loop. "Moonlight" was part of Bandcamp’s 100-track collection "Our First 100 Days" (related to Trump’s presidency) which donated all proceeds to various charities. Told Slant recently completed a small, solo, east coast tour and will be playing live at Alphaville on September 23rd. -Allie Miller

Not only do Primitive Hearts have the best band name of the whole SF scene, but they may be the next, great rockabilly power-pop group. Their latest LP, High & Tight, speaks to eternal teen angst but it’s done with an air of nostalgic, bad-boy cool. If it was possible to take take your 50’s greaser teen-crush and turn him into a sound, you may just get Primitive Hearts. And for all of you buzzkills that somehow get tired of the 12 endlessly fun songs on the album, listen to their split with other punk locals, Pookie & the Poodles. -Allie Miller

In a recent Facebook post, NYC-based garage favorites Stove – the solo project of Ovlov’s frontman Steve Hartlett – announced they would be beginning an "indefinite hiatus." Given Stove’s sparse live schedule this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise, but still, we are sad to see them go. "Is Stupider," their 2015 full-length, was thoroughly enjoyed (and covered). We privately celebrated loud, funny, pissed-off tracks with imaginative titles like "Stupid," "Stupider," and "Stupidest" – heck, even Rolling Stones reviewed that record! Stove has been a fun and sonically rewarding project, but maybe instability is also something that deserves to be celebrated, it’s part of nature’s cycle: we are looking forward to Harlett’s next project. The last two Stove shows will be at Baby’s All Right on September 6th, and at Alphaville on September 24th. -Allie Miller 

You might not expect a band from SF to self-identity as math-rock (kinda nerdy for this city, no?), but The Brankas went ahead and did just that. On their bandcamp page, along with chill-wave digital tunes, they produced something uniquely complex in their latest LP, starting from the title: "My Parkour Body is the Paint And The World Is My Canvas. I Don’t See Obstacles, I See Opportunities." If that doesn’t scare you off, you are in for a ride. All ten tracks are dedicated to sometimes electronic, sometimes just electric, and sometimes… borderline disturbing methods of experimentation. These two are here to surprise you, see them at El Rio on August 24th. -Allie Miller

Max Gardener is only 19 years old, but he already has all the makings of the next bedroom pop sweetheart. Following in the footsteps of male solo acts like Mac Demarco, Ariel Pink, and Alex Calder, he’s grimy looking but makes sweet music. His latest single, "Sudden Love" is a twinkling synthpoppy song that fits right in with his predecessors, with a smoother and more lo-fi approach than his prior releases. Gardener’s last EP, "New In Town" from this April 2017, also posses twinkles, and plenty of jammy electric guitar. Gardener, although still a teen, has been releasing music since 2015 – listening to his discography shows how he’s matured over the years. "Sudden Love" opens up a new chapter in his musical career, one that we hope will launch him into that dirty lo-fi dreamboat clique that we all know and love. See him in his hometown of San Francisco at Rickshaw Shop on September 10th. -Allie Miller

As the New York alternative scene becomes more and more entwined with electronica, it becomes easier and easier to find interesting new acts dabbling in drum machines and weird abstract electronic sound. Beiju is the low key Brooklyn electro-pop project of Caitlin Seager, whose ethereal voice perfectly complements her half dancey, half experimental tracks. On DEMAIN, her EP released in July, she draws comparisons to Hailee Steinfeld and Selena Gomez with her personal quirky signature. you can see her live at Trans-Pecos tonight (August 23rd). -Allie Miller

Zenizen is such a perfect 2017 listen, we can’t believe that they haven’t blown up. Soulful vocals by lead Opal Hoyt maintain the sweet spot of R&B that manages to blend an original tone with smooth scales. Backed by charming keys and at times unpredictable beats, all these elements make this group such a timely combo. But Zenizen is not that young. They’ve been doing this for years now. With yearly singles "Coldwood," Fiver" and "No Contact" released since 2015, they’ve been working on their jazz-infused music for a while. Like most good things, they only get better with age. "Australia" their 2017 release and first EP, is their most confident work yet. Listen to the three tracks on this new EP and take the time to enjoy "Expanding," a Rihanna-esque heartbreaking pop song, especially. See Zenizen at Baby’s All Right August 30th. -Allie Mille