Brooklyn-based funk group IGBO continue to share their positive spirit with their new Rooftop Cookout Series happening now at My Wicked Lady. As the first of a two-part event series, they invited fellow dance-fusion stars Buscabulla, Puck, NiDi Halum, Naimi, ignaBAE and Jaws to for a afternoon dance. Praised by both NPR and The Fader since the release of their debut EP INDIGO GREEN BROWN ORANGE, they’ve been going from one sold-out NYC show to the next. The EP is a six-track mix of every thing from psych, jazz, afrobeat, and (according to their bandcamp tags) "astro-rap." Usually, all of these different sounds will flow within the same song, with changes as natural and welcoming as the spirit of their colorful performance style. If there was any dance party we’d want to attend this summer, it would be IGBO’s. Listen to their 2017 release "Thunderlove" and don’t miss their upcoming show at C’Mon Everybody on August 8 within Elisa’s residency. -Allie Miller  

Dust from 1000 Yrs are not trying to take themselves seriously. Despite their "serious" sound, which is at initially somber folk-influenced, they bring an attitude of practical joking to their group. From every album cover including a scrawled, messy font title, to their almost-vaporwave, intentionally off-putting social media, they are not trying with their image. However, this sense of humor offers a healthy counter to the band’s usually slow and whiney music. With the release of DUST 2017, they push their joking one step further, with an album of entirely 80’s synth-pop sounds. Still, there is a balance and individual statement made in this release. Even when the title of a track is called "Smoke Em Up" their is a melodic tone to the release which recalls the emotion of their earlier music. This new album may be silly, but it’s also a way to watch a band that’s always been a little funny enjoy being themselves. See them at the Middle East August 24th. -Allie Miller   

Describing themselves as “musical soulmates,” founding members of Moon Honey, Jess Elaine Ramsey (vocals) and Andrew Martin (guitar), make music that is complexly romantic. In wild, bird-like vocals battling powerhouse guitar melodies, they illustrate an especially human relationship in their psych-rock sound. Hand-Painted Dream Photographs, their 2013 release, is not just a turning, twisting psych record, but an emotionally personal music. On later releases like “Boy Magic,” it gets even more pseudo-confessional, with lyrics like “on wings of fruit trees/my boy sings sweet to me.” Moon Honey illustrate an adventurous marriage of sound and meaning, and if you’re not yet convinced, just look for their Magritte references.-Allie Miller

Brother Toaster, a new solo project by Boston local, Sean Galbraith, brings a new appreciation for music that is genuine. Zen Riddles, his June 2017 album release is exactly that. While it is in some ways classic guitar pop in its catchy melodies, garage-y rhythms, and a wandering, psych influence, it is not intense in any of these characteristics. The music sits somewhat quietly behind the vocals, showing a clear presentation of lyrics. In this subtle decision, Brother Toaster shows a pride in lyricism and personal creation similar to singer-songwriter stylings. Still, it remains a fun guitar project, only enhanced by Galbraith’s pride in his own work. See the band live at The Great Scott July 18th. -Allie Miller

We doubt if there is a town with more gripes than Boston. That seems to be the reason for the abundance of pissed-off garage rock bands like Allston’s newest stars: Beeef. Since the release of their sarcastic 2017 release A Beeef CD, they received high praise from their own music scene, and celebrated local publications like Allston Pudding and Boston Hassle. That being said, we believe they are deserving of the attention, with charismatic, surfy guitars and jaunty rhythms. A Beeef CD is angsty, wronged, and heartbroken, but in all the right ways. This release shows a band that has found its place among its surrounding punks, and we hope they stay there. See them at Great Scott with Ian Sweet and Baby! on August 17th. -Allie Miller

Even with only one four-track EP under their belt (released in January 2017), NYC’s Dodgeball already showcase an intriguing ’90s revival sound influenced in equal parts by slack rock and post rock. A twisted, cranky guitar, an evocative nerd-boy singing, and a killer name that’s a 10 on the nostalgia scale. Like the mellower cousin of Ovlov or Krill, Dodgeball forge charmingly sad, somewhat hesitant songs, with the power to win you over. We are entranced by tracks like "Veggies" (streaming), constructed on a fragile web of intersecting guitar lines and precarious vocal melodies, slowly gaining more drive and density. Don’t miss their next show at Ridgewood Community College with Dark Tones, Oceanator, and Panoramic. – Allie Miller, photo by M.Cicchetti Photography.

Billy Changer is one of those artists that comes in and out of the LA spotlight, but somehow always manages to stick in your head. 2014’s release S/T is a groovy, innovative psych-pop record, with two memorable tracks like "Barbarella" and "Black Angel." Like anything on Lolipop, the fun-loving rival of Burger Records, the album is sun-drenched sweetness. 2016’s "Light and Shadow Under the Olive Tree" makes a more "organic" turn, with fewer effects and a more earthy lyric-driven sound, that’s borderline folk-pop. Listen to their new Soundcloud singles for their upcoming release or catch them at one of their national tour stops continuing now into September. – Allie Miller 

While we were still sobbing over the touchingly soft 2015 release of Skin Gets Hot, Fraternal Twin‘s debut album, Brooklyn Native Tom Christie went ahead and broke our hearts all over again. The sophomore release of "Homeworlding" in 2016 provided 10 more songs of even sweeter thoughtfulness. On that record, Christie went somewhat pop, covering all our favorite issues (space, ghosts, and nature), on songs like "Big Dipper," "Favorite Ghost," and "White Wind." Adding a handful of minor chords to each of those topics, "Homeworlding" turned into a fitting stay-in-bed album. Now in 2017, Fraternal Twin catches our attention again with their July tour. See them at Silent Barn July 11th with Stolen Jars, Thelma, and Poppies. -Allie Miller

There’s a reason Cende is stirring up so much excitement right now. It’s the amalgamation of musicians involving in other breakout NYC bands like LVL UP and Porches. Drummers Greg Rutkin and Cameron Wisch (of the aforementioned groups) are joined by Dave Medina and Bernard Casserly in what’s best described as a joyous, young indie rock band with math pop inclinations. The 8 tracks on their debut album "*#1 Hit Single" are a whirlwind of punk-rock, pairing a fast-paced guitars with bright, pure vocals. Cende’s current national tour with Alex G and Japanese Breakfast provides plenty of opportunities to see them for yourself. Catch them in Brooklyn on July 6th at Music Hall of Williamsburg. – Allie Miller

Horse Jumper of Love: still slow, still sad, still one of Boston’s biggest bands. Since the release of their 2016 self-titled EP they’ve been riding on a steady stream of positive reviews and constant bookings. As a result, much has been said about them, described by Consequence of Sound as incorporating "tempo and tone unwavering, like controlled breathing." Aside from sing-a-long tracks such as "Ugly Brunette" and "Bagel Breath" from their EP, they’ve also released "Orange Peeler," a thoughtful, shoegaze-ing journey through the band’s early songwriting and consistent use of spacey-sounding feedback. Horse Jumper of Love is not going anywhere. They recently finished touring with Spencer Radcliffe and Everyone Else, and will play the Great Scott once again on July 12th.-Allie Miller

We don’t think there will ever be a day when we’ll get tired of dream pop, and newbies Orchin are a confirmation of this. Perfectly timing their June tour with the start of summer, this group of Losangelinos is about to end their US tourwith a show in Phonex, AZ, on 06.30. With a sound and aesthetic reminiscent of beloved groups such as Tomorrow’s Tulips, Cosmonauts, or Froth, their lingering, cosmic new single “I Think I” (streaming) illustrates a deep familiarity of the genre, although featuring a slightly more aggressive twist to it. – Allie Miller

Green Day fans, fear not, there is a new band that will satisfy your pop-punk needs. NYC-based trio Remnants, which boasts several releases dating back to 2013 under their belt, brings back that positive, heartbroken spirit that you’d been missing with their 2017 release "True Places Never Are." With perfectly whiny vocals, energetic guitars, and sturdily reliable drums, Remnant has everything in the right place, and their power trio sound on songs like "Lay off the Book Club" and "Less Irony" (streaming) is nothing short of epic. Catch them on July 1st at Bushwick Public House. – Allie Miller