If you haven’t checked out Thick yet, now is probably a good time. The Brooklyn garage rock trio has been buzzing lately with a nod from The New York Times in an article on how women are making the best rock music and a feature on Glassnote Records Noteworthy Compilation. The attention is much deserved. Thick play hooky garage-pop that marries grit, power and three way harmonies. Whether you’re already a fan or just want to see what the hype is about, you can catch the band at Union Pool on November 9 with The Wants, BLED, and Future Twin. – Cameron Carr

It’s been just over a year since Sam Kogon released his second album, the retro psych-pop affair Pyschic Tears. After finishing up a summer tour, the vintage gear-aficionado has turned a little quiet—tribute to the Kinks here, another for Tom Petty there, a spare demo to a benefit release a few months back. Maybe the ‘70s rock lover is cooking up something new, who’s to say? Regardless, you’ll be able to catch up when Kogan and crew perform at Baby’s All Right on November 12^th. Brace yourselves for the baroque pop melodies and jangling guitars. – CC

Soccer Mommy’s music is starkly intimate. Frontwoman Sophie Allison’s writing pairs personal stories with bedroom pop honesty, but if you ever doubted that intimacy would translate to a live setting check out the band’s recently released Audiotree Live session. It’s proof that Soccer Mommy’s music works just as well live and evidence for the band’s recent buzz, fed – among other things – by her full length released on Fat Possum Records and by Allison’s participation in a New York Times discussion on women in rock music. Experience it for yourself on November 14^th when Soccer Mommy headlines at Baby’s All Right.  – Cameron Carr

If you’re a fan of Florist’s ambient folk melodies and subtle production, you’re probably pretty excited about the group’s latest album and October 27^th headlining show at The Park Church Co-op. You’ll probably also fall for opener Lizard Kisses. The Brooklyn collective’s music has a similar melancholic minimalism, though veering in its own directions. Light on percussion, heavy on dual low-high vocals, and full of charming instrumentation like synth and glockenspiel, Lizard Kisses’ sound is somber and heartwarming at the same time. Get to the show early and see if you can resist falling for them. – Cameron Carr

Returning with a fifth album set to further the band’s exploration of ambience and shoegazey guitar effects, Grooms brings the music to Brooklyn Bazaar on October 25. Lead singles from Exit Index showcase swelling synths amidst the moody wash of sound without straying from Grooms’ usual noisy fare. The band’s brigade of fuzz and other-worldly effects is ideal for live shows where the onslaught of guitar and drums crashes into you with the force of a brick wall. One of the few brick walls you should be excited to crash into. – Cameron Carr

Though in all likelihood failing to live up to the ambition of its title (no trap beats or Katy Perry features here), Cende’s debut album #1 Hit Single stomps with an impressive dazzle. In a spectacle of jangling guitars and it-came-from-the-garage energy, the eight tracks flutter by in less than 25 minutes. It’s so quick you barely let the four power poppers into your heart before they leave you crying “wait!” from the doorstep. It’s an easy album to throw on repeat and play over and over—just don’t wear it out before December 9th when Cende opens for Vagabon at The Bowery Ballroom alongside Radiator Hospital. – Cameron Carr

Gasping beneath scuzzy guitars and fried drums beats, there is a just audible voice in Maneka. We’ve all heard it before, waiting for the subway or walking alongside traffic, struggling to be heard over the cacophony of roars and clanks and screeches. Devin McKnight, the mastermind of Maneka, orchestrates the chaos like a symphony. Grunge era fuzz, squealing noise, and lo-fi production meld into one on the former Speedy Ortiz guitarist’s debut album Is You Is. In celebration of the official cassette tape release on Exploding In Sound Records, Maneka performs at Sunnyvale on September 30th. – Cameron Carr