Garage rockers Sharkmuffin will release their latest EP “Gamma Gardening” on April 5th via Exploding In Sound Records. The five track’s depict an outlandish sci-fi rock opera centered around a character named Serpentina who is pursued by The Atomic Gardening Society. EP opener “Receptionist” sets the sonic tone for the entire record with its loose, live-in-the-studio vibe. Overall, the songs are built around an angular bass-lines, a loose, busy hi-hat, chunky guitar chords and Tarra Thiessen’s trademark caterwauling vocal style. “Designer Baby” drops down into a more sinister, echo-heavy tone breaking off into multiple tempos and b-movie-stylke outerspace effects. Current single “Serpentina” (streaming below) chugs along via Jordyn Blakely’s syncopated percussion, pitch-bended guitar strokes and Natalie Kirch’s rubbery bassline. “Too Many Knobs” is an over six minute raveup that sounds like Fun House-era Stooges. Final track “Fate” (their first single) brings things back to earth with a strolling, guitar-heavy love-tinged theme. The band will play their EP release show at Alphaville on 4/5 with Haybaby, CATTY and Gustaf. –Dave Cromwell

Equal measures of industrial rock, seductive vocals and fashion glamour are woven together in the music of Turbo Goth. As popularity continues to grow in both their native Philippines and adopted home of NYC, the duo of Paolo Peralta and Sarah Gaugler now sets their sights on an official SXSW showcase. A new album titled “Master Force” is in the works, with first video single “Love Will Be All there Is” (streaming below) giving us a taste of what’s coming, with its close-up focusing on guitar strokes that sound like synth bursts in between Sarah’s sensual vocals lines. Its forward stomping progression, bass-buzzing crunch and Paolo’s slo-mo hair-flying movements are tempered by Sarah’s flirtatious come-hither vocals and graceful tattooed body. Picture a less-pop (and much cooler) Ariana Grande fronting a band like Ministry for what this band has to offer. They play an official SXSW showcase on 3/11 at Valhalla. – Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn electronic psych rock duo GHXST dropped their latest digital album “Gloom” at the end of 2018. After playing a select number of hand picked shows around the release date, they are now preparing to showcase the new material at this years SXSW music festival. Lead track “Hunger” immediately establishes a dark, slow-burn foreboding that places emphasis on deep-end howling guitars, many of them sampled. Dreamy female vocals come adorned with a level of unsettling doom that would surely please David Lynch and his fans. Additional tracks like “Ocean is a Desert” and “Vaquero” continue that vibe while adding eery electronic elements reminiscent of Swiss industrial guitar-rock pioneers The Young Gods. “Bad Blood II” introduces a pulsating electronic synth progression, while “Ride” digs down into a bass-tone heavy groove that A Place To Bury Strangers frequently resides. Final track “Heatwaves” incorporates bended slide-guitar along with its apprehensive vocal delivery, dark ambience and snaking progression. GHXST will be performin at an official SXSW showcase on 3/13 at BD Riley’s. – Dave Cromwell

The early roots of rock and roll are on full display in NYC’s Screamin’ Rebel Angels sophmore album “Heel Grinder.” Out via newly launched Hey-Lo Records, the full-length is set for release on 1/24. Fronted by dynamic, flame haired, tatood and glamorous Laura Palmer, the band evoke in each of the 13 tracks of the record the sprit of Littile Richard, Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline . Lead single “Oh! My Soul” (streaming below) in fact covers the legendary (Little) Richard Penniman, infusing it with it an additional level of barrelhouse, juke joint boogie-woogie. The accompanying video features red-hot Laura and her equally alluring “conjurers” tapping into the spirit world via tarot cards, magic potions, ouija boards and adorable Chihuahau puppies! Deeper tracks touch on elements of rockabilly (“Hands Off,” “Iris”), early Sun Sessions era Elvis (“I Believe”) and a blusey stroll, torch song raveup (“Something on your Mind”). The band celebrate with a record release show at The Mercury Lounge on Friday, 1/25. – Dave Cromwell

Psych rock is a genre that can encompass a spectrum of sounds ranging from pop-oriented songs to less-defined and at times downright chaotic jams. Risen to semi-celebrity status in NYC through busking in the subway to the tune of songs by the Beatles, Rockaway Beach, New York’s Blac Rabbit create music that falls in the former category, with precise song structures and thoughtful lyrical content. What bridges those extreme ends is a like-minded penchant for phased guitar textures and dreamy introspection. After impressing with their debut 6 track EP a year ago, the band recently released new single “Seize The Day” (streaming below) from their forthcoming record "Interstella," due out in early 2019. While their debut record made no apologies for its floating Tame Impala influences, this new track comes on with a heavier edge. An angular guitar riff drives everything forward in tandem with more forceful drumming. While vocals are bathed in effects associated with the psychedelic experience, lyrics speak to being more grounded. Rather than “living in a cloud,” instead “I’m living my life loud,” and how “once you seize the day, you’ll wonder why your feet have left the ground.” The band ring in the new year by headlining two shows at The Mercury Lounge on 12/30 and 12/31. – Dave Cromwell

Our sister blog Delicious Audio asked Blac Rabbit a few questions about their musical influences, gear and the creative process here.

Having spent the month of November touring numerous west coast cities together, Felte Records label mates Public Memory and Devon Church celebrate their respective new releases with a show at Alphaville on 11/30. Robert Toher’s Public Memory (previously featured here) released his second full-length album “Demolition” earlier this month, with lead single “The Line” (streaming below) making an immediate impresson. On an hypnotic trip-hop beat, layers of synths and samples create dark and atmospheric soundscapes. Vocals soon emerge within deeper padding textures as space is cleared for additional live drums. As the track continues to progress, elements of sampled voices materialize, adding one more element to its otherworldly nature. Both albums can be streamed everywhere and ordered at the Felte bandcamp page here. – Dave Cromwell

Punk rock has taken on a number of forms since it’s emergence in the late 70’s. While some artists have celebrated its more abrasive aspects, many others embraced the speed and energy while adding melodic elements to it. Brooklyn’s Fat Heaven‘s new two-minute-long single “Crybaby”, with its aggressive and punchy power trio sound, clearly falls within the genre, with the band’s penchant for catchy vocal melodies placing them closer to poppier acts like Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. That said, there’s certainly enough edge on “Crybaby” to fuel a mosh pit.  The band’s lyrics, included on each of the four videos linked to the EP’s tracks, indicate thought behind the rhymes. “Suburban Nightmare” doubles-down on that approach with a high-powered lament on the working life. “Never Needed You” provides the perfect break-up song for those who’ve been in (and then out of) a relationship. Final cut “Fashionista” adds a 50’s feel to the progression while calling out style appropriation when it’s merely a pose. The band is promoting a live show on 11/16 at a “secret location” (DM them for address). – Dave Cromwell

There is an alluring, melancholy feel to much of New York City based trio Hotline‘s music. Throughout their recently released 10AM EP a sense of longing and sadness can be felt. “Anywhere Else” leads off with an unadorned jangly pop enhanced by smooth, ethereal vocals. Atypical chord changes emerge, creating a bridge between the primary melodic progression. The universal theme of wanting to be “anywhere else” resonates with those looking to break out of their rut and just “go.” Angular, flowing arpeggios and busy snare drum rolls create the shifting undercurrent on “One Of Us”. However, more structured chords establish an instrumental break between verses, where a songs chorus frequently resides. Adding an extended over two minute open note instrumental coda sees the band dipping into early Sonic Youth territory. “Black Sequins” floats like a whimsical ride on some distant lazy river. Final cut “Soda Lime” moves with pace and purpose, capturing the thematic yearning running through the entire record. Hotline have two shows coming up, playing Alphaville on 11/12 with Wolf Diamond and Hygieia and then on 12/2 at Secret Project Robot. – Dave Cromwell

Dreampop is never out of fashion it seems, with selected members of each new generation embracing that classic 1990’s sound. NYC trio Isla Invisible have accurately captured the mood of this era on their recently released debut EP1 via Velvet Blue Music. With their obvious (and admitted) influences such as Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and next decade practioners The xx on display, the group delivers in single Pillow (streaming) a waltz with the pace of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You,” a song that lulls you into a hypnagogic state where melody ultimately merges with an overwhelming cathedral of organs and guitars. It’s a potent formula, eliciting waves of emotional responses and feelings while immersed in this ethereal world. Second track “Outward” impeccably captures the male-female tandem vocals of Slowdive’s Neil and Rachel, emphasizing similarly styled minor key harmonies. Those harmonies go even further on third song “Frail Device” where soft female voices swirl around in the background and complement the centrally placed male vocal line. The 7” vinyl is now available for order, and accompanying download card comes with 2 bonus tracks. –Dave Cromwell

After honing their skills through a variety of production work and live show appearances, Brooklyn indie pop-rockers Gamblers have released the debut EP Corinthian Order (streaming below). The opening title track makes use of retro Farfisa-style keys, plucked electronic sounds and unadorned guitar arpeggios as a softly sung tale of breakup builds towards its do-do-do denouement. “We’re Bound To Be Together” masquerades outwardly as a buoyant uptempo rocker with Strokes-style churning guitars and Beatles-eque harmonies. A dichotomy is revealed as those words of love are meant to reflect an addict’s blissful state while on drugs. “Heavenly Mouse Routine” leans on its forward march beat, buzzy synth texture and staccato plucked guitar to approximate the repetitiveness that afflicts humanity. “There Was A Window” builds off the bands’ hip-hop production roots with percussive underpinnings serving an otherwise lo-fi/slacker rock approach. Closing track “The Selfish Bell” initially rocks harder through its chunky drum beat, distorted electric guitars and snaking bass line; falsetto vocals depict scenarios of self-imposed limitations against an expanding, near prog-rock-like composition. The EP is available for ordering via itunes as well as streaming on spotify. – Dave Cromwell

Emerging out of NYC’s psych and noise rock scene, The Sofas premiere their latest single “Keep Pass Turn Again” here today. While the track features an explosive wall of buzzing bees guitars and heavy snare drum, the vocal approach is softer and dreamier.  Lyrics “it is strong – but I feel it when you’re not around” are delivered with the cool detachment of J. Mascis on early Dinosaur Jr. records. Sonic breaks between central vocal phrase “burning out” include momentary bursts of chaos along with a well-placed minor chord. “Is this not enough? Enough to keep you waiting?” ushers in a pitch-bendy change, aligning more closely with fellow gazey rockers like Ringo Deathstarr. Extending this segment until the track’s end allows the blending of guitars and vocals to provide an ultimately uplifting warmth. The band’s full album “Chop Water” was mixed by Bill Skibbe (Protomartyr, The Kills, Blonde Redhead) and will be released by Jurrasic Pop Records on 9/14. –Dave Cromwell

It’s been over four years since Like Herding Cats put out proper studio recordings of new material.  With the recent release of their Curious Faces EP, the band delivers five creatively stimulating and impeccably recorded tracks.  Along with the record comes the accompanying music video for their single “Affliction”, streaming below.  Employing his own Carousel Media House video production company, frontman Dom P produced and directed this visually striking achievement. Filmed in a historic Catskills home, the imagery depicts a stylish but troubled woman with precise quick cuts and focused details. The song itself is a brilliant update on the very best elements of mid-80’s-to-early-90’s alternative pop.  From the opening three snare drum shots, warm keyboard pads, quick pulsing bass guitar and distinctive repeated sonic hook–echoed by overlaying guitar licks–every note has it’s place and purpose. Like Herding Cats play next at Coney Island Baby on 8/9 with Slowness, Heavy Birds and Holy Tunics. – Dave Cromwell