Cool Company’s 2016 album, Slice of Paradise, is a salient and smooth piece of R&B/neo soul and hip-hop fusion. Each song is rife with enticing percussion, hypnotic melodies and deceptively intricate, jazz-like chord progressions. The album is appealing and original, a testament to Cool Company’s potential for greatness. The band will be bringing their smooth sound to at Elsewhere on 03.18, alongside Argonaut & Wasp and Miles Francis. Check out "Slice of Paradise" below! – Ethan Ames

 "I Don’t Mind," off New York’s Native Sun‘s 2017 EP, Songs Born From Love and Hate, is eminently danceable, particularly for fans of ’70s punk and the moody, ’90s alt-rock of The Pixies. With their unrelentingly heavy drums, growling power chord-laden guitars, and in your face vocals, the band wears their punk influences on their sleeve, but enjoys occasional drifts into unsettling, psychedelic territory. For Native Sun, however, brevity is an asset, and they don’t wade too long in the muddy waters of psychedelia before bringing it back to the meat of the song. It’s compelling and energetic music which makes for a rollicking live show. Check out "I Don’t Mind" below, and don’t miss them when they play at Baby’s All Right on 03.18, with Yaasss and Coco Verde! – Ethan Ames

Rivergazer, the solo project of New York guitarist and songwriter Kevin Farrant, is playing at Rough Trade NYC on 03.15, with Tall Heights. Farrant, also known for his work as lead guitarist in Porches, is a contemplative and versatile songwriter. His most recent release, 2017’s Giver, showcases his ability to find his own unique groove across a broad palette of musical styles. Though the album is an inviting blend of indie pop, funk and R&B sensibilities, Farrant’s smooth, polished arrangements belie the turmoil and vulnerability contained within his lyrics. On "Loves the Hardest," featuring Greta Kline (a.k.a. Frankie Cosmos), Farrant indulges in lush synthesizers and autotuned vocals, over which he muses on love and loss: "I never wanna be the one/To say it’s over when it’s done." Listen to "Loves the Hardest" below, and don’t miss Rivergazer at Rough Trade NYC on the 15th! – Ethan Ames

On her latest singles, Raycee Jones comes across as a genre-bending artist with a wide range of influences. A self-professed protégé of Jill Scott, Beyoncé and Amy Winehouse, Jones writes songs that are sonically innovative. Her tracks contain warbling synths, chimes, complex beats and confessional lyrics. A regular performer at Rockwood Music Hall, Raycee is currently in the studio working on her debut EP. She’ll be performing with Joan As Police Woman at a (secret) show organized by Amnesty International on September 20th. Listen to "The Bomb" below! –Ethan Ames

Brooklyn noise punk band Weeping Icon (featuring ex members of Advaeta) released its debut EP, Eyeball Under, on July 14th on Kanine / Fire Talk Records. Their first single, "Jail Billz," is alight with menace and confidence, blending elements of post punk and hardcore, with nasal sounding fuzz guitars, drums proceeding at breakneck speed, and manic vocals referencing vintage ’77 punk. Weeping Icon will bring this madness to Alphaville in Brooklyn on July 15th. Listen to "Jail Billz" below! – Ethan Ames

The Fell Swoop, a Bay-area eight-piece R&B/soul band, will play at Hotel Utah Saloon on August 1st, alongside J.O.A. and Mighty Brother. On their most recent EP, Lions for Days, The Fell Swoop showcases a broad stylistic mastery, blending ’70s funk, blues, soul and even hints of disco with sincerity and ease. Check out the EP below! – Ethan Ames

Bay-area garage/punk band Dirty Denim will be playing Rickshaw Stop on July 27th. On their self-titled demo, the four-piece is at once playful and attitudinal. The three-song demo incorporates elements of punk, surf, new wave, indie and even hints of Motown. Yet, Dirty Denim’s sound is very much their own, and it’s instantly catchy. Chances are, you’ll be humming "Meant to Be" for a few days after one listen. –Ethan Ames

San Francisco pop-punk band, The New Catastrophes, will play Bottom of the Hill on August 8th. On their 2016 full-length release, Your One Regret, the band deftly carries the torch of ’90s and early 2000s emo/pop-punk in the vein of Brand New and Green Day with tight song structures and high-energy angst. –Ethan Ames

Bay-area psych quartet Silent Pictures will co-headline a show at Bottom of the Hill on July 28th, alongside United Ghosts and Breaking Lights. On their 2016 full-length release, Let It Begin, Silent Pictures weaves a melancholic tapestry of minor-key disillusionment. The band blends elements of Brit-pop, punk and new wave into a polished and impressive display of musicianship and cerebral songwriting sensibility. –Ethan Ames

Bay area psych-funk band, Loos Leaf, recently released a new single, "Green Eyed Stare." A kaleidoscopic fusion of funk, R&B, dub, jazz and psych-rock, "Green Eyed Stare" showcases the band’s mastery of complex time signatures and a zealousness to blend diverse styles into one composition. Loos Leaf will play a record release show on September 30th at Kuumbwa Jazz. Listen to the single below! – Ethan Ames

Brooklyn non-profit venue National Sawdust is hosting The Revolution Vol. 17 on July 29th, a monthly installment in an ongoing performance series sponsored by The Deli. The Revolution is a showcase of Brooklyn and Harlem-based performers who advocate for community empowerment, change and activism through the arts. Featured this month are the hip-hop/soul powerhouse Cross Culture, the jarring and introspective songwriting of beccs, and the smooth R&B stylings of Bridget Perez. You can listen to some of their music below! – Ethan Ames

Bay-area indie pop band Søndags recently released a new track called "Haunted Paradise." The song is a mellow homage to myriad genres: the reverb-laden guitars and distant drums are reminiscent of Motown and surf rock, and Jason Swihart’s vocals invoke Joy Division and The Kinks. It’s an understated yet self-assured pop song, clocking in at just under two and a half minutes. Follow the link to hear "Haunted Paradise," and listen to "Ghost Woman" below! – Ethan Ames