A label like “Bipolar folk” might leave you scratching your head, but for Kera and the Lesbians, the description fits. Their music is characterized by mood swings: The LA-based duo manages to span a multitude of genres, with singer Kera serving up garage-soul vocals against waves of dark, southern brass, and desert-folk guitar riffs. With an album and 2 EPS under their belt, the band has yet to shy away from experimenting with their sound. Their latest single “I’m Late” (streaming below) demonstrates the band’s chameleon capabilities with a smooth serenade.-Tafari Lemma

Within the first verse of Umi Copper’s single, “All”, the singer asserts an engaging mixture of soul and R&B–his soothing vocals flow and enchant. The track draws from an emotive range of tones, showcasing lively percussion reminiscent of 70’s afrobeat, and ethereal, orchestrated harmonies, that lusciously serve his lyrics about enduring and unconditional love. The track marks the debut of Copper, who has previously worked among local soul producers. Listen to the new single “All” below. –Tafari Lemma

Though we’ve seen quite a few musical icons make headlines in the fashion world *coughKanyecough*, it’s quite rare to see someone from fashion make the switch to music. Enter holywater, a photographer, fashion curator and the head of creative collective Virgin Gold Cult, who is now also making her foray into music under the same name. And not content to simply get her toes wet, she has dove in head first with "Hush," a moody, yet upbeat collaboration with Cruel Youth. Over the track’s party-ready instrumental, Teddy Sinclair of CY sings with fiery passion, trying to rekindle an old flame that seems to have burned them both out long ago. "Hush" is a very promising start to holywater’s musical career, and is hopefully only the beginning of exciting collaborations in the future. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Brooklyn-based band Mutilation Rites offers a sound that fans of most metal sub-genres can mosh to, since they fuse elements of black, thrash, and death metal. The vocals on their 2014 release Harbinger employ metal’s raspy, high pitched shrieks, while also utilizing the deep and guttural growls from death metal. “Black Pyramid” sets the tone for the album, coming out of the gate with a relentless assault from drummer Justin Ennis (ex-Tomb), however the band does know when to step back from the brutality and settle on slower and groovier moments. The band just announced a fall US tour kicking off with two dates at the Knit on October 16 and 17. – John Honan

In their new album Old Dog, New Tricks, released in May 2017, Brooklyn band Flearoy adapts old and new classics to their textured and elegant roots pop. Popular songs ranging from The Zombies’ “Time of the Season” to Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” find a new light in the five piece’s fusion of vintage motown soul vibes with a folky instrumentation. – Tafari Lemma

Indie-pop artist Majken returns to awe listeners with her new single “Fainted Love.” The track features the artist’s distinct mix of whimsical and cheerful lyrics, intertwined with clean-yet-jumpy rhythms that capture a lucid landscape. This song, however, is just a taste of what’s to come. The nordic-born artist is set to release a full album, Dancing Mountains, in August–a record which details her personal stories of living between Denmark and LA, while also paying homage to her experimental and dreamy influences. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Dancing Mountains’ release but in the meantime, listen to the new single below.-Tafari Lemma

After releasing their debut album earlier this year, NYC’s lounge pop band Office Culture is scheduled to play C’Mon Everybody on July 14th. With vocals reminiscent of Smokey Robinson, and slow and groovy instrumentals interwoven with refined pop and jazz influences, these Brooklyn natives conjure up smooth music that’s at once sophisticated and easy to the ear. Catch them at their LP release show at Sunnyvale 6.11.

New York duo Andy Suzuki & The Method does not shy away from developing rewarding, eerily mixed pop songs. Their third album, The Glass Hour, released in February, indicates a steady transition from the live band folk-rock pop of their previous installments to their current R&B and alternative rock sound, providing a positively translucent record which still yields their folk roots. The album further incorporates rhythmic percussion, both electronic and live, topped off with catchy melodic vocals which endorse both thoughtful experimentation and skillful experience. Catch the duo at the Mercury Lounge on 06.29. –Tafari Lemma

New York artist Quiet Luke treks over an interesting array of styles, blending sedated but emotional lyrics that heed to the classic R&B feel, with distorted electronic beats and heavily modulated synth lines accompanied by funky, staccato guitar parts. He released his debut album Beholden last year, which included the energized single “Escapist” (streaming), a track embodying his exploration of modern electronica styles and signature vocals, serving as a bold debut for the young artist. You can see Quiet Luke live at Sunnyvale on July 20st. – Tafari Lemma 

In May 2016, NYC’s Thirdstory released their debut EP ‘Searching’, a feel-good, folk-rock album with epic pop overtones that ended up resonating with tens of thousand of people. “Searching For A Feeling”, the first track off the EP, combines open, honest lyrics that reflect the contemporary struggles of today’s hookup culture with layers of vocals and guitars that build in emotion. Check it out below and, if this is your cup of tea, don’t miss their upcoming show at Warsaw this Friday June 23rd. – Ashley Muniz

With a minimal presence on social media, little is known about noise rock band Squad Car, besides the fact that they are not afraid to get loud (and messy). Their debut EP ‘Eschaton’ features seemingly endless combinations of screeching guitars, nearly indecipherable shouts, and relentless drum lines, laid on a bleeding bed of post-hardcore anger. – Lilly Milman

The chorus is the most memorable part of Nashville-based garage rock quartet Early Humans’ new single “Verge” (streaming below.) Instead of getting boring, the repetition of the phrase “I’m on the verge” is actually electrifying—Hart Williams’ vocals increase in power with every line, layering perfectly over the thrashing guitars to create an infectious rhythm (think early Weezer.) A fairly new band who has already seen their fair share of recognition, Early Humans describe the feeling of being “almost there, but not yet.” They will be bringing this energy to The End on June 21st at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman