Brooklyn’s Small Black is on their Fall US tour promoting their third full-length release, Best Blues, an album whose… blue aura is likely to resonate with us in our toughest days in the city. The lyrics “loss of wonder,” “A sea of pasts,” and “pictures of youth / picturing you” from the track “Boy’s Life” express these feelings linguistically, while the tight-knit electronic soundscape recreate them musically, supported by a rhythm section that doesn’t renounce a dancy, upbeat tempo. The lyrics are embedded within layers of spacious synths, warm piano embellishments, guitars lingering behind, and the graceful ambience of Kolenik’s vocals. Small Black will be back in New York on November 14 for their performance at Warsaw Concert. In the meantime, listen to “Boy’s Life” down below. – Ashley Muniz

Brooklyn-based, instrumental electro trio Forma released their third full-length album Physicalist on September 23rd, and are now ready to bring their new, hypnotic sound to the stage. The album contains astonishing soundscapes, mostly carved from synchronized arpeggiators and atmospheric pad sounds.The title track (streaming below) id founded on a loose rhythmic foundation created by drum machines and swelling arpeggiated synths. But it is the organic breath of flute that carries the piece and creates an expansive sonic dimension. Experience Forma live at The Good Room on November 2nd (the show was moved from Market Hotel). – Ashley Muniz

Uber obscure NYC artist Fritz Cook croons cool, doo-woop-flavored acid dreams that will lull his listeners down the blithe headspace of Alice’s rabbit hole. The Brooklyn-based artist, aka Michael Busse, has a set of pipes so buttery that you could just melt into them, and they’re paired with instrumentals that feel both familiar and strange–maybe like a ’45 that’s been left out in the sun too long. Check out b-side "Tundra Rye" off of the newly released Sings streaming below. You can see Fritz live at Sunnyvale this Saturday October 22, supporting Miniature Tigers. – Olivia Sisinni

The Yeahtones’ debut album is 9 tracks of snarling, garagey blues rock that hit the listener with fuzzy, sledgehammer riffs right out of the gate. The LP, titled Eviction Notice, promises lots of bluesy licks and sweeping visceral payouts, all while managing catchy, melodic leads. Though the album is called Eviction Notice, I think it’s safe to say that the Yeahtones won’t be getting kicked to the curb anytime soon. Listen to the premiere of Eviction Notice streaming below, and catch the Yeahtones at their album release party at Rockwood’s Stage 2 on November 6th. – Olivia Sisinni

Claiming to have been “writing music that makes all the moms cry since ’96,” singer/songwriter Theo Kandel writes straight from the heart. In his single, “Jumping Ship” he has a strong command of voice, knowing when to belt and when to soften up a bit to create a truly genuine song.  Inspired by the likes of The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, and Bob Dylan, his poetic lyrics are seamlessly accompanied by the soft strumming of a guitar.  Having recently played a show at Rockwood Music Hall, Theo Kandel is working on new music aimed at make you think, and possibly, cry. – Madeleine Grossman 

Those who enjoy soft, evocative music that lets their minds wander to other places should take a close listen to nu-soul New York based songwriter Warren Wolfe. With its James Blake influences, soft synths and clean guitar arpeggios, his songs can act as a refuge for our melancholia.  In his break out single “Thought’” Wolfe layers a slight falsetto upon slow electronic beats in a way that is comforting and heartbreaking at the same time.  His most recent release “Take The Fall” (streaming) shows the same sensibilities and leaves us with the promise of a soon to come, heart breaking EP. – Madeleine Grossman, photo by André Wheeler 

Returning for it’s third night, Deli NYC sponsored event, The Hum will be back at the Manhattan Inn with another killer line up. The three set event will feature artists like Emmy the Great, Allison Miller, and Shannon Lee to name a few. These are super talented musicians and it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of music will be produced through these collaborations. This is part of the month-long residency – presented by Hypnocraft and sponsored by The Deli, that is aimed at spotlighting female musicians across a wide variety of genres. Check out the full line up below, and catch the event happening every Monday in October. – Olivia Sisinni

Monday, October 17 | 8PM | Artist Line Up:

Emmy The Great + Jo Lampert (tune-yards) + Margot //

Allison Miller (BOOM TIC BOOM) + Domenica Fossati (Underground System) + Kendra Morris //

Melodie Stancato (Swoon Lake) + Sarah Kinlaw (SOFTSPOT) + Shannon Lee (Teen Body) //

Here’s streaming content for the NYC based artists in the list:

Brooklyn by way of Bogota artist, Ela Minus, crafts intricate electronic melodies that feel avant but strangely absorbing. Her instrumentals, which are strong but subtle, are paired with a quirky, gossamer vocal performance, and the combination of the two–especially on standout track "Volcán"–creates an unexpectedly bright track that might make your day. Ela Minus has a new record scheduled for a November release. Catch her live at Sunnyvale 10/22 with Miniature Tigers, and in the meantime stream her below. – Olivia Sisinni

LI punk legend Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb the Music Industry! Arrogant Sons of Bitches, as well as a host of other projects), is dropping another album tomorrow, and rue punks (like us) should be stoked. Worry—the follow up release to 2015’s We Cool?—is an album that balances Rosenstock’s fun, high-energy musical approach, with his skill at penning thoughtful, honest narratives. It’s main aim involves exploring the external forces that contribute to depression and anxiety in the world, but despite the heavy subject matter, Rosenstock manages to pull off self-aware, punk anthems that feel candid yet encouraging. Check out his single for "Wave Goodnight to Me" below, and catch him live at Villian 11/18 with Hard Girls and Katie Ellen.-Olivia Sisinni

Painting moody landscapes that could easily be the backdrop for a dystopian future, Jon Fay‘s music feels effortlessly enigmatic and prowling. His tracks are delicate, but set against growling basslines, they take on more sinister tones and wind dangerously down echo-y corridors. You can check out Jon Fay as a part of the upcoming BEMF festival on 11/5 at the Panther Room with Route 8 and Asquith, but in the meantime, hit the play button below. – Olivia Sisinni

Here’s a video that will send you mixed messages (upliftingly cringeworthy?) by NYC/LA based artist Henry Hall for new single "Dream Lover". It starts off with the artist standing in front of a green screen, gazing into the camera with sympathetic eyes, and singing amidst an escalating rhythmic groove defined by a tight, punchy beat and brisk guitar strums… until the words "I’m in love with my girlfriend’s sister" are uttered, after which Henry breaks out a goofy smile, and begins to dance, his body overimposed on a montage of vintage movies. It is dark, but it’s quite humorous as well. Check it out down below, catch him live at LA’s The Hotel Cafe on October 14, and stay tuned if you want more, there’s an EP underway! – Ashley Muniz

The blurring of the lines between the hip-hop and RnB genres has been an exciting development in recent years. Headliners like Frank Ocean, and Isaiah Rashad have highlighted a generation of emcees that like to sing, or crooners that spit bars on ocassion. deem spencer is an emerging Queens based artist that belongs to this category. Over the past year, the he has maintained a steady stream of output, culiminating in the release of his Sunflowers EP a month ago. Spencer’s appeal as an artist lies in striking, abstract lyrics and tense, atmospheric production. His backing instrumentals, while lush, are also stripped down, allowing for his poetic lyrics and soft vocals, whether they be sung or rapped, to take center stage. If his music puts you in the mood, you can check him out live on 10/16 at Don Pedro. – Henry Solotaroff-Webber