In her blend of folk and pop Brooklyn-based artist Kira Metcalf mixes poetry with a variety of genres. Listening to her new LP Indelicate, this young talent writes songs about women’s experiences with the self-assuredness of a seasoned performer and an enviable introspective quality. Opening track "I Had a Head," is an acappella number that is as satisfying for its harmonizations as it is for Metcalf’s voice. "Thornbird" is an unexpected change in style, in part reminiscent of rock songwriters of 90’s like The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan or – more recently – Paramore’s Hayley Williams. 

Her new music video for "Lily" is equally poignant, showcasing Kira’s keenness to investigate moments that escape most of us. The line, "to have what I crave feels like a trick" is the song’s takeaway and the perfect summary of a personality that enjoys intellectual and lyrical reflection over… simple enjoyment. Kira Metcalf will perform live at Elsewhere’s Zone One on July 24th. – Susan Moon

The output of NYC-based Ghost Funk Orchestra is becoming increasingly more sophisticated, and the group is also playing more frequently this year, which is always a good sign. Their most recent LP release, A Song For Paul (a band member’s grandfather) is a complex matter propelled by a 10-piece band comprising horns, woodwinds, strings, keys, a tambourine, on top of the expected drums/bass/guitar. Their latest single "Skin I’m In" is an excersize of restrained psychedelia at times reminiscent of unforgettable British band Broadcast.

Featuring effected vocals that span layers of groovy orchestral textures, the single seemlessly blends elements from ganres as disparate as funk, noise rock and Eastern music. This is one of the coolest track we stumbled upon this year; you can check out Ghost Funk Orchestra at Elsewhere on July 30th at 8 PM. – Susan Moon

Visionary music producer David Sisko is releasing a summer mixtape ("#1 Summer") to launch his NYC-based independent record label, Arena 01. Sisko has made quite the name for himself with his production approach to blur genre lines in favor of balancing creative expression with technical innovation. His credits include small and big artists like Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Gwen Stefani, and Sandflower, to name a few.  #1 Summer will be out on July 5th on all digital platforms worldwide. – Susan Moon

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"I don’t care what you think about it / because everything is perfect," the lyrics of "Lost in the Moment" say. The line is appropriately groveled and sung by Ultra Major, bringing listeners into four or so minutes of existential self-reflection, within an in-your-face sonic environment. In keeping with the best rock’n’roll tradition, both their singles released to date ("Lost in the Moment" and "Drag") promote of letting go of control, revealing influences by ’90s heavyweights like Foo Fighters and Smashing Punpkins with an added emo element to the mix.  

The band’s sonic identity consists of muddy, distorted guitars, fast-paced drums, and filtered vocals. Their lyrics, which channel apathy and existentialism in ways alternatively soft and dramatic, bring up big questions regarding personal search and the quest for peace of mind – without providing answers. While "Lost in the Moment" makes the case for isolation and solace, "Drag" assures the listener that moving forward is the only answer. You’ll be able to see the group live at Baby’s All Right on July 11th. – Susan Moon

 

NYC band Cindy Cane is going to have a busy summer of 2019, with six live shows scheduled in NYC between July and August. That is either a sign of naiveté or of buzzworthy status, since getting enough fans to a gig twice a year is already a struggle for most emerging NYC bands  – we’ll see how that pans out! The "post-everything" band seems intent on rejecting genre constraints in favor of imposing a peculiarly lo-fi and post-punk inspired character on genres as disparate as cold wave and folk music. The mangled ‘country’ of east river take me under (streaming below) feels like the only possible kind of folk a city like New York can produce. Don’t miss their upcoming show at the Knitting Factory within the Brooklyn Psych Fest on July 6th.

In Volume #40 of the Revolution, a performance series involving emerging NYC artists curated by The National Sawdust, Harlem-based TANSU, NYC’s saxophone quartet The Side Project, and Brooklyn singer and songwriter Miranda Joan will be joining together to share Williamsburg venue’s stage on June 29th.

TANSU’s story includes studies at The Berklee College of Music, one of the few music schools able to develop well-roundied musical artists. Her voice has an impressive strength and vocal range, propelling her modern and sophisticated soul-pop style. Singer songwriter Miranda Joan, who has collaborated already with The Side Project, offers a more mellow and lush take on soul-pop, with electronic flourishes that don’t affect the genre’s signature relatability. The Side Project, a sax and voice ensemble dedicated to covers of pop hits and led by the saxophonist and producer Éyal Hai, boasts a roster of past shows at The Brooklyn Bowl and The Art Institute of NYC. They recently released their first album, ‘#ThisPartySax’ under the label Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Records. Tickets for the June 29th show are on sale now here.

The Brooklyn-based dreamfolk band a.harlana has released this new video for their song, "Textile Workers" from their latest EP ada belle. The trio started their career making shoegaze-type textured music with a 2018 release of sparse, simple covers, titled adventure dog covers. In 2019, their changes are coming from within: realizing a creative process that nurtured original music, the band locked themselves away for approximately a month, churning out the three songs "Textile Workers," "Faces," and "The Thunderings Are Nearly Through." 

The wistfulness, plus a penchant for fingerpicking makes for a thoughtful take on dream-pop, while the video streaming below adds a welcome element of evocative playfulness. – Susan Moon

Fusing together indie pop and guerrilla riot grrrrl influences, the NYC band moon kissed is making music that touches on to the fun, impulsive sides of self. The bite-sized 3-song debut EP showcases an ability to craft pop music that is both self-aware and danceable. The three leading band members, known only as Emily, Khaya, and Leah are exploring a side of young womanhood that thrives on shared emotional expression and collaboration. Their music is sweet and conversational, swelling dramatically as if to invite listeners to a show.

Notwithstanding the early 2000s nostalgia (we prefer references to earlier musical eras!), moon kissed manages to combine influences and personal experience in a way that is original and fresh sounding. You can see them live at the Bowery Electric on July 2nd. – Susan Moon

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

Brooklyn native group Floam laces its sober basslines and guitar solos with a heavy dose of flair to create, as the group call it, “bouncy rock music” which betrays influences from bands like Talking Heads and Devo, with a touch of Roxy Music’s glam. The group’s 2017 EP Cocoon lays bare the quartet’s tensile style as it effortlessly transitions from upbeat songs like “Just A Cool Breeze” to more ambient tracks like “In A Field.” The band controls its sound efforlessly, honing vintage art rock influences with ease while remaining true to their own style. Check out the music video for the band’s latest single "Hopes and Dreams" here below. – Rene Cobar

The Brooklyn-based band, Behaviorist, led by frontman Stephen Rhodes Chen, just announced the release of their debut, self-titled EP, self-titled. A close listen to the record reveals Rhodes Chen’s social commentary and stream-of-consciousness thoughts on human interaction. The EP waddles between funk, experimental pop, and the highly stylized indie rock of elegant singer/songwriters from the past two decades. For a relatively young band still walking on the high of their sold-out release show at Pianos, this band is showcasing a lot of creative energy and interesting ideas – it’s definitely worth a listen.  Behaviorist’s first summer show will be at the Mercury Lounge on July 18th.

Half-Russian, New York-based synthpop artist Shura explores connection, queer love, and musical growth in her sophomore LP ‘forevher,’ set to release this fall. Following her first project, 2016’s ‘Nothing’s Real,’ an indie pop LP that revealed the anxious side of vulnerability and unrequited love, the new record takes a new, decidedly soulful direction. Saxophone-tinged "BKLYNLDN" showcases her musical influences, which include Prince, The Internet, and Minnie Riperton. The project’s first single, "religion (u can lay your hands on me)" is a fun, playful track that compares sex to religion while toying with innuendo. Shura and director Chloe Wallace cleverly use the strengths of the artist’s vantage point in the song’s video, inspired by the religious iconography of HBO’s ‘The Young Pope.’ Walking the line between romanticism and ’80s nostalgia, the clip reveals a perspective on love where weakness and transgression are necessary strengths. The LP, set to drop on August 16th via Secretly Canadian, features co-production from Joel Pott, Jona Ma (Jawar Ma), and Will Miller (Whitney), as well as additional vocals from artists Rosie Lowe, Kerry Leatham, and Reva (Nimmo). ‘forevher’ expands Shura’s stance on queer desire, don’t miss the release party at Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 23rd. – Susan Moon

Sabine Holler isn’t afraid to speak from her heart in her EP Mother of Transition: songs like “Everything I Want To Be” spill confessions to the tune of gorgeous guitar arpeggios and string-instrument embellishments. Holler can switch her vocal approach with ease from tender in “Filtered My Voice” to fierce in “Hanged Woman,” the last song boasting a killer drum beat. The artist seems entirely at ease in her indie-pop tunes, displaying the confidence of leading women of the genre such as Lorde and St. Vincent. “First Memory” is the singer/songwriter’s raging battle from the record, augmented with distortion, and streaming below, for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar