Capturing the excitable nature of live performances on recordings can be a difficult task, but Brooklyn’s ¡Vamanos! have nailed this, letting their undeniable energy radiate throughout their recorded material. Their latest, release ¡Vamanos! Presents…A Ten Inch at 45 RMPs captures the duo’s raucous fuzzy punk that blends elements from psych rock to blues. The brief instrumental track “Chicken & Waffles” puts Tyler Bower’s clamorous drumming, while Alex Knoche’s guitar wails with psychedelic swirls and bluesy stabs. However, the song “Necktie” (streaming) is pure garage rock soaked with lo-fi buzzing and yelping vocals. ¡Vamanos! will be playing Shea Stadium on September 1st! – John Honan

In his past efforts, Warwick’s Gus Dapperton has mostly paired his RnB vocals with standard instrumental arrangements, whether it be the guitar-driven "Moodna, One With Grace" or jazzy "These Foolish Things." Synths have been present on previous tracks, but usually only to provide textures or atmospheric effects. On his latest "Ditch" however, retro ’80s synths, the kind you might find on a SNES game, are the driving force of the track. Providing a nice touch of nostalgia, the synths are woozy, cerebral but ultimately rendered stable by GD’s smooth vocals and a nice snare beat. It’s great to see Gus change up his sound, and in a way that’s imaginative and effective. You can check out his new vid below, and catch him at Baby’s All Right on 9/15. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Save Ends have been playing their energetic brand of pop punk and emo since 2010, and earlier this year the band signed with Black Numbers to release their latest EP Hug Your Friends. The album takes a more melodic approach to their songwriting than their previous efforts, while guitarist Christine Atturio and keyboardist Brendan Cahill maintain their dual vocal style reminiscent of The Anniversary. While the tracks are not as rowdy as their earlier work, they maintain an upbeat and poppy sound. Check them out live at the Middle East in support of The Ataris on August 30th! – John Honan

Some retro-ish music has the power to trigger in us the appreciation for “vintage” styles we didn’t think we missed – until now. This is the case with New York band, Supersmall, whose most recent album, Silent Moon, evokes some of some of the well tempered pop of the ’80s (think early Everything But the Girl with a male singer or a folkier version of The Style Council), with accompanying lyrics that tackle topics such as finding a better life and – but of course! – romance. For a night of emotionally stable music, catch them live at Rockwood Music Hall on August 27th. – Madeleine Grossman

Brooklyn-based band, Sanctuary Sound – the project of Cade Sadler – likes to play with expectations – and contrasts.  Single One Clear Thought (streaming) opens the band’s EP, Brass Ring, with electronic noises that sound like the start of something rather cerebral.  However, what follows is a muted and soulful synth pop track that’s actually very emotional, and complimented by Sadler’s semi-whispered, fuzzy and reverbed voice.  Sanctuary Sound is playing at Rockwood Music Hall tonight (August 26th). – Madeleine Grossman 

After two years, Brooklyn-based artist FRAME is back with a new track entitled “Love Wasted”, which serves as a sampling of her upcoming full length debut. In the single, Caitlin Frame, the creative force behind the project, writes about her now finished eight year open-marriage, and the complex emotions and regrets attached to this unconventional experience (that many fantasize about!). The track plays with contrasts as Frame confidently sings about her vulnerability and emotional confusion over a decidedly pop production. As of now, there is no fixed date for her upcoming release, but you can see FRAME live tonight (8.25) at Baby’s All Right with Cayetena and Weaves! – John Honan

Displaying a multifaceted talent, actress (or female actor, take your pick!) Jordan Lane Price in her debut EP Sponge shows promising signs with her musical project JLP.  Released through Innit Records, the EP proves to be a nostalgic collection of songs full of fuzzy electronic pop songs dominated by organs and JLP’s bright vocals. We are streaming below opening tracks – and by far the catchiest song – In the Woods. The band landed a September residency at Pianos, during which JLP will be joined by partner (and co-writer) James Levy and his band, Reputante. While the group has not released anything since the Oceanside EP in 2013, this residency hopefully suggests the promise of something new to come in the near future. Many familiar local artists will join them on stage during the residency, including The Can’t Tells, Controller and Aunt Ange – full schedule here. 

Like their name implies, Big Huge‘s sound is explosive from the get-go. On their latest EP Orama, the NYC garage rock band has a strong, early-60’s rockabilly sensibility,  all the blaring fuzz and bare-knuckle dirt of early 70’s rock, and yet still delivers fresh sounding hooks destined for earworm status. The band is fun, upbeat, and the perfect companion to a late-night highway drive with the windows down. Check them out at the Market Hotel on September 1st in support of Shannon and the Clams and White Mystery. -Olivia Sisinni

Gambles, the alt-folk project of New York-based artist, Matthew Siskin, produces ruminations on modern life that feel both dark and revelatory. His tracks are characterized by minimalist instrumentals, subtle in feel, accompanied by Matthew Siskins’s harrowing vocal accompaniment—delicate, vulnerable but decidedly resolute. The combination yeilds a sound that is as beautiful as it is haunting, and leaves the listener to contend with some serious soul-bearing. Check out the single "You Won’t Remind It" below and see Gambles headling at Rough Trade on September 16th with Roger Harvey. – Olivia Sisinni

Fences, aka Brooklyn based (via Seattle) songwriter Chris Mansfield, paints lush musical dreamscapes that still seem to be earnest and intimate in feel. In their latest single, "Pale Paper", Fences weave layered, upbeat instrumentals against Mansfield’s melodic vocals and poignant lyricism. The result is an emotional and uplifting pop song that exudes honesty. Fences will be releasing their new 6 track EP To the Tall Trembling Trees on Sept 9th, check out preview single Pale Paper below. You’ll be able to catch them live at Rockwood Music Hall during their October residency on the 3rd, 10th and 20th. – Olivia Sisinni

Melodic cacophony is one of those grinding paradoxes that I’m hesitant to even entertain, but it’s the most apt description we found when trying to put into words Brooklyn-based band, Video Daughter‘s music. Throughout their eponymous titled EP, the self-proclaimed "avant-garage" rockers deliver a new-york-punk sensibility engulfed by an inferno of noise. Despite the bludgeoning force that comes out of the album, the band never ceases to forge a strong melodic presence, even when their songs are lead by march-like percussion ("La Petite Mort"), or border on manic ("Nunu"). If you’re interested in listening to tunes with a fierce sonic bite, check out the link below and see Video Daughters play Shea Stadium on 8/30 with the Yin Yangs and Rathaus. – Olivia Sisinni

A book review of one of Murukami’s novels once said his work was influenced by so many writers it ended up being incredibly original. There’s some truth to that description, and it might just apply to Boston band Oh Malô as well. They have sound that’s very difficult to pin the tail on, but perhaps taking an index of the components and parts would help. On their latest LP, As We Were their guitars are deeply atmospheric with a light psych feel. The vocals are deeply soulful, and wouldn’t feel out of place on any RnB track. The rhythm section, though, is downright muscular, emboldening the sound with an alt or even prog-rock flavor.  The easiest comparison to make would be to Local Natives, but that doesn’t help much either, considering they to deftly evade most categorization also. Suffice to say, Oh Malô make quality music that sounds familiar and fresh all at once. You can see them live at Great Scott on 8/26. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging New England artists – check it out!