Back in September, Boston-based singer/songwriter George Woods released ‘Bedroom Demos,’ an offering of two ruggedly pretty songs. Both blues-oriented folk tracks, the guitar-twined "Please Please" and "Devil’s Got a Face" (streaming below) show the deep-voiced Woods candidly yet sweetly pining for romance, readily admitting his faults while devoting himself to another. Recalling a bit more of a downhome Jack White, Woods bravely shows vulnerability on these tracks, soulfully singing out pain. Reportedly at work on his sophomore studio effort (after 2012’s ‘Heartbeat), George Woods plays at The Red Door in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday (12/14). – Zach Weg

Back in March, Lowell, Massachussetts trio Spooky Future released ‘Chrese,’ a palpably intriguing collection of jazz-rock songs. Calmer than its title may imply, the first track "Finally, You’ve Lost Your Mind" (streaming below) is a smooth blend of drum clasps and guitar curls that is pleasantly reminiscent of The Bad Plus and BADBADNOTGOOD. The second-to-last song, "The National Fun Deficit," similarly, plays along to a graceful pace, its thick bass lines effectively showing the elegant power of instrumental music. Spooky Future plays at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA on 12/15.- Zach Weg

A few months ago, Providence-based act Sensitive Hearts released some pleasantly sensual demos. While the song "Who Is He" is an electronica-oriented piece of skipping beats and percussive pings, the punk-inflected track "I’ll Hold Your Hand" (streaming below) shows the genteel-voiced artist in an antsier manner, his vocals practically punching their way towards love. Damon Albarn’s melancholic solo debut ‘Everyday Robots’ may be an influence on these songs but, as its name shows, Sensitive Hearts has an deep emotional artfulness that makes it fresh. Sensitive Hearts plays AS220 in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday (12/12). – Zach Weg 

With their sputtering beats and trotting guitars, Northampton, Massachussetts indie funk quartet Mammal Dap powerfully reminds the listener that instruments alone can be deeply affecting. Excluding a human voice, songs like the drum-skipped "Ariel" and the bass-rubbed "Tried Tides" (streaming below) evoke autumnal melancholy while ultimately letting summer joy slide through. A compelling combination of Ratatat’s elasticity and Flying Lotus’s claustrophobia, such subtle yet fierce tracks play along to an intriguingly unpredictable pace. Mammal Dap has many forthcoming shows listed, including one this Thursday (12/10) at Stomping Ground in Putnam, CT. – Zach Weg

This past February, Northampton, Massachussetts avant-pop trio And The Kids did nothing less than impressively filter daily angst through dancey pop. Listening to such songs as the drum-hopped opener "Pangea" and the celestial fourth one, "Glory Glory" (streaming below), one may smile at these deft musicians’ ability to meld the panic of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the calm of Beach House with compassionately direct lyrics. While it is, as frontwoman Hannah Mohan sings on the former, "alright to tell a lie," And The Kids is boldly committed to telling the truth about all-too-real pain. And The Kids has several shows coming up, including one at SPACE Gallery in Portland, ME on Thursday 12/10. – Zach Weg

Back in August, Boston four-piece Day Grazer released ‘Water Sports,’ an offering of two lackadaisically energetic songs. Intriguingly mixing the starkness of "Where Is My Mind?"-like Pixies and the warmth of The Strokes’ “Soma,” both tracks, "Water Sports" (streaming below) and "Fodder,” convey early-twenties angst with bold honesty and vivid simplicity. "What do I know?/After all, I’m twenty-four/And bored," sings the frontman named Dave over jittering guitars on the former, near humorous candor emerging from the greatly intense pain. Day Grazer plays at Thunder Road in Somerville, MA on 12.21. – Zach Weg

As heard on their warm, harmonica-hinged songs "Get What You Give" and "Sun Go Down," Boston sextet Loose Change radiantly blends the bluesy rock of ‘Beggars Banquet’-era The Rolling Stones and the floaty Americana of Wilco’s ‘Summerteeth.’ Lead singer Sam Bergquist even sports the prowling voice of Mick Jagger on the latter track and, with his bandmates’ tight drumming and smooth guitar strums in the background, he makes Loose Change pleasantly, wonderfully fresh. While the band doesn’t currently have a forthcoming show listed, keep posted on its Facebook page. – Zach Weg

Although still a member of the band Ava Luna, Felicia Douglass has ventured on her own musical endeavor under the moniker Gemma. Collaborating with producer Erik Gundel, the duo combined their expertises in making their debut LP “As Ever.” The album, which was released this past October, fluxes between genres; Gundel provides an electronic base full of hip hop references, while Douglass’ vocal styling flows between funk, pop, soul, and spoken word. Yet, the album is cohesive, and above all, smooth, mostly because of Douglass’ silky, laid-back, and versatile vocals. Gemma is playing at Palisades on December 12th! – Isabel Rolston

Last week, Boston quartet Courage Cloak released "Danse Macabre" (streaming below), the blistering third song off its forthcoming seven-track album. Starting with plaintive drums that quickly give way to guttural vocals and chugging basslines, the metal-girded cut emits a surprising sweetness despite its sonic and thematic heaviness. The fittingly-titled song does, in fact, mine such grave ideas as ultimate doom but, perhaps unlike straight metal tracks, lets in at least a little hope for redemption. Courage Cloak plays at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, MA on 12.9. – Zach Weg 

On the weekend of November 22nd, Cameo Gallery, one of the last beloved venues still kicking in Williamsburg post its DIY heyday, gave us a last hurrah. Since 2009 the multi-floored venue and bar has been host to numerous favorite dance parties, indie rock and electronic bands, DJs, make outs, comedy shows — they even fit a few modest demon dimensions in those restrooms. Its stages were notable in the beginning narratives of bands such as Neon Indian, Beach Fossils, Sharon Van Etten, and The War On Drugs. This writer was glad to catch the penultimate show last Friday with a lineup including many local talents: Monograms, Little Racer and SoftSpot opening for Eternal Summers, and a later set by The Juan MacLean. The experience was as dancy, sweaty, and boozy as one could expect. All the acts made for a fantastic show, but in my personal account, Brooklyn’s quartet SoftSpot stole the night.

It wasn’t merely about enjoying the sound, or even getting fixed on lyrics as fabrics fix on burs—It is an intimate thing to watch a woman cast spells, and lead singer Sarah Kinlaw does this in front of everyone gathered. This is most stirring to witness in person, as the power might start in her voice but is controlled as if attached to strings on her expressive hands. SoftSpot is a synthesis of eerie dream-rock with modern dance, and just played one of the most refreshing live sets I’ve seen in a while. A performer caught in a spell of that sort encourages those in the audience itself to follow and ease their steps as into a body of water. Those who desire to, become places for lightening to travel.

At the end of the night, the bright, multicolored display dangling on the ceiling over all of us suddenly seemed in its small way iconic, like the clouds attached to every memory of Glasslands. We wish you adieu Cameo, thanks for all the good times! – Leora Mandel

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

The soaring rock songs of Boston trio blindspot are serious yet warm. Enlivened by frontwoman Alexa Economou’s Nicks-like voice, such drum-pounced tracks as "I Won’t Let Your Heart Break" (streaming below) and "Lay Me Down" uplift even as they stir, seeking happiness while still considering such hardships as disappointment and heartbreak. Pleasantly, though, the 2012-formed group portrays the inherent messiness of life with elegance, moving the listener while expressing what he/she sometimes struggles to. Blindspot plays at Great Scott in Allston, MA on 12.20. – Zach Weg

The music video (playing below) for New York band Ursae‘s "I Swear" is a crushing yet cathartic tone poem of shorn love. As the nimble guitars and winding strings of project head Andrew Campbell (previously in local folk band Little Sur) ominously hover above electronic distortions, a young couple gradually draws apart, the ravages of anger and jealousy severing their affection for each other. Campbell’s calm voice glides over the ensuing drama, though, giving it integrity and compassion. "I Swear" is off a forthcoming full-length effort scheduled for a Summer 2016 release and, meanwhile, Ursae will play shows (details to-be-determined) this winter. – Zach Weg