Rebellious, whimsical, literary, and elegiac are some of the hopefully accurate words that come to mind when reflecting on Providence band Edgar Clinks‘ exhilerating September release, ‘Keep Jetty Diving.’ Featuring the innocent yet relentless vocals of frontman Joe Guadiana, these genre-melding tracks, from the sweet pop-punk of opener "Tree Culture" to the apparently surf rock-rattled closer "weave roll’d into another dream" (streaming below), curl up on the listener like a dog whose pure affection can’t be denied. Edgar Clinks plays at The Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA on 12.2 and at AS220 in Providence, RI on 12.5. – Zach Weg

A little less than a month after releasing his two-part debut LP ‘The Arc,’ New Jersey folk-rock musician Charlie Szytk now premieres the hauntingly poignant music video (playing below) for album track "Wed." A worrisome dream of romantic regret and nocturnal solitude, the crisp clip shows Szytk strolling through a quiet town and spotting, or imagining, a possible former lover, going onto dance with her amongst friends at a potentially fictional party. Side Saddle’s Ian McGuiness co-produced the guitar-blistered song for these visuals and, like the video for his own band’s "Legs for Days," this one impresses with its subtle devastation. While Charlie Szytk doesn’t currently have any upcoming shows listed, ‘The Arc’ is available on Bandcamp. – Zach Weg

After releasing its eponymous EP in 2014, Brooklyn folk-pop duo Bitterheart today premieres the piano-lined song "Know It All" (streaming below) off its forthcoming EP ‘Wish I Was Wrong.’ Created by the band in order, as they explain via e-mail, to convey "feelings that come with learning, growing and discovering your truth," the second single from the new album refreshingly expresses an uplifting message with genuineness, the sunny harmonies of singers Trevor Rue and Sam Roche sounding like the pure words of siblings in times of duress. ‘Wish I Was Wrong,’ which was written by Bitterheart and produced with Simone Felice (The Felice Brothers, The Lumineers) and David Baron (Meghan Trainor), is set for release in January 2016. In the meantime, Bitterheart plays at Gypsy Den in Anaheim, CA tomorrow (11.20) and at Fox Coffeehouse in Long Beach, CA on Saturday (11.21). – Zach Weg

Connecticut act Stove‘s guitar-fuzzed songs may fall under the genre of slacker rock revival but they emit a pure passion that is hardly lacksadaisical. On tracks such as "Lowt-Ide Fins" (streaming below) off its debut album ‘Is Stupider,’ singer/multi-instrumentalist Steve Hartlett coolly yet fiercely sets scenes of longing against walls of stormy strings and fast drums, a pining eking through the chaos. Like the subtly involving last track off Mac Demarco’s ‘Another One,’ these songs move the listener with their very mellowness. Stove will release ‘Is Stupider’ this Friday (11.20) and will play The Outer Space in Hamden, CT on 11.23.- Zach Weg

The title track off Providence trio Roz and the Rice Cakes‘ June-released EP ‘CLOSE ENCOUNTER’ steams with affection. Like TV On the Radio’s sublime ‘Dear Science’ closer "Lover’s Day," the keys-steeped experimental pop song (streaming below) is an unabashed yet respectful letter to a romantic partner, any reservations flung out the window. The interplay of lead singer Roz Raskin’s compassionate vocals and her bassist’s steady zaps is so moving, though, that it elevates the song from an ode to affection to that of personal redemption. Roz and the Rice Cakes play at New Urban Arts in Providence, Rhode Island on Friday (11.20). – Zach Weg

After a two year wait, NYC’s alt-rock band, Regret the Hour, have released a new EP entitled “The Far and the Near.” Evocative of the radio friendly alt rock of the late ’90s/early aughts, when the anger of grunge had been somewhat tamed, but distorted guitars still reigned supreme, the record features both lively and introspective tracks. “Somewhere at the deepest well/ I realize I’ve lost it,” lead singer, Nate McCarthy sings on “Distance.” Following a familiar template, Regret the Hour’s verses maintain momentum with patterned guitar melodies, building towards a chorus that erupts with drum-kit clashes and fearless emotion. The band will be playing at Rough Trade tomorrow (November 17) with Jesus On The Mainline and Animal Years. – Isabel Rolston

Back in April, Providence electronic act Bellerophon shared two elegantly sensual songs, "Face The Sun" and "Cowboy Without A Horse" (both streaming below). While the first track has project mastermind Mauricio Ossa pondering the unreachable over skipping effects, the second one has him elusively singing about possible confusion above ambling guitars. Listening to these songs, one may recall both the plush shoegaze of Big Troubles and the chilled electronica of The xx while eagerly wanting more songs from this undeniably intriguing project. Bellerophon plays at The Middle East-Corner in Cambridge, MA on 11.16 and at Aurora in Providence, RI on 11.17.- Zach Weg 

Tomorrow night (11.14) NYC’s Overcoats will be bringing their mellow electro-soul music to NYC’s lower east side. Although only comprised of two musicians, Hana Ellon and JJ Mitchell, the band offers music that’s diverse and multi-layered. Their voices, confident and seducing, bring to mind Lucius’ amazing harmonizing, and rise above the electronic instrumental base present throughout most of their self-titled EP. Single “The Fog” (streaming) begins sparsely, with pulsating vocal harmonies and a percussive loop, but as the two sing “Freedom is when I’m without you,” a drum thud and simple electric piano chords set the stage for some beautiful vocal arrangements. Definitely a band to keep an ear on, you can see them at Pianos tomorrow night. – Isabel Rolston

Melding the innocence of "Imagine" and the force of Radiohead’s "Karma Police," Boston singer/songwriter Emily Grogan‘s "Join Together" (streaming below) off her forthcoming new album ‘Strings of Light’ is an electric call to arms. Fronting a battalion of hard drums and zinging guitars, the strong-voiced Grogan deflects the ploys of authorities while surging towards freedom with her fellow strivers. Spiked with the warmth that can be heard in pop, though, this rock song doesn’t shove but rather nestles the listener to attention. While Emily Grogan doesn’t currently have any upcoming shows listed, keep watch on her Facebook for future announcements. – Zach Weg 

Providence duo INFJ calls its music "mom rock" and its January-released EP ‘s/t’ provides the sublime consolation of that parent. Mostly Americana-twanged folk with a splendidly poppy number ("Best Laid Plans," streaming below), the five-song album gracefully explores such common feelings as longing and loneliness with compassion, Scott Thompson’s patient guitars and Hayley Simmons’ gliding voice providing angelic warmth. The creaky elegance of early Sharon Van Etten and Grizzly Bear is a possible influence on these songs but, largely due to Thompson’s pining lyrics, they sound remarkably fresh. INFJ plays at Machines With Magnets on 11.20.- Photo by Matthew Clowney Zach Weg 

Toronto-based band, The Nursery, forges momentous pop music that highlights the grittier side of the genre. Pulling from indie pop and alt rock, their music is driven by steady drum-beats and grounding bass lines, while melodies blend together with vocals and lyrics flirting with epic overtones: “I remember the times we stared into/ eyes of strangers and learned the truth/ I wish I had the power of the moon/ to curve the tides and become immune.” 

The sweetly bold "Signing A Deal" (streaming below) by Brooklyn quartet Behaviors is the workaday artist’s poignant anthem. Featuring the sugary voice of lead singer Frans Mernick, the keys-sprinkled new single off the band’s forthcoming eponymous debut LP probingly reveals the great difficulties of surviving as a musician but emits sheer appreciation for the lifestyle. The pop song is far-reaching, though, pondering artistic success as much as an existential kind. While the band doesn’t seem to have any shows lined up, they are scheduled to release Behaviors this fall. – Zach Weg