Electric Dream is the new standout EP from Nashville-trio Bien, which is made up of Jessie Early and husband and wife Angela and Tim Lauer. Tim Lauer, who has previously worked with The Civil Wars and Mikky Ekko, produced the project, stylistically combining hi- and lo-fi sounds to create a unique and dynamic track list. Their brand of indie electro-pop is at once soothing and exciting, with title track “Electric Dream” being just one example of their eclectic sound. Keep your fingers crossed for a tour announcement from these up-and-comers, and in the meantime stream all six songs from the Electric Dream EP below. – Lilly Milman

With their February release entitled Manage, the Nashville-based five-piece The Still, Small Voice have discovered their own, definitive melodic indie rock sound. The EP, which focuses on questioning that which once felt certain, is a six-track long serenade to Southern rock and pop. Lead vocalist Christiana Benton’s ballads are simultaneously sweet and serious. The track “Fear of Breaking” (streaming below) is just one example where she is able to break into an unexpected soprano that builds the song up over twinkling arrangements. And there’s certainly more where that came from on the rest of the EP. You can find The Still, Small Voice playing their next live show on September 19th at The High Watt. – Lilly Milman

Inspired by his 12 years in NYC, Spirit Plate frontman Brian Russ found inspiration for the the passion project Youth Moose—the psych rock band’s sophomore album. Recorded in Russ’ home studio, the LP features tracks presented as a reflection of the New York experience, based on everything from street art to architecture. This record is about finding clarity in the chaos (a feeling any New Yorker can relate to) all while experimenting with new sounds and content. In the single “Daily News Headline” (streaming below) the group tackles themes of political and civil unrest, overlaying a triumphant mashup of gritty guitar arrangements and a lively horn section. The band recently also unveiled the video for second single ‘All Day Long.’ – Lilly Milman

The video of the always edgy Kim Boekbinder’s for the track “H.B.I.C.” is an explosion of style, color, and choreography all layered over hypnotic synth beats. The non conforming, fashion-forward cast of characters in the video steal the show, while Boekbinder’s detached voice sings out the line “I’m the head bitch in charge, yeah, I’m the head.” She often refers to her music as “witch-pop,” which is accurate given that the repetitive and rhythmic nature of her songwriting seems to put a spell on us. She will be kicking off a fall tour in September, with an album release show at The Mercury Lounge tomorrow (September 9th). – Lilly Milman 

october tooth is the name and minimalism is the game for local lo-fi indie rockers Zachary Threlkeld and Cowboy Sam Gidley (who also drums for The Lonely Biscuits,) the duo behind the project that releases new music every October. Their newest installment is an 8-track LP called easy corners that sounds just as good through headphones as it would on a cassette deck. The album is a nostalgia-tinged journey back through the last year, complete with poetic reflections on personal relationships (“I always seem to turn the lights on you”) and declarations about the future (“it’s alright, I’m not giving up this time.”) Despite choosing to release only one project annually, the band remains active on the live scene and will be performing at The Basement on Saturday, September 9th. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “3:00 p.m.” streaming below.

For a band whose sound is dedicated to modernizing southern rock, putting a new spin on an old classic is only fitting. In the case of Nashville four-piece Heathen Sons, this track is “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” (streaming below). Their bouncy take on this bluesy 70s hit is fun, fresh, and a solid representation of the rootsy revival rock that is yet to come in their debut self-titled LP, which is being released tomorrow on September 8th via Metropolitan Groove Merchants. Until then, hit the play button below to listen to their take on the track, which includes backing vocals by Leah Blevins and Liz Cooper. – Lilly Milman

Born and raised in New York City, Miranda Scott—better known as Mïrändä—is a solo electronic artist that’s been catching some attention this summer, playing established small NYC venues like The Knit, Pianos and Bowery Electric. Her carefully crafted electronica is uplifting and unpretentious, with inventive drops and catchy choruses to match. Her lilting soprano in tracks like “Cruel 2 B Kind” (streaming below) is reminiscent of a Heart of Glass-era Debbie Harry, while the production is more electronic and even experimental at times. Her Empire EP shows her range as a producer as well as a singer, while her activity on the live show circuit proves she is not just a "bedroom artist." – Lilly Milman

To call the Bay Area’s Sore Thumb surf rock would be a restrictive oversimplification. While the beginning half of their debut LP An Album By… is straight-up, 60s inspired, reverb-drenched rock, the record moves on from that pretty quickly. A few of the middle tracks, like “No Right, No Wrong” and “Meltdown,” explore darker undertones and move deeper into the territory of alternative rock. However, like a rubber band snapping back into shape, the sunny, surfy rock that Southern California has grown to love returns in “That’s Why” (streaming below) and remains throughout the end of the track list. This LP is also accompanied by a visual album that is streaming on the band’s YouTube. Currently, the LP is available for free download for anyone who attends a show or connects with the band on Facebook. Catch their next live show at Feral in Oakland on September 22nd. – Lilly Milman 

This upcoming weekend (September 8-10), the Brooklyn-based music blog The Wild Honey Pie will be hosting its fifth annual Welcome Campers festival at Camp Lennox, MA. More than a festival, this is some sort of super-affordable group vacation for hipster into indie pop – a pretty rad idea if you ask us. The organizers always book a lot of great emerging NYC artists, and among those performing this year are electronic pop outfit Black Coast, a one man project that has received a lot of streaming love with recent single “Feel Something” (streaming below). Released earlier this year, this track features a fun and tasteful blend of electronic sounds with a luscious dream pop flavor. You can find the lineup and details for the festival here. – Pearse Devlin

Nashville 5-piece FRNDS is just one of the many great new bands taking the music scene back from fat-cat record labels and commercialism. Their newest single “Wasting Your Time” (streaming below) a melodic mix of shoegaze and indie rock, complete with emo-influenced vocals and driving guitar riffs. The lyrics, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Nathan Brooks, are simple and show some stoner rock influences (“I’m so afraid you’ve been wasting your time / ‘cause I am not good enough / and I’ll never get it right,”) but they’re not without feeling either. Brooks’ voice can at once be droney and emotional, which is what makes their sound so unique. Catch them playing their next show at their house venue Sunnyvale on September 9th. – Lilly Milman 

Electronic NYC artist Toulouse can produce anything from dancey electronic tracks to mellow soulful songs like "Reach Out" (streaming), featuring his borderline stoic vocals. With a few singles to his name, the project has garnered considerable attention, landing a spot on the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Darker with "No Running From Me", a soul-themed track that features a blues-based melody fit for a vintage rock and roll scene. The artist will be playing Communion NYC 09.05. – Tafari Lemma

Charlie Shea is the mastermind behind the Nashville project Charlie & The Evil Mothers, a psych influenced indie garage rock outfit with two releases under its belt. The first is a self-titled EP that finds its home in a bluesy and experimental psychedelia. More recently, with the help of Todd Bolden on bass and Luke Fedorko on drums, Shea has released the single “Strings” (streaming below), a much more upbeat use of his signature croon. The guitar-driven track is a moody foray into the realm of fast-paced, reverb-drenched rock. Charlie & The Evil Mothers will be taking the stage next at The 5 Spot on September 8th at 9 pm. – Lilly Milman