The debut EP release Strawberry by Pale Lungs—a four-piece hailing from Murfreesboro, Tennessee—is a tour de force of emo indie rock. It’s lyrically sound with songwriting comparable to Brand New, in addition to having iron-clad arrangements. The EP achieves a sometimes dreamy and lush sound without abandoning tight percussion and guitar parts. It moves slowly but with a definite direction, giving the listener adequate time to soak in every song before moving on to the next. They are currently on the tail-end of a tour, with stops left in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “Sanctuaries” streaming below.

When it comes to the stripped down style of Nashville’s Ariel Bui, less is definitely more. Her 2016 self-titled LP is a look into who she is as an artist, offering edgy folk-twinged tracks driven by the haunting vocals of the singer-songwriter. Her mesmerizing alto is unique for the Nashville scene; she doesn’t belt out soulful choruses or sing with an exaggerated country twang (despite having track titles like “To All the Cowboys” and “Moon Over Kentucky.”) There is a relaxed quality to this album, but emotionally it still progresses with the honesty of a country album. Ariel Bui isn’t trying to prove she’s the best or brightest star. She’s just bearing her soul and hoping it’s enough. (Spoiler alert: it is.) She has three local shows coming up: the Mad Valley Lodge on August 19th, Radio Cafe on the 23rd, and Cobra on September 8th. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “Sycamore Tree” streaming below.

With Teletextile’s “The Lark” (streaming below), it’s easy for listeners to fall for the alternative pop sound without even realizing that it’s being created by a harp. That should be expected from multi-instrumentalist Pamela Martinez, though. In her most recent 2016 EP, she makes you feel all sorts of ways with an array of orchestral arrangements. The five-track project moves around quite a bit, from serene harp accompanied by soft vocals to stormier sections featuring brass and electronic sounds. Single “The Lark” (streaming) expands that sound further by introducing flutes, trumpets, and percussion to bring forth a more soothing orchestral environment, while “Fan The Spark” creates intensity, with dynamic percussion for a more avant style. Teletextile is performing at Union Pool on August 15th at 8PM, alongside Charlie Looker Ensemble and GABI. – Pearse Devlin

Chicago’s Kevin Krauter is definitely an indie folk artist to watch. His EP “Changes” features upbeat indie folk, while also tackling a songwriter style extremely well. “Fantasy Theme” (streaming below) in particular brings forth a sad, acoustic folk style over concisely poetic lyrics, reimagining a better time in life as a symbolic place or location. His voice is soft and comforting, a prevailing style throughout the entire EP. You can check out Krauter’s performance next weekend on August 12th at the Hideout alongside Parent at 9PM. – Pearse Devlin

When it comes to the local NYC scene, Bryant Park’s Emerging Music Festival (EMF) is the place to be. Returning for its third year, the festival is a hotbed for community and creativity. As the city’s only exclusively local festival, EMF is a can’t miss opportunity for everyone interested in keeping up to date with the scene. And the best part is that entrance is completely free of charge (and there isn’t even a line to get in!) The two day event will take place on August 18th and 19th, and will feature bands like Landlady, 79.5, Rips, and more. Until then, listen to The Deli’s playlist of all the performers streaming below. – Lilly Milman 

At first, it comes as a surprise that a band as traditionally folksy as Wet Mut could come from New York. However, a closer look at their new single “Girl from the North Country” (streaming below) reveals unconventional elements like scratching, slow guitars and broken male-female harmonies. These sounds belong somewhere between the freak-folk groups of New England and mainstream complainers like Sufjan Stevens. By reimagining classic folk music with New York influences, Wet Mut saves themselves from making that tired Coachella folk-pop that you don’t want to hear—instead, their original tracks quietly challenge with a sound they’ve let sour just enough. All Bandcamp proceeds from their LP Nightlight are going to a Providence-based anti-fracking organization. –Allie Miller

The New York trio VHS Collection’s newest single “Fire” (streaming below) captures all the best aspects of alternative rock, pop, and electronic music, combining catchiness and rich soundscape, thanks to the production of Chris Zane (who has previously worked with Passion Pit and many others top notch indie artists). The track, comparable to high energy summer hits from acts like Bastille, shows the undeniable chemistry of the three longtime friends. VHS Collection just finished off a summer tour, and is gearing up to release a full-length record in the coming months. – Lilly Milman

It’s almost as if you took the vocals of Heart’s Nancy Wilson, or Blondie’s Debbie Harry, and combined that with the musicality of Hole; this sound, ironically, not only differs from the self-described “Lazy-Punk” sound of new NYC band, What Would Tilda Swinton Do, but may also be cutting the band short: the band possesses more energy and expression than what they’re giving themselves. Single “Bikerbraut” is powerful from the start, and more dynamic than the typical punk track; with shrilled, high-pitched vocals and descriptive lyrics consistent throughout, the song only goes from intense to haywire as the guitars, bass, and drums get sloppier, punk-ier, and heavier. You can check out the track below, and see the band perform at Pianos on August 13th, at 10PM. – Pearse Devlin

Parquet Court‘s frontman Andrew Savage has always drawn on influences from the South, but now he’s using his new solo project A. Savage to turn up the Western heat. While Parquet Court made use of twangy guitars and Savage’s rough, cowboy-like vocals, his upcoming solo album Thawing Dawn uses pointed track titles like "Buffalo Calf Road Woman" and "Wild Wild Horses" to send a clearly Western, nostalgic image. The first single "Winter in the South" (streaming below) retains the mystery of Parquet Court, but is also more organic, rumbling, and lonesome. Texas tour dates begin this week and Thawing Dawn will be out on October 13th. – Allie Miller

With only two released tracks under their belt, the Brooklyn-via-Atlanta shoegaze trio Those Creatures has already played more live shows than you can count. Their double single release Joseph’s War 7” features two dreamy tracks (“Jessie Baby” and “Joseph War’s Dream”) that melt beautifully together to create an emotive listening experience complete with fuzzy guitars, droning vocals, and fleshed-out harmonies. Catch them playing yet another live show at The Bowery Electric tonight (August 8th) at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman

There is a raucous type of energy that comes through the moody indie rock of Brooklyn natives Darling Din. Their songs are loud, provocative, and dynamic—in one track, Darling Din is able to convey the calm before the storm, and then the storm itself. The video for their track “Beast” (streaming below), the first single off upcoming album Batty Fang, showcases their infectious, rowdy spirit (despite the fact that they hardly ever leave the ground.) They will be playing an album release show at C’mon Everybody on August 11th. – Lilly Miman 

Recorded in basements and bedrooms, Prang Wince is the most recent release from New York-based, slacker-folk project Slanted, fronted by Casey Weissbuch, who previously worked with Diarrhea Planet, Colleen Green, and Mitski. The EP comes with a lyricism and tonal quality that matches early indie legends Modest Mouse, but with an intensely lo-fi twist, and Casey’s signature, muted vocals. Second track “Dream” (streaming below) is built on a crooked guitar line and a delicately addictive melody, and plods towards a distorted, reverbing guitar solo that melts into the following track (“Opening Number”), a more upbeat, fuzz-driven number. Slanted’s next show, alongside Rozwell Kid, Chris Farren, and Great Grandpa, will be at Baby’s All Right on August 4th. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Julia Bee