Toward the end of February Burlington, Vermont group Couchsleepers released a silky indie-rock record—titled Only When It’s Dark—that ticks all the boxes for a laid-back evening or end-of-road-trip soundtrack. From sensationally atmospheric tracks like the title one, which hypnotizes with its heart-beat-deep basslines and hazy delays to the warm vocals that lure and groove in "All I Want," the record jumps from one syrupy track to the next. Songs like "On Your Mind" bask in their melancholy as they flaunt sweet indie-rock guitar riffs, slightly fuzzed and exquisite. The record evokes a feeling of completion, it begs you to recall the end of something, perhaps beautiful, maybe tragic. Stream "On Your Mind" below and trust us that it will be worth your time. – Rene Cobar

So good to see the hard-working—and ever-soulful—Cindy Latin continuing to churn out velvety jazz singles dripping with the vulnerability-strength duality she balances so well. “5 More Minutes” is an honest confession of love, an ode to the simple pleasures that are best shared with a special someone. Latin’s rich blend of sonorous brass instrumentation, soft electric guitar riffs, and, of course, her ever-enchanting vocals is the perfect sonic brew for those mornings foggy with melancholic memories and bright hopes. Taking the best elements of late ‘90s R&B and modern alt-soul, Latin scores again. We cheers to Latin’s work ethic, and as always, we wish her a great 2020 to come. Stream “5 More Minutes” below for a smooth start to your week. – Rene Cobar, photo by Michal Augustini

Nico Renzulli is showing his teeth in the latest single to be spawned by his project Dr. Nocko and Mr. Nicholas. If the charming growls, and even more deadly guitar riffs, seem familiar, that may be because the song titled “Radio” is a cover of a track previously written during Renzulli’s days in Boston’s electro-rock group Jack Romanov. “Radio” lets loose, with gritty power chords and high-impact drums that speed toward tumultuous breakdowns; the slightly softer touch of Renzulli’s current project still lingers in the choruses where his vocals slip and expose a more refined appearance. Renzulli explains the inspiration for the track as follows: “Radio was inspired by Denmark’s National Treasure, Lars Ulrich. In a 2015 interview, Ulrich talked about how Metallica used to fill out their early live shows by playing covers of obscure songs from metal bands that no one had heard of. The crowds never questioned it, they had no reason to.” We can’t question the symbiotic relationship that exists between an artist’s past, present, and future: all is one, and one is all. We are thrilled to premiere this single for you below! – Rene Cobar

Boston’s Gam is a silky smooth group with a short and sweet EP we recommend highly. Moments and Spirals opens up with “Every Second Levitates,” a funky track that unravels elegantly: the guitars range from crisp-clean to wah-tinged and swirl around warm vocals, and snappy beats. “Wait a Little” leans on its slow rhythm and oozes jazziness steady while “Sunkissed Lovers” has a serene ambiance and an R&B groove perfect for a sweet wind-down. The band is just taking flight, but already its path looks promising, and its musical colors splendid. Stream “Every Second Levitates” below to join the journey. – Rene Cobar

Leap day is right around the corner, and we got a great way to amplify your excitement for it: PowerSlut’s upcoming record Fun With Junk. The Boston-based group is releasing the record on the additional day this month, and what is previewed already is quite the garage-rock treat. Songs like “Limits” with their fuzzy guitar leads, burrowed power basslines, and the tastefully bright lead vocals of Linnea Herzog are a welcomed blend of punk’s aggressive attitude with indie rock’s instrumental finesse. “Summer Condo (feat. Erica Mantone)” is a groovier tune that feels as funky as it does dangerously rock ‘n’ roll. “Double B-Day” is tougher, grittier, with instrumental breakdowns that are elegantly destructive. With this much variety, how can one not be pumped for the record release show at ONCE on leap day? Stream “Double B-Day” below for a taste of the celebration to come. – Rene Cobar

Boston’s waterfront neighborhood of Charlestown is currently echoing the screaming guitar solos and furious rhythms of its local heroes Ringtail. The quartet of gentlemen that comprise the group has released a new single titled “Ask the Dust,” which immediately revs up and blasts off into a shoegaze paradise of dreamy electric guitar leads, raw vocal deliveries, and eruptive drum fills. With hints of sweet shoegaze and spicy stoner metal, the new song is a treat you can savor for a while. The group is gearing up for a hometown show at Midway Cafe on March 13th, and for a strong 2020 to come. Stream the new single below for a sick blend of styles your midweek deserves. – Rene Cobar

Back in December of last year, an artist from Burlington, Vermont called Roost released a groovy post-punk record titled Basic Phases. The album kicks off with the dance track “Developments,” which fuses brilliantly the gritty spirit of punk with the gloss of electronica. The album’s second track “Winners” has a lounge feel to it that is sharpened by a spitfire drum rhythm that never lets up. The dance theme continues with “New Face” as the song sends out colorful retro vibes that are quite infectious; Roost’s vocals are entrancing, and the sustained synth notes rich. “Gated Beach Community” closes out the ride at a similar pace than the previous track, and you are free to start the EP all over again. Roost is having a good time, and it shows; the record is delicious 20th century decadence with a pinch of today. Stream the new album below, New England. – Rene Cobar

Boston’s Jake Sherman turns a mundane evening into a fireworks-filled carnival in the music video for his latest single “Midnight Escapade.” Even if only possibly in his mind, the elation of a late-night cuddle call brews throughout to the sound of his creamy R&B music. From hot harmonies to laid-back rhythms, the song is a romantic throwback to the heyday of America’s R&B vocal groups, and just in time for Valentine’s Day. Jake is in the middle of an East Coast tour titled after the track and will be performing for the first time in many of the cities listed here. Jake is revving up the feels in this latest music video, and we are thrilled to premiere it here for you below. Happy Valentine’s Day, New England! – Rene Cobar, photo by Luc Kordas

Melissa Mills has a new single out, and it is classic Melissa Mills. “Lose My Cool” has an emotional edge to it that is hard to ignore: Melissa’s passionate vocals grip you from the start, and combined with a luscious blend of synths swells and smooth-cool rhythms drag you to the places of her mind where healing is taking place. Fury and acceptance exist in the track, and both are acknowledged with honesty and raw emotion—Melissa’s specialty. Stream this new track from the Boston-based artist below. – Rene Cobar

Last month Boston’s Sam Moss released a simple, modern take on three classic folk/country tunes. The compilation, titled aptly Three Oldies, includes Moss’ cover of 1959’s “I Drew My Ship” by Shirley Collins, a fiddle tune titled “Long John” and “Engine 143” a song performed by Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and many others. Moss performs each track with deep sincerity and respect, his soft voice, and clean electric guitar embellishments adding sweet modernism to songs like “Engine 143.” Stream the track below for a satisfying way to start your weekend. – Rene Cobar, photo by Morgan Rose Ford

The music of Boston’s latest standout band Surnames is sweet caramel, hot chocolate, gooey marshmallow—whatever decadence you can think of. Surnames’ debut record These Days grips you immediately with its smooth indie rock, tinged with a surfy vibe and sprinkled with natural sounds that enrich each atmospheric track. From the groovy dance number “Can’t Take It With You” to the funky-intricate guitar picking in “California,” the record is sensual, fun, and very much liberating. Even slower tracks like “To Wolves” drip with emotion as they swell into euphoric breakdowns highlighted by the soulful vocals of Liam Anastasia-Murphy, who has put together a group of talented individuals for a record worth betting on in 2020. Stream the romp-igniting track “Can’t Take It With You” below and let loose. – Rene Cobar

The lead single from Rhode Island’s The Z-Boys’ debut full-length record has now an accompanying music video that is brash and hilarious. “You Lie (IDGAF)” kicks off with a surfy guitar riff that is steely as hell, the rhythm section then locks in to welcome gruff vocals, and it all meshes well in the song’s punchy choruses. The music video is a good-old country American living done by a mannequin you don’t want to tread on; he rips a mean rock solo. The music that the Newport-based collective that is The Z-Boys deploys has placed them in the same stages as known groups like Arrested Development and Fishbone; the group’s upcoming record Elwood is slated for a March 6th release. You can catch the band vibing out and jamming their tunes at Parlor Newport on February 1st. Stream the music video premiering here below for a seriously good jam. – Rene Cobar