It can be easy to think that LANSKI is a single person with a single, consistent artistic vision. On the track “Vows”, Eric Ronick croons over whispering synths, and subtle drum hits courtesy of Josh Rosenblatt emphasize how succint their collaboration is. The electro-pop duo’s chemistry is fully formed here, and it can be easily overlooked as their shadowy production drifts along until the hook comes in. Slightly shimmering with glittery effects, the track is an innocuous slow jam that sucks you in with how it blends the partner’s idiosyncrasies into an individual vision. –Tucker Pennington

Rotem is the type of artist for whom the codifier “experimental artist” is worn with pride. On his latest album, My Favorite Monster, the fusion of jazz with other genres explodes with colorful shrapnel. The guitars and drums would feel right at home on a Flying Lotus record, while the intense solos sound straight out of ’70s prog-rock. This devotion to tinkering with his sound allows Rotem to play with tone and mood in interesting ways, producing songs like the gentle and sensual “My Favorite Monster” to segue into “My Favorite Things”, a fiery and claustrophobic political track featuring hip hop artist Cliche. Rotem performed at two separate release shows this past weekend at Nublu and Pete’s Candy Store, and will take his new material on tour across the US starting September 13. –Tucker Pennington

It takes a smart producer to not overload his song with ideas. Maximalism is great an’all, but it can be tiresome when trying to craft elegant and poised electro-pop. Fortunately for DeModa, on “All We’ve Got” he’s found smart ways to transition from idea to idea without encumbering his dance track with unnecessary production tricks. Chirping birds and tropical percussion clear the path for Akacia’s sharp and sculpted vocals that cut through the ethereal production. Before the beat finally drops in an electronic ecstasy, the song shifts to a chilly, almost icy, mood before erupting in a hushed, yet thrilling explosion. Tunes like this deserve to be heard on every radio and dance floor before summer ends. – Tucker Pennington

What exactly do BIRDS mean when they title their album Everything All At Once? It could be considered a one-size-fits-all genre tag, a wide net to summarize all their influences without using the nondescript term “indie”. However, we’d rather think of it as a means of describing what they offer on each song; there’s no token emotional song or designated hit single. Instead, the band opt to craft every song with psychedelic breeziness that merges with subtle earnestness in a way that these songs could fit either a summer or winter playlist without feeling out of place. BIRDS’ brand of weirdo psych-pop is reminiscent of what the Elephant 6 collective were doing in the 90’s, but their focus on more subdued songwriting allow for each song to expand in meaning and depth in a naturalistic and enthralling way. You can stream their music below and catch them playing live at Sunnyvale on October 3. –Tucker Pennington

Parrot Dream’s debut album Light Goes is full of emotionally wrought dream-pop that unfolds in small yet powerful moments. The crystalline guitars and subtle synthesizers offer up shimmering tunes that balance sobering reality with fully realized dreamscapes. The equilibrium they’ve struck between these ideals comes through fully realized with songs like “Ode To Octavia”, where the group isn’t afraid to add a little grit to their sparkling sound. The band will celebrate the album release on August 24 with a show at Union Pool. –Tucker Pennington

It seems every summer the temperature becomes more and more unbearable. That’s why it’s so refreshing to hear the breezy and cool return of Phony Ppl. After three years without any new material, the group has returned with the vibrant “Before You Get A Boyfriend” video (streaming). Sun-kissed guitars and splashy keys make this the perfect song to mark the beginning of the end of summer. You can watch the video below. – Tucker Pennington

The latest single from Salt Cathedral proves that the dancehall inspired pop that has taken root in the mainstream hasn’t scared away any alt-pop artists from dipping their toes in this distinct style of music. “Rudeboy” features mercurial production, shifting from Caribbean percussion to a chopped up vocal sample that acts as a synth on the hook. The soft, pulsating beat is a backdrop for a song about breaking through unsureness and finding something truly real in a relationship. –Tucker Pennington

Take a little bit of ’60s Motown funk, mix that with today’s R&B, add with some jazz overtones, and you have Valipala. Their debut EP Mango City, released last October, is a fun, twisting journey through genres. The opening track “Mongolian Afternoon” (streaming below) showcases the powerful vocals of Lauren Scales; it sounds like the soundtrack to a happy, sunny, summer walk through the city. The band does an excellent job of giving the spotlight to each instrument at one point or another and their cohesion as bandmates is also evident in the EP’s fourth track “Century Star.” Scales’ airy yet solid voice carries lightly over the instruments behind her, creating a harmonious blend of synths, drums, brass section, and voice. -Lily Crandall

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

Mothica’s music relies heavily on those dynamic shifts in mood and energy that have become increasingly popular since the EDM bubble burst and more and more artists lifted their ideas into different genres. For the most part, these ideas can fall flat, sounding like cheap excuses to up the amplitude, but this Brooklyn via Oklahoma City transplant infuses these bursts of energy with endearing and tender moments that make each song a thrill to experience. Residing somewhere in between chillwave and bedroom pop, her music comes to life with soft pulses of electronica and gentle drums before her commanding voice takes center stage. It’s only when the hook comes in on songs like “Water Me Down” do the moments of bombast hit an emotional apex; wobbling synths sideswipe and careen upward in a powerful moment of emotional vulnerability. Her music makes for cinematic displays of affection and hurt. You can catch her performing live on August 16 at Mercury Lounge, and you can stream her music below. –Tucker Pennington

Googie hails from a long line of rappers with legendary voices: Method Man, GURU, Ludacris, Gift of Gab, etc. Dudes with voices like this–cut with that perfect amount of gravel but with effortless enunciation, and some glint of unfathomable swag–they never needed to say anything of substance for us to clamor after their music. Funnily enough, they still usually end up saying more than many of their less-blessed peers. Googie flexes styles, rhyme patterns, and topical ruminations like he’s teaching a master class. In the video for the first single “Molecules,” Googie breaks down some science for all the simpletons still squabbling over whether J. Cole or Drake dropped the hottest fire last year. -brokeMC

googie :: molecules from gmmcks on Vimeo.

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Francis Aud describes his music as “funk and soul music that is almost as charming as he is.” His most recent release “Friends Like Us” is a sweet summer song about friends who “don’t stay just friends for long” as he puts it. It has the universal charm and likability of a good pop song, blended with grooving synths and pulsing drums that dare you to dance. His debut EP Tender Thoughts, released last October is a collection of engaging, playful tunes. “Share this Bed” is a blues-inspired love song, while “Yeah!” is a powerful, heartfelt ballad complete with a commanding brass section and old soul tenderness. You can catch Francis live with his band “The Professionals” this Thursday, August 9 at Mercury Lounge. -Lily Crandall

Sometimes it can seem arbitrary what gets labeled as derivative and what gets labeled as simply inspired. Why does an indie rock band get called rip-offs while a similar group is deconstructing sounds and reinventing old ideas? Gamblers are the latest band to confront this question with their newest single “Corinthian Order” off their upcoming EP of the same name. Indebted to Wilco, the track features plinking percussion and a slight twang on the guitars as the breezy melodies and lush vocal harmonies shuffle together nonchalantly. The comparisons to the alt-country legends could have ended there, but what makes this reiteration so refreshing is the continuation of Wilco’s almost zen-like understanding of relationships. The laid back approach to miscommunication and realizing that time is the only cure for problems culminates with Beach Boys-esque vocals that coo and assure the world that everything’s all right. It’s an updated take on a classic sound, fusing indie-pop with sentiments that were mastered by previous generations of artists, and it’s what makes Gamblers’ newest song a delightful passing of the torch. The Corinthian Order EP will be out September 7. -Tucker Pennington