With the release of Light Full, Evelyn presented itself as a fully materialized band. The riffs were striking, the vocals were fiery and the lyrics were streamlined to be evocative on first listen. How does a group like this, with their sound seemingly fully formed at launch, continue to engage their audience? By releasing a tighter, laser-focused follow-up. The four tracks of Slowly expand on the band’s philosophy of “hearts-on-their-sleeves” indie rock by allowing for the impassioned performances to be more dynamic. The opening song “Honey” charges forward with the swagger of a band more in tune with themselves, while the eponymous and spacey “Slowly” offers a dreamier take on catharsis. The more in sync performances allow for Slowly to find breathing room for each emotional element, so when a solo kicks into full gear, it burns brighter and remains stirring long after the EP is over. Evelyn continue to blaze a path that is wholly their own, where every small emotion is explored and bursts open in a wide-eyed release. You can watch the video for the “Slowly” single below and see Evelyn perform at Knitting Factory on July 1. -Tucker Pennington 

Field trip delves into the topic of loss in a way that seems to blur the line between experiencing personally and sharing it with others. His newest single “onethousand” starts off with a garbled transmission before settling into a melancholy haze. The layer of guitar effects and twinkling bells provides a backdrop similar in tone to those found on King Krule’s last album, yet the grooves on this single have a greater sway and the vocals are brighter. Lyrics like “what should I do, what do I do, look at you, look at me” brightly gleam before quickly shedding any sense of coolness and quickly become a call for help. Its a song that sounds lost in the neon smoke of city life, and its quiet attempts at human connection are deeply affecting, both working as a shared experience and something that needs to be listened privately. You can stream “onethousand” below and see field trip perform at Knitting Factory on June 30. –Tucker Pennington

Young Bugs‘ songs fall in between the cracks of post-punk, garage rock and indie rock. They’ve got moments where they brilliantly thrash together for a brief, fifteen second moment and then on the next track they’ll be reverting to angular riffs reminiscent of Gang of Four. Quite simply, Young Bugs have cherry picked the best ideas from a variety of sub-genres and melted them down to their purest form to create their newest album Room Damage, which succeeds on a multitude of levels. Opener “Fawn” features a galloping drum beat and a guitar riff that is equal part technical proficiency and equal part danceable groove. The album also avoids the somewhat dour tones that have plagued many post-punk albums of recent years due to its odd structures and upbeat tones. Even the lead single “Forget the Truth”, while on the surface appears to be a straightforward and jangly guitar driven song, uses subtle instrumental flourishes to keep things interesting. It is obvious that care was put into every song in Room Damage, and it shows in how much ground the band covers in 34 minutes. You can stream the video for “Forget the Truth” below and catch them live at Alphaville on July 3. -Tucker Pennington

National Sawdust is highlighting three up-and-coming local acts for the 28th, Deli sponsored installment of “THE REVOLUTION”. For the month of June, artists from jazz and hip-hop to rock n’ roll are being presented on the venue’s stage for their contribution to local music and for pushing their respective genres forward. This month’s three artist are FKAjazz, JSWISS and Vick & the Velvicks. JSWISS is a rapper and lyricist whose focus on positivity and overcoming obstacles is paired with lively jazz and soul influences, creating an assured and bright sound. Vick & the Velvicks’ blend of hard rock hooks and energetic songwriting have transformed New York’s most intimate venues into stadium shows. FKAjazz marries a new vision and old school precision to create an exciting new take on jazz. National Sawdust hopes these three artists will be the benchmarks for local music and will highlight their talents this Saturday on June 23. – Tucker Pennington

On first listen, the songs and sounds of Renata Zeiguer’s debut album Old Ghost are deceivingly simple. Indie rock influences clash with her delicate voice in interesting if not straightforward ways. Yet there’s an appealing aspect of Old Ghost that continues to draw the listener in as she paints an image of the world that is filled with naturally occurring voids that are at once brutal and beautiful. Her voice feels equally morose and triumphant as she explores themes of identity and loss. Nature also plays a large role in Zeiguer’s lyrics; cosmic elements of our world like the moon and the mundane creatures who inhabit it both haunt and captivate the singer. These poetic lyrics burrow themselves in her ethereal voice and unfold in expansive and cathartic moments as the production swerves from angular to harmonious. Old Ghost is an album that burns softly if heard in the background but illuminates brightly when it is lived with. The entire record can be streamed below and you can hear Zeiguer perform at Elsewhere on June 20. – Tucker Pennington

The title of Kahiem Rivera’s breakout release, Be Quiet, Pt. 1 EP, isn’t so much of a command of silence as it is the mode in which he conveys his thoughts. His voice, slightly nasal and assured, slithers in between of whisper and a confession. The production is hushed, and many of the introspective lines can breeze past the listener as the muted psychedelic beats offer a dreamy hideaway. This isn’t a soft, pleasant listen though. Many of Rivera’s lines, while seemingly straightforward, hide rage and melancholy for his generation and the younger kids who will follow their footsteps. Guest vocals from artists like Rosehardt and snake eyes push the ethereal vibes of this release into hypnotic territories. Be Quiet, Pt. 1 EP is a release that is crystalline and fragile, as if at any moment the production or lyrics could cause the songs to collapse, yet it’s this vulnerable and delicate balance that makes Rivera such a compelling artist. To create with an emphasis on subdued feelings makes every verse and every beat feel vital. You can hear the full EP below and see Rivera live at Elsewhere on June 22. – Tucker Pennington

The most striking thing you might notice about Huh’s music is how it blends its meticulousness with its witty and relatively catchy songwriting. Many of the songs found on the Whatever You Want EP deal with being fed up with the bullshit of the world and forging whatever path they want: men sharing poetry they think is darker than anything you could understand; being with any man they want without worrying about what others think; condemning their youth if it means usurping their own privilege… The four songs, while brief, say a lot about what’s on this four-piece’s mind. But the band never becomes entirely weighed down by their own messages; the precise and mechanical drumming from Ryann Slauson pushes each song forward while Tia Vincent-Clark’s distinctly rebellious vocals punctuate every song’s message with cathartic triumph. You can catch Huh performing at Alphaville on June 14. -Tucker Pennington

Opening with strings that instantly hook listeners is a bold move for a band’s lead single. But everything about Champagne Superchillin’ screams boldness, from the sensual and soothing vocals sung entirely in French to the title of their newest single which translates into “love of fate”. “Amor Fati” is a cool, cinematic song and the first single of the band’s upcoming album Beach Deep. It utilizes the sum of the band’s parts to create something that is effortless in its charisma; the bass line instantly finds a swaying groove as a psychedelic mist coats the guitars. The single is evocative and instills old-school pop styles without relying on nostalgia to create a brilliant introduction to the band. However, the track also blends darker tones to create something that is simultaneously mesmeric and uneasy. The strings cut back in twice, transforming the song into a bewitching soundtrack for nocturnal creatures. You can watch the music video for “Amor Fati” below and catch Champagne Superchillin’ performing at Alphaville on June 23. -Tucker Pennington

Real Clothes‘ Nico Fox describes her music as performance art, but that description doesn’t do justice to the music that she creates. Performance art conjures up images of artists in brightly lit museums gesturing in an ostentatious fashion for the audience to look at without much interaction on their part. The twisted and celestial creations crafted by Real Clothes guides listeners through Fox’s headspace, often crumbling or repeating in hypnotic trances. Using trip-hop as a starting point, Fox’s songs quickly branch into experimental hymns that feel truly unique. They are spirituals for the digital age, featuring shuttering drum patterns and glittery synths that surround her voice without preventing it from reaching its mesmerizing peak. And Fox’s performances are often dimly lit with lamps resembling candlelight as she sways from side to side, serenading her audience. It’s spellbinding in quality, fascinating in a somewhat alienating way. Most importantly, Fox’s music grabs listeners and pulls them on a aural journey that is simultaneously weightless and deeply impactful. You can stream “Bruja 魔女: The Screwed Pedant Lies” off the 2016 album Modulation below and see Real Clothes perform live at Alphaville on June 19. – Tucker Pennington

The blistering single “Going on a Trip” acts as a thesis statement for Ellen and the Degenerates. Dizzying riffs and hyperactive snares propel the song forward without a sense of direction and without care. It’s a low-fi and gnarly punk journey describing a road-trip gone wrong when an exit is missed and a fight breaks out between driver and passenger. It’s a non-stop barrage of energy that weaves between angst and rage as its modes of discourse. While the band promotes itself as “teen angst” and “pop punk”, it would be foolish to diminish their ferocity to something as quaint as teen angst. “Going on a Trip” is a twisted punk song that ends with heavy breathing, mirroring what every listener feels after first experiencing their music. Ellen and the Degenerates will be performing their hellish brand of modded punk at Elsewhere on June 17. You can stream their 2017 Herb Alert EP below. -Tucker Pennington

It’s been over 20 years since the landmark debut album from Cibo Matto Viva! La Woman, and in that time founding member Yuka Honda has continued to push sonic boundaries. Through collaborations with artists like Yoko Ono and Nels Cline, her work has never settled down and continues to change shape. Now, under the Eucademix monicker, she is once again reshaping how we think about music. Focusing on the “limitations of logic”, she has crafted electronic pieces the are unshapely and abrasive. Hissing feedback acts a barrier to entry, but the intricate breakbeats and pulsing synthesizers offer a song that rewards a patient listener. Pushing pass the abrasive moments, Honda finds serenity in the kinetic and exploratory maelstrom of her compositions. Her experimental constructions can be heard at Elsewhere on June 13. – Tucker Pennington

It can be easy for artists who wield nostalgia and evoke their favorite records to get lost in the source material. Reminiscing with sounds that aren’t as widely popular as they used to be can hide flaws in their songwriting. Fortunately for Max Clarke, the driving force behind Cut Worms, he never finds himself mired in his influences. With his latest album Hollow Ground via Jagjaguwar, his songwriting feels refreshing, yet comfortable. The woozy guitars never become a hazy memory. The melodies never feel stolen. Modern production flourishes bring out the best of these songs as they glow with soft harmonies and ear-worm hooks. Despite sounding like songs heard millions of times, Hollow Ground still finds time to surprise. Songs like “Hanging Your Picture Up to Dry” offer a jangly take on Midwestern folk while “Cowards Confidence” is tinted with psychedelia. Clarke’s finely tuned songs can be heard at Industry City Courtyard 1/2 on Thursday, June 14. You can listen to the single “Don’t Want To Say Good-Bye” below. – Tucker Pennington