One month after its release, Knifight’s first LP, Dark Voices, still dominates the heavy rotation list. From the preeminent dark wavers, these dance-fast, poppish numbers run through with fuzzily-verbed rhythm. Stabbed clean with synths, organs, and other forms of 80-ish digitalia, the album is finished with a solid skewering via John Gable’s Voice of God, reverbed into near-psychedelic places.

Try "In The Fire", "Whisper Room", "Black Dagger", or the title track if you’re looking for a faster, can’t-get-enough-of-it number. If you favor a slow twist, give the deliciously-romantic "Cosmonaut", "Peace Cry", or "My Angels" a spin. I’m calling Dark Voices one of the best collections of dark wave rock to grace 2013. You should thrust this one into your iPod. Better yet, catch these guys in the act. Knifight will be ascending Holy Mountain tomorrow, 7/10/13 and then transfixing the Empire Control Room on 7/19/13. –Written by Scott Osborn 

Super Thief released their first EP last January entitled Two for No. Be prepared for a twisty journey through of a spectrum of soundwaves. It’s four tracks exploding with rock, punk and some long instrumental breaks that show off their skills; heavy one song, soft and lyrical the next.

They note some of their influences as LCD soundsystem, The Pixies, and The Jesus Lizard, which makes for their combo as a self-described "rock-indie-post/punk-something-or-other band". You are sure to hear something that will appeal to your musical palette. Check them out for yourself tonight at The Mohawk. A 6 dollar show, doors open at 9pm. –Written by Courtney Pierce

Smooth as butter on a hot summer day, the groovy bass lines and silky harmonies of The LaRues melt all over you when you listen to their self-titled album, The LaRues. Fronted by three female singer-songwriters, this piping hot band has been turning their personal heartbreaks and original love songs into a funky good time since 2010. Their behind the scenes video will tell you the whole serendipitous story of how the members came together and their process of creation.

For the live act, they’ve got a sweet spot in the Oh Snap! Festival, 7/13/13, at the Historic Scoot Inn. You can check out the rest of the lineup here also featuring Dana Falconberry, The Hikes, Space Crazies and Emily Wolfe. If you just can’t wait until then, Antone’s is up next, 7/11/13. -Written by Charise Sowells

With names like Mayeux and Broussard you’d expect french accents, but that’s far from this Austin duo’s sound. Instead, it’s straight up Americana, with extra twang, that’ll have you hooked. Their album While the Gitten’s Good is like a truck flying down a dirt road at sunset. It’ll take you to your country roots (or maybe your wannabe ones). Their single “Hey Mama Blues” is a true country song complete with deep gravely vocals. Vocals that will give you a sense of freedom: an open road before you and only a trail of dust billowing in the wind behind. Wipe your boots off, grab your favorite honky tonkin partner, and head down to Antone’s for Mayeux and Broussard’s next show Tuesday, July 2nd. Doors open at 8:30. —Written by Courtney Pierce

Crawling Up the Stairs brings listeners to Hades’ doorstep where, with Pure X, we fight our way back to the surface. A cheerful me before starting Crawling Up the Stairs was a mess of depression and lonliness mere measures into the album, but the true power of their songwriting came through with "Thousand Year Old Child". This song is the chillest of chill songs. After literally crawling out of hell,  "Thousand Year Old Child" was like an injection of peace. Pure couldn’t be more right when it comes to describing Pure X as each song provokes a true emotional reality, something so few can capture. Give Crawling Up the Stairs a listen and check out Pure X’s new music video for "Thousand Year Old Child". —Written by Katy Glass

Soulful, bluesy, and true rock’n’roll grit are what make Emily Bell an Austin music must. From her recently released debut album In Technicolor, "Back to the Way I Was", a saucy/flirty number, showcases Bell’s seemingly effortless, yet powerful voice. Where her voice will empower, her music video will have you putting on red lipstick, a short skirt, and unleashing those diva dance moves. Don’t miss Emily for her last home show at Threadgill’s Saturday, June 22 at 9 p.m. before she hits the road for her summer tour. —Written by Courtney Pierce

Julandrew, aka indie pop duo Julie and Andrew, has captivated me. I would listen to Julie Handy sing anything. Her voice alone is enough to hold my awe. Her other half, Andrew Phillip provides the instrumental everything to this dream set. Electric guitar, drums, what have you, he lays out the perfect wave of sound to carry Julie’s lovely voice from lyric to lyric.

I fell in love with Julandrew’s music from the first song, "Black Hole", where Julie’s dreamy "ooh’s" lull me into the mood of Songs to Dream By. When I reached "World Keeps Turning", I was officially a fan. The lyrics, the vocals, the instrumentals are all of fantastical quality. This is the type of music you listen to with your eyes closed, taking in every drop of sound. Download Songs to Dream By today and keep a look out for upcoming shows! —Written by Katy Glass

The only disappointing thing about The Harms is that after streaming their two songs, as with anything great, I needed more. Their psychedelic sound mixed with Chase Frank’s hypnotizing, melodic voice redefines the standard of (mostly) girl bands. Even a modern day Odysseus wouldn’t stand a chance against these self-proclaimed “Femme Fatale Siren Songs”. Not only will their music entrance you, it’ll make you dance. While awaiting the release of The Harms first full-length album, we can all get our fix with their first music video, “Take the Elevator” released June 3 and their next show June 27 at The Annex. —Written by Courtney Pierce

Lonely Child‘s Bryan Ray churns out another collage of musical wonder with his most recent release, "Dead Life". The song reaches into dark dimensions of emotion both lyrically and instrumentally. Cacophonous middle measure illustrate a "dead life" with fleeting meaning as drums, piano, vocals, and more compete to be heard, to be felt. Despite the confusion, I find myself clinging to the piano as it laces around the phrase "everything’s alright", which resounds through the song as the anthem of a lying subconscious. Listen to Lonely Child’s "Dead Life" today and feel the song for yourself! —Written by Katy Glass

Besides being stuck in my head in a good way, Exit‘s music evoked many musical memories in me. Listening to "Looking Glass", I think of the dark, breathy lyrics of Smile Empty Soul. Then, in their song "Alicia Marie", the perfectly harmonized guy/girl duo reminds me of Lydia’s music. Whether it’s a demonstration of darkwave, alternative, or indie rock influences, they come together to form Exit’s glorious gothic sound that, as I said, gets stuck in your head in a good way. Check out Exit June 15 at Frank with Love Hate Affair and Shiny Empire! —Written by Katy Glass

After completing their first US tour in 2012, Little Radar is ready to release their debut full-length album, Souvenirs, this August. Little Radar has channeled the energy and harmonic stylings of indie bands such as Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket. Recorded at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN with the help of Grammy-Award winning producer, Mitch Dane, on staff, and the addition of some tasteful bells and whistles; Souvenirs is sure to excite Little Radar’s heavily bearded fans as well as the rest of the music loving world. Check them out this Friday at Stubb’s with Boyfrndz and Driver Friendly. —Written by Jodi Lang

Misay Day is a straight-up folk band. In their video for 91.7’s Local Live in-Studio, they perform "Wetlands" and of the three instruments they play, one is indeed a saw. And you know what? It works! It really works. In some instances folk music can seem too traditional, almost stagnant, but Misay Day’s alternative folk music is alive and kicking.

The first time I heard "Imaginary Blues" and Kate Robberson came in, my mind went right to Regina Spektor’s "Consequence of Sounds". The songs radiate with Robberson and Spektor’s classic voices and cute inflections. This uncanny likeness was reaffirmed when I watched "Wetlands" where the vocals are rich and decadent and seconds later light.

The song as a whole acts to teleport your mind to a calmer place. I felt undertones of ambient influences in the calm atmosphere it held. Check out "Wetlands" and "Imaginary Blues" today and feel the cool vibes of alternative folk. — Written by Katy Glass