Repenter’s heavy, blistering debut single "So Sick" gets its point across with startling immediacy. Led by a chugging guitar line with a punk flourish, the duo of vocalist Holly Winter and guitarist Thomas Scriven complement each other with an ease that can’t be taught. "I just want you to know that I ain’t mad at ya, but I ain’t a fan of ya," Winter unapologetically sings in a husky upper register, making a pointed critique at the insidious side of influencer culture. – Juan Rodríguez

On their debut single, "Mother/Father," Cuffed Up shake off their inhibitions with a blistering call-to-arms. "Safety is not a guarantee / when you’re afraid of everything," sing co-founders Sapphire Jewel and Ralph Torrefranca, a vigorous reminder to anyone who’s ever been caught in a vulnerable moment. Having met through likeminded interests—specifically the modern UK punk scene—Jewel and Torrefranca stumbled upon a bracing new single without knowing that it’d develop into a full-time passion project, especially considering that they’d just left their bands Gypsum and Dr. Doctor, respectively (both great in their own right). The quartet may look into modern rabble-rousers like Shame and IDLES for inspiration, but what’s best about "Mother/Father" is what they subliminally reference through their shifting dynamics and dexterous guitar work—there are shadings of Sonic Youth’s Sister/Daydream Nation-era period, from their dual vocal parts and steady rhythmic passages. With such a strong debut, consider their formation by happenstance the happiest of accidents.

Check out "Mother/Father," and the accompanying double side A single "Small Town Kid," below. – Juan Rodríguez

The inspiration behind "Scorpio," Emma Charles’ new single, came like one of those spur-of-the-moment conversations we have with the ones closest to us. After having a conversation with a friend, she was aware of the fact that her birth date is close to two star signs (for those interested, she’s in between a Sagittarius and a Scorpio), each known to have distinct personality traits. Random conjecturing on astrology aside, the folk-pop singer’s latest also finds a satisfactory compromise—the gentle mid-tempo cut is delicate yet assured, where she battles the intense oscillating emotions that consume her mental energy.

Charles is supporting the release of "Scorpio" at Hunnypot Live at The Mint on August 19. Juan Rodríguez

San Diego four-piece Mrs. Henry usher in the classic and roots rock of the ’70s, often paying homage by closely following the intended source material. Recently, the band recruited over thirty musicians from their local music scene to recreate influential Canadian rockers The Band’s farewell show The Last Waltz. And "The River," their latest original single, represents a collective renewal after undertaking such a daunting project—even if they originally conceived it during a busy period in their lives. The gospel-tinged boogie rock of "The River" evokes a loose jam session, but more so in feeling, as the arrangements sound carefully crafted and versatile. Inspired from a trip guitarist/vocalist Dan Cervantes took to Big Sur, the rollicking, multi-part track signifies the search for something meaningful, using natural elements to bring cleansing from within. It’s a simple step forward for a band who’s choosing to narrow their focus after satisfying their lofty ambitions. – Juan Rodríguez

Still’s debut single, "Divinity," seemingly came out of nowhere—the trio delved into the melodic side of post-punk with its ringing, layered guitars and robust rhythm section.  Their latest single, "Control," also adopts a trebly, shimmering sound that comes across like the work of a full band rather than an intimate bedroom recording—an anomaly for a contemporary band that adopts an eighties guitar-pop style. There’s an-all-embracing romanticism to lead singer Daniel McDonough’s passionate admission: "Embers rising from a fire / You burned it all down so your past selves would die," he sings in a tender falsetto, showcasing his commanding range over a beautifully arranged balance of delicate synth lines and just the right amount of reverb—very much in the tradition of songwriters like Gerard "Caesar" McInulty and Mark Burgess. – Juan Rodríguez

The first time we heard of Caroline Kingsbury, a.k.a. Kingsbury, the then-21-year-old was going through a changing period in her life without the support system that she needed at the time. In the time that’s passed, the singer-songwriter experienced love and lost it, facing her painful memories a newfound strength on her latest single, "U Take it Back." "You gave me something I never had / and then you take it back," she exclaims with devastating simplicity,  wrapping her salty-yet-sweet vocals over a backdrop of billowing synths and gossamer guitar lines. She invites a calm and stately atmosphere to soothe her unease,  reminding us that there’s always comfort in melancholy.

Since then, Kingsbury has supported likeminded indie-pop acts like Aurora, NoMBe, and local artist Miya Folick. Up next is a month-long tour supporting Alex Lahey, which kicks off right here at The Troubadour on August 13. – Juan Rodríguez

Cold Weather Kids believe that there’s life after a bad break up on their buoyant debut single, "Shaken." Led by Allison and Ryan Scottie’s passionate vocals, the pop-punk quartet counterbalance layers of electric guitar with start-stop rhythms as they keep their heads held high. The up-tempo romp sounds both familiar and inviting, crafting dynamic, energetic melodies that sound youthful and full of promise.

Catch the band perform live at Madame Siam on Thursday, August 1st. Juan Rodríguez

Adam Melchor’s songs are stories about family—and how the experiences he’s acquired with time gain a deeper meaning as he grows up. On his latest single, "Joyride," the LA-via-New Jersey singer-songwriter writes about the challenge of letting go when it’s the best course of action to take, using his parents’ stolen childhood truck as a symbol that mirrors their eventual divorce—a lesson in perspective that taught him to value those valuable moments before they’re gone. The clamor of a trumpet only augments his reflection, an instrument that brings clarity of thought to his otherwise acoustic rumination.

"Joyride" follows the release of his sophomore EP, Plan on You, which was released earlier this year. Melchor will join Rodrigo and Gabriella on a string of tour dates, including a hometown show at the Greek Theater on July 23. Watch the accompanying video below. Juan Rodríguez

Electro-pop trio Cannons have released their debut album, Shadows, featuring headlining powerhouse, “Fire for You." Vocalist Michelle Joy pushes out beautifully nostalgic lyrics of love, loss, and everything few and far between. Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis complete this trio, painting colorful baselines with a funky disco charm that keeps your head wrapped in a warm, hazy atmosphere—perfect for the Monday blues or the Friday jitters. There is no doubt in my mind that this album is slowly becoming the fuel to my work week.

Shadows is out now via AntiFragile Music. Kayla Hay

"Time," the new single by singer/songwriter frogi, begins slow and steady. "Baby let’s just give it time," she beckons, a song she wrote during a period of emotional relationship turmoil. She uses nothing more than her soft, enrapturing voice, hitting each note with striking precision over a droning ambient backdrop until she builds things up to a soaring finish. Her denouement is simple, yet sublime, letting us in into her most vulnerable state with a freeing sense of resolution.

Listen to "Time," alongside frogi’s debut single, "peace of mind," via her official Soundcloud page. – Juan Rodríguez

For close to a decade, Rey Villalobos wrote three albums of atmospheric psychedelia and indie-folk under his moniker House of Wolves. But for the Ojai, California native, a change of pace was necessary. There’s something both familiar and new about "Breathe," switching to his birth name as a solo artist—his ominous new single blends a downtempo backbeat and swaying, oscillating guitars, using natural elements to describe a sense of escape. He incorporates an acoustic flourish on the song’s bridge, later to demolish it, perhaps a clever guise to remind us that he’s respecting the old and welcoming the new.

"Breathe" is the first single from Rey’s forthcoming EP, due out later this summer. – Juan Rodríguez

Bandie, the stage name of singer-songwriter Brian Hill, reflects on the pleasures of a fun night out on his new single, "It’s Getting Late." Hill, alongside his four-piece band, write a hooky, good-natured power-pop song that also turns up the fuzz. "It’s getting late so/why the hell we aren’t asleep," Hill merrily sings, a sweet, simple sentiment that’s balanced with a harmony-driven melody and an energetic blast of winding guitars.

"It’s Getting Late" is taken from Bandie’s forthcoming EP, due out later this year. Catch his single release show at Resident next Wednesday, July 10. – Juan Rodríguez