Curtis Lowe is a new electronic music project from NYC-based producer Conor Cook.  The debut EP, Sad Bangers Vol. 1, is due January 18 via the Spotify Direct program. The first single “Breaking Me” (streaming below) was unveiled today, unveiling a melodic house sound with the souful vocals of Naomi Wild. The EP was produced by Cook, who also plays guitar on every track. The songs were all co-written by Cook and the featured vocalists. 

Cook explains: “I wanted to create modern a sound that is based around classic house elements and good songs.  I’ve been writing with some great musicians and friends over the last year and am excited to begin releasing music under Curtis Lowe. The songwriting happened in a variety of sessions in NYC and LA, but most of the production was done alone in my apartment in Brooklyn over the last year. I drew a lot of the inspiration for the sonics of the project from 90’s/Chicago house music, married with modern production elements, and darker songwriting themes.

Balms’ anticipated album Mirror hits the streets in February 2019 and the intriguing taste they’ve given us so far is their newest single, “Candle.” Self-proclaimed bummer pop, this chugging indie rock jam might make us a little more anxious if it weren’t for the cooing, sweet vocals shining through the darkness. It’s like Grizzly Bear took a dip in the grunge bath and we want to jump in. Every part of this song—the composition, the lyrics, the feelings—is a multilayered mélange that’s hard to shake. “I want your soul,” he says, a charming, echoing call. Songs like this are why categories like dream rock exist. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Photo credit: David Brendan Hall

Austin’s indie-folk quartet Much 2 Much just wrapped up their November residency at Swan Dive last Thursday evening. The lineup was a female-centric smorgasbord of intricate harmonies, instrumental versatility and head-turning musical approaches. 

The first act of the evening was a duo set by two of the women of Ley Line, Emilie Basez and Maddy Froncek. The duo played soft and slow, but with raw power and a unique emotional intensity that kept the inhabitants of Swan Dive silent and attentive as ever. Basez and Froncek effortlessly exchanged duties on acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass and percussion, seamlessly shifting between songs without missing a beat. Their set included originals, some sung beautifully in Portuguese, and covers by artists such as Gillian Welch. 

Much 2 Much – fronted by Erin Thelen and Angie Holliday – took the stage next. With fluttering, ethereal harmonies and concise songwriting, Much 2 Much are masters of dynamics and catchy hooks. Thelen and Holliday are each proficient at guitar and keys, and both bring different methods to their instruments, so no single song sounds quite alike. Backed by a powerful rhythm section consisting of Tyler Irvine on drums and Alex Browne on bass, Much 2 Much plowed through their set with smiles and fervor to an uproarious crowd.

The last act of the evening was the trio of Allysa Grace Music. Grace’s music is an intriguing blend of jazz, soul and prog-rock, with songs that often descend into what feel like free-form jams. Grace’s stage presence is strong, and she addresses the crowd with an affable ease that belies the complexity of her music. In a town filled to the brim with guitar players, it’s refreshing to see a band without guitar. Instead, Grace’s keyboard is the centerpiece instrument, with bassist Ben Bradshaw often taking lead excursions on his five-string bass. 

You can catch Much 2 Much at The Lodge and Tavern in Wimberley on December 22nd. Listen to a live version of "Footsteps" below! – Ethan Ames

Former Exitmusic member Devon Church (whom we interviewed here) has released his solo debut album “We Are Inextricable.” While holding on to many of the dream-like qualities of his previous band, his material features a more intimate and introspective style of writing. His voice is slightly rougher now, bearing a world-weary storytelling approach. “Draw the knife of your beauty one more night – cut these fibers now that tie me to your bed.” The artist will be celebrating the album release show at Alphaville tonight (11.30), the record can be streamed and purchased at the Felte bandcamp page here. – Dave Cromwell

LoFi Satellites take psychedelic rock n roll, turn up the warbling reverb, add a chugging rhythm and tie it all together with the energy of Marc Belluomini’s vocals, ranging from wistful to angry and wild then back again. Track “Feet to the Fire” rumbles in with a sassy booming bass-drum duet and carries the song throughout its highs and lows. Did we mention that baseline? Recorded in San Francisco’s own Tiny Telephone studio, tracks are mixed warm and fuzzy. And better yet, they know how to put on a killer live jam. See them November 30th at Caravan in San Jose then mark your calendar! They’re playing Winters Tavern in their home town of Pacifica on February 16th. And what do you know, they’re a leading contender for November’s Artist of the Month by their adoring fans. Bravo, boys. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor 

DIY diva/producer Sir Babygirl is gearing up to release her hotly anticipated debut album, Crush On Me, in February via Father/Daughter records. She’s already released a few criminally catchy queer bangers, “Heels,” “Flirting With Her,” and “Haunted Mansion” plus some spooky accompanying visuals. Her songs inhabit an atmosphere that’s sparkly, maximalist, and histrionic. A former comedian and current meme-r, Hogue uses humor to confront issues of bi-sexuality, femininity, and gender on her instagram and in her music. Now, the Silicon Valley-born, New Hampshire-raised starlet is hitting the road on tour in support of her upcoming album with Philly’s Petal. Listen and watch "Haunted Mansion" below, and be sure to catch Sir Babygirl and Petal at Rough Trade NYC with Cave People on January 25th. 

Kamau Wainaina—who performs under the moniker Maũ—is creating shape-shifting, avant music that’s as interdisciplinary as his artistic background. Maũ, a senior at NYU Tisch whose work spans film, photography, and music, put out his single “SUNDOWN” via Invertebrate back in September. The song enters a space free from the boundaries of conventional genre where a slinking electro beat meets stream-of-consciousness spoken word hip-hop:“I wish I could call it word vomit but that would understate it / syllables spilling god willing, I  turn a phrase to payment.” Born in Nairobi, Wainaina’s work is largely focused on the ways one’s identity can adapt and shift in different environments. You can catch Maũ as well as Jae Luna, Octopus, and Pom Pom Squad at Trans-Pecos on 11/29 at 8 pm in a show put on by NYU Local. Sara Nuta

Hayes Peebles’ cerebral folk has been permeating the Brooklyn scene since the release of his debut single, “Ghosts” (2016). A couple of singles, an EP and two acoustic b-sides later, Peebles has accumulated a collection of sparkling acoustic Americana that conjures bittersweet and melancholic thoughts. Just released earlier this week, his newest single, “I’ll Be Fine,” flows with a lighter tempo that remains grounded with expressive and heart-tugging lyrical content. Many artists make an effort to show the softer side of their taste, but tracks like “Short and Sweet” and “Bella” display the effortlessness of this artist’s melodic style. Though raised on indie rock idols Interpol and The Strokes, Peebles has wandered quite a bit from his roots with a style that channels the gentle spirit of Bob Dylan and the twang of Neil Young—but all rock is not lost. Sometimes you can snag a taste of his younger influences in songs such as “Straight to Hell,” which burns steadily through big-stadium blues riffs. Hayes has torn through his local scene and, with the help of industry acclaim, is quickly becoming one of most distinct emerging voices in folk music. Check out his new song “I’ll Be Fine” below and stream his full discography on Soundcloud or Bandcamp. – Rebecca Carroll

Having spent the month of November touring numerous west coast cities together, Felte Records label mates Public Memory and Devon Church celebrate their respective new releases with a show at Alphaville on 11/30. Robert Toher’s Public Memory (previously featured here) released his second full-length album “Demolition” earlier this month, with lead single “The Line” (streaming below) making an immediate impresson. On an hypnotic trip-hop beat, layers of synths and samples create dark and atmospheric soundscapes. Vocals soon emerge within deeper padding textures as space is cleared for additional live drums. As the track continues to progress, elements of sampled voices materialize, adding one more element to its otherworldly nature. Both albums can be streamed everywhere and ordered at the Felte bandcamp page here. – Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn indie-rock trio Noble Kids are announcing their forthcoming sophomore album, Messy Pretty, with the release of a new single “Rain Hat,” a sentimental song with ribbons of synth-sounding instrumentation spiraling in the background. "The mess we made was proof / Can’t rid myself of them so soon / And i’m just so glad for you.”

Their upcoming album Messy Pretty meditates on questions of the self and the other—the ways you can misinterpret the identities’ of your loved ones and visa versa. It’s a perfect coming of age track with plain-spoken lyrics and conversational vocals that fits right in as the band grows into their nostalgic pop sound. 

“Messy Pretty is a very human record,” says Barsten in a press release. “There is a sheen to it, but it’s messy at its core and direct in a way that made us all a little uncomfortable while making it. That was a new feeling, and it became an important feeling to embrace. It pushed us.”

Listen to “Rain Hat” below. Messy Pretty is out February 2019 and you can pre-order it here.  

Currently based in NYC, Lucite Tokki is a duo that formed in Seoul in 2005 and had a pretty good run so far, releasing four full albums and six EPs. Their songs shares delicate melodies and a variety of instruments, from the acoustic to the electronic, that are the basis of their always sparse arrangements. Their latest album "L+" features both Korean and English lyrics and delivers plenty of charming pop moments. Our favorite songs is opener "every you" (streaming), which use a jazzy piano progression to build a sophisticated soul pop composition filled with nods to the masters of the genre from the early ’80s. Lucite Tikki will be performing live at Rockwood Music Hall on December 23rd.

It’s hard to not be charmed by Oakland’s pop rock bunch Small Crush. They’re like The Strokes met a Weezerly guitarist and a crispy-wispy lady vocalist and threw in some extra smiles. Lyrics are often bittersweet and romantic in that man, I’ve been there, type of way. Take the song “Signal Dreams” from their latest album, Blush: “If I’m asleep or awake/what difference does it make/if you’re not here with me?” Killer melodies and like they say, Fun! Natural Fun! We agree and we’re not the only ones. Small Crush killed it at last summer’s Noise Pop and we can’t wait to see them again. Enjoy listening to their songs below and catch them at The Art Boutiki in San Jose on December 22, where they’re playing with their Asian Man Record label mates Get Married. – Michelle Kicherer