In the track “Genesis” (streaming below,) Rhode Island-based alt-rockers SILICA pose the question, “What’s to lose if you aint’ got nothing?” Unsurprisingly, this lyricism, which encourages letting loose, is matched with an unbridled and reckless energy that manifests itself into a synthy pop-punk amalgamation that’s been dubbed “dance punk.” As the song proclaims, they are “uncontained” and not afraid to just give it their all. Dance along with SILICA on the North Stage at the Remember September Music Festival in Brockton, MA on September 1 at 6:45 pm. – Lilly Milman 

The quartet Genie of The Lamp are dedicated to paying homage towards Bay Area legend Mac Dre, who was instrumental in developing the local hip-hop scene. In their newest video for “Since ’84” (streaming below,) they channel nostalgia through vintage video effects and a stripped-down visual approach. The live cover of the track does justice to the original, highlighting both the technical execution and the Bay Area spirit of Genie of The Lamp. – Lilly Milman 

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

Queer pop artist Arthur Moon possesses a rare ability to take contrasting voices and pull them forcibly into close conversation. Her last single ‘Wait a Minute‘ exposed hidden relationships found in otherwise opposed historical events. The video juxtaposed footage from old Dyke and Pride Marches with mid-century advertising tropes, producing a jolting experience where the viewer is left wondering what, if anything, do these two dominant cultural forces have in common. In less capable hands, this level of ambition might come up short on results, but Moon works as an alchemist with her sources.

In her latest single ‘Standing Wave,’ she continues this sorcery with even more directness. The track is supported by an off kilter groove undergirding a strong and alternately soothing melodic contour, working as a defibrillator that delivers sudden jolts to keep your heart beating in rhythm. Listen to both singles below. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

Romanian-born Vlad Holiday has released his fourth single of 2018, called "Like In The Movies". The dream pop slow jam follows "Children", "Tunnel Vision", and "Obscurity", all of which give an arena rock vibe a’ la lost U2 track from the "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" era. Following such a productive year of releases and shows at major NYC venues, there is still no news of a possible album release. However, recent pictures on Vlad’s Twitter have shown him writing lyrics on his phone, so more music seems to be on the way. Listen to "Like In The Movies" below. – Will Sisskind

The Burlington-based indie rock five-piece J Benjoy, according to their own description, make “bummer-rock that makes you smile.” This is an accurate way to characterize their Kayhl Cooper-directed clip for “Armchair,” the entropic anthem off of their LP Dogwood Winter. Filmed during a Vermont winter, the cool-toned visuals alternate between the band members playing instruments together and being carted around on armchairs around the city to much eerier scenes of dark hallways and faceless men wheeling them away. Things must destruct before they can be rebuilt, but as the first verse goes, “things fall down / but they don’t always fall into place.” It is in this space — where life has yet to snap into place, where something doesn’t quite fit but you have to figure out how to move forward anyway — that J Bengoy have created “Armchair” and it’s one worth talking about. J Bengoy will be playing at Brooklyn’s Union Pool tonight (August 25) and will be back with another show in Burlington at ArtsRiot on September 7. – Lilly Milman, photo by Kayhl Cooper

Emerging out of NYC’s psych and noise rock scene, The Sofas premiere their latest single “Keep Pass Turn Again” here today. While the track features an explosive wall of buzzing bees guitars and heavy snare drum, the vocal approach is softer and dreamier.  Lyrics “it is strong – but I feel it when you’re not around” are delivered with the cool detachment of J. Mascis on early Dinosaur Jr. records. Sonic breaks between central vocal phrase “burning out” include momentary bursts of chaos along with a well-placed minor chord. “Is this not enough? Enough to keep you waiting?” ushers in a pitch-bendy change, aligning more closely with fellow gazey rockers like Ringo Deathstarr. Extending this segment until the track’s end allows the blending of guitars and vocals to provide an ultimately uplifting warmth. The band’s full album “Chop Water” was mixed by Bill Skibbe (Protomartyr, The Kills, Blonde Redhead) and will be released by Jurrasic Pop Records on 9/14. –Dave Cromwell

It seems to be a truism that the artists hardest to pin down to a prescribed genre are the ones we work hardest to find a slot to add them to. New Zealand artist Siena Stone isn’t making this job any easier. With a nod to lush summer jams (Beach House, Cocteau Twins), Stone delivers her latest single "Freewheeler" seemingly relaxed and carefree, but listen a bit more closely, and now you’re hearing a voice wrapped in mystery and intrigue, closer in spirit to evocative ’60s/70s singer-songwriters like Warren Zevon and Richard Thompson (the song’s title is itself a nod to early Dylan album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan). ‘Freewheeler’ appears soothing on the surface, but just as often gets lost under a flurry of reverb-soaked, synth-fueled waves, like you’re playing in the ocean, but perhaps have wandered a bit too far from the beach. Stone’s work will live on long past the summer, and we’re excited about whatever she’ll be doing next. Check out ‘Freewheeler’ below. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

Fall and the cold weather that follows are beginning to loom over the city, but don’t worry, summer isn’t over quite yet. For anyone in need of a power-up to boot and rally into the final round of warm weather, Frills has something valuable. The Brooklyn duo’s latest single “Drunk Girls, Drunk Boys” is a towering electro-pop track wearing its intentions on its sleeves. If the title doesn’t make it clear, the sing-a-long chorus and night-out verses will: this is music for letting loose and not caring. "Drunk Girls, Drunk Boys" follows a similarly excellent summer single "She’s Got Love" which the group released in May with an accompanying music video. – Cameron Carr

Brooklyn’s via Omaha quartet Navy Gang is one of the best acts from the crop of NYC bands infatuated with the alt-pop sound of the ’90s, when bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Pavement were developing a musical vocabulary that shared Nirvana’s power trio sound, but replaced the tortured angst with a more thoughtful and fatalistic attitude – which earned them the "slacker rock" label. The 14 songs in their newly released debut album "Poach" are a reinterpretation of that sound that’s definitely worthy more than one listen, in particular when the band follows more personal sonic and songwriting paths, linke in single "Awkward Exchange" (streaming), featuring a wall of sound of pitch shifted distorted guitar and 8-bit synths. Navy Gang will be celebrating the release of Poach tonight (08.22) at Baby’s All Right.

Revival rock’n’roll bands aren’t a rarity in NYC (or anywhere else in the US, for that matter), but it ain’t easy to find one that’s able to reinvent the genre without sounding irredeemably stuck in the past, while also tearing it on stage. Jeremy & The Harlequins pull off both feats with flair, alternating "purer" rocking tracks with others that introduce pop elements and more modern chord progressions, like "Remeber This," the titletrack and opening track of their new album. The band announced a two legged summer/fall tour – with the later dates as a support for Electric Six. You can catch them live at Brooklyn’s Littlefield on October 2nd.

Laser focused on booking the best emerging NYC artists from genres ranging from pop to soul to hip hop, The National Sawdust’s monthly Revolution series returns this coming Saturday (August 25th) with its 30th installment involving three talented soulful artists.

Latinx American singer, songwriter, and producer RAE ISLA writes stylish and passionate songs about love and our connection to the divine; African-American female neo-soul singer and songwriter from Long Island, Hadassah delivers experiential stories while fusing jazz, soul, and electronica on a minimalist backdrop; NYC-based psych-soul quintet Madam West seek to find, through their songs, the sunlight that remains—even in a cold-shouldered city, during what often seems like the darkest of times.

Listen to a playlist of their songs below, and don’t miss them live on Saturday at Revolution #30!