We’re pleased to announce that Oakland’s Salami Rose Joe Louis has a new album and it is an ear feast for anyone down to let go and drift off into the octave-melting abyss. Zdenka 2080 (out on Brainfeeder) has jazz and synth, whispering poetry (“Octagonal Room”); there’s warm space vibes and distorted R&B moments. Sit back and drift off and come see ‘em at The Uptown for their album release show. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

“Bad In The Sun,” the newest offering by New York-based post-punk duo Water From Your Eyes, is a beautiful slow burn. Luring the listener into a false sense of trance-induced security through repetitive vocal samples and breakbeat 808s, the track eventually congeals into a harmonious vamp, wherein the chaos of their varied synth pop and new wave influences are slowly drawn back to reveal vocalist Rachel Brown’s mellifluous vocal performance and percussive, melodic guitar work. Clocking in at six minutes, it’s a wild ride that takes the listener through various musical themes incorporating IDM, folktronica, and indie rock, and demonstrates a bold vision for the group’s forthcoming LP Somebody Else’s Song. Stream it below, and catch Water From Your Eyes at Baby’s All Right on September 19th. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Last week Alex Lahey came out to The Independent last week and it was just the show we were hoping for. Lahey’s got an approachable and fun energy. Her songs are youthful rock n’ roll with some feels like that early 2000’s rock but with messages that are more current. There’s something empowering and solid about the music and their delivery. The crowd bumping and jumping along to songs like “Am I Doing it Right?” Lahey is on tour now and we suggest fans of power pop fun go check her out while she’s around these parts. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

With her strong, soulful voice and evocative, jazzy songs, Zsela stands out in the crowded scene of NYC songwriters. Her delicate debut track Noise (whose video we are streaming below) presents us with a sparse ballad full of poetry, led by vocals reminiscent of a more soulful Joni Mitchell from her early records. The lyrics tell a heart-wrenching story of the little things left behind after a failed love affair, leaving the listener with a sense of failed intimacy and emotional struggle Zsela evokes both through her lyrics and her vocal delivery. The Brooklyn native is currently on tour in North America with indie rock singer-songwriter Cat Power, stopping in New York, Canada, and Western America over the span of three months. See her live at Baby’s All Right on September 16. – Karigan Wright

New York City indie-soul-pop duo, Refs, released their new EP, “Now” on September 10th. Consisting of Zach Lipkins and Richard Saunders, the group has been active since 2015, releasing single “Pain Goes Away” as their debut. “Now” is comprised of four songs, each with its own unique feel and beat. The opener, "Bones," has a solid beat underlying the smooth lyrics, creating a gratifying experience for the listener. "What a Shame" is upbeat, despite the slurred lyrics describing getting over "it", whatever "it" may be. "New York," on the other hand shakes things up, a slow and melancholy melody accompanying soulful pensive lyrics. "Now" closes with "Little Late," a song both calm yet strangely energizing. You can catch the duo at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY on September 12 at 6 pm. – Karigan Wright

In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Step Children released their latest single, “Hot-Wired Cars.” Band member Derek Shaw says the song is “…full of memories, regret and hope…people who are hurting that badly so their best to hide what’s really happening.” The song is a tribute to several friends who have recently taken their own lives. Sonically, the song has a touch of Elton John, some twang and pop. We’re always down for a tune that helps raise awareness and reminds us to love each other and listen to each other. – Lucille Faulkner

Photo credit: Derek Shaw

Drew Robinson’s project Shining Mirrors draws attention for reimagining the decadent folk-rock developed in historic NYC venues when the epicenter of the city’s rock’n’roll was still Manhattan’s West village. The third "folkier" Velvet Underground album resonates in single "Joanna," mixed with echoes of, perhaps, the Kinks and Pavement. The group dropped their debut EP in 2017, but this new single, a preview of their sophomore release, gives the impression that the sonic cards have been thoroughly shuffled – check the band’s Facebook page for news about the release date. – Susan Moon

Today Barrio Manouche released “La Leyenda Del Tiempo” with its accompanying, dizzying video. The vibrant and electric flamenco jazz fusion septet provides a tremendous listening experience and live? They’re in a whole other world. Look around the room and at a Barrio Manouche show and you’ll see shoulders, toes, legs, hands, eyes, dancing in rhythm together. And that’s exactly what their music is meant to do: bond people from across cultures and rhythms and create fusions that are otherworldly. “La Leyenda Del Tiempo” was written and made famous by Camarón de La Isla and is now in a fresh rendition. Enjoy their video here and check them at The New Parish on October 26, where they’ll be releasing their next album. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

We want more Baybs! Folk rock dreampop duo is a sight for sore ears. We’ve got our hands on the first two singles and we are waiting ever-so-patiently for some more. If the lyrics below don’t give you a sweet little feeling, tune into their single "You’re The Only One" for some lovely harmonies, poppy good rockness and a solid time.

"Ocean eyed angel, kiss me on my trembling lips

How the beat of your heart, electrifies my fingertips

When stars collide they burn, burn like the sun

And you and I could purr, roar like thunder"

“Hit Me Up,” the most recent single by Queens based post-punk outfit WIVES, luridly stumbles into the spotlight at full force; its phosphorescent riffs and glammy vox (by vocalist/guitarist Jay Beach) are rife with a swaggering, confident showmanship that belies it’s status as a single from the band’s upcoming debut So Removed. Better yet is how WIVES are able to seamlessly transition from discordant, strung-out fuzz to a harmonious crescendo on the track’s chorus, in which shimmering, pedal-heavy guitar lines collide with massive percussive builds. It’s a disorienting-ly beautiful track that sets a high standard for the rest of the record, which drops October 4th via City Slang. Until then, stream it below, and catch WIVES at Rough Trade on October 3rd. -Connor Beckett McInerney 

After releasing their full-length album “I’m Not Getting Any Taller” at the beginning of this year, Brooklyn’s Daisy the Great spent time taking that material out on the road. Having just completed a tour through the midwest and southern states, the artist made a new single “I’m Fine” available. The song (streaming below) serves up a slice of whimsy via Kelley Nicole Dugan and Mina Walker’s ethereal dual-harmony, in perfect folk-pop style. With a bubbly bass guitar establishing a catchy progression, bouncy percussions and electric-piano provide the sparse instrumentation for a lively word-play about the need to occasionally just let it be. Playfully rhyming the words “hello,” “yellow,” jello,” and caramello” exemplifies the impish, good-natured approach to an overall feeling of ennui: “I’m fine I’m fine – Just let me lie sometimes.” Lyrics about boredom notwithstanding, the vocal delivery and overall mood is light and airy, placing emphasis on the obvious chemistry these two singers share. The track is now available via all the streaming services. – Dave Cromwell

Sleepaway camp season has ended, but that won’t stop Camp Saint Helene from creating music that will give you memories of sunsets on the lake, sneaking out of your bunk at night, and holding eldritch rituals before a blazing fire. The group’s new track "Protector" inhabits the space between light and dark, hope and doom, life and destruction; it stems from the band spending most of their recording time in a studio on a Christian camp which became an arts colony. Liza Ibarra’s lyrics from the subconscious will intoxicate you like the shimmer of the lake or the twilight silence or the touch from a summer fling or the breath of darkness on the nape of your neck. Take a listen to "Protector" below; look out for Camp Saint Helene’s debut album Mother on September 27th. – Will Sisskind