Phoebe Ryan’s vocals have a haunting sharpness to them, greatly showcased in the powerful hooks of her new single “A Thousand Ways.” The track’s music video (streaming below) is gritty shot-for-shot and matches the intensity of the mighty percussion in the choruses. The verses are calm and accompanied by trickling acoustic guitar notes, with Ryan’s vocals commanding the sonic storm that intensifies toward the end of the track. The New Jersey-native’s confidently vulnerable attitude in the song is somewhat reminiscent of Halsey, with whom it shares a magnetic and intense appeal. Check out “A Thousand Ways” to see what we mean. – Rene Cobar

Each instrument in The Wants’ new single “Ape Trap” (streaming) has its grand entrance: a vigorous drum beat is followed by a gruff bassline, then by a sinister-sounding guitar riff, as smooth vocals creep in. The song draws you in, grips you, and does not let go easily. The single blends elements of pop and post punk with a mechanical feel reminiscent of some semi-robotic sounding bands of the early ’80s, forging a style that pulls you in multiple directions. The clarity of the recording adds to the track’s detached aura as do the lyrics of singer and guitarist Madison Velding-VanDam, both awkwardly abstract and oddly relatable. This band has devised an edgy style that reimagines the sound of post punk in simple but effective ways. You can catch The Wants live on June 30th at Union Pool. – Rene Cobar

The old saying that two heads are better than one is confirmed by the pairing of Manchildblack and Monstah Black. Known collectively as The Illustrious Blacks, this NYC duo takes the rhythms of ’70s disco and enhances their pizzazz through iconic ’80s influences (Boy George, Prince). Their latest single "Revolutionary Love" (streaming) is driven by an infectious bassline and a sophisticated arrangement that slowly builds towards a brass section-enriched chorus. "Revolutionary Love" was specially made for last year’s Pride 2018 and its anthemic lyrics reflect that as they chant "I don’t give a fuck what they think about us/We got something none can touch/A Revolutionary Love." The duo has a string of shows through Brooklyn in June which culminate with a performance at Baby’s All Right Jun 20th. – Rene Cobar

A Beacon School concots a fascinating sonic puzzle in its 2018 record Cola—vibrant electric guitars, exuberant vocals, subtle synthesizer melodies, and evocative musical breakdowns constitute the various elements of this overall dreamy but upbeat album. Songs like “ I Don’t Believe It” and “Glue” ramp up the pace and pound away at punky drum beats to create surprising blends of dream pop and garage rock in part reminiscent of 4AD cult shoegazers Pale Saints. The group is gearing up for a vinyl release of Cola and is celebrating with a performance at Baby’s All Right on June 14. The vinyl will include three unreleased songs from the original album sessions and a clear version limited to 250 copies. Check out “I Don’t Believe It” streaming below. – Rene Cobar

Jess Clinton has decades of songwriting experience; she’s spent the last ten years making a name for herself in the crowded New York City scene. In July, she’ll release her new album Real Glass Heart, a collection of intimate stories set to her driving indie folk music. The first single off of the upcoming record, "The Runaway", shows the kind of rich, soulful sound that Clinton crafts for her songs; the dark tones from her high and light voice — which can shift between alto and soprano on a dime — mesh with the crunch of her guitar. Take a listen to "The Runaway", and stay tuned for more from Jess Clinton this summer. – Will Sisskind

This July marks Burger Boogaloo’s 10th year anniversary show and the Boogaloo folks are really busting out a sweet, sweet lineup. As tradition insisted,  the festival is hosted by purity king John Waters and will feature some solid favorites from the homefront and beyond. A small snippet from the two-day bill includes Jesus and Mary Chain, Shannon the Clams, The Scientists, No Bunny, King Tuff and those Australian sweets, The Chats. Speaking of which, we’ll leave you with this mullet and smoko-filled video as a taste and hope to see you at Mosswood Park this July. Smoko, baby. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

The Bronx has always had the worst reputation among the NYC boroughs, a concrete pariah whose name still concots emotions of fear, mostly outside of NYC. It is from this dismissal and its rough-and-tumble fame that artists like Kemba draw their inspiration. In his new single “Last Year Being Broke” (streaming) Kemba paints hyper-real portraits of his everyday life via punchy verses that carry the warmth of his sincerity. The whipping kick drum and trickling piano notes help bring Kemba’s proclamation of soon-to-be-achieved success amid all-too-real poverty forward. The track is relatable for up and coming artists and shows that the rapper is looking to connect with his audience as opposed to boasting at them. In today’s hip-hop scene this is a welcome approach. Check out the single below. – Rene Cobar

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take The Growlers and amp up their surf side? How about a few added sprinkles of bossa nova for the dance enthusiasts? Pleasure Island makes this a reality in their new EP Playa del Manos. The band shows its ability to channel the surf vibe with languorous guitar chords and hi-hat ebb and flows that soothe the mind. The synth ambiance created in the EP’s final track “Sunlight” (streaming) could easily have been part of your local high school’s Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. The group will be showcasing their  loungecore indie pop at Brooklyn’s Rubulad on May 31st. Get a taste for it in their new EP, streaming below. – Rene Cobar

It’s officially almost-summer, and Brooklyn-based duo Bathe have provided a lush soundtrack in their I’ll Miss You EP, a short and sweet alternative R&B effort that’s perfect poolside-listening. The entirety of the extended play is marked by a lurid nostalgia permeating each of the release’s seven tracks, conveyed through ’80s inspired downtempo swinging on songs like “Kimmi,” and jazzy Strat noodling on title track “I’ll Miss You.” By channeling vintage inspiration into thoroughly modern rhythm and blues, Bathe also creates a record with a double meaning: there’s a longing for people and places past in the lyrics, but the music couldn’t feel more of-the-moment. Stream it as you sunbathe at Rockaway Beach during the coming warmer months, pining wistfully over last year’s summer fling, and catch Bathe at Brooklyn Bazaar on May 30th alongside Myles Cameron and Moise. –Connor Beckett McInerney, Photo by Danielle Caño-Garraway

It’s hard not to be bitter in this right wing, late capitalist hellscape that we call waking life. Folks with what is deemed “nonessential employment” (including this beleaguered writer) worry about automation, and the crushing weight of political inertia makes it difficult to take action against the seemingly insurmountable challenges of our time. No one understands that better than Brooklyn garage duo Groupie, who, on their newest EP Validated find a way to contextualize our malaise-ridden zeitgeist over the course of four, fast and loose, fuzzed out tracks. From screaming into the void about an uncertain future on the sinister “5 Year Plan,” to embracing a devil-may-care, burn-it-all-down perspective on closer “Cannibal Wave,” Groupie’s punk-tinged rock is very much of the times, expressing anger not just at the powers that be, but at a society-wide fatigue of resisting a political machine that has rigged the game in its favor. Regardless of the frustration, Validated remains as an authentic discordant representation of a post-2016 mindset, reminding the listener that there is power in anger, that you are not alone in your nihilism, and that rage can be a unifying force in questioning (and hopefully changing) the world we live in.

Groupie will deliver their subversive sound to Elsewhere’s Zone One on Jun 17th, alongside Miss June and THICK. In the meanwhile, you can stream Validated from the comfort of you own home. –Connor Beckett McInerney, Photo by Jeanette D. Moses

Post-punk pop rock cuatro Same Girls just came out with their new single, “Wait” and it’s a perfect blend of their varied interested and influences. You can hear The Clash and The Strokes and some 80’s energy almost reminiscent of the B-52’s. Lead vocalist Taifa Nia’s is energetic and fun. Nia says the new single, "describe the loneliness and the heartbreak endemic in our esthetically obsessed clout culture." Listen here! – Lucille Faulkner

Mars Motel blends vibrant indie-rock guitar riffs with the ambient atmospheres of dream pop to create a sound that is both edgy and emotional, light and heavy, dangerously infectious, and ultimately fun. The choruses of the group’s latest single “Coming Up For Air” are super-charged with energy and show off the band’s late ‘90s and early ‘00s influences. The poise and intensity of the group’s music feels like a crossover between The Verve and Young the Giant, classy and perfectly suited for festivals. The band will be releasing its debut album Passenger X later this year and has a scheduled performance at Pianos on May 30th. Check out the single is streaming below. – Rene Cobar