It’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security by first impressions – even as the painful truth is staring you right in the face. That’s what’s remarkable about the music of Pecas – behind tranquil synths lie words of fear and uncertainty so subtle they could easily get washed away, like a whispered confession to a friend after midnight. However, Sandy Davis, the mastermind of Pecas, holds command over the impact of her music, and lyrics like those from her 2018 track "Tuesdays" stick with you long after your last listen: “Do you ever just fall apart on Tuesdays after dark?” Pecas has been working on music with record label Broken Circles, and on Valentine’s Day, she will be premiering a new single and music video at Alphaville – but in the meantime, check out her 2018 EP After Dark, below. – Sunny Betz

While other genres toy with imaginary futures for sources of inspiration, those writing folk music today still find endless lyrical material in the traditions and sounds of the past. But more often than not, a "new" sound is simply a forgotten one, reimagined. Perhaps that is what makes the music of Nighttime so special: listening to her 2018 LP Hand in the Dark takes us back to a soundscape that’s vaguely familiar but almost entirely forgotten. In the record, Goodman relies on influences dating back to the middle-ages, with drum-less acoustic arrangements, droney harmonies (in a church choir kind of way), and a voice deepened with conviction and more than a little sadness. The results are mesmerizing.
Nighttime will play at Alphaville on February 6th – have a listen to the haunting Hand in the Dark below. – Sunny Betz

With a name like Slut Magic, from the get-go it’s obvious this quartet makes no bones about being straightforward and political. “Slut” is such a loaded word, but for band founders Lauren Riucci and Emma Sky, it represents the assurance and indomitability that they want to reclaim through music. That music more than lives up to its aspirations; recalling the loud-soft-loud dynamics of grunge bands like Hole, Slut Magic knows how to balance every thrashing punk scream with moments of structural refinement (and vice versa). Slut Magic will play Trans-Pecos on Valentine’s Day, and will be donating all proceeds to Planned Parenthood – so if you’re looking to mosh for a cause this holiday, this might be the perfect opportunity. -Sunny Betz

It’s easy to talk about personal and cultural background when breaking down the music of SIRINTIP. Their frontwoman’s childhood journey from Thailand to Sweden and then to New York is definitely a source of inspiration. However, the complex and vibrant sound of SIRINTIP is also a product of honed technical skill and a deep love of jazz, a passion that they were able to share at a recent three day jazz singing workshop at New Jersey’s OCVTS Performing Arts Academy. SIRINTIP will play Trans-Pecos with Elijah Fox, Rosemary Minkler and Devon Yesberger on February 7; check out a great example of their adventurous arrangements in their latest video for “Don’t Give Up”, below. – Sunny Betz

It can be easy to overlook music that gets released during the glut of year-end lists pushed out around the holidays. This is especially true for music that appears as small and unassuming as that of Daisy the Great. However, their newest single “famous” definitely deserves reexamination. Combining twee aesthetics and simple vocal harmonies, the duo packs quaint imagery into a haunting track. Ugly sweaters, gumboil rings and fitting into new shoes all act as a disarmer before the hook asks what the point of life is if there’s no possibility of fame. There’s no denying this is a straightforward presentation, with plucky guitars gently strumming along, yet it’s the clash between the hartfelt folksy delivery and the mundane topic that fills the latter with a deeper existential meaning. Daisy the Giant celebrated their album release party at Baby’s All Right on Jan. 26 and will go on to play several dates in the NYC area between February and March. -Tucker Pennington

There is much to take in with Tay and the JangLahDahs’ latest EP, “Bloomin.” Self-described orchestral psych-folk-rock, this group brings a booming serenade of talent from all angles. There’s the strong vocals of Tay Robin, who sounds like what Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries might have sounded like if she weren’t always yodeling. There’s that lovely stand-up base with a cooing rich trumpet and are we hearing a a glockenspiel? An electric violin? A mandolin? It all comes together with a rich folksy feel, an Irish twist, and delightful harmonies. Purely enjoyable stuff here. Come see them play at The Starry Plough on February 22 and hey, check out their music video for “Wise Words.” Ah, soothing purity. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Once upon a time, Morrissey sang “life is very long when you’re lonely,” and since then musicians from all walks of life in the world have scrambled to find similar catharsis in solitude and sadness. Brooklyn garage-punk band White Rope, echo that very lyric in their 2015 track "The Pain Olympics", but to a different end. The title of the track itself seems to parody the fervor with which a lot of artists mine their personal trials and traumas for lyrical content, but with a sense of humor (I mean, they do replace “lonely” with “horny”…). White Rope channels vulnerability in their own way, not shying away from real pain but also recognizing how goofy it can feel to put all that out there. White Rope celebrated the release of their new album NO FUNERAL (streaming) at Alphaville on January 31st, their next show is at Ceremony224 on April 2nd. – Sunny Betz 

New York’s Sweet Baby Jesus makes the type of raucous, freaky garage rock you’d expect from their namesake – sloppy guitars shred against screaming revelations at a breakbeat pace, infected with a distinctly Americana vocal quality that feels equal parts Bob Dylan and Ian Mackaye. Their latest effort, Lyre of Ur, has a clear spiritual inspiration, described as “a lilting melody, draped in the burden of a deep gut feeling and weighted by a soul of stone.” I’m unsure as to the source material Sweet Baby Jesus frontman Pooty (no surname given) drew from in writing Lyre, but I admire its soulful quality and joyous mysticism – it promises a divine stage presence when SBJ takes to The Glove on March 29th, supporting Palberta and SSS. Until then, stream Lyre of Ur below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

It’s hard not to fall in love with the relaxing, alt pop productions of Claud Mintz, whose recent single “easy in the morning” blends textures both electronic and acoustic, setting guitar arpeggios against swelling, muted synth and shuffling electronic breaks. The whole track is accented by field recordings of morning birds in the background, creating an additional layer of easygoing atmosphere to Claud’s already mellow vocal performance. Lyrically, “Easy” is an unapologetic vision of self-intimacy, of the still moments spent alone before the day breaks and the complications of modern life set in – Claud’s willingness to invite us into their world is a centering experience, one that imparts an unparalleled sense of ease upon the listener, and serves as a testament to the inner peace we can all find if we take some time, alone. 

Claud will bring their introverted, tactile pop to Baby’s All Right on February 15th, playing alongside Del Water Gap and Spud Cannon. Until then, cozy up and stream “easy in the morning” below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

New York’s Strange Majik had no intention of reinventing the wheel on last year’s Channel T, an acidic tour de force of vintage rock and roll. The record has its fair share of winks and nods to the titans of yesteryear, primarily Jagger and Hendrix, never straying into territory we’d define as “experimental” by contemporary standards. That being said, Strange Majik’s intentional decision to hone their guitar chops and produce something very AM radio appropriate is part of the reason Channel T is the kickass album it is. There are no bells and whistles, no indie gimmicks that have become increasingly common as a means of cutting through the noise; it’s just impeccable, classic musicianship from start to finish.

Strange Majik will bring their classic sound to Coney Island Baby on February 20th, supporting Kelley Swindall and Revel In Dimes. Stream Channel T below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo by Sam Watson

In the past few years, the DIY scene (re)discovered roots music, and we are not mad about it (anymore). For Queens-based band Seldomo, Americana is a fun place to get a little weird. Their 2017 album Probably Cool pays homage to all the best country/Americana tropes, but with the off-kilter sensibilities of lo-fi and slacker rock. It’s a bit reminiscent of Alex G’s Rocket, although Seldomo has a flavor all their own, bringing in the unexpected mandolins and accordions alongside the standby guitars. At Alphaville on February 3rd, the band will sing to you about strangers walking dogs at midnight and meeting past lovers by rivers, all with their own flair. If you are rediscovering roots music, like we are, you don’t want to miss out. – Sunny Betz

Josh Hwang started recording the songs that would become his second LP while living in Irvine, California, adding the final touches once he had finished relocating to New York. While a small factotum in the album’s liner notes, it helps to explain the nostalgia-laden, dreamy elements that characterize VHS, the most recent record Hwang has released under the CASTLEBEAT moniker. The album’s surfy, occasionally psychedelic garage rock is filtered through lofi production stylings and dream pop filters, creating a palpable distance that endows VHS with a sense of pleasant, albeit faded, memory. It’s a release that encapsulates the passage of time succinctly, with Hwang’s present tense lyricism contextualized by the lush, shoegazy instrumentation that surrounds it, a bittersweet LP for anyone who has sought a new start in a place far from home.

Castlebeat will play Elsewhere on February 3rd, alongside Hala and Been Stellar. Stream VHS below. –Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)