Congratulations to Pale Cowboy for placing first in the Open Submissions for our Year-End Poll. Based out of Northampton, Mass., the five-piece band finds the happy medium between American and indie rock. 2013’s Shelter EP has all you could ask for: unpredictable chord progressions, harmonized vocals, glimmering synths that never try to steal the show, and some truly unique production – and daring tempo changes – shown off on the set’s title track. It’s no surprise that the band was named the Deli New England Artist of the Month back in December. Take a listen to Shelter on Bandcamp now. – Jake Reed