Natalie Claro’s music is a menagerie of influences – her full length debut Disconnect is a fluid collection of songs equal parts garage, singer-songwriter, and folk, with additional nods to electronic R&B and classical piano composition. It may sound like a lofty undertaking for a single record, but Claro’s strength comes primarily from her ability to channel a variety of genres into a cohesive, exciting sound, one united by her explosive vocal performances. Throughout Disconnect, Claro shows that she’s equally comfortable hollering with an acoustic guitar on “Mountains” (streaming) as she is interpolating elements of Für Elise on “Interlude The Disconnect,” while still finding time to croon against colder, moodier synths on “Blood” and album closer “Poor Boy.” Today’s musical landscape frequently pushes artists into comfortable shticks and niches, and Natalie Claro’s decision to circumvent the norm is fearless and admirable.

Claro will perform at the upcoming Women That Rock show, supporting Starbender alongside Scarlet Sails and Astra The 22s. Until then, stream Disconnect below. –Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

New Jersey band Wyland offers an heartfelt blend of melodic rock and folk rock, and they have big plans for the upcoming months. They just unveiled single "Nowhere Now" (streaming) from their upcoming EP to be released in early 2019, and also announced a supporting tour with Universal Canada artist Valley. Our local readers will be able to see them at the Asbury Park Brewery on 12.08 and at Rough Trade on 12.15.

In the best synthpop tradition, Brooklyn trio Jaguar Dreams makes music that yes melodic, but features an aftertaste of mystery and darkness. Lead single "Mean Somethin" (streaming below), progresses seamlessly from a mid-tempo verse to a catchy, dance-inducing chorus, reinventing ’80s post-new wave electronic atmospheres supported by soulful vocals that conjure up an imaginary summer. Second single "A Real Woman" (video streaming underneath) is a more edgy tribute to that same decade, with references to Talking Heads, David Bowie and Depeche Mode.

Brooklyn solo artist COTE’s luscious dream pop continues to charm in her newest single, “Restoration.” Having recently released an accompanying video for her single “London,” filmed from the back corner of a local convenience store, this artist has come to define her style by her pure, unembellished approach to production. Her vocals in this track are reminiscent of the haunting styles of Lana Del Rey, exhibiting her balance between delicacy and power. This, combined with her nonchalant sonic demeanor, creates a clean sound that has shed its layers of excessive production. The positive spirit of her previously released single, “Meet Me In The Middle,” belongs in your ‘Morning Motivation’ playlist for when you need a bit of optimism to kick-start your day. This artist has found the middle ground between atmospheric and grounded, and aptly carries it into her timeless sound. Keep an eye out for COTE’s forthcoming album, out this November, and catch her album release show live at Union Pool on November 28.  

Santa Cruz-based band Getaway Dogs take beachy psych rock to a refreshing new place. What makes these guys stand out from the sea of surf pop is the unexpected turns their songs take. There’s plenty of time to zone into the music but you won’t zone out—just as you feel the foggy reverb floating through the air a nice touch of tambourine walks in, a snappy drum, maybe a whistle, and those soothing vocals reminiscent of a younger, more angelic Anthony Kiedis—and we mean that in the best of ways—and you’re hooked all over again. Songs like “Excuses/Opinions II”, which starts, “I cannot explain myself / to my demons” bring listeners into the story and give a feel for the characters within each song. Getaway, indeed. Check out their links and take a little musical journey. -Michelle Kicherer

It seems like there’s not a lot that Jackie Mendoza can’t do. The Brooklyn via San Diego visionary writes and produces enchanting ukelele synth pop, switches between English and Spanish with ease, and sometimes, directs music videos. Inspired by Latin pop and folk textures, Mendoza’s compositions re-imagine what electronica can sound like in 2018. On “La Luz,” her most popular track, her ukulele strums and breezy vocals swirl and echo into rippling beats hefted by Latin-inspired percussion and a sparse piano part. It makes for a transcendent sound that’s unlike anything else. Listen below and catch Jackie Mendoza at h0l0 on 12/13 alongside Snakeskin, Verdigrls, and Anna Altman. Sara Nuta

Tobias has been creating glitchy electronica for the last several years, and now he’s exploring new sonic territory: lyrics. Toby, his latest LP, is the 22-year-old’s first endeavor in recording and writing lyrics—and the culmination of several years of tinkering with instrumental experimental electronica. The hybrid album ripples with a fragmented fluidity, floating from mellow tracks (“Safe,” “Translucent,”) and picking up tension along the way (the anxious post-punk-y “Don’t Ask”) until it lands on the urgent closer “Boardsports.” Clocking in at just over thirty minutes, Toby reveals that there’s subtlety and economy to Tobias’ songwriting. Each of the 9 tracks has sparse, moody energy and listening to the entire record feels like driving through a dark road at night in the middle of nowhere. Listen below and catch Tobias perform alongside BLK SLK, Cutie, Chaste, and Died on 11/18 at Trans-Pecos. Sara Nuta

Steve Gunn is perhaps best known for his collaborations, having contributed his psychedelic-tinged folk guitar playing to tracks by Kurt Vile, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Michael Chapman, among others. But beyond that, Gunn is also a quality songwriter. His newest solo work—The Unseen In Between, out January 19^th via Matador Records—continues the practice of those releases allowing Gunn’s talents to take center focus. The first single “New Moon” takes a 5-minute crash course into the guitarist’s style and influences, beginning with tape-crisped acoustic guitar and floating vocals that welcome in tremolo-doused electric guitar and further adventuring into gentle psychedelia. Like much of Gunn’s work, it’s a drifting track that maintains soft edges and fits perfectly to light pensive moods. Watch the lyric video for “New Moon” below. – Cameron Carr

Burlington is in for a storm tonight. Locals Clever Girls will be joined at the Showcase Lounge of Higher Ground by fellow New Englanders Weakened Friends from Portland, Maine, who are currently touring with NYC’s Nervous Dater. This tour de force of ferocious indie rock is sure to melt a few faces and maybe even leave a few tearing up, given the fact that Clever Girls have the uncanny ability to shred while simultaneously dance delicately around broken hearts with lyrics like "I will bite my tongue, I won’t think out loud  / about how dumb I always get when I see you smile" (from "Dumb Smile.") They don’t attempt to be overly clever or tongue-in-cheek or didactic about subjects like love or self-doubt. Their debut LP Luck (streaming below) shows the band isn’t afraid to shoot in the dark; maybe they even prefer it that way, letting the goosebumps guide them as they fumble around, seeing what creates a spark. From the look of this album, it seems that they’ve figured out the formula for finding what’s real and drowning out the rest. – Lilly Milman, photo by Hannah Blauner 

Good things must once again come to an end it seems. It was announced in October that the beloved Elbo Room would be shutting down on January 1, 2019 — and with it will go the monthly Throwin’ Bo’s at the Elbo Room showcase. Founder Eli Anaya, however, will continue to book and promote shows under the name Throwin’ Bo’s Presents, and tonight will be his second to last show ever at The Elbo Room. The bill is stacked with all locals. Healing Potpourri will bring along their classic easy-listening lounge-psych, which should fit right in with the lo-fi jangly rock of April Magazine. Half Stack will be performing live for the first time since the release of their psych-influenced California country LP Quitting Time. Come experience what may be one of your last shows at the Elbo Room, and maybe sing along to a few swan songs while you’re there. Prepare by streaming some of our favorite tracks from these artists below. – Lilly Milman

Throwin’ Bo’s presents a night with Healing Potpourri, Half Stack, and April Magazine at Elbo Room Wedensday, November 14 @ 9pm $7 adv, $10 DOS // 21+

There’s a rawness that permeates the entirety of Éyal Hai’s debut record Flowers On The Moon, a characteristic that’s immediately present in both his wavering vocal delivery and varied instrumental direction. Against modulating synths, equal parts jazz and aggressive electronica, Hai’s vox slides and rolls, steeped in a palpable frustration from album opener "I Need A Minute" to closer "The Way I Feel Inside." It’s an uncompromising approach from start to finish, one that’s indicative of Hai’s multidisciplinary approach and desire to “merge jazz with 90’s grunge and pop” on his freshmen release. Such a cross-genre effort might make for odd bedfellows, but Hai’s channeling of an alternative angst into a medium a lot more complex than your usual power trio strikes a fresh middle ground, crafting an LP that incorporates elements both polished and gritty, and culminating in our favorite track "Sober Dream (One by One) – a tense song reminiscent of another NYC band that, in the late ’90s, synthesized a similar blend of influences in spectacular fashion: Soul Coughing.

Éyal Hai will play a record release show for Flowers On The Moon at Zone One on November 17th, supported by Birch and Friend Roulette. You can stream the record in full below. – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

Peel Dream Magazine is the brainchild of NYC-based musician Joe Stevens. His debut album, Modern Meta Physic, has soft fuzzy charm with a mellow, psych core. It’s an exploration of retro sounds and new age-y philosophies wrapped up into 13 hazy tracks. The band’s name hearkens back to the legendary BBC DJ John Peel, and its sound is also beholden to the past; part Velvet Underground and part Stereolab, PDM captures the warmth of nostalgia with its samples of old-school late tv programs, while transporting you to an entirely new era through its psych rock and lo-fi musings. In the best shoegazer tradition, Stevens’ airy vocal melodies are often barely audible in the mix, buried under the fuzz of the group’s distorted guitars. Listen below, and drift off. You can catch Peel Dream Magazine at Secret Project Robot on 12/2. Sara Nuta