Young Bugs‘ songs fall in between the cracks of post-punk, garage rock and indie rock. They’ve got moments where they brilliantly thrash together for a brief, fifteen second moment and then on the next track they’ll be reverting to angular riffs reminiscent of Gang of Four. Quite simply, Young Bugs have cherry picked the best ideas from a variety of sub-genres and melted them down to their purest form to create their newest album Room Damage, which succeeds on a multitude of levels. Opener “Fawn” features a galloping drum beat and a guitar riff that is equal part technical proficiency and equal part danceable groove. The album also avoids the somewhat dour tones that have plagued many post-punk albums of recent years due to its odd structures and upbeat tones. Even the lead single “Forget the Truth”, while on the surface appears to be a straightforward and jangly guitar driven song, uses subtle instrumental flourishes to keep things interesting. It is obvious that care was put into every song in Room Damage, and it shows in how much ground the band covers in 34 minutes. You can stream the video for “Forget the Truth” below and catch them live at Alphaville on July 3. -Tucker Pennington

The eclectic eight-piece As The Sparrow creates music that is instantly classic, as seen on their newest release Vacation Forever. The album thrives off of ironic twists, often pairing sardonic lyricism with a surprisingly warm sound, bolstered by full harmonies, fun violins, and quirky synths. As The Sparrow will be celebrating the release of this edgy, yet dance-friendly album at Thunder Road in Somerville on June 22. Until then, stream the full LP below. – Lilly Milman, photo by Erin DeFuria Stark

Those who sit at college radio boards at two o’clock in the morning will find their new favorite song in Color Tongue‘s "Adult Lessons", the latest from the band and the first single from their upcoming EP Bealing Bells. Why will sprouting DJs fall in love with the opening crescendo of syllables and pounding drums signifying oncoming fear and demise? Because, building on the band’s visual album "Us and the Bugs" out last fall, "Adult Lessons" creates a bubble of emotion rife with fading screams. Then, the bubble bursts in a joyful prance of synth arpeggios and a relentless crashing drum beat, while the quartet’s vocals sing a twelve-note refrain to the heavens. It’s fine meditation music for a dimly lit radio studio or studio apartment late at night – or at any time of day, in fact. Bealing Bells hits the Internet later this summer, but you can catch Color Tongue live at Elsewhere’s Zone One on July 8th. – Will Sisskind

Dream-pop duo tiny deaths have released the video for their latest single, "Always". The single from the Minneapolis-Brooklyn group dropped last month, taking listeners on a echoing journey of growing pains. The accompanying music video — which seems to take inspiration from the classic one for Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill" — depicts the song’s themes in the form of interpretive dance, showing a younger and older woman in various stages of tenderness and at ever-changing distances. Vocalist Claire de Lune layers her voice in soothing harmonies over producer Grant Cutler’s beat-keeping bass and drums. The pulsing single is part of the band’s upcoming LP, which will hit shelves this fall via Handwritten Records. Watch the video for "Always" below. – Will Sisskind

The debut full-length release, Songs of The Saxophones, by — you guessed it — husband-and-wife band The Saxophones is a tender and timeless piece of work. Filled with reflective and vulnerable lyrics (like “I know it’s not supposed to stay; / but still, I want my way.” from “Aloha,” and “I’m starting to lose / I’m falling asleep and I am sorry again” from “Singing Desperately,”) this work flickers like a candle flame. Sonically delicate and endlessly pleasant, this is a debut to remember. The Saxophones will play their next show in Los Angeles on July 14 at The Hotel Cafe. Stream the full album below. – Lilly Milman

The newest album, Vive L’Acadie!, by the Maine-based Americana staple group The Mallett Brothers Band is a simple and effective exploration of the soul. Blending southern influences with a New England state of mind, the group creates refreshing and rugged country rock that interrogates the genre while keeping a good tune — as exemplified but the opening and title track (streaming below). The Mallet Brothers Band is currently on tour and will be playing at The Lakeshore House in Monson, Maine on June 23. – Lilly Milman

In 2017, Wilder Maker released a two-track 7” with Saddle Creek Records featuring “New Streets” and “Only Child.” Those two tracks saw the group tightening up it’s ‘70s and roots rock inspired sound with the crisp vocals of keyboardist Katie Von Schleicher (who performs under her own name as well) coming more to the forefront. On Wilder Maker’s newest single “Drunk Driver”—which comes ahead of the band’s upcoming full-length Zion, out July 13 via Northern Spy Records—Von Schleicher’s voice leads the way again with excellent results. Over a hypnotic build Von Schleicher delivers lyrics with an emotional weight that sounds effortless: “I loved her with no thought for me, reckless as a drunk driver exhales and turns the key.” The motion of the arrangement toward an ending swirl of keys and guitar pairs well with the single’s video which plays an intimate party in reverse from the sleepy subway ride home through the pizza and shared drinks to the first greetings before sunset. Watch the video below. – Cameron Carr

Renny Conti describes his music as “indie folky songs for your heart,” and there is indeed a fireside-in-the-winter kind of comfort in his acoustic guitar-based tracks. He tackles heavy topics of in a subdued, quiet way. In “How I’ll Die,” Conti laments “Focus on the rhythm / Of where our life has went / All i can think about / While you’re so far away from it.” It’s rain-on-the-windowpane sadness masked by the breeziness of indie folk anthems, and you can catch him live at Mercury Lounge on June 27. -Lily Crandall

Folk rock up and comer Ricky Lewis has announced he will be taking up residency at Pianos throughout the month of June. The former Dear Lions singer kicked off his residency one Thursday June 7 and will continue his slew of performances for the remaining Thursdays in June, the full schedule can be found here.

Lewis also confirmed with The Deli that he is preparing to release his debut full length record later this summer, with his first single “Gauntlet In The Sun” gaining steady traction on Stereogum and Paste. The album was produced by Rod Sherwood (Au Revoir Simone) and mixed by Alex Lipsen (Phosphorescent, Kurt Vile). If “Gauntlet” is any indication of things to come, the album is sure to be an intense roots record for the summer. – Mackenzie Cummings-Grady

National Sawdust is highlighting three up-and-coming local acts for the 28th, Deli sponsored installment of “THE REVOLUTION”. For the month of June, artists from jazz and hip-hop to rock n’ roll are being presented on the venue’s stage for their contribution to local music and for pushing their respective genres forward. This month’s three artist are FKAjazz, JSWISS and Vick & the Velvicks. JSWISS is a rapper and lyricist whose focus on positivity and overcoming obstacles is paired with lively jazz and soul influences, creating an assured and bright sound. Vick & the Velvicks’ blend of hard rock hooks and energetic songwriting have transformed New York’s most intimate venues into stadium shows. FKAjazz marries a new vision and old school precision to create an exciting new take on jazz. National Sawdust hopes these three artists will be the benchmarks for local music and will highlight their talents this Saturday on June 23. – Tucker Pennington

Spanning 22 tracks, Palberta’s Roach Goin’ Down, released on June 15, is a practice in invention and freedom. Ideas are crumpled up, unfolded, cut apart, and pasted somewhere else. With the anyone-can-do-it attitude of K Records and the inverted instrumentals of early post-punk Palberta makes songs that feel simultaneously whimsical, challenging, and distraught. There’s a lo-fi a cappella intro to “Momentous Space-Up,” chaotic dissonance on “I Have Found The Ego,” and almost ordinary twee-punk on “Sound of the Beat.” Palberta will play Mercury Lounge on June 22 for an album release show. – Cameron Carr

Back for its third run, In Plain Sight NYC and Korg are teaming up to bring a day of hip hop and DJs back to the streets of Brooklyn. 20 artists will be featured at The Block Party Vol. 3, in this full day of live performances on Wyckoff Street (between Bond & Nevins Street) on Saturday, June 23rd. In addition to the lineup of talented hip hop, electronic, and neo-soul acts including Tuamie, eu-IV, Zoomo, and Nothing Neue, Korg will have some of their popular synthesizers on display available for demonstrations. The Block Party Vol.3 will be a unique opportunity to see terrific artists and check out some gear, and you don’t want to miss out on it. Check out a playlist of the performing artists, streaming below – Lily Crandall