On their newest release, Been Stellar’s Sam Slocum and Skyler Knapp take inspiration from the city of New York after moving from Michigan in 2017 to start college. “Everyone Smokes in the City” comes from an observation the two made about the prevalence of smokers in New York compared to their previous, more midwestern home. The single takes clear inspiration from bands at the forefront of New York’s music scene in the early aughts—The Strokes and Interpol, in particular, are cited as influences by the group—and keeps a naïve sort of charm with observations on the city like choosing between a smelly subway car or the unknown of catching a cab.

“Where we came from, everything was so safe and upstanding,” Knapp says. “Even though we still were in a really nice part of the city, we noticed that the people were a bit more jagged. The song is about this new type of personality we started to see: falsely jaded, pretentiously unpretentious. It’s about dudes who talk way too much about zines and Bushwick (both of which are cool for the record). The goal of it was to try to make the least hypocritical observation of these new people we found ourselves surrounded with.”

You can stream “Everyone Smokes in the City” below. – Cameron Carr

New York City-based songwriter Caroline Rose has reinvented her sound on her sophomore LP Loner. Dawning an ironically sporty aesthetic, Rose delivers poignant tales of loneliness and disillusionment with a cigarette in hand. Contrasting the Americana sensibilities of 2014’s I Will Not Be Afraid, Loner combines elements of ’70s punk and straight-ahead pop. Caroline just announced she will be performing at the upcoming Summerfest. Our sister blog Delicious Audio asked her a few questions about the gear used in her sophomore album – read the interview here. – Charley Ruddell

If you have yet to hear the apocalyptic indie psych of San Francisco five-piece Locus Pocus, then you are surely suffering from intense FOMO. Good thing that we have the cure. Today, the Deli SF is happy to premiere “Doctor’s Doctor” (streaming below), the first single off their forthcoming self-titled debut LP. This track departs from the band’s previous style, trading in some of the softer sounds, creating a feeling that is much more urgent. Locus Pocus plans to release their next single on May 6th, and the full album on June 6th—a decision meant to align with the themes of the album, and, in the band’s words, “to be cheeky.” If you like what you hear, make sure to catch this track live tonight at The Ivy Room in Albany. – Lilly Milman

The music of Negative Gemini (real name Lindsey French) feels spring-loaded – full of tension and liable to blow at any moment. At a cursory listen, the instrumentation on Negative Gemini’s most recent EP, Bad Baby, is smooth, and almost mellow. However, factor in her velvety-yet-seething vocals, and the color of her music takes on a whole different shade. It’s dark, it’s staticky, it’s at times dissonant and it’s always urgent. Dread seems to hover over many of French’s songs – a vague sense of impending doom – or it may just be the spectre of depression lurking in the corner. Ultimately, it’s up to the listener to interpret the feelings encapsulated in French’s music, and they’re plenty. Negative Gemini is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 6th, with CIFKA, Ani Klang, FEE LION and Wild Kid. Listen to "My Innocence" below! – Ethan Ames

Despite its namesake, HEAVEN is a gritty and angsty band. Their songs are big, booming and compelling, with an evident pop ethos that straddles indie irreverance and top-40 catchiness. Making good use of the minor-key, grimy vulnerability of grunge and soaring, harmonious refrains reminiscent of Arcade Fire and other early-aughts indie bands, the four-piece of HEAVEN are a tight unit on their most recent LP, All Love Is Blue. The eleven-song album flows seamlessly, with enough variety in each song to keep the listener guessing. It’s clear that for HEAVEN, the sky’s the limit. HEAVEN is playing Mercury Lounge on April 7th with Longwave and Tiger Mountain. Listen to "She’s Closer Than Everyone" below! – Ethan Ames

Just in time for spring, San Francisco indie rockers The Bikini Complex have released an energizing new LP entitled The “B” Word. The LP opens with the electrifying track “Come Out Swinging” (streaming below), a sunny amalgamation of pop, punk, and rock that allows lead singer Kiki The Cat’s dynamic Debbie Harry-esque vocals to soar—especially on the chorus. The album overall is an undeniably fun addition to the current Bay Area indie scene, and, in the band’s own words, “won’t disappoint if you need a few songs to drive fast to, or just an album to listen to around the house while you reluctantly clean up after your housemates.” Their next show will be at Hotel Utah Saloon on April 15th at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman

Slut Magic makes punk rock for a modern era—it’s covered in branded fashion statements, intimate like social media, and eclectic in its influences. New single “Adult Situations” plays as an unabashedly modern confessional where singer/violinist Emma Sky seems to lament over a lover unresponsive to text invites to see Star Wars. There’s a hint of riot grrrl intensity, made clearer by the band name’s reclamation of “slut” and the collage-style artwork, but Slut Magic pulls just as much from a Liz Phair-style lyrical openness and leans musically adventurous with cavernous violin and rumbling, phasey guitars—the violin also takes time to wittily paraphrase the Star Wars theme. The band’s debut album, In My Mouth was released on March 30th. ­­– Cameron Carr

The members of Toebow have been simmering around the city’s music scene for a while now, you might recognize some of them from projects like Zula and BOBBY, but Spirit Mane is the first release to come from the band. The EP’s four tracks are doused in kaleidoscopic arrangements and ethereal sounds, like a dream pop interpretation of the experimental musings of groups like Tortoise, Stereolab, or King Crimson—but the pop in dream pop is important here. While opening track “I’ll Be Gone” leans into jazz-inflicted chord progressions, “Starfucker” delivers heady electro energy, “Belong” swirls in odd-shaped melodies, and the title track closes with a slow-moving cloud of other-worldly effects, the band never shies away from the pop end of the spectrum. Spirit Mane introduces Toebow as a group keen on invention yet willing to bridge the gap between music that is arty and music that is accessible. The EP is out tomorrow, but you can stream it in its entirety below. Catch the band April 7th celebrating the release at Trans-Pecos alongside Balún and Floam. – Cameron Carr

Ricky Stein‘s music is a refreshing, unironic throwback to the days when blues-rock ruled the airwaves. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Stein harnesses the gritty, southern aesthetic personified by classic rock bands like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more recently, Shakey Graves, and creates a sound unique unto himself. On "Don’t Leave Me Hangin’ On," from 2012’s Crazy Days, Stein showcases his aptitude as a songwriter while also paying tribute to his roots-rock predecessors. The music is urgent and driving, but also subtle, with unexpected twists and turns that proves an artist can be steeped in tradition without being predictable. Ricky Stein is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 10th, with Belle-Skinner and Pearla. Listen to "Don’t Leave Me Hangin’ On" below! – Ethan Ames

  

NYC’s Pearla is an act you’ll want to keep an eye out for – her songs are brooding, melodic and relatable. With inflections of Fiona Apple, Pearla laments her sense of dislocation on "Somewhere," using her literal geographical disorientation as an analogy for her own sense of unmooring. The song’s arrangement is atmospheric and poppy, making good use of tasteful electronic percussion and delicate keys. "I don’t know which way is north/I never do, I’ve just trusted I would end up somewhere." It’s a compelling sentiment for anyone who feels as if they’ve been thrusted into adulthood, ready or not. Pearla is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 10th, with Belle-Skinner and Ricky Stein. Listen to "Somewhere" below!" – Ethan Ames

LUECK, the five-piece indie-folk band fronted by Katy Lueck, is a hybrid of musical influences that resounds with emotion. With hints of ’90s alternative and West Coast ’70s folk rock evident in the band’s instrumentation, LUECK creates an atmosphere of longing and introspection without being too esoteric. As a songwriter, Katy Lueck has a pop sensibility, and her songs take enough interesting turns to further augment the appeal of her virtuosic vocals and shimmering guitar lines. LUECK is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 11th, with Dan Abraham. Watch the video for "Delirium" below! – Ethan Ames

New York-based songwriter Dan Abraham puts a new spin on indie-folk. It’s evident that he’s first and foremost a pop songwriter: on "Golden," with vocal inflections reminiscent of The Black Keys, Abraham reminisces on lost love with bitter clarity and 20/20 hindsight, over warbling, chorus-drenched guitars and a punchy rhythm section. However, on "As Things Move" and "Alive," Abraham’s approach is much more steeped in the folk tradition, with delicate, fingerpicked acoustic guitar and lyrics rife with desperation and longing. "Another day in the life/Without taking a pill to survive/God knows if we’ll make it alive." Don’t miss Dan Abraham at Mercury Lounge on April 11th, with LUECK. Listen to "Alive" below!" – Ethan Ames