With electronic music becoming more popular than ever, it’s not surprising that bedroom artists are popping up all over the country. What is notable, though, is the producer that actually gets out of the bedroom and plays a live show. California native Alec Lee is of this rare breed, performing his soulful, Chet Faker-inspired electro-pop across the Bay Area, opening up for acts like Smash Mouth and Tender. His newest EP Life in Pastel is a cross-section of all his best qualities as a creator. His singer-songwriter side comes out in “I’ll Be Ready,” a stripped-down track that straddles the line between soul and pop, while “Found You” (streaming below) is a full-out explosion of upbeat electronica. – Lilly Milman

Hit Like A Girl is an attention-grabbing artist name that definitely raises expectations (and eyebrows) for the music you’re about hear. And Nicolle Maroulis’ new album You Make Sense certainly is attention-grabbing, though perhaps not in the ways you’d expect. Most of the tracks on the record follow a pretty standard rock-arrangement: guitars and drum tracks are well-executed throughout, though they don’t break down any walls, musically. What’s disarming and breath-taking are Maroulis’ voice and lyrics. "And although I never met your mom and dad / you were the best thing that I ever had" she sings on "The Song I Hoped You’d Never Hear." Gut punch. Moments like that are scattered throughout the album, knocking the wind out of you when you least expect it. You Make Sense may seem like a traditional alt-rock album- but if you really listen, there’s a fragile intimacy and unexpected beauty. – Geena Kloeppel

Def.GRLS are energy itself, a lazer-light show of heavy psych-pop madness. It’s impossible to listen to their music without feeling the grit of glitter in one’s teeth or hair. Def.GRLS, as contagious as they are, are helpfully releasing their first LP “GRLS GRLS GRLS” on 11.17 to keep the party going. But, just to get a hit of the glitter to make it until then, they leaked their single “Good Time” for us to premiere! Tomorrow Def.GRLS open for Andrew W.K., the party-master himself, at Warsaw. Don’t miss out! —Amanda Ogea

Bad Galaxy‘s latest self-titled EP displays the band’s prowess for crafting indie tracks with thoughtful, poignant lyricism and a moody sonic textures. The brainchild of musician Alexis Pastuhov, the project started after Pastuhov moved to NYC from Colorado. The songs on the record speak to both his transition and the broader culture and identity shifts that occur when living in a city like the Big Apple. Says Pastuhov, "…just like the city, the music is dynamic both sonically and thematically. There are a lot of highs and lows as the album progresses from song to song and those shifts are just as much a product of my own creative neuroses as they are a product of the city’s ever-changing mood." We’re stoked to premiere the new, self-titled album so hit the play button on Bad Galaxy streaming below, and if you want the live version of it, don’t miss the band’s live show tomorrow at Muchmore’s in Brooklyn. – Olivia Sisinni

With the recent release of their sophomore album “New Moody Judy,” Brooklyn post punk rockers Honey deliver an aggressive collection of fuzz and wah-wah guitar-fueled songs.  Opener “Wage Agreement” is propelled by a furious power trio wall of sound featuring an ominously tense bending guitar part and half pleading/half shouting vocals, reminiscent of early Richard Hell.  Follow-up “Dream Come Now” amps up the groove to punk rock levels with a nod to the Ramones.  The album’s title track leans on a heavy psych guitar riff and Iggy Pop Detroit city drawl.  Deeper cuts like “Hungry,” “Bagman” and “Power” go for the high-speed velocity of an accelerated hyper-blues.  Album closer “Peggy Ray” rides fuzzy bass, slashing guitars and smack-down drumming for nearly eight full minutes.  The album is available on Wharf Cat Records and will be released with a party on Friday 10/13 at Alphaville. – Dave Cromwell

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best punk/garage/diy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Brooklyn based producer Esseks (Sam Eckstein) brings a distinctive flavor of electronica to his latest EP release, “Broken Bones” (Sticks & Stones).

The EP is divided in two: Five tracks under “Sticks.” Five tracks under “Stones.” This concept plays nicely. The “Stones” tracks are tonally “heavier” than the rest of the EP. 

At times, “Broken Bones” almost feels like a throwback to the stomping fuzz of prime-era dubstep. But ultimately, Esseks’ glitch-hop and hip-hop influences assert dominance. J Dilla-referencing tracks like “Dill” show off Esseks’ swagger and ear for inventive melody. While the emotive, “wonderfully strange “Pigeon Toes” showcases the range of Eckstein’s inventive production. “Broken Bones” is good ‘ish. -juan leon

Jean Jeanie, of the avant-pop project Future Twin, offers up a deliciously synthy power ballad in new song “Head Like a Halo.” Future Twin’s music is above all else fueled by activism and social theory.

This is clear in her single’s 360˚ music video that was filmed in a living art installation on the night of the presidential election. The video captures the frenzied energy of that night and its kaleidoscope of emotions, all of which are fueled by the lyrics insisting on the need to step back from the computer and interact with others off-screen. You can catch Future Twin at KWTF Sonoma County on 10.15. —Amanda Ogea

The funky, stripped-down Southern soul made by emerging act Wheetay—fronted by Thomas White—is exactly what the Nashville scene needs right now. White takes on the responsibility of writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering all the tracks, yet he still considers the project a collaborative effort as his friends play a role in inspiring his tracks and bringing them to life. Explained in his own words as a “lo-fi approach to high fidelity music,” Wheetay is finally taking to the stage with a lineup of live shows, in which he will combine live instruments with looping tracks. The sultry, semi-electronic sound created by White and co. is fresh, fun, and a nice change of pace for Music City. If you can’t make his show tonight at the Tin Roof, then definitely make sure to catch him opening for Willie Shaw at The Country on the 13th. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “Probably Nothing” streaming below.

Fits stay true to their name with their especially short songs, each one bursting into the limelight with compelling and near-addicting guitar riffs. It’d be too easy for a band to get lost in the music, but Fits know just when to end a song early enough to cause a craving for more. Fits’ penchant for brevity (as well as quirky humor) keeps the themes of their upcoming LP “All Belief is Paradise,” themes of queer identity in the shadow of grief and disillusioned meditations on childhood, from being too overwhelming. Instead, the music is refreshingly sincere. Celebrate the LP’s release with Fits at Alphaville on 11.17.  —Amanda Ogea

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

New York’s electric pop artist, Blonde Maze is the project of self-produced Amanda Steckler whose sound is anchored on a dreamy blend of woven piano, electronic marimbas and layered vocal harmonies. Her newest single ‘Thunder’ is a translucent dive into melodic bliss that needs only a repeat button. Her 2015 debut EP ‘Oceans’ was very well received, going to #18 on Spotify’s ‘US Viral’ chart, and receiving attention from MTV’s ‘Radar’, and BBC Radio 1 among other channels. She is currently armed with a new and improved material, and another EP slated for 2018 release. – Vernon McGhee

Saturn Rising produces moody R&B that sounds as astral as his name suggests. The singer/dancer crafts dreamy, dark soundscapes that strike powerfully on the rawest of human experiences, while still managing to fit in against other club bangers. The musical prowess and fierce individuality of Saturn Rising makes his music a must-listen, so be sure to stream him below.-Olivia Sisinni

If an artist suddenly climbs our "NYC New Bands With Buzz" charts (look around on this page, you’ll find it), there’s always a reason. It happened this month to Brooklyn based dreamy songwriter Cape Francis, whose record release show we recently previewed in this very blog. In this circumstance, what pushed the project of Kevin Olken Henthorn to the top of that list is the fact that he made the cover of Spotify’s popular weekly playlist Fresh Finds (the playlist gets erased and updated weekly, so you won’t find Cape Francis in this week’s list of tracks). Congrats Kevin! 

Cape Francis is scheduled to perform tonight in the East Village at Berlin and on November 10 at Bushwick’s C’Mon Everybody.