With their February release entitled Manage, the Nashville-based five-piece The Still, Small Voice have discovered their own, definitive melodic indie rock sound. The EP, which focuses on questioning that which once felt certain, is a six-track long serenade to Southern rock and pop. Lead vocalist Christiana Benton’s ballads are simultaneously sweet and serious. The track “Fear of Breaking” (streaming below) is just one example where she is able to break into an unexpected soprano that builds the song up over twinkling arrangements. And there’s certainly more where that came from on the rest of the EP. You can find The Still, Small Voice playing their next live show on September 19th at The High Watt. – Lilly Milman

Inspired by his 12 years in NYC, Spirit Plate frontman Brian Russ found inspiration for the the passion project Youth Moose—the psych rock band’s sophomore album. Recorded in Russ’ home studio, the LP features tracks presented as a reflection of the New York experience, based on everything from street art to architecture. This record is about finding clarity in the chaos (a feeling any New Yorker can relate to) all while experimenting with new sounds and content. In the single “Daily News Headline” (streaming below) the group tackles themes of political and civil unrest, overlaying a triumphant mashup of gritty guitar arrangements and a lively horn section. The band recently also unveiled the video for second single ‘All Day Long.’ – Lilly Milman

Emo. Traumacore. These are two of the labels attached to MALLRAT as tags on their Bandcamp page. It sounds kind of depressing. But beneath their gnarly, stripped down, heavy-heavy-soft sound is a transcendent – almost bubbly – joyousness that’s bursting with sonic life. The band’s playful tweets give an insight into a playful, humane sensibility that blooms throughout their music:

"all my life thought i only liked pop and pop punk but i actually also like pop country"

The subject matter on the quick, fleeting cuts that make up every breath a fracture (like standout track “i don’t really wanna try”) may be somber, but the feeling in every raw chord and singer Melo Davis’ vocals reveals a blissfulness that can’t be contained. MALLRAT make depressing music that actually isn’t very depressing at all. -juan leon

The video of the always edgy Kim Boekbinder’s for the track “H.B.I.C.” is an explosion of style, color, and choreography all layered over hypnotic synth beats. The non conforming, fashion-forward cast of characters in the video steal the show, while Boekbinder’s detached voice sings out the line “I’m the head bitch in charge, yeah, I’m the head.” She often refers to her music as “witch-pop,” which is accurate given that the repetitive and rhythmic nature of her songwriting seems to put a spell on us. She will be kicking off a fall tour in September, with an album release show at The Mercury Lounge tomorrow (September 9th). – Lilly Milman 

october tooth is the name and minimalism is the game for local lo-fi indie rockers Zachary Threlkeld and Cowboy Sam Gidley (who also drums for The Lonely Biscuits,) the duo behind the project that releases new music every October. Their newest installment is an 8-track LP called easy corners that sounds just as good through headphones as it would on a cassette deck. The album is a nostalgia-tinged journey back through the last year, complete with poetic reflections on personal relationships (“I always seem to turn the lights on you”) and declarations about the future (“it’s alright, I’m not giving up this time.”) Despite choosing to release only one project annually, the band remains active on the live scene and will be performing at The Basement on Saturday, September 9th. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “3:00 p.m.” streaming below.

Music is being transported somewhere, hopefully, a good place. For some, that might be the spot where you hang with your friends, drinking cold, cheap beer and pretending to intellectualize your way through a not so hot summer. That’s exactly where NYC via Salt Lake City Max Pain and the Groovies takes us. This is ’60s inspired psych rock at its best, youthful and unafraid. Groovy, indeed. The band’s waves of cosmic guitars and greasy vocals will surround you like an old ash tray. Let them, and don’t miss their upcoming performance at Berlin on 09.14. – Amanda Ogea

Parrot Dream’s discography showcases the gradual development of their dream-pop aesthetic, which features a peculiar Latin twist (the band is originally from Chile).

In their song "On Your Own," Parrot Dream teases the listener into an all-too-familiar melancholy before jumping in with a groovy bass line and electrifying hi-hat, reminiscent of the Chilean disco scene.

Make sure to partake in the experience at the Brooklyn Bazaar on 09.14 alongside our other featured bands, Triathalon and Mons Vi. —Amanda Ogea

New Spell have an upcoming show in the Bay Area at Bottom Of The Hill this September 24th. The SF band’s most recent EP is a darkwave project with heavy synth and dream pop sounds overtaken by haunting atmospheres, giving it a dreery presence throughout. Check out "Rain" off of Of Time: Part 1 below. – Pearse Devlin

TRISTN is an alt rock songstress that provides all the might of your fave early 2000s power pop band, with dulcet vocals and hooks so infectious you’ll swear you’re coming down with something. The NYC-based, one-woman project specializes in anthems that are attractive in both their energetic arrangements and simple yet poignant lyricism. ​TRISTN co-produced her debut album "January" (out tomorrow, September 8th) with a high-powered team of producers, including the late Tom Coyne (Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele), on “Now You Know,” Ted Jensen (Norah Jones, Muse, Green Day) on “Nothing to Say (Nothin’),” and Christian Wright (Abbey Road Studios UK) and  Steve Kupillas (Oak and Ash, Brand New) on the remainder of the songs. You can stream it below. -Olivia Sisinni

For a band whose sound is dedicated to modernizing southern rock, putting a new spin on an old classic is only fitting. In the case of Nashville four-piece Heathen Sons, this track is “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” (streaming below). Their bouncy take on this bluesy 70s hit is fun, fresh, and a solid representation of the rootsy revival rock that is yet to come in their debut self-titled LP, which is being released tomorrow on September 8th via Metropolitan Groove Merchants. Until then, hit the play button below to listen to their take on the track, which includes backing vocals by Leah Blevins and Liz Cooper. – Lilly Milman

NYC via Anaheim Rock’n’Roll trio Willowz are back. Their new track, a kick-ass blend of blues and hard rock flavors, boasts the familiar rock & roll attitude, sharp lyrics, and contagious guitar riffs. A slight departure from their garage rock beginning, single  "Now You Know" marks the band members’ return of focus on this project from various side projects. They have a brand new LP, Fifth, set to be released on September 15th. – Pearse Devlin

Former Deli Artist of the Month winners American Darlings expand their catalog with the release of their latest recording “Glow.” The six brand new tracks are available via multiple formats, and lead track “Roll With Me” (streaming below) shows the three minute power-pop anthem format is alive and well. Essential verse lyrics “days” and “haze” are as clean a rhyme as “take” and “heartbreak,” and set up an instantly catchy chorus. Crunchy guitar and handclap percussion brilliantly usher in the hook that goes: “If you say that you’re in it – come on roll with me baby. Till you say that you’re gonna – come and do what you wanna.” That perfect blend of hard rock and “first time” longing conjures up memories of influential pop bands like The Raspberries and Badfinger. You can catch them live supporting The Ataris on 9/23 at Goldsounds in Brooklyn. – Dave Cromwell