As the New York alternative scene becomes more and more entwined with electronica, it becomes easier and easier to find interesting new acts dabbling in drum machines and weird abstract electronic sound. Beiju is the low key Brooklyn electro-pop project of Caitlin Seager, whose ethereal voice perfectly complements her half dancey, half experimental tracks. On DEMAIN, her EP released in July, she draws comparisons to Hailee Steinfeld and Selena Gomez with her personal quirky signature. you can see her live at Trans-Pecos tonight (August 23rd). -Allie Miller

Upcoming artists face a myriad of challenges in the scramble for purchase in the music landscape. As if making honest art that resonates with diverse audiences wasn’t arduous enough, then there’s marketing, networking, selling oneself without selling oneself out, balancing one’s family’s expectations as they stack up upon your shoulders, and the feeling of dust building up on your dreams. Akinyemi bravely stares into the crystal ball in the first single from his upcoming “summers” EP (the release party will be at BK Bazaar on Sept. 17 at 8pm). The dust doesn’t stand a chance. – Jason Grimste, brokeMC

Whirring guitars find pedal heaven among the many changing shrieks and fuzzes that make up NYC psych slackers The Sofas. With a homey name and a flannel-clad, unshaven appearance, you might expect them to be a little softer—but you’d be wrong. The Sofas are loud. They slip in a solo that could be two decades old, yet sounds completely fresh and thrash their instruments like any good old garage band, but reference in their sound some of the most imaginative bands of the ’90s, forgotten by many, like early Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. The band has been playing a lot of local shows in 2017 and has an LP scheduled for later in the year (out on Jurassic Pop Records). If it’s anything like their first single "Hum" (premiered below) it promises to take over our ears. – Allie Miller

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

Blending psychedelia with folk has been an established indie trend of the new millennium (so many dream pop bands out there!), but few remember that folk and psych rock had something more than a flirt back in the the ’60s… NYC’s Lovechild reference, in their sound, that very source. The band’s only song available for purchase on Bandcamp is a live, one-take, DIY jam that definitely evokes the "good ole days" of guitar-banging, basement-come-venue style shows. The simplest way to describe "Plant a Flower" is that it sounds like a grungier version of something by the Rolling Stones, on drugs. In a good way. Catch Lovechild at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on August 29th. -Geena Kloeppel

Zenizen is such a perfect 2017 listen, we can’t believe that they haven’t blown up. Soulful vocals by lead Opal Hoyt maintain the sweet spot of R&B that manages to blend an original tone with smooth scales. Backed by charming keys and at times unpredictable beats, all these elements make this group such a timely combo. But Zenizen is not that young. They’ve been doing this for years now. With yearly singles "Coldwood," Fiver" and "No Contact" released since 2015, they’ve been working on their jazz-infused music for a while. Like most good things, they only get better with age. "Australia" their 2017 release and first EP, is their most confident work yet. Listen to the three tracks on this new EP and take the time to enjoy "Expanding," a Rihanna-esque heartbreaking pop song, especially. See Zenizen at Baby’s All Right August 30th. -Allie Mille

Among the many jaw-dropping moments from Ritual Talk‘s performance at Pianos a few weeks back, one that noticeably caught the eyes of the crowd was their artful 5-person vocal harmonization. With their newest single, "Sense" (brand new video below), they replicate that skill perfectly on record. The band’s second track from their upcoming debut EP, Rippled Glass, is soothing and ethereal as was their debut single, "Help I’ve Been Dreaming"; but the vocal performance here is sublime, floating over a more psych, alt-soul vibe. The track’s progression is reminiscent of Alabama Shakes’ soul rock "Sound and Color," mixed with Alexander DeSimine’s Dirty Projectors-esque vocals; the accompanying harmonies, and the final buildup, will send chills down your spine. And if the rest EP is anything as this single and their live performance, it will be one hell of a release. – Pearse Devlin

When you think of country and Americana, the clichés might take you to pastures and whiskey and Tennessee. But native New Yorker Claire Hawkins proves that there is room for this genre, even amongst the concrete and taxis of in her hometown. Hawkins debut EP, Even These Words, is a simple, 4 song introduction to the young songwriter’s playful, simple lyrics and sing-along melodies. The most memorable line? "My baby got a job at the TSA," she sings on the delightful, sincere "Loaded Gun" (streaming). Hawkins gives Americana a sweet light-heartedness, and I’m interested to see where the next batch of songs will take her. -Geena Kloeppel

Sludgy, frenetic, and surprisingly melodic, Mutoid Man serves up nasty, heavy jams with a side of skilled riffage.  Their latest release, War Moans, is 12-tracks worth of head spinning metal aptitude, and – paired with a ground shattering live show – opened the door to a summer US tour with Danzig – dates can be found here. Our friends at Delicious Audio were very curious to know what kind of gear went into making their signature gut-busting sound – check out the link below for a Q&A about it. – by Olivia Sisinni

Delicious Audio’s interview with Mutoid Man about pedals and gear.

Listening to Hayes Peebles’ debut EP Ghosts elicits the warm feelings that come from a country croon, while a closer look at the lyrics reveals the wisdom of a masterful songwriter. His honest ballads are embellished by his tasteful arrangements (in which he plays guitar and keys), which are too dynamic to fall neatly into the Americana category. He will be playing a show at the Mercury Lounge on August 24th. Listen to our favorite track, “Home” streaming below. – Lilly Milman

San Fransisco outfit Spooky Mansion will be playing a hometown show this summer at Golden Bull on August 23rd. The band’s most recent material came out this year with a surprisng stylistic change; The previousl;y self-described surf rock band brought a whole different flavor of chill, hip-hop oriented beats and instrumentation on their new EP, I’m the Moon, You’re the Wave (so plz change w/ me). With listed influences like Modest Mouse and Pixies, this project contrarily resembles (at least to our ears) the fellow Californian band The Neighbourhood, especially on “You’re the Wave”, a subtle and gentle track with dreamy piano chords over a quick, lofi hip-hop beat and harmonizing soft vocals. Check out the band’s latest work below. – Pearse Devlin

With her debut EP, Book of Lolita, released last month, Nashville born, LA based alt-soul singer Anne Dereaux delivers a soothing record filled with wisdom and vitality. Inspired by an alter ego conceived by the artist when she was a child, the EP marks an emotive and personal journey, featuring vocals that range between confidence, pain, and delicate textures, layered over atmospheric instrumentals. The artist released a video (streaming below) for the song "MO(U)RNING", which complements the emotional track through an ambitious story that transitions from a somber, darkened setting to a luminous ending, painting a journey through pain and heartbreak. She’s playing NYC’s hot hub Baby’s All Right on August 22nd – it’s a good sign. – Tafari Lemma

What do you do when you wake up from a coma? Make an album called Comatose Hope. Or, at least, that’s what Julia Weldon did, awakening from a coma, post-gender reassignment surgery. Perhaps the most beautiful songs on this record are the simplest ones. "Take Me To The Water" builds into a gorgeous atmospheric synth and piano ballad and the lyrically poised "Cursed and Blessed" shows the polarity of the world in an uncomplicated manner. With simple guitar hooks and otherwise feel-good arrangements, the record flows really nicely. "When You Die" serves as an angsty reprieve from the established warmth, but orchestral strings and a delicate piano accompaniment take us home at the end in "You Want It." Comatose Hope is an album of many shades- the optimism of the morning, the sluggish nature of midday, and the quiet reflectiveness of midnight. –Geena Kloeppel