Dust from 1000 Yrs are not trying to take themselves seriously. Despite their "serious" sound, which is at initially somber folk-influenced, they bring an attitude of practical joking to their group. From every album cover including a scrawled, messy font title, to their almost-vaporwave, intentionally off-putting social media, they are not trying with their image. However, this sense of humor offers a healthy counter to the band’s usually slow and whiney music. With the release of DUST 2017, they push their joking one step further, with an album of entirely 80’s synth-pop sounds. Still, there is a balance and individual statement made in this release. Even when the title of a track is called "Smoke Em Up" their is a melodic tone to the release which recalls the emotion of their earlier music. This new album may be silly, but it’s also a way to watch a band that’s always been a little funny enjoy being themselves. See them at the Middle East August 24th. -Allie Miller   

On their Bandcamp page, Nashville-based Lawndry tags themselves as “stoner rock,” but they are so much more than that. Their February release, Yoko, offers two versions of the same song; both engage the listener into the world of stripped-down psychedelia through hypnotic, distorted guitar riffs, a mesmerizing melody, and lyricism that is simultaneously genuine and a bit funny (“Did you come to Nashville / To Yoko my band?”). The main difference between the two tracks (aptly called “Yoko” and “Sloko”) is that the latter plays in slow motion. Listening to the full double single is almost like entering a trance (in the best way possible.) They will be playing at the East Room in Nashville on August 20th. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Yuri Figueroa 

Brooklyn-based Kew’s latest release Typical Me is a great summer EP for the dejected and self-deprecating. Energetic bass lines and bouncy angular guitar riffs counteract downtrodden lyrical themes, resulting in lively tracks that hurt in just the right way. The tune “Blind” (streaming below) echoes early emo acts like Rites of Spring with its melancholic lyrics and explosive energy, while the overall mood on the EP is still more playful than somber. In short, Typical Me is a party soundtrack any emo kid can bang their head to — see for yourself on the tonight at The Glove or the 21st at a house show.

Bay-area indie pop band Søndags recently released a new track called "Haunted Paradise." The song is a mellow homage to myriad genres: the reverb-laden guitars and distant drums are reminiscent of Motown and surf rock, and Jason Swihart’s vocals invoke Joy Division and The Kinks. It’s an understated yet self-assured pop song, clocking in at just under two and a half minutes. Follow the link to hear "Haunted Paradise," and listen to "Ghost Woman" below! – Ethan Ames

If we’re going to be honest about it, 2017 has yet to produce a real summer banger. Sure, you can make arguments for a few radio hits, but you’d really have to argue that one of them fits that magical "song of the summer" moniker. However, NYC-based MICKY (aka Michael Persall), might have just delivered the ultimate track to save you from those summer blues. "He Won’t," the Motown-pop influenced singer’s newest song premiering exclusively with the Deli, is another perfect example of MICKY’s penchant for making vintage sounds feel fresh and modern. With smooth horns, soulful falsetto vocals and funky synths, "He Won’t" is easily your perfect top-down driving tune. Stream it below, and we dare you to not fall head over heels in love. – Olivia Sisinni

Urban Theory, local to Santa Cruz, CA, plans on packing The Crepe Place this coming Friday, July 21. The four-piece rock and roll recruited two of their favorite local bands, the sinfully satisfying sounds of The Redlight District and the up-beat funk of Ginger & Juice, to help celebrate the 23rd birthday of lead singer and guitarist Ryan Cummings. Get there early as this triple header of local talent will sell out. – Joshua Huver

Local band Wooden/Apple/Heart incorporates rhythmic folk instrumentals, quiet harmonizing vocals, and experimental sounds to create a skillful haziness. In their new album,  The First Woman to See Her Reflection in the World Before Mirrors, the group employs a modern, experimental-folk approach to music-making; inclusive of jumpy and innovative percussion, layered guitar riffs and occasional background samples. The track “Nora,” reinforces the band’s drifting manner, traveling between a gentle scenery and a lively upbeat mood. Listen to the album below. -Tafari Lemma

One consequence of music streaming is the over-saturation of the DIY scene with sloppy EPs recorded in bedrooms and basements that all end up sounding very much the same. But Sault’s spring and summer demos is not one of those records. Recorded by Nashville three-piece Sault, the EP travels between emo, folk, and indie rock in just four songs. Tracks like “socks” start off slowly, but eventually explode in an outpouring of emotion too raw for a conventional scene (a vocal tactic not too far off from Conor Oberst.) As a first release, this project is extremely promising and marks Sault as a force to be reckoned with on the local scene. – Lilly Milman

It’s not surprising that Brooklyn-based Atlas Engine, the solo project of Nick LaFalce, experienced a whirlwind of success following the release of his debut EP After the End. Without question, this EP is upbeat, melody-driven indie pop, but it is also saturated with lush, dream-pop elements. The intimacy of this record is sure to be paralleled by his upcoming double single release, which he is previewing at The Mercury Lounge on July 20th. –Lilly Milman

Electronic trio Pool Cosby recently released their LP, Blind Gold, a record that’s at once soulful and… brainful. With its dynamic layer of samples and live instruments accompanying the electronic experimentation, the album showcases a symbiotic relation between ambient, chillwave leanings, and a hip-hop based style. The LP also includes an intriguing selection of featured artists: single “Thrive” (streaming) features the delicate vocals of Tiger Darrow alongside subtle instrumentals that shift between a calm droney atmosphere and a dancey chorus with deep electronic kick drum beats animated by a minimal, but funky, bass line. Don’t miss these guys at Bowery Electric on 07.20. – Tafari Lemma

If the chorus of Boston-based bellwire’s new single sounds familiar, it’s because it is. The classic repetition of the word “dream” comes from the Everly Brothers song “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” but that is where the similarities between these two tracks end. bellwire’s take on this song is dark, stripped down, and is more comparable to the likes of Patti Smith than the pop duo (maybe not sonically, but definitely lyrically.) Tyler Burdwood, the lead vocalist of bellwire, is currently on a solo tour with Massachusetts-based Jake McKelvie, of The Countertops. – Lilly Milman

Describing themselves as “musical soulmates,” founding members of Moon Honey, Jess Elaine Ramsey (vocals) and Andrew Martin (guitar), make music that is complexly romantic. In wild, bird-like vocals battling powerhouse guitar melodies, they illustrate an especially human relationship in their psych-rock sound. Hand-Painted Dream Photographs, their 2013 release, is not just a turning, twisting psych record, but an emotionally personal music. On later releases like “Boy Magic,” it gets even more pseudo-confessional, with lyrics like “on wings of fruit trees/my boy sings sweet to me.” Moon Honey illustrate an adventurous marriage of sound and meaning, and if you’re not yet convinced, just look for their Magritte references.-Allie Miller