Homebrew, the rag-tag five-piece metal/rock outfit from Santa Cruz, CA is anything but your typical band. Borrowing from the framework of bands like Metric and Evanesence, Homebrew is fronted by the fierce personalities of Alison Maupin and lead guitarist Matt Kotila. Bassist Nel Barrow joined the rest of the group in 2015, most of whom have been playing heavy music together since 2010. – Joshua D. Huver 

Brooklyn indie singer-songwriter El Mar may sound light-hearted and easy to listen to, but there’s a depth to her lyrics and tone that sparkles through. Her single "Drifting" is a gorgeous example of that delightful pairing of breeziness and feeling. A carefully balanced full-band arrangement with just the right hint of country/Americana textures shows that El Mar is finding her own voice in a world of songwriters that sometimes mulls together. "Drifting" certainly doesn’t sound like El Mar is drifting, actually, it feels like she’s headed in the right direction. -Geena Kloeppel

Approach with caution – the edges are sharp. Sheep Shifter is a mass of buzzsaw guitars and heart-pounding drums goaded into brutality by human cattle prod/vocalist Jonathan Nash’s depraved howls. Those familiar with Murfreesboro’s Sheep Shifter will confirm the caustic nature of their live show is nothing short of head-banging good time.-Sam Mattingly

Blending harmonious vocal passages, post-punk driving rhythms, and victorious choruses, Idle Bloom are a stand-out Nashville band who display some vulnerability and heart in a style of music often associated with the entirely cold and angular. Catch them winning over some loud rock/metal fans at The End in Nashville on July 8th with Husband Stitch, Pandemix, Anwar Sadat and Mutilation Rites.-Sam Mattingly

Recently relocated from Boston to Nashville, six-piece TWEN creates music that is an effortlessly cool blend of garage, psych, and slacker rock. On their live, self-titled album, Jane Fitzsimmons’ surfy voice drones over thrashing guitars, giving the effect of a punchier version of Best Coast. Her shoegaze-inspired vocals are what add the psychedelic twist to the grungy arrangements in songs like “Long Time” (streaming below) where reverb takes centerstage. Their sound is so defined in this EP that it’s difficult to believe it was recorded live—but they will be bringing their exceptional live show to The East Room on July 19th. – Lilly Milman

There’s a certain overarching sweetness that consumes the Denver, New York based Strawberry Runners’ EP Hatcher Creek, but a close listen will reveal a far more complicated record. The pop-driven arrangements and saccharine melodies support lyrics filled with darkness. In the title track (streaming below), Emi Night’s lush vocals share an unfiltered look at childhood memories (“My dad keeps us up at night / And he kicks us hard when we try to hide / And my brother cries and I hold him close.”) The juxtaposition of the bouncy song with this kind of raw content conjures up a conflicting listening experience that’s at once uplifting and upsetting. The Strawberry Runners will be playing at the Silent Barn tonight (July 3rd), and then leave for a brief Northeast tour. – Lilly Milman

There’s a reason Cende is stirring up so much excitement right now. It’s the amalgamation of musicians involving in other breakout NYC bands like LVL UP and Porches. Drummers Greg Rutkin and Cameron Wisch (of the aforementioned groups) are joined by Dave Medina and Bernard Casserly in what’s best described as a joyous, young indie rock band with math pop inclinations. The 8 tracks on their debut album "*#1 Hit Single" are a whirlwind of punk-rock, pairing a fast-paced guitars with bright, pure vocals. Cende’s current national tour with Alex G and Japanese Breakfast provides plenty of opportunities to see them for yourself. Catch them in Brooklyn on July 6th at Music Hall of Williamsburg. – Allie Miller

Horse Jumper of Love: still slow, still sad, still one of Boston’s biggest bands. Since the release of their 2016 self-titled EP they’ve been riding on a steady stream of positive reviews and constant bookings. As a result, much has been said about them, described by Consequence of Sound as incorporating "tempo and tone unwavering, like controlled breathing." Aside from sing-a-long tracks such as "Ugly Brunette" and "Bagel Breath" from their EP, they’ve also released "Orange Peeler," a thoughtful, shoegaze-ing journey through the band’s early songwriting and consistent use of spacey-sounding feedback. Horse Jumper of Love is not going anywhere. They recently finished touring with Spencer Radcliffe and Everyone Else, and will play the Great Scott once again on July 12th.-Allie Miller

Friday July 7th, Chicago’s Secret Colours will be releasing their fourth album, titled Dream Dream. Drawing from British sounds (a clue indicated in their name) the band combines a diverse amount of indie, garage, pop, and psychedelia that makes their material energetic, progressive, yet nostalgic. Single “Save Me,” in particular, does just that; their tenth track on the album launches towards an atmosphere that feels much like classic rock, but then crosses over towards a spacier, indie pop sound with an intriguing shift between past and modern styles. Be sure to check out the upcoming LP, as well as a release show the following week in their hometown of Chicago, at Martyrs’, on July 15th. – Pearse Devlin

Soft News, the NYC alt-folk project of Erik Laroi, is releasing a four-song EP of Everything But the Girl covers entitled The Only Way Out is Down. The four covers dramatically reimagine the originals, stripping away the sophistipop masters’ electronic arrangement in favor of a chamber instrumentation. Cello and violins abound on this release, and the instrumentalists’ mastery of dynamics lends a contemplative, melancholy air to the songs. The Only Way Out is Down is out today. 

Philly and NYC-based Field Mouse have been known for their dreamy, shoegazey tunes, but while their hook filled songwriting is still on full display on their latest album, "Episodic," the five-piece’s sound has evolved in a punchier direction, which is a bit more barefaced, and less shrouded by layers of fuzz and reverb. Our sister blog Delicious Audio recently spoke to the band about the tonal shift, and what kind of gear goes into the making of their music – check out the link below!

Q&A with Field Mouse about pedals and the creative process.

One of Brooklyn’s fiercest emerging bands will be releasing their debut EP next week. Grim Streaker, a five-piece punky outfit out of Brooklyn, will release Girl Minority, a four track collection, on July 7th. Their release show is scheduled for the day before at Wicked Lady, and, judging from the video below for single "Guts," we’ll surely be in for a ferocious performance; the band has already picked up a reputation for their raucous, fanatical performances, that resurrect the intensity of 70s/80s punk rock. Singles “Psycho” and “Miami Girl” are ruthless punk anthems, carried by rapid drumbeats and bass lines, fuzzy guitar riffs, and abrasive, powerful vocal bursts from their charismatic lead singer, Amelia Bushell. – Pearse Devlin

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