Mixing art and pop rock influences like The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, The Rememberables create songs with driving grooves enhanced by melodic material layered into the musical fabric, hinting at a shoegaze vibe. Hoping to build off of the sound that they achieved on the their self-titled EP, the group plans to release a full length album when they open for Australia’s Royal Headache on July 14th at the Black Cat.

 -Michael Dranove

In her debut single "9 Months", Brooklyn singer Roxiny builds an immersive story which speaks to the besetment of destructive relationships. Included in her forthcoming EP, Rituals, the track develops a climactic build-up through heavy percussion that surrounds the steady dream-pop synth and droning guitar chords, pulling in the listener until the end of this emotional and loaded four minutes. Featuring the singer’s intense and full vocals, which have earned her collaborations with Sleigh Bells and Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), the single stands as a personal message from the young artist, who is an advocate for women’s rights and victims of abuse and injustice, by working with organizations like GEMS, which assists sex trafficking victims. Listen to the single, streaming below, and don’t miss Roxiny next live appearance at the Overthrow New York Boxing Club within a benefit for planned Perenthood.. -Tafari Lemma

The bedroom pop produced by three-piece thanks for coming sets itself apart for Rachel Brown’s distinct vocals that complement their vivid lyrics, often tackling existential themes (“I’ve got my hand inside my skeleton / trying to make myself into a puppet / so someone else can live my life.”) Their new EP ‘thanks for having me’ was finalized before moving to Brooklyn (from Chicago) earlier this year. The record offers a bare bone, often tongue-in-cheek take on lo-fi that relies on simple arrangements and charming melodies, leaving the listener wanting more. The (very active) band will be playing their next show at the Trans-Pecos on July 3rd. – Lilly Milman

Listen to our favorite track “human being” streaming below.

A label like “Bipolar folk” might leave you scratching your head, but for Kera and the Lesbians, the description fits. Their music is characterized by mood swings: The LA-based duo manages to span a multitude of genres, with singer Kera serving up garage-soul vocals against waves of dark, southern brass, and desert-folk guitar riffs. With an album and 2 EPS under their belt, the band has yet to shy away from experimenting with their sound. Their latest single “I’m Late” (streaming below) demonstrates the band’s chameleon capabilities with a smooth serenade.-Tafari Lemma

Karma Kids Co-Founder Lt. Headtrip raps with the voice of a professional wrestler.  It’s fitting, considering the words he cobbles together for his frenetic verses.  Listening to him rap, you can imagine him tearing off shirt after shirt to intimidate his adversaries.  And with lines like, “I’m dressing in the Emperor’s hand-me-down bathroom gown pants and crown – I’m fancy now” he’s got a firm handle on the imagery he pile-drives into your skull.  “Neck Right” is the first video from his new album ‘Comedy of the Filthbeast‘ dropping today on his Karma Kids label.  

Within the first verse of Umi Copper’s single, “All”, the singer asserts an engaging mixture of soul and R&B–his soothing vocals flow and enchant. The track draws from an emotive range of tones, showcasing lively percussion reminiscent of 70’s afrobeat, and ethereal, orchestrated harmonies, that lusciously serve his lyrics about enduring and unconditional love. The track marks the debut of Copper, who has previously worked among local soul producers. Listen to the new single “All” below. –Tafari Lemma

Though we’ve seen quite a few musical icons make headlines in the fashion world *coughKanyecough*, it’s quite rare to see someone from fashion make the switch to music. Enter holywater, a photographer, fashion curator and the head of creative collective Virgin Gold Cult, who is now also making her foray into music under the same name. And not content to simply get her toes wet, she has dove in head first with "Hush," a moody, yet upbeat collaboration with Cruel Youth. Over the track’s party-ready instrumental, Teddy Sinclair of CY sings with fiery passion, trying to rekindle an old flame that seems to have burned them both out long ago. "Hush" is a very promising start to holywater’s musical career, and is hopefully only the beginning of exciting collaborations in the future. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Brooklyn-based band Mutilation Rites offers a sound that fans of most metal sub-genres can mosh to, since they fuse elements of black, thrash, and death metal. The vocals on their 2014 release Harbinger employ metal’s raspy, high pitched shrieks, while also utilizing the deep and guttural growls from death metal. “Black Pyramid” sets the tone for the album, coming out of the gate with a relentless assault from drummer Justin Ennis (ex-Tomb), however the band does know when to step back from the brutality and settle on slower and groovier moments. The band just announced a fall US tour kicking off with two dates at the Knit on October 16 and 17. – John Honan

Asbury Park’s Deal Casino, a promising new indie-rock quartet that made our recent list of Best of NYC Emerging Artists, has released their first single, entitled "Red Balloon," from their upcoming debut album. The track, inspired by the Oscar winning, 1956 French comedy-drama going under the same name, is an uptempo, punchy romp that will tickle the ears of fans of The Black Keys and Dr. Dog. Like the movie, it’s a playful song, but also features an underlying feeling of sadness, which the band says will be a recurring theme in their full length. Deal Casino is celebrating the record’s release at The Stony Pony in Asbury Park on July 21st with Born Cages and The Cold Seas. Listen to the new single below! – Ethan Ames

Josh Onstott of Other Lives’ new project, New Mystics, brings a sunny, fresh energy into a new band. With tracks like Sparrows and Modern, Onstott’s vocals communicate a sense of regret and longing that’s perfectly reflected in the band’s sound: the songs serve a purpose. When lyrics like “such a lovely day to say goodbye” are translated into these bright sounds, the pairing is therapeutic. New Mystics follows on the footsteps of bands like Delta Spirit and their emotional alt folk, don’t miss their live debut tonight (June 22nd) at Baby’s All Right.

Brooklyn-based Evolfo plays garage rock with the sort of heart, grit, and flourishes you’d expect from a group of vinyl store junkies with a massive b-side collection. The band, an ensemble of music school students who originally united (to much acclaim) in Boston, crafts tunes that play like a well-curated list of late 60s-70s cult hits. They’ve created a reputation for songs that are visceral, infectious, and immediately bewitching, and their most recent release, "Last of the Acid Cowboys," does not disappoint. From the crunch of opening track "Vision of Sin," to the bluesy saunter of "Moon Eclipsed the Sun," the record manages to cover a lot of ground but never relinquishes its too-cool, old-school vibes. Tracks like "Frank the Fiddler" add a swirling, synth-led mystique to the album but the core of the LP is the brash and brazen garage rock fun pulsing throughout it. All in all, Last of the Acid Cowboys is an electric record that puts a much-welcomed twist on revivalism. – Olivia Sisinni

In their new album Old Dog, New Tricks, released in May 2017, Brooklyn band Flearoy adapts old and new classics to their textured and elegant roots pop. Popular songs ranging from The Zombies’ “Time of the Season” to Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” find a new light in the five piece’s fusion of vintage motown soul vibes with a folky instrumentation. – Tafari Lemma