Brooklyn psych-pop band Future Heart rather accurately lives up to its name, providing futuristic vibes without giving up emotion and movement. Formed in 2015, the eight-piece group released their debut single, “Holographic Autograph” last year, a record that blurs the line between afrobeat, pop and electronic music. They recently headlined Baby’s All Right (which is per se an achievement), so you may want to check out their live schedule for upcoming shows. – Tafari Lemma

Chicago’s Ratboys will be kicking off their jam-packed summer with a record release party at the end of June at Schubas. The now five-piece band, who describes its style as “post-country, indie rock”, is set to release another LP under Topshelf Records entitled GN on June 30th before heading off to perform all over the east coast. As for now, the band has released three singles off the album, offering elements of folk, country, and indie, accompanied by the gentle vocals of Julia Steiner.  The three singles follow a loud-quiet-loud dynamic, often building from folky, post-country atmospheres towards uplifting and more driven moments. You can celebrate their album release at Schubas on June 30th where they’ll perform with Mother Evergreen, Sincere Engineer, and Special Death. – Pearse Devlin

Somewhere between the heart wrenching lyricism of Mitksi and the cool-girl attitude of Cherry Glazerr, Pom Pom Squad stirs up trouble. Spoofing the cheerleader stereotype, they reclaim the image of the girl everyone loves to hate with sincerity and confession. Hate It Here, their nostalgic 2017 release, persuades listeners to reconsider their high school bullies, with lines like “How do you expect me to figure myself out/when I can’t tell the difference between bad and good attention.” Don’t miss their show at Sunnyvale tomorrow (June 14th) with Danny Christmas, Nick Llobet, and Julep Maisey. – Allie Miller 

Producer and songwriter Jordan Moser channels ’80s nostalgia in his fun synthpop project Tyger. He puts a new spin on it, though, with the addition of electric guitars, violin, and even a vocoder, all intertwweaving with the genre’s stock synth pads and drum machines. His repetitive lyrics (like “I really need a friend, / I really need a friend tonight” from “Need a Friend”) feature a strong rhythmic component, and seem to intentionally leave center stage to his big imaginative arrangements. Tyger will be playing a live show on June 17th at Berlin NYC. Check out "On the Radio," our favorite track from his debut EP, streaming below. – Lilly Milman

Montclair-based band trü released their debut self-titled EP this past Friday, and it is a heavy blend of garage, punk, and emo. The four songs off this project are packed with driven guitar, bass, and drums topped with serene, lugubrious vocals. Their melodic yet messy and big sound seems influenced by bands like Basement and Balance & Composure, yet offers a taste of something more; whether it’s the more alt-rock ‘Decemberists’ sound off of “Kirsti”, or the clean intro from their enthralling closing track, “Hand in Hand” (streaming), Trü seems to be pushing their boundaries beyond their influences. Be sure to keep an eye out for any upcoming shows. – Pearse Devlin    

NYC quartet Nation of Language offers a modern take on the moody ’80s synthpop revival. The group’s bouncy electronic arrangements, detached dark vocals, and dancey electronic beats are a clear nod to the days when new wave was dominating the airwaves. Single, “I’ve Thought About Chicago” (streaming below and released in February) is well crafted in its stoic simplicity, and will engage fans of New Order and Depeche Mode. Catch Nation of Language as they headline Bowery Electric on 06.14. – Tafari Lemma

In a scene known for overproduced and mainstream country music, Nashville-based 4-piece Sun Seeker, with its airy harmonies, minimalistic arrangements, and nostalgic lyrics, is a breath of fresh air. In anticipation of their upcoming EP ‘Biddeford,’ they’ve released the track “Won’t Keep Me Up At Night” as a single. The mellow indie folk track is a laid-back ballad about the topic of growing out of old friends (“Won’t keep me up at night / well, maybe that’s a lie”) that emphasizes the uncertainty of young adulthood without taking itself too seriously. Their record release show will be at The Blue Room at Third Man Records in Nashville on July 14th. – Lilly Milman, photo by Angelina Castillo

Mostly known for his production skills, Josh Friedman (or That One Eyed Kid) just released an EP of his own: Crash and Burn. The record’s synth-pop driven sound flirts with Hall & Oates gentlemanly soul-pop, while Josh’ voice adds more depth to the tracks. Join the party at his upcoming show at Thunder Road Music Club on June 27th, and listen to single "No Touching" below. – Lilly Milman 

Crimeapple’s unique brand of hip hop has the same kind of aftereffect as any horror movie worth its weight. Abhorrent and obtuse in the moment, it’s only after you’re done listening that his songs crystalize into clear and terrifying images. He enunciates his lines – a mix of torture accounts and pop culture referneces – slowly, so that they linger in the darkness of the mind long after the music stops playing. But like any horror movie, it’s this haunting quality that makes his music as exciting as it is discomforting. From his output so far, like "Spike Up," it’s clear that Crimeapple is an expert word builder, and it’ll be exciting to see what he can accomplish over the length of a full project. You can see him live at SOB’s on 6/13. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Austin folk songwriter Adam Torres has announced a series of U.S. summer tour dates in support of his EP, Came to Sing the Song, and his LP, Pearls to Swine, both out now on Fat Possum Records. Torres’ releases are melancholic, introspective journeys, carried along by intricate acoustic fingerpicking and Torres’ signature ethereal falsetto. The tour kicks off July 27th at Antone’s in Austin. Watch the official video for "Juniper Arms," off Pearls to Swine, below. – Ethan Ames

Austin’s The Naked Tungs recently released their debut EP, Hear It Calls, an intriguing blend of garage, new wave and roots rock which showcases the band’s natural pop sensibility and charming lo-fi character. With subtle time signature changes and diverse instrumentation – from touches of pedalsteel guitar to lead tones reminiscent of Hendrix and The Clash – each song in the five track release has its own unique structural and tonal flavor. Hear It Calls is a promising introduction to a band with potential. Check out the title track below! – Ethan Ames