Between lingering lo-fi vocals, featured string orchestrations, and simple guitar riffs drenched in reverb, it is difficult to gloss over DC’s own slowcore band Cigarette. Currently a four piece band with occasional guest musicians, the collective released their debut, mini-LP, Gush, in 2013, which displayed a vivid interpretation of modern indie pop, fused with slo-mo harmonies integrating gentle and gloomy vocals. The band has since released two more records. The most recent, “Warm Shadows/Love’s Mirror” features two overtly atmospheric singles which further enunciate the group’s sonic vocabulary. – Tafari Lemma

God Damn Wonderland is the latest LP by uber-productive Providence-based lo-fi folk artist LittleBoyBigHeadonBike (aka William Orchard). Although the LP will be not available until June 23rd, a few singles have already been released—like “It Was Alright (your heart was shining through your eyes last night)”, a poetic musing on being left behind. This song differentiates itself from the typical singer-songwriter piece with its complex instrumentals (William Orchard plays keyboards, guitar, and bass on this track) and full harmonies. The album release show will be held in Providence at AS220 on June 23rd. – Lilly Milman

Existing somewhere in that sphere of experimental indie pop that contains Animal Collective and Neon Indian, Dawkins‘ Ep1 is a quality release that steers clear of being a cheap knockoff of the reverb drenched, chaotic sound that has made other groups famous.   Although not flawless, the group’s first release achieves some really great moments, like at the 1 minute mark in Kiwi, where the chorus all of a sudden bursts through in a great moment of catharsis. At times blissfully harmonious with the pumping, youthful energy of indie pop, Ep 1 is a wonderful start for the group.

-Written by Michael Dranove

The sleepless summer nightlife of the city echoes throughout “NY is Red Hot” (streaming) a new track from Amelia Airhorn. A collaborative effort between electronic dance duo The Knocks, and nu-disco vocalist Skylar Spence, the track takes a ride on a time machine to the vintage disco and pop sounds of ’80s and ’90s New York, a city they pledge loyalty to in the lyrics ("New York is my life and I’m never gonna leave!"). The song pulsates with high energy grooves that conjure up images of sweltering hot summer parties and the carefree city lifestyle. Take it as a reminder to partay! – Tafari Lemma

Brooklyn musician David Van Witt records and plays live (with a band) under the name HNRY FLWR.  After spending the last two years honing his project’s live show, he found a home for his debut EP ‘Flowerama’ at NYC’s Paper Garden Records.  Opening track “Stranger” moves from somber beginnings into a bright keyboard driven anthem. Nuanced layers emerge throughout with cascading background vocals and buzzing synths.  “As Above, So Below” (streaming) slithers along like a soundtrack to some middle-eastern mystery quest film.  Ballad “Little Brother” explores the cycle of violent abuse, ultimately concluding that “now I’ve become those bruises on your arms.”  “Down In Carolina” is propelled along by a deliberate bass line under bright synthesizer enhancements.  There’s a muted, distant quality to the vocals that add an air of mystery and depth to the track.  Closing track “Context (Trans-Pecos, On A Full Moon, On A Monday)” sounds pretty much as the title suggests – this acoustic-guitar-only live track was recorded at the Queens’ venue. The EP release show is Friday 6/16 at Berlin with The Undercover Dream Lovers and Rhinestone. – Dave Cromwell

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

Arctic Desert Tundra, the debut release by New York duo 3D-WOW, is a startlingly original piece of psych/progressive-pop. Quietly released last November, Sara Kossin and Alec Ciesla’s debut is a collection of eight songs that are brooding, moody and at times menacing. The underlying sensitivity of songwriter/vocalist Sara Kossin radiates through the shuffling, thrashing dissonance like light through cracks in a door. Fans of Tortoise and Modest Mouse will be intrigued by the record, as it takes the guitar-heavy, ambient sounds of ’90s and early-2000s indie and runs with it into promising new post rock territory. – Ethan Ames

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

Plenty of musical acts want to ride high on the Sixties-esque psych-rock revival to bring about some good feelings. Demure For Sure (the brianchild of NYC composer Zack De Sorbo) folds that avant-garde pomp and nostalgia into his newest track, "Coconut, Rum And Banana", released last week. The song — from a distance — could double as an outtake from The Beach Boys’ Smile or something from The Monkees’ discography, or as a more polished Ariel Pink single. Bubbling sounds and meandering flutes put the finishing touch on this flower-power fantasy, which might make you want to frolic through a field like a 21st-century Merry Prankster. "Coconut, Rum And Banana" will appear on Demure For Sure’s EP "Tie-Dye Shadows", which comes out July 12th. – Will Sisskind

San Francisco indie rock quartet Sleepy Sun recently released their new LP, Private Tales, on Dine Alone Records. The album incorporates a host of contemporary indie rock influences like The White Stripes, The Black Keys and Fleet Foxes with inflections of ’70s rock in the vein of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac. As a whole, the release showcases the band’s effectiveness at stylistic blending and makes for a compelling, unique pop experience. Sleepy Sun will be playing at Amoeba Music in San Francisco tonight (June 14th) in support of the record. Listen to "Crave" below! – Ethan Ames

Brooklyn noisemakers Kill Alters make music that attacks, both physically and mentally. With pulsating percussions, laser-like synths, and the visceral vocals of Bonnie Baxter, the band offers a sound that’s aggressive, complex, and demanding. Their compositions break from tradition, incorporating sounds ranging from the industrial to the downright frightening (a baby’s laughter), and adopting a nightmarish aesthetic reminiscent of early post punk groups like Throbbing Gristle. Upcoming LP ‘No Self Helps’ (out June 28th on Haus Mountain) promises something different, and sometimes uncomfortable, through a journey that’s complex, textured, and entertaining, every step of the way.  See them live at St. Vitus on 06.16. – Allie Miller

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