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

An outlier from the Burger Records’ roster, normally home to garagey and surfy bands, Cosmonauts harness British rock from the ’80s and ’90s, and repackage those groovy sounds full of attitude in their most recent album A-OK. Citing the Kinks and Sonic Youth as their influences, the bands describes its sound as “drug-punk.” That sounds misleading, since A-OK is too clean to be punk, and too controlled to be "drug music." But it’s certainly excellent party music, which – with the summer on the horizon – is all we care about. Cosmonauts will play the Constellation Room, tonight (June 13th), check out the video for their ballad "Party at Sunday,’ streaming below. – Simone Gabrielli 

Noise-pop band The Sea Life is releasing a self-titled full-length album on May 26th, on Babe City Records. Blending the angsty vocal stylings of Win Butler and Conor Oberst with up-tempo, minor-key distortion, the D.C.-based band paint a swirling picture of depressive sentiments and full-throated screams of longing. On "Red Eyes," the lyrics suggest aversion toward success: "It’s a shame /That you’re trading your passion for a paycheck." The raw power in the band’s sonic approach and their energetic musicianship, however, indicate that their passion is very much a driving force on this promising release. The Sea Life is playing a record release show at Smith Public Trust in D.C. on May 26th. Check out single "Red Eyes" below! – Ethan Ames

Brooklyn’s soul band The Skins is a tantalizing blend of ’90s R&B and contemporary hip-hop. On their 2016 EP, Still Sleep, each song is tightly hook-oriented and provides sense of urgency to the entire five-track release. The Skins’ sound has evolved rapidly from a more rock-based aesthetic, as evidenced on their 2014 track, "Pump Up The Speed." The Skins will be playing Mercury Lounge on June 27th, and then head to the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle on September 1st. Check out the video for breakout single "Bury Me" below, it got more than 100k plays on Youtube! – Ethan Ames