The Meltaways play riot-grrrl punk the way it was meant to be played–like a knuckle punch connecting with your temple. With spirited, blitzy vocals, schreeching guitars, pointed lyricism and the warmth and scratchiness of a lo-fi recording, the band’s self titled release is a blistering 7 track record of earnest bravado. Check out the Meltaways at IDIO Gallery 12/17 with Turnip King, Deadbeat Club and Human People and stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni

Madaila, a Burlington based group with powerful pop hooks and tasty synths, are making some seriously ripe-for-radio tunes. Armed with soulful vocal performances, infectious grooves and a dash of neon, the band’s sound is catchy and distinctive, but is also free to convey a bit of darkness lingering under the shimmering, synth-y mass. Take a listen to the band below, and catch them playing Burlington’s Higher Ground Ballroom with Arc Iris 12/30.-Olivia Sisinni
 

Cut Worms is the stage name of a Brooklyn based singer songwriter whose identity isn’t discolsed online – luckily for us, his songs are. The young gentleman presents himself solo on stage, sometimes performing accompanied by only his guitar, others playing along pre-recorded tracks. He offers a brand of charming folk-pop revival that truly sounds as if originated in the early sixties – his recording even feature the vocal distortion typical of that era. Since April 2015 he’s been incessantly releasing digital singles as part of the ‘Soft Boiled Demos,‘ which now add up to over ten tracks all wrapped up in this vintage aura and his songwriting style that flirts with the timeless classics of folk. Masters of revival Foxygen must have noticed, since Cut Worms will be opening for them at Rough Trade on December 1st. Check out single ‘Mad About You’ below.

Self-described "traitors of the human race," Nashville-based act, The Mumzees, definitely packs all the angst of a post-punk band. With vocals that rotate between snarling and apathetically monotone, minimalist guitar leads and a hazy aesthetic, the group manages to create catchy tunes that’ll prove to be slices of heaven for those seeking a decidely late-80’s vibe. Check out the Mumzees at Meal Ticket 12/2 with PONCÉ and James Ross, and stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni

 If you want an exercise in controlled chaos, why not look to Baltimore-based Horse Lords? The experimental group lays down frenetic tunes that jam just as much as they threaten to dance themselves off a cliff. Their latest release, Interventions, is a whirlwind of cascading poly-rhythms, textured tones, and devilishly, funky grooves. Horse Lords is currently on a European tour, so hold yourself over until their return by streaming them below.-Olivia Sisinni

Making a living out of music or art is a tall order, in particular in a pricey place like NYC, but having a multi-faceted talent, like actors do, can certainly come in handy. The Portal – a Rock Odyssey, is an artful mishmash of theatrical performance, concert, and movie, an immersive, live band backed rock opera about the search for love and inner desire for transformation. Many local musicians are involved in this production, including lead actor Billy Lewis Jr. (Fox’s “Glee,” The Who’s Tommy, Spring Awakening, Hedwig & the Angry Inch), who is also a singer songwriter. Here’s a sneak peak (or sneak listen, if you will) into The Portal’s soundtrack: "Space Child", a track influenced by droney Eastern music and originally composed by Guatemalean group Kan’Nal, features entrancing vocals by the lead actor and an atmosphere that builds in intensity over time. Experience The Portal Wednesday through Saturday at The Minetta Lane Theatre. – Ashley Muniz

Integrating musical genres that have little in common is always a fun experiment, and NYC’s male/femal duo Exmazed, with their blend of industrial rock and dream pop, seem to be up to something. Their only single currently available for streaming combines clangy, mechanical and anguishing arrangements with sampled shrieks of distorted guitar feedback and ethereal female vocals. The latter add an enjoyable melodic element to the bleak musical background, but very little solace, conjuring up an atmosphere that’s as sci-fi as it is nightmarish – something that would work perfectly as a soundtrack for a movie like Blade Runner, or – say – NYC post-November 8, 2016. Exmazed will be performing at Alphaville on December 1st, opening for Au Revoir Simone’s Annie Hart. The nightmarish future has arrived, we may as well embrace it and celebrate it! On the bill also another female fronted, local electronic band called Noia, they are worth checking out.

Belle-Skinner hails from Upstate New York, which is where she cut her newest record, We Shut Our Eyes. But she now calls New York City home, and it’s here where she plays her original music several times a month at venues all around Manhattan and Brooklyn. The rising artist’s sound blends mid-century acoustic pop with breathy vocals smacking of St. Vincent. Hear the influence of Sufjan Stevens, Kate Bush, and Joanna Newsom in songs like “And Then You Leave (Go On)” and “Siren Song”. Upcoming live shows include November 29^th at the East Village’s Sidewalk Café, where Belle-Skinner will perform with Kelly Quigley, Pandafan, Georgia June, and Emily & Friends. The show begins at 7:00 pm. If you can’t make it, check Belle-Skinner’s website for future tour dates. Do make it a point to attend at least one of them. – Will Sisskind

With the recent release of their debut LP “Worst Way,” Brooklyn’s Rosebug showcase lead single “I Am The One” after a series of local shows.  Opening with the melody line figure presented in singular guitar notes, an ethereal vocal chorus emerges from reverberated halls.  “I am the one with all the answers,” sings frontwoman Becca Chodorkoff amid the slow burning groove and background vocal waves.  While accompanying guitar, bass and drums establish understated yet essential propulsion, chiming overtones emerge alongside the morphing voices.  Lyrics express one’s need to push forward with self-confidence, while keeping internal doubts that we may not be all that special at bay.  The overall mood feels similar to early 90’s pioneers Cocteau Twins, Sarah McLachlan as well as contemporary artists like Shana Falana.  The album can now be heard and acquired on Spotify, iTunes or Portland based cassette revival label Dazzleships Records. – Dave Cromwell

The gift of unpredictability, within good songwriting chops, is what makes an artist stand out from the pack: Sid Barret had it, Mac DeMarco has it, and legendary (in a very clut way) NYC band Fly Ashtray have it too. Belonging to the thinning out club of "permanent New York things", the group formed in the early ’80s and has released NINE albums since then, to zero critical acclaim and without taking the scene by storm, playing all along a genre of lo-fi rock very similar to what a gazillion Brooklyn bands play today. Check them out below and live at Cake Shop tonight! (11.18). They deserve(d) better!

We live in an era full of paradoxes, and the one we stumbled upon today is that in the most hectic city in the US (NYC) an awful lot of music made by caucasian artists is – one way or another – flirting with the concept of slacking. For those in the mood, tomorrow (11.19) four local bands will bring their own version of slack rock to the Shea Stadium’s stage. Peaer (pictured) is a rotating lineup of musicians led by Peter Katz (formerly of Fugue, Poverty Hollow, Suns); their recent self titled album slacks in very interesting and original ways, mostly through a selection of mid to down tempos, introducing elements foreign to the genre like post rock and math rock. Pupppy (Deli NYC Record of the Month in the summer of 2015) has a folkier and more lyrical approach, while openers Bethlehem Steel and Cadet Kelly both dwell in fast paced dreaminess.

Hailing from Moldova and now living in NYC, electronic musician/producer Serge Bulat (previously NYC Artist of the Month in this very blog) took home the 2016 award for the Best Dance/Electronica Album of the Year at the 15th edition of Independent Music Awards in NYC. The award is for Serge’s debut album called “Queuelbum” which was released in May this year with a fusion of electronica, neo-classical, trip-hop and alternative elements. Check out our favorite track ‘Walker,’ vaguely reminiscent of that essential post-rock record that is TNT by Tortoise.