First and foremost, Foursix isn’t an artist, but rather a collective of seven, including rappers, producers, songwriters, a singer and a guitarist. Their output on Soundcloud so far has been limited to three tracks by a duo of emcees named J-Payso and Verdé Madera, and each song has demonstrated a ton of potential both on the rapping and Foursix’s producers side of things. J-payso and Verdé both have abstract, yet unpretencious flows, often stretching aproachable lyrics with complex rhyme schemes over several bars. Foursix’s producers then do a good job of accentuating their rapping with minimalist beats that give the lyrics enough room to shine. A good example of this is "Favors" (video streaming below), where the duo rap about being sick and tired of being asked for stuff while getting nothing in return over a fresh, keys-driven trap beat.

As a bonus, they also released a hilarious music video for the track which you can check out below. You can see them live at SoB’s on 9/6. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber, photo Credit: Brandon Todd

A sun-dappled song that soulfully tackles inner ennui, “The Cross I Wear” (streaming below) by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Sam Lewis is quietly pretty. Emanating a lilting alt-country feeling that warmly recalls My Morning Jacket or Hiss Golden Messenger, the keys-fleeted track (off Lewis’s eponymous debut album) is the yearning of a man with aching worries but, in its very existence, its sheer sounding out, is the coddling of those concerns, too. Sam Lewis is currently touring the country, and has a home town gig scheduled at The Basement East on September 23rd. – Zach Weg

As if there weren’t enough crazy sounds to keep you up all night, Brooklyn Wildlife is back for their annual music/art/burlesque/film/griot riot festival.  It’s eight days of music of all genres performed by 150+ performers at ten venues.  There’s something for everyone, and everything for anyone wanting to rep Brooklyn as hard as Brooklyn comes.  For more info on how you can wild out with Chris Carr and his snarling entourage, visit their facebook page here. Check out a selection of tracks by NYC artists performing, below.

Cat Be Damned is the lo-fi recording project of Richmond artist Erik Phillips, whose latest album Daydreams in a Roach Motel was released in May via Joy Void Records. His intimately soft tracks reflect on his introverted and antisocial tendencies, while also examining religion and what it’s like to be queer in the South. Drawing from inspirations such as Elvis Depressedly, Neil Young, and Elliot Smith, Phillips’ sleepy tracks employ the use of hushed vocals and melodic synths to shape his placid sound. – John Honan

Cruel Youth is perhaps the Marvelettes stuck in a black treacle, electro-acid dream. It is the smokey allure of 60’s R&B wrapped up in dark, hypnotic beats and dripping with the power of a femme fatale. After premiering track "Mr. Watson" a few months back, the all-female trio fronted by Teddy Sinclair (FKA Natalia Kills), is set to drop an EP this month. If the first single is any indication, the EP is sure to be lead by Sinclair’s soulful vocals and biting lyricism, deliciously paired with hazy instrumentals and sampling that makes the group’s pop-soul tracks sound driving and even "avant" at times. Keep a lookout for Cruel Youth’s EP dropping Sept 16th, and in the meantime listen to their single below.-Olivia Sisinni

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

Baby Shakes have been perfecting their jangly power pop rock and roll since 2004, and in 2015 they self-released their long awaited second full length Starry Eyes. Its spirited pop melodies combined with its gritty and raw punk attitude are enough to appeal young rebels in the market for party time, while carrying on the tradition of celebrated vintage acts such as The Ramones and The New York Dolls. The quartet’s layered harmonies and poppy vocals shape their fun summery vibe with simple lyrics that celebrate the freedom and light heartedness of youth. Baby Shakes just finished playing some shows in China and Italy, and will be performing at Berlin on September 3rd! – John Honan

>

Animal Flag have been around the Boston music scene for a while now, dropping their first album in 2009. Late last year the band released their latest EP 2 via Broken World Media and 1997 Recordings. It takes a much darker and heavier approach than their previous EP, which had a more upbeat and folky sound. The opening track “Jealous Lover” demonstrates the tonal shift by channeling the haunting guitars and drums of Devil & God era Brand New. The lyrics are wonderfully crafted by singer Matt Politoski as he explores themes of religion, family, jealousy, and lost love. Instrumentally, the album is very breezy and quiet, but there are sudden bursts of noisy cymbal crashes and blaring guitars over Politoski’s impassioned vocals. Animal Flag will be playing Great Scott in support of Violent Soho on September 11th! – John Honan

After three years, Christoph and Anton Hochheim’s passion project Ablebody celebrates individual exceptionalism in full with the release debut album Adult Contemporaries. The album—which includes the band’s first sleeper hits "Backseat Heart" and "After Hours"—shimmers with tones redolent of sophisti-pop while casting light shade with its tongue-in-cheek title. Adult Contemporaries releases October 14 on Lollipop Records.

Watch the absurdist music video for Ablebody’s "Gaucho", directed by Lily X. Wahrman (Dinner, Prince Rama) and see them on October 18 for a record release party with Winter at The Bootleg Theater.

Listening to Yohuna, the Brooklyn-based project of Johanne Swanson, might make you feel like floating through space – like the moon. Maybe that’s why one of her uber-dreamy singles is titled “The Moon Hangs In The Sky Like Nothing Hangs In The Sky.” The track’s hypnotic melody gives us a sneak peak into her upcoming album “Patientness” to be released on September 9th and produced by Montreal based composer Owen Pallett (once known as Final Fantasy). In the few songs currently available for streaming, Swanson employs a varying instrumentation to forge muted and muffled songs that seem to evoke the hazy perception of Hypnagogia – the experience of the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep.  Yohuna is about to kick off a primarily East Coast tour (with a couple stops in the Midwest) in Boston to promote her new record.  Make sure to catch her at Silent Barn, where she has been an artist-in-residence, on September 16th. Check out below her grainy video (featuring Swanson playing an invisible piano in the middle of a lake) for single "Golden Foil," also included in the upcoming LP.  – Madeleine Grossman

Richmond-based indie pop band Big Baby released their debut EP Dumb Guys right before the summer in May, and while it only consists of three tracks, they serve as a wonderful introduction to the three-piece’s dulcet lo-fi bubblegum pop. The trio makes use of their short runtime with shining guitar tones and steady drumming that lay the foundation for the record’s cheerfully upbeat mood. Frontwoman Ali Mislowsky’s sweetly hushed vocals create delightfully poppy melodies reminiscent of twee pop artists such as Talulah Gosh. Big Baby will be playing Strange Matter on September 24th in support of Crying! – John Honan

It can be universally agreed upon that sometimes we just need to dance it out.  The Brooklyn-based band, LEGS, is here to provide a cure for those days when we’re feeling the urge to move. Their single, “Top of The World” holds true to its name, with its six minutes of infectious, mood lifting disco and synth beats.  Channeling some nostalgic dance vibes from the ’70s yet infused with a modern aesthetic, Legs is guaranteed to cause the tapping of feet.  The band also claims to make you feel anything from “athletic” to “sexy” to “nocturnal,” which bodes well for a night out – the next opportunity to see them live is at Mercury Lounge on September 10th. – Madeleine Grossman

Boston’s Paper Citizen are preparing to release their debut EP Postcards in Transit on September 1st, and have recently shared its lead single “Anywhere We Want To”. It is a smooth track driven by twinkling guitars and keys and front-woman Claire Goh’s warm and delicate vocals. Goh reflects on the delight of meeting someone who she quickly wants to spend all of her time with, staying up late and wandering the city streets. The song’s gentle instrumentation puts the focus on Goh’s vocals before eventually unfolding into a vibey guitar solo towards the end. Paper Citizen just recently played the Quincy Arts Festival and will be playing the Midway Cafe on September 17th! – John Honan