We enjoyed Ghost King‘s 2016 debut album "Bones" so much that we made it NYC Record of the Month back in April. The album sounds like a noteworthy recap of the (indie) guitar rock sound of the ’90s, with references to bands as disparate and glorious as Sonic Youth, the Violent Femmes, Pavement, The Pixies and Guided by Voices. The band will be performing at the Gateway on July 30th within a festival organized by a new blog focused on the Tri State Area Punk/DIY scene called Microscene. Check out their new video for under two minute single ‘Till You Belong to Me."

Read the Q&A with Ghos King about pedals and other guitar gear used in "Bones"

Folk may be an old, old genre, but that doesn’t mean everyone has given up on trying to innovate it. Take the latest project by Somerville band, Eternals for example.  On Isn’t That Any, the quartet intently root their music in the… rootiness of their lead singer’s voice and snare-heavy percussion typical of folk, but on each track they also mix in a different genre or influence seamlessly, giving the album a broad musical width while still maintaining a strong investment in folk. One intriguing moment in the record is when they segue directly from "See You," a song drenched in shoegaze, to the alt-folk pop jam "Bar Room Dancing." At other times they even bring in some synth textures – perhaps signifying the emergence of "synth folk" as a genre? In short, it’s always nice to see someone take the old traditional American music with open mind and heart, and Eternals have done just that on this latest LP.  You can check them out at Lilypad Inman on 7/22. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

At first, Merrily James‘ music may strike listeners for the vulnerability the singer conveys to it.  However, upon a closer listen, the sexual metaphors introduced by the lyrics integrate that vulnerability with content that certainly adds an extra layer of intrigue and sensuality to the tracks. Her debut EP, Opia, produced by Tommy Eichmann (Alex Winston, Twin Wave) belongs squarely to the electro-soul-pop genre, yet it has a layer of rawness tinged with visceral, smooth vocals that separates it from the pack. In “Sticky Fingers” (streaming below) Merrily James sings, “I lick my sticky fingers/your sugar in my soul/I did everything I can/except to let you go,” exposing an endearing honesty and an anything-for-love attitude those "prudes" Hall and Oates would certainly disagree with. You can see Merrily James at Rough Trade on July 30th. – Madeleine Grossman

After nearly a decade in Brooklyn, prodigal son Bill Bartholomew is returning home to Rhode Island, together with his band silverteeth.  Alongside this relocation to Newport’s tiny but powerful music scene, they also released a self-titled EP, and it feels like the two may be correlated thematically. The project contains guitar-centric, no-nonsense alt-pop that opts for a tight, well-oiled sound. On the record, Bartholomew’s voice and guitar each drip with sentimentality, and stir the powerful emotions that occur when going through a major life event, such as a move back home. Silverteeth played a EP release show on July 8 at Aurora in Providence, which should the first of many New England shows to come. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Names can be misleading. Psych-punk trio Honey isn’t exactly sweet and smooth as you may expect, quite the opposite. The band, made up of members of Psychic Ills and Amen Dunes, plays a loud, tense and distorted brand of psychedelic garage that seem to teeter on the brink of a nervous breakdown. The track “Monk” (streaming below) off their debut LP Love is Hard lives up to the album’s name as it examines the devotion it takes to keep a relationship alive by comparing it to the vow of commitment and self-discipline that a monk would take. “Everything I do/ I do it for you/ Because I’m a monk!,” sings guitarist Dan Wise in the chorus, before melting into a swirling psychedelic finale. Honey will be playing St. Vitus on July 21st in support of Radioactivity. – John Honan  

On her latest track "BUMP!," Brooklyn emcee Sandflower wants to see people do just as the song title suggests, bump and grind all night long. Considering the quality of her rapping and the Latin-inspired beat backing her, it’s likely she’ll see her wishes come true whenever this track is played.  The production is devilishly simple, comprised solely of staccato drum grooves, grimy synth patterns, and alarm-clock-like samples that are sure to tap into adrenaline reserves and get bodies in motion. Sandflower’s monotone vocals, reminscent of Atlanta’s rapper Father, make for a nice contrast with the raucousness of the beat, getting a boost when Migs Migster joins her own the track’s simple hook. This now makes two quality tracks for the young Brooklyn emcee, the other being "Do Whatchu Wanna." You can see her live when she performs at Piano’s on 7/18. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Combining traditional grindcore with math rock shredding and a strong death metal sensibility, Mary Todd delivers explosive tracks that never leave the listener in one place for long. Climbing bass lines are pitted against complex guitar riffs, often threatening to drop off into total musical mayhem, but in a single swift motion, seamlessly return to navigating tightly through the tracks. Check them out for what can only be a face-melting set at St. Vitus on 7/17/16 opening for Old Lines and Prisoner. – Olivia Sisinni

On their latest EP Silver Sounds: Hallucinations,  Elison Jackson, a band split between Philly and New Haven, CT, added an extra layer to their already (very) psychedlic sound, by dropping a record that resembles a psychedlic experience in of itself. Each track on the EP is distinct in genre, thus providing a true "trip’ through different kinds of music.  On "Ghost Fucker," they kick-off with a forebodingly minimalist psych-rock song, but then immediately shift to loud guitar-rock on "Thru the Trees." From there they go from folk-pop to psych pop moments, to finish off with a sludgy folk rock song entitled Wal-Mart. Elison Jackson recently released trippy visuals for "Ghost Fucker," and you can catch them at The Press Room with People Like You on July 16.  —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Whoever said Queens isn’t cool (hey! it’s the new Brooklyn!) surely must not have heard of the Out In The Streets Festival coming to the Onderdonk House in Ridgewood for its fourth year on July 16-17.  Filled with some of our favorite local artists, such as The So So Glos and Frankie Rose, the festival is primarily a rock’n’roll fest. Bands will be playing with a backdrop of art, food and the Ridgewood market.  We’ve prepared a playlist to give a taste of the artists playing this weekend, but be sure to head over to the Out In The Streets festival to hear them for yourself. – Madeleine Grossman

After a complete reshuffling of the original lineup, and a trio of dudes replacing three ladies, Jessica Numsuwankijkul’s The Heliotropes is set to drop sophomore LP Over There That Way – perhaps the band’s most consistent release, and a clear departure from 2013’s (much) heavier sounding A Constant Sea. With its feet firmly planted in a mellow psych rock aesthetic, the album expertly blends fuzzy and distorted guitar driven riffs, with Jessica’s ethereal vocals floating its way through the tracks. Over There That Way debuts July 15, and you can catch the band live at Trans-Pecos on August 13th with Palehound and The Lemon Twigs. – Olivia Sisinni

Like they sing, "I got new blisters on old fingertips" on recently released single "Old Reasons," Boston band These Wild Plains offers new cuts on the tried-and-true country-rock genre. Their sound is at times reminiscent of bands like Wilco, but never feels derivative or cliché.  Their ability to stand out in this way is likely due to their three piece guitar section, featuring lead electric, rhythm, and the ever under-appreciated dobro. This allows their music to have a satisfying feeling of layeredness while still making for some good, easy listenin’. These Wild Plains’ debut full-length Distant Ways is due out on July 21, and you can check them out at Maine’s Bullwheel Music Festival on the 23rd. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Punk rock has gone through many different trends throughout its relatively short life span, each trend giving birth to new sub genres that follow the same (angry) DIY attitude of its originators. Brooklyn-based act Habits fuse the more melodic sound of folk-punk and pop punk, with the (angry) sophistication of post hardcore, to forge what they call “whiskey soaked anthems”. Their latest EP The Defeatist draws on the sounds of Against Me! and Hot Water Music with lyrics that reflect on past regrets, unrequited love, and sleeping away tendencies – something slack rockers obviously inherited from punks! Its galloping riffs and powerful drumming, mixed  with the catchy choruses and gigantic hooks, keep the listener engaged and singing along even when the lyrics are at their darkest. Habits will be playing a free show on July 16th at The Knitting Factory. – John Honan