Boston singer-songwriter Rachel Hael seems to be capable of performing every type of music associated with the super-genre that is Americana. Throughout her repertoire she’s comfortably gone back and forth between upbeat country jams to folk elegies, hitting every stop in between. Just because her music has a large breadth, however, doesn’t mean she sacrifices any emotional depth. On the contrary, Hael posesses the rare quality of being able to inject her vocals with whatever emotional tone the track posesses. Her voice drips sultriness on singles like "Say my Name" and overflows with melancholy on others like "More Like ‘Painsville.’ The simple but tasteful instrumentation and occasional backup vocals give her sound a nice well-rounded fullness. With two EPs to her name, we’re excited to see what Hael and co. could do on a full length, bur for now you can catch her at O’Brien’s Pub on both 7/7 and 7/14. Check out upbeat folk-pop track "So Far No Good," streaming below. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Yucky Duster is a new project comprised of members of Brooklyn-based bands Bluffing, Slonk Donkerson, and The Gradients. Their self-titled debut album was released on June 3rd, and is a colorfully catchy record that takes on a charmingly melodic sound with bits of 60’s surf rock and punk influences scattered throughout. The track “Friend Zone” (streaming below) is characterized by its snotty vocals that ask the question “does that make me a bitch?”, mocking society’s view of a woman who puts someone in the “friend zone.” “Blue Elvis” however deals with the desire for someone you know is bad for you. The song starts off as a slow paced doo-wop before evolving into a surf rock inspired punk tune. While the record is just shy of hitting the 20 minute mark, it packs a ton of different sounds – and fun. Yucky Duster will be playing Aviv on June 15th in support of Melt.

The sound of Tancred, solo project of ‘Now, Now’ guitarist Jess Abbott, hits a nice grey area between punk and power pop. Abbot’s striking vocals and guitar work definitely get the blood pumping, but the band behind her doesn’t miss a beat, integrating the songwriting through skillful and at times subtle dynamic shifts that underline the songs’ tension and release sequence. Rounding out the band’s aeshtetic, Abbot’s lyrics are often incisive and contemplative, and give the music nice emotional and intellectual qualities.  Their latest project ‘Out of the Garden’ shows a developed, refined sound, and we’re surprised they slipped through the cracks of this blog’s coverage.  The band is about to wrap up a US tour with Speedy Ortiz, and will perform next at Great Scott on 6/22. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Brooklyn dream pop band Beverly, who placed third in our Best of NYC Emerging Bands Poll back in 2014 (after Porches and Mitski, what a year!), just released her sophomore full length entitled ‘The Blue Swell," and we can tell you without any hesitation that the record marks a noteworthy improvement both in the songwriting and production departments. Singer/guitarist Drew Citron and her band mates played four gigs in the UK this past May and will be leaving for a two week East Coast tour that will end with a home show at Rough Trade on July 1st. Our sister blog Delicious Audio run a few questions past Drew about the band’s sound and the making of "The Blue Swell" – saee link below.

Beverly, interview about musical gear and the creative process.

We added Beverly’s ‘Crooked Cop’ to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych Rock/Dream Pop songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

This past fall, Nashville-based experimental rock project Boom Forest (aka songwriter John Paul Roney) released a sublime chimera of an album with ‘Post Knight Errant.’ Starting with the guitar-soared “Silver Hair,” which elegantly segues into the a capella-flecked “Been” and then leads to “Cameron” (streaming below), an electronics-flirting track that pleasantly recalls ‘White Album’-era Beatles, the work is both dark and warm, anxious but welcoming, and emerges as something of near beatific power. Roney recently relocated to Brooklyn, and quickly landed a three week residency at the Knitting Factory – the last night of which is next Wednesday (6/15). – Zach Weg 

Dance music needn’t always be bright and fun, as Brooklyn one man operation Informant will show you. Heavy electronics, percussive synth tracks, and an overall ambiguity work to make the body move without consent. It is a conflicted experience, though one that’s difficult to ignore—and could be said to be generational of sentiment. – JP Basileo

Listening to the brand new album ‘Door to the Sun‘ by PA via New York trio The Stargazer Lillies is an experience comparable to getting lost in the fog. The fog, in this circumstance, is of the aural kind, created by an over-abundance of guitar effects employed (very unsparingly) by guitarist John Cep, formerly of Soundpool. The trio will be performing at The Echo on June 12 and then the following day at San Diego’s Hideout.

Check out our sister blog’s Delicious Audio Q&A with The Stargazer Lillies about their favorite guitar pedals!

NY’s American Pinup formed in 2010 out of Westchester County and combine elements from punk rock and power pop, blending catchy pop hooks and melodies with the spirit and energy of the punk ethos. The track “Living the Dream” off The Radio EP is a swift punk song characterized by its infectious drumming and West’s snotty vocals reminiscent of Gwen Stefani. “Start” highlights West’s contrasting vocal styles as she bounces back and forth between her smooth, crooning vocals and a raspy yell. The singer channels Brody Dalle of The Distillers with a little more bite to her vocals, while still remaining catchy enough to be good for radio play. American Pinup will be playing Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ on June 9th, and then The Bowery Electric on June 20th. Stream their track "Radio" below! – John Honan

Some artists aim to make music that make you think, whereas others seek to make you feel, or move. Recent Brassland signee Fusilier somehow manages to play music that does it all. His electronic-funk sound enters through the ears and spreads to the rest of the body like a virus – a virus that only dancing with abandon can cure. Simple drum grooves drive ‘The Moment,’ while his seductive R&B vocals and the track’s shifting arrangements contribute in forging a very personal sound. Bringing it alltogether is Fusiler’s rock pedigree, as his distorted guitar riffs and bass paterns add a pop to really make the music standout.  Fusilier’s sound is fresh, no doubt, and we can hopefully expect an EP from the ex-RIBS member soon. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber – Photo by Chris Oquist

Ladies and Gents,

The Best of NYC 2016 issue is about to hit the streets of NYC, and we are ready to celebrate it with a VERY awesome showcase at new Bushwick drinking hole Sunnyvale, on June 9th!

Mark your (Google) calendars and check out all the seven great NYC artists involved in the bill in this rad compilation! Bigger Poster here!

You have plans for Saturday night now. If you had any already, you have new ones now. Richmond-based Cloak/Dagger will be shredding and thrashing and tearing up the Black Cat’s backstage when they open for Texas bands Bad Sports and headlining Radioactivity. It’s gonna be a hell of night for punk fans with these three fantastic acts. Cloak/Dagger burst right into furious, pounding guitars and roaring, raspy vocals that’ll surely have the crowd headbanging along. They haven’t put out an album in quite some time, it seems, but some signs suggest they’ll be putting out new material for the masses soon. Give them a listen and catch what’s bound to be a frenzy of punk rock this weekend. Doors at 7:30, $12. -Jonathan Goodwin

The low lights, the simultaneously nefarious but comforting red walls and the general atmospheric qualities that Alex’s Bar exude were appropriate for the mind-altering ambient session that took place on Thursday night. Breatherrr took the stage first, delivering a mesmerizing, spacey sequence of songs. The instrumentals tended to lull you into a state of transcendence before bringing you back to reality with the unexpected. I/O’s dreamy, darkly bohemian songs each built up with intriguing layers and their set was truly dynamic, incorporating upbeat, dark, dreamy and aggressive elements.

Litronix closed the show with their interesting blend of psychedelic electronica, which created an enigmatic, energetic atmosphere reminiscent of a cult meeting (in the best way possible). Absorbed, the audience danced along to the beat and enthusiastically participated when the singer came offstage to dance with some and stare penetratingly into the eyes of many in the crowd. When the bright lights came back on, it took some time to adjust to the absence of other-worldliness that ambient music provided, and for a few moments we stood blinking, as if woken from a trance. – Lauren Weiherer