Touchstones come easily for Parquet Courts. While a lot of Brooklyn bands try desperately to shed historical reference, songwriters Austin Brown and A. Savage seem to revel in finding common ground with those that have come before them. Doing their homework, they’ve managed to flirt heavily with the noise-rock expectations of Sonic Youth, the late, angular punk of The Stranglers, and the slacker torch passed over from Pavement for their much-discussed LP ‘Light Up Gold.’

But there’s also something uniquely New York in how they’ve channeled their frustrations through punk freakouts in ‘Master of My Craft,’ or when they’re talking about nothing in the universal truths of ‘Donuts Only.’ This is part of a timeless link in a chain heading back to Velvet Underground, but cutting its teeth in the grunge noise of the ’90s. Parquet Courts placed in 77th position in our recent Year End Poll for Emerging NYC bands, and also thanks to their energetic and tight live show got a lot of buzz going last week at SXSW. See them play with Iceage, April 20th at Bowery Ballroom. – Mike Levine @Goldnuggets)

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC artists here.

A big chunk of the world became familiar with Chappo in 2010 when the Brooklyn band licensed their song "Come" (featured in their debut EP) to Apple for an iPod Touch commercial. In the following years the group released another EP and a full length in 2012, while Chappo’s drummer/producer Zac, together with NYC based Jupiter One drummer Dave Heilman, also started working on material for psychedelic side project Fancy Colors. Jupiter’s singer K in the meantime had also started a new solo project called Kishi Bashi, who – together with Chappo – toured with Of Montreal among others. 

After 2 years the Fancy Colors "Near Equator" album is finally done and available for streaming. Sounding like a mellow, psychedelic journey for fans of (a less baroque version of) Pink Floyd, it is said to evoke an experience Zac had one night, when he believes his "psyche had melted with the critters" who were sleeping under his room’s floor, which led to hin sharing some of their dreams, which – listening to the record – must have been rather beautiful. 

Chappo is now back together working on a new release and recently put out an EP of cover songs called "Nothin’ to Sell You". See Chappo at The Knit on March 30.

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC artists here.

For Freak Owls, the city is a magical place filled with color and light… and nagging doubts hiding in the shadows at the end of long nights out with friends. As far as the band’s concerned, this is exactly where you should be, and what you should be doing right now. At least, that’s what singer/songwriter Josh Riccio thinks in the uneasy optimism expressed in his intimate songs. A new generation’s Iron & Wine, Riccio has curated his record’s look, feel and release himself (‘Orca City is out on his own label, Sing Engine Records), and I have no doubt this is just a start for even bigger and more optimistic things to come. Listen to EP opener ‘Push You’ below, check out the very pretty video of an old song here. – Mike Levine

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC mellow artists here.

One of NYC’s original psych-rock groups, Psychic Ills have been keeping Brooklyn weird since 2003. From their debut LP ‘Dins’ back in 2006, the band was always a cut above their peers. While other bands tend to throw everything they’ve got into a cosmic cauldron, Elizabeth Hart and Brian Tamborello seem to weave hypnotic grooves out of thin air. Using a soft touch on ‘FBI’ and getting down-and-dirty on ‘I Get By’ for latest record ‘Hazed Dream’ (Sacred Bones), their new sound has an ultra-economy of space that leaves plenty of room for hazy questions… and that’s what I love about them. The band won’t be back in NY until later this year, so keep them on your telekinetic radar until then. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

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

Brooklyn duo Beacon’s first EP (released last fall) has already gained a reputation for putting listeners into something of a hypnotic state, its subtly warm melodies hummed endlessly over morning coffee, in the shower or while riding the subway. It is no surprise then that the band’s first single from their new album, “The Ways We Separate,” pairs rich, Sade-like vocals with a smooth chillwave beat, lyrics once again hanging romantic desire somewhere out there on the metaphysical plane. Though such dreaminess may at times seem to defy gravity, Beacon’s bleeps, blops and drones evoke a sunlit energy that drips with a kind of rococco eroticism. Ride the clouds with them at the album’s release show, May 4th, Mercury Lounge. – Brian Chidester

Vox Pop are a proudly international band hailing from Scotland, and eventually finding their way over here to NYC. Their new 4-track EP ‘French/Funeral’ is filled with the spirit of these cosmopolitan personalities as each of their voices rise to the top of the mix… and somehow don’t appear to struggle against eachother to get there. A solid colllection of love jams set to war marches, searing vocals, and bizarrely un-nerving samples. And oh yeah.. 2nd track ‘Paper’ might be one of the best songs I’ve heard so far this year. Listen below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

We added this song to our curated SoundCloud playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Summer Hours’ first record couldn’t have been better received. From Deli Mag’s own glowing review to Alter the Press’s ecstatic write-up, the band’s come a long way with their breezy sound in a short time, especially considering their drummer Griffin Richardson has roots in noise rock. Latest single ‘Close and Closer’ keeps the waves crashing against the shore, as singer Rachel Dannefer keeps the energy going while still managing to sound entirely laid-back. Explore these unlikely contradictions on their SoundCloud. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

You know.. I don’t think I listen to soul enough, so I guess I forget sometimes how involved a lot of this music can get. For chanteuse Fanesha Fabra at least, these are some dense and swirling pads and beats, fronted by her breathy and powerful soprano, her worlds are every bit as dense and powerful as anything coming from NY these days. Along with producer Chikara Aoshima, electro-soul jams like ‘Take Your Time’ and ‘Transform,’ the Brooklyn artist cools things down while boiling over with soul. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Ten Ton Man has been in and out of love, bars, trains, and after such an eclectic journey… the itinerant bluesman has finally released his debut record, ‘Fall Down.’ But for all the stylistic highways Paul Livornese’s scruffy baritone travels throughout Americana, his songs are most effective when used to bring down the hammer, like the judge/jury/executioner style of ‘Dearly,’ a track where he vows justice for those betrayed. Thankfully for the rest of us, he has plenty of songs about redemption here too. See him when he plays ZirZamin on Wed, Mar 27th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Last week New York-based Outernational released their four track EP “’Here Is The Rose” in honor of International Women’s Day. Produced by Tom Morello it features a litany of special guests, including Lindi Ortega, Chad Smith, Bridget Barkan, Gil Sharone, Joe Tomino, Trevor Welch and Sonny Singh. Known for their politically charged message and fiery rock sound, Outernational takes a more celebratory approach for this special occasion. Upbeat dancy number “Here Is the Rose” kicks off the record and is followed by “We Own the Night” which swings with infectious guitar/trumpet riff interplay. “She Craves Spring” slinks along with seductive beats and romantic flair in the form of crisp guitar solos Closing out the record, “Ladies of the Number” showcases the band’s masterful multi-part harmonies and acoustic roots. The EP is available for FREE download here. The band is in the midst of a March residency at Arlene’s Grocery, and will be performing March 13, 20, and 27, then at Bowery Electric on May 10. – Meijin Bruttomesso

I first came across Gina Mobilio‘s music at her debut album release at The Side Walk cafe a couple of weeks ago during the Anti folk festival. The song "Razor Behavior," which is also the title of the album, is what first captivated me – a morose song about the consequences of self-destruction and personal liberation, enough to make Sylvia Plath smile from her grave. The New Jersey artist grew up listening to oldies stations, and was obsessed with doo wop – and it shows. The rest of the album isn’t as hard-hitting and melancholic as Razor Behavior, but it’s real, and at times funny, and honest; her showtune-esque feel is unique in an era of mass-indie rock and EDM-inspired mainstream music, and her sound is reminiscent of a Broadway performer gone completely rogue. Gina’s stage presence is equally as captivating, engaging the audience with quirky and somewhat off putting lyrics, accompanied by a piano, and at one point a saxophone (her album features the likes of Ben Pagano, Charles Mansfield, and Julian Samal). In an interview with the artist, we found out that the album is influenced from a tumultuous musician relationship gone wrong, a somewhat quasi response letter in Taylor Swift fashion. -Kristyn Potter