Oh yes, a little sweet bossa-vibbed beach pop tune is just what we were looking to find. What a delight! Single “Estrangers” (Topshelf Records) is a perfect little taste off No Vacation‘s forthcoming EP, Phasing. We know No Vacation as their former San Francisco selves, who released Amo Xo and Summer Break mixtapes back in 2015. And we know they’ve since relocated to Brooklyn, rebranded as No Vacation, and certain songs have busted out millions of listens (“Yam Yam” is a jam worth checking), but hey we’re still holding onto a tad of our Bay Area claim to these purities. Stay tuned for upcoming shows and that sweet new EP. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Oakland-based Al Harper is what we can only describe as delightful. Songs like “Paradise” and “Sunny Somewhere” have just the right amount of surfy guitars and sweet lyrics to put you in a fine little mood. Even finer is their video for “Sunny,” (directed by John Snapp) which features Harper encountering a sweet little dog a huggable friends. There’s kind of a modern day No Doubt feel and we’re digging it. They’re playing at The Rite Spot Cafe on September 21, and El Rio on the 25th. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Expanding on a noir electro-pop sound already steeped in eastern influences, VANDANA‘s latest release Contra re-imagines Indian and Pakistani music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90s. Lead track “Ahsa” intrigues with a heartbeat synth-bass pulse and foreboding keyboard textures. The artist’s deep and resonant vocals soon become the focus, singing in a native language that adds an extra element of mystery. Careful percussive and electronic keyboard elements make their way into the mix completing an overall mystical experience. Follow-up track “Ahsila” makes use of slow-building atmospherics, deep bass synths and light bubbling textures in between seductively enigmatic vocals. Five tracks in all, the record can be heard and acquired at the artists bandcamp. VANDANA will be playing a daytime event Benefit for Kashmir at Baby’s All Right on 9/22. – Dave Cromwell

The performance series The Revolution will hold their Vol. 42 show on Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 pm. This show will highlight three artists from Brooklyn and Harlem, including Niya Levon, Liberation Era, and Ryan Egan. The Revolution has a new volume every month, with three artists from three different genres performing at each one. These shows not only connect the music community in Brooklyn and Harlem, but they also present the opportunity to share their own stories while also spreading awareness and positivity. 

Niya Levon 

A product of a musical family, Niya Levon is influenced by several old school soul artists, including Prince, Luther Vandross, and Lisa Fisher, but also contemporaries like Lady Gaga, Brandy, Justin Timberlake, and Alex Lacamoire. Levon stands out from the crowd with her elegant and fragile voice in single “Sweet Victories,” complementing the light and dainty melody. Levon has worked with several renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Mark Ronson, and Lauren Hill. In 2015 she introduced Real Entertainment Industries (REI), her own nonprofit talent agency, where she works to find new and unique artists.

Ryan Egan 

Singer, producer, and multinstrumentalist Ryan Egan‘s songs are delicate and smooth, his velvety voice accompanying his rather soft melodies. Egan has released several singles and two EPs, “Postures” and “Fever & Bloom.” Having over 1 million total plays on Spotify, Egan is quickly and seamlessly making a name for himself in the music business. 

Liberation Era

Kyle Shedrick and Jean Mahoney are Liberation Era. Inspired by societal injustice, the duo of home grown musicians takes inspiration from R&B, folk and jazz. Their song, “Quiet the Monster,” is an acoustic tune highlighting Shedrick and Mahoney’s smooth and tender vocals effortlessly harmonizing over the single’s mellow and quiet melody. They are currently working on their first EP, the “Liberation Era EP.” 

-Karigan Wright

NYC garage rock outfit Desert Sharks make a good case for the new subgenre—tentatively titled “armageddon punk”— on new song / video “I Don’t Know How to Dress for the Apocalypse.” Bolstered by anthemic guitar tones and breakbeat major-minor chord changes, the track (and their latest offering from forthcoming full-length debut Baby’s Gold Death Stadium) details the myriad of seemingly unlimited challenges humanity faces that we seem in no hurry to fix: the wage gap, global warming, that sort of thing. Against this macabre-yet-unavoidable subject matter, Desert Sharks hunker down to have themselves an apocalypse party; as lead singer Stephanie Gunther truthfully points out, “it’s ok, no one knows what we’re doing anyway,” raucous celebration in the face of the end of everything seems like a pretty good plan. Watch it below, and catch Desert Sharks on September 20th at Mercury Lounge. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Caleb Giles believes in free rhythm, as he’s explored on his two previous records Tower and There Will Be Rain. His third album, Under The Shade, continues to push the boundaries of poetry in hip-hop; Giles combines soulful lyrics in both spoken word and song with basic beats, and then layers on transporting sounds and voices to expand the atmosphere of the track. The production results in an abstract and almost dreamlike hip-hop testament which feels loose but tight, comfortable but unsettling, and all-around reflective of Giles’ take on what it means to be an artist and a human. Take a listen to the track Quicksand (ft. Pink Siifu)" below and don’t miss him live tomorrow (09.17) at Elsewhere. – Will Sisskind

We’re pleased to announce that Oakland’s Salami Rose Joe Louis has a new album and it is an ear feast for anyone down to let go and drift off into the octave-melting abyss. Zdenka 2080 (out on Brainfeeder) has jazz and synth, whispering poetry (“Octagonal Room”); there’s warm space vibes and distorted R&B moments. Sit back and drift off and come see ‘em at The Uptown for their album release show. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

“Bad In The Sun,” the newest offering by New York-based post-punk duo Water From Your Eyes, is a beautiful slow burn. Luring the listener into a false sense of trance-induced security through repetitive vocal samples and breakbeat 808s, the track eventually congeals into a harmonious vamp, wherein the chaos of their varied synth pop and new wave influences are slowly drawn back to reveal vocalist Rachel Brown’s mellifluous vocal performance and percussive, melodic guitar work. Clocking in at six minutes, it’s a wild ride that takes the listener through various musical themes incorporating IDM, folktronica, and indie rock, and demonstrates a bold vision for the group’s forthcoming LP Somebody Else’s Song. Stream it below, and catch Water From Your Eyes at Baby’s All Right on September 19th. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Last week Alex Lahey came out to The Independent last week and it was just the show we were hoping for. Lahey’s got an approachable and fun energy. Her songs are youthful rock n’ roll with some feels like that early 2000’s rock but with messages that are more current. There’s something empowering and solid about the music and their delivery. The crowd bumping and jumping along to songs like “Am I Doing it Right?” Lahey is on tour now and we suggest fans of power pop fun go check her out while she’s around these parts. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

With her strong, soulful voice and evocative, jazzy songs, Zsela stands out in the crowded scene of NYC songwriters. Her delicate debut track Noise (whose video we are streaming below) presents us with a sparse ballad full of poetry, led by vocals reminiscent of a more soulful Joni Mitchell from her early records. The lyrics tell a heart-wrenching story of the little things left behind after a failed love affair, leaving the listener with a sense of failed intimacy and emotional struggle Zsela evokes both through her lyrics and her vocal delivery. The Brooklyn native is currently on tour in North America with indie rock singer-songwriter Cat Power, stopping in New York, Canada, and Western America over the span of three months. See her live at Baby’s All Right on September 16. – Karigan Wright

New York City indie-soul-pop duo, Refs, released their new EP, “Now” on September 10th. Consisting of Zach Lipkins and Richard Saunders, the group has been active since 2015, releasing single “Pain Goes Away” as their debut. “Now” is comprised of four songs, each with its own unique feel and beat. The opener, "Bones," has a solid beat underlying the smooth lyrics, creating a gratifying experience for the listener. "What a Shame" is upbeat, despite the slurred lyrics describing getting over "it", whatever "it" may be. "New York," on the other hand shakes things up, a slow and melancholy melody accompanying soulful pensive lyrics. "Now" closes with "Little Late," a song both calm yet strangely energizing. You can catch the duo at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY on September 12 at 6 pm. – Karigan Wright

In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Step Children released their latest single, “Hot-Wired Cars.” Band member Derek Shaw says the song is “…full of memories, regret and hope…people who are hurting that badly so their best to hide what’s really happening.” The song is a tribute to several friends who have recently taken their own lives. Sonically, the song has a touch of Elton John, some twang and pop. We’re always down for a tune that helps raise awareness and reminds us to love each other and listen to each other. – Lucille Faulkner

Photo credit: Derek Shaw