Brooklyn’s Peaer hits their stride on new single “Don’t,” utilizing patent stumbling math rock rhythms alongside major-minor chord modulations to create a track that is as engaging as it is disorienting. Regardless of vocalist/guitarist Peter Katz’s biting, occasionally sardonic lyrics (“why do you treat others like objects? / man, i’d hate to see how you treat objects”), there’s an inherent playfulness to Peaer’s craft, due in large part to the band’s tight instrumental synergy, their ability to interweave guitar, drums, and vox in ways unexpected and impressive. Better yet, Katz’s nonchalant vocal delivery occurring the midst of their well-choreographed performance endows “Don’t” with an effortlessly cool atmosphere. It promises more experimentation on forthcoming LP A Healthy Earth, out August 16th on Tiny Engines; listen below, and catch them at Elsewhere on September 27th. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Big Spirit is New York’s answer to disingenuous baby boomer gripes that there’s no good rock bands anymore, embodying the, well, “big spirit” of the Big Apple’s longstanding rock legacy. New single “Black Angel” employs sloppy fun Ramones-like guitar progressions against the sing-speak stream of conscious lyrics of frontman Sed Pepper, a visceral diatribe of dream imagery that includes being “born in an ocean” and “making love to a video.” While it might be a fool’s errand to offer deeper analysis of Pepper’s more esoteric quips, his abilities as a songwriter endow Big Spirit’s music with a restless energy, a constant sense of movement, that makes for an enjoyably vintage listening experience. Jam it below, and catch the band the band at The Broadway on July 25th, supporting Nice Knife and Haute Tension. –Connor Beckett McInerney

The output of NYC-based Ghost Funk Orchestra is becoming increasingly more sophisticated, and the group is also playing more frequently this year, which is always a good sign. Their most recent LP release, A Song For Paul (a band member’s grandfather) is a complex matter propelled by a 10-piece band comprising horns, woodwinds, strings, keys, a tambourine, on top of the expected drums/bass/guitar. Their latest single "Skin I’m In" is an excersize of restrained psychedelia at times reminiscent of unforgettable British band Broadcast.

Featuring effected vocals that span layers of groovy orchestral textures, the single seemlessly blends elements from ganres as disparate as funk, noise rock and Eastern music. This is one of the coolest track we stumbled upon this year; you can check out Ghost Funk Orchestra at Elsewhere on July 30th at 8 PM. – Susan Moon

This May San Francisco’s Talkie released their latest, Everything Matters and it’s a refreshing and impressive album of good ol’ rock and roll. They’ve got a Strokes thing going on with some softer surf rock, dream pop moments (check track “Proper Way”). The album sounds great, too. Mixed, produced at Headfone Audio; mastered by Jerry Ososkie, the drums had the right amount of punch, vocals are invitingly warm and harmonies are touched in just right. Speaking of which, unless their Bandcamp is lying, one of the musician’s parents may or may not include their vocal harmonies on some tracks. Must be a musical family because mom n pop sound great. I’m an extra big fan of track “Summer Bummer.” What’s not a bummer is that Talkie will be playing at Bottom of the Hill on July 27. Now go listen to “Eraser” and feel impressed with those vocals.  – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Brooklyn’s NETHERLANDS makes the type of sludge rock we deserve in 2019—dark, synthbass heavy post-punk that confronts the consumerist elements of a society we all complain about (but in actuality do very little to change). From their gripes with excessive baby pics on social media (“NEGATIVE LIKES”) to the miasma of existence (“DEATHLESS”), their most recent EP HOPE PORN charts resonant lyrics for a pessimistic 21st Century mindset, all sung against the trudge of subwoofer-destroying electric instrumentation. It’s a maximalist reaction to our world, a sharp rebuke of the idea that things will get better, offering an insightful catharsis in its full-throated scream into the void. Rage on, and catch their sound at Alphaville on July 22nd, supporting Throwaway and Dead Tenants. -Connor Beckett McInerney

This August 3rd at the Starline Social Club, Ariel Wang releases her second single, “House Upon a Hill,” off of her forthcoming album Bridges. The set will feature her string chamber orchestra, The Composer Arranger Performer Orchestra (CAPO). Wang’s music has simple folk melodies with an orchestral feel and although the vocals are at times not the strongest component of these songs, they are enveloped by a warm chorus of violins, booming cello and compelling drumlines. Wang’s music feels like the soundtrack to a powerful moment and listening, watching, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed in the right kind of way. Join the band at Starline, where they’ll be opening for Meerna’s album release. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

New York based multi-instrumentalist Conrad Hsiang creates chill, lo-fi influenced soundscapes under the project name Public Library Commute, drawing from both Japanese hip-hop and contemporary alternative RnB to craft something novel. Last year’s sienna 1999 encapsulates these diverse genre influences in perfect form, with tracks like “fake hawaii” employing sticatto vibraphone-like noodling over Hsiang’s detached auto-tuned vocals. Hsiang’s lyricism and vocal performance in particular breathe new life into a genre of music that’s frequently criticized for its repetitive nature, elevating lo-fi from its stream-heavy, easy-listening reputation to something that is engaging—but still relaxed. Listen to it below, preferably while basking in the warm summer sun. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Lo-fi synthpop artist Grace Ives released her second album — appropriately titled 2nd — this past April. It received critical acclaim from sites like Pitchfork, where writer Sasha Geffen compared Ives’ music to LCD Soundsystem for its tracks’ electronic backbeats and succinct length. The album could attract resonate with the fans of James Murphy’s band, but also folks into Ariel Pink, or Slingshot Dakota — or any artist or band with a knack for sharp songwriting and explorative musical arrangements. Ives will perform on July 18th at Elsewhere on a bill with UK-based soul artist Tirzah; go discover both artists for yourself if you haven’t yet. Take a listen to Ives’ "Icing on the Cake" below. – Will Sisskind

Combining elements of pop, jazz, soul and heavy rock into an appealing progressive mix, Brooklyn’s Kleptokrat is a band intent in expanding the parameters of alternative rock. Their newly released sophomore EP “Momentarily, to Grace” boasts five impeccably recorded, genre-twisting tracks. Soulful horns and sweet, jazzy female lead vocals establish the mood on opening song “The Great Leap Forward.” Over the track’s four minutes, precise, angular structures give way to floating ambient interludes that merge together with beguiling charm. “Jumping Ship” applies those light and airy vocals to a lyrically dense story of relationships coming undone, punctuated by heavy bass, sax and drums. “Kleptocito” further adds touches of latin rhythms to what becomes an over five minute instrumental tour-de-force. Final cuts “The View at Bethlehem” and “Body in the Room” bring back those engaging, honeyed vocals over alternately dreamy-to-frenzied compositions. The band kicks off their summer tour at Rose Gold on 7/9, followed by a stop in Philly on 7/11. Full tour dates can be found here. – Dave Cromwell

Maisy McVicar’s music is not of this time, and possibly not of this terrestrial plane. Recording under the project title Milky Maze, she creates haunting, beautiful folk, lyrically reminiscent of turn of the century Dust Bowl music, accentuated by echoing, distant instrumentation that places the final product somewhere between Dave Van Ronk and the Elephant 6 Recording Company. At times on her latest effort, hank, guitars and banjos become so gain-heavy they attain an other-worldly quality, becoming monoliths of sound that, alongside McVicar’s ethereal falsetto, deliver a final product that is both somber and spiritual. It’s necessary listening for fans of experimental folk, and promises a celestial performance at The Glove on July 12th, alongside Joanna Stemberg, Liam Kirby, and Michael. Listen below. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Union City’s The Lo-Fi’s embody the type of slacker rock mentality their name suggests, crafting fuzzy, sing-speak narrated vamps tailor made (and fostered by) the northeast DIY scene. Recent single “Rest Assured” embodies these qualities in the best way, finding strength in syncopated vocal lines, tinny percussive beats, and reverbing blue wave riffs, perfect for nonchalant dancing at a basement show, or in my case, dissociating on the L train. Jam it below, and catch their easygoing bops at Trans-Pecos on July 24th, supporting Earth Dad, Ocean Heights, and Pynkie. -Connor Beckett McInerney

Little Arcs’ latest release, First One, is a trio of songs with beautiful harmonies and surprising key shifts that work bright and true, every moment of it. It’s clear these folks have an understanding of creative composition and some jazz backgrounds. Little Arcs is for diggers of Whitney, appreciators of Radiohead and lovers of juxtopositions. It’s like if Grizzly Bear was even more chill and included a female vocalist in the mix to lighten the harmonic balance. The band just put out their first cassette, which you can snag at their last show before summer break–July 13th and 14th at their own abode. You can find out the location of these semi-secret shows on their Facebook. It’s all high praise, we know. But these folks are a gem and we recommend catching them while they’re around. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor