Hearkening back to the UK twee pop sound of the mid-80’s, Brooklyn’s Jeanines are set to release their self-titled debut album on June 14th. Partnering with Slumberland Records makes perfect sense as that label has specialized in next generation bands emulating the C86/early Creation sound since it’s inception in 1989. The wistful lyrics, vocals and guitar of Alicia Jeanine and My Teenage Stride Jed Smith’s bass and drums perfectly combine to create new songs within this timeless sound. “Either Way” (streaming below) captures the melancholy charm of original era bands like Talulah Gosh, who were as influential as any of the Sarah Records pioneers. It’s jangly, indie-pop that couples doubt with a sense of hope (“you have got to stay.”) Just released new single “Too Late” (streaming here) takes that a step further, with a more frantic velocity echoing its lyrical sentiment of regret. The album is now available for preorder, while the band play next on 6/12 at Trans-Pecos, and 6/22 at Alphaville for their release show. –Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn’s UV Rays are debuting the music video for their song “Existential Dread.” The track is from the band’s recently released debut EP Try and Begin and features beautifully intertwined electric guitars parts that play to the rhythm of a poised drum beat, and accent borderline jazzy pop choruses. The video is filled with extreme wide shots that show the band members playing their instruments, seemingly miniature to the huge backgrounds. The video’s simplicity is eye-catching and suits the track’s avant-pop vibe. The female/male vocal chemistry and the vibrant guitars that accompany it are in the vein of groups like The Pastels, with an added mathy element. Ever the hard-working group, UV Rays are already working on a second EP, and if it is anything like the first, we will be glad to premiere it too.

Êmia offers listeners a pure and potent brand of pop that gets the heart fluttering. The Brooklyn-based artist’s music explores the universal themes of broken relationships, almost-was romances, and identity struggles, but it does so with an opulent elegance. In “Teleprompter” (streaming) the acoustic guitar notes, robust bass, and echoing vocals all help create a song embroidered with messages that resonate, and hooks that captivate. Êmia’s confident delivery and commitment to pop music’s fundamental elements puts her right in the middle of the female pop star resurgence that Ariana Grande has championed. Êmia will be headlining Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on July 5th, with support from Illicit Ghost and Caroline Lazar.

Phono del Sol is a free festival at Potrero del Sol park. This year’s lineup features an Oakland favorite, Boy Scouts, whose folksy bedroom pop-rock is relaxing, charming and damn good. Taylor Vick’s vocals are sweet and pitch perfect, a fine complement to the keys and strums. Boy Scouts’ last release, Spiritual Pickle, is a 2-song sampler. Tracks “Kite” and “My Idiot Brain” are lofi, low pressure and highly pleasing. Catch Boy Scouts at Phono del Sol and wherever else they’re playing comin’ up soon! Stay tuned. – Lucille Faulkner

Phoebe Ryan’s vocals have a haunting sharpness to them, greatly showcased in the powerful hooks of her new single “A Thousand Ways.” The track’s music video (streaming below) is gritty shot-for-shot and matches the intensity of the mighty percussion in the choruses. The verses are calm and accompanied by trickling acoustic guitar notes, with Ryan’s vocals commanding the sonic storm that intensifies toward the end of the track. The New Jersey-native’s confidently vulnerable attitude in the song is somewhat reminiscent of Halsey, with whom it shares a magnetic and intense appeal. Check out “A Thousand Ways” to see what we mean. – Rene Cobar

Each instrument in The Wants’ new single “Ape Trap” (streaming) has its grand entrance: a vigorous drum beat is followed by a gruff bassline, then by a sinister-sounding guitar riff, as smooth vocals creep in. The song draws you in, grips you, and does not let go easily. The single blends elements of pop and post punk with a mechanical feel reminiscent of some semi-robotic sounding bands of the early ’80s, forging a style that pulls you in multiple directions. The clarity of the recording adds to the track’s detached aura as do the lyrics of singer and guitarist Madison Velding-VanDam, both awkwardly abstract and oddly relatable. This band has devised an edgy style that reimagines the sound of post punk in simple but effective ways. You can catch The Wants live on June 30th at Union Pool. – Rene Cobar

The old saying that two heads are better than one is confirmed by the pairing of Manchildblack and Monstah Black. Known collectively as The Illustrious Blacks, this NYC duo takes the rhythms of ’70s disco and enhances their pizzazz through iconic ’80s influences (Boy George, Prince). Their latest single "Revolutionary Love" (streaming) is driven by an infectious bassline and a sophisticated arrangement that slowly builds towards a brass section-enriched chorus. "Revolutionary Love" was specially made for last year’s Pride 2018 and its anthemic lyrics reflect that as they chant "I don’t give a fuck what they think about us/We got something none can touch/A Revolutionary Love." The duo has a string of shows through Brooklyn in June which culminate with a performance at Baby’s All Right Jun 20th. – Rene Cobar

A Beacon School concots a fascinating sonic puzzle in its 2018 record Cola—vibrant electric guitars, exuberant vocals, subtle synthesizer melodies, and evocative musical breakdowns constitute the various elements of this overall dreamy but upbeat album. Songs like “ I Don’t Believe It” and “Glue” ramp up the pace and pound away at punky drum beats to create surprising blends of dream pop and garage rock in part reminiscent of 4AD cult shoegazers Pale Saints. The group is gearing up for a vinyl release of Cola and is celebrating with a performance at Baby’s All Right on June 14. The vinyl will include three unreleased songs from the original album sessions and a clear version limited to 250 copies. Check out “I Don’t Believe It” streaming below. – Rene Cobar

Jess Clinton has decades of songwriting experience; she’s spent the last ten years making a name for herself in the crowded New York City scene. In July, she’ll release her new album Real Glass Heart, a collection of intimate stories set to her driving indie folk music. The first single off of the upcoming record, "The Runaway", shows the kind of rich, soulful sound that Clinton crafts for her songs; the dark tones from her high and light voice — which can shift between alto and soprano on a dime — mesh with the crunch of her guitar. Take a listen to "The Runaway", and stay tuned for more from Jess Clinton this summer. – Will Sisskind

This July marks Burger Boogaloo’s 10th year anniversary show and the Boogaloo folks are really busting out a sweet, sweet lineup. As tradition insisted,  the festival is hosted by purity king John Waters and will feature some solid favorites from the homefront and beyond. A small snippet from the two-day bill includes Jesus and Mary Chain, Shannon the Clams, The Scientists, No Bunny, King Tuff and those Australian sweets, The Chats. Speaking of which, we’ll leave you with this mullet and smoko-filled video as a taste and hope to see you at Mosswood Park this July. Smoko, baby. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

The Bronx has always had the worst reputation among the NYC boroughs, a concrete pariah whose name still concots emotions of fear, mostly outside of NYC. It is from this dismissal and its rough-and-tumble fame that artists like Kemba draw their inspiration. In his new single “Last Year Being Broke” (streaming) Kemba paints hyper-real portraits of his everyday life via punchy verses that carry the warmth of his sincerity. The whipping kick drum and trickling piano notes help bring Kemba’s proclamation of soon-to-be-achieved success amid all-too-real poverty forward. The track is relatable for up and coming artists and shows that the rapper is looking to connect with his audience as opposed to boasting at them. In today’s hip-hop scene this is a welcome approach. Check out the single below. – Rene Cobar

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take The Growlers and amp up their surf side? How about a few added sprinkles of bossa nova for the dance enthusiasts? Pleasure Island makes this a reality in their new EP Playa del Manos. The band shows its ability to channel the surf vibe with languorous guitar chords and hi-hat ebb and flows that soothe the mind. The synth ambiance created in the EP’s final track “Sunlight” (streaming) could easily have been part of your local high school’s Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. The group will be showcasing their  loungecore indie pop at Brooklyn’s Rubulad on May 31st. Get a taste for it in their new EP, streaming below. – Rene Cobar