On Mākutu's debut track, "Into the Sun," featuring Annapolis's Gingerwolf, the Boston-based group introduce themselves with an intriguing gloom-pop sound. The song starts off meekfully and mellow, with a lonesome piano melody that is quickly joined by harmonzied vocals. As the track progresses, however, more components are added in, the dynamics grow bolder, and the song transforms from a elegiac tune to an up-lifting jam, full of redemption. It's bold, and nuanced song-writing from the fledgling band, and it should be a promising sign for future projects. You can check them out at The Middle East on 7/27. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

 

Vagabon is the indie rock project of New York's Laetitia Tamko, whose emotionally charged electric folk songs often focus on moving or wandering from place to place in search of a purpose and loved ones. The trio released their debut EP Persian Garden in November of 2014, which features six lush tracks that are brimming with honesty and delicate instrumentation. The album’s opener “Cold Apartment Floors” is a ballad characterized by shifts between soft, quiet sections and guitar charged climaxes. Following track “Shadows” (streaming) speeds up with folkier elements and lyrics that center around following a loved one wherever they may go - even when the feelings aren’t mutual. Vagabon will be playing the Silent Barn on July 28th in support of Fear of Men. - John Honan

Brooklyn-based soul crooner Peter Wise offers a "back-to-basics" approach that's experiencing a resurgence in today's RnB. Like for his contemporary Gallant, the pillars of his sound are his range-y voice, and simple but impactful instrumental arrangements that let the vocals take center stage. His latest release, "Sweet Solitude," illustrates this perfectly, as Wise implores, then begs a partner with his gripping alto (and impressive falsetto at times) not to leave him in "sweet solitude". His voice is acompanied by Wise's own seemingly Santana-inspired guitar part that reinforces the track's vintage quality and adds in nostalgia of its own as well.  "Sweet Solitude" is a promising single from an EP due in September, and you can check him out on August 6th at C'mon Everybody, a new Brooklyn venue between Clinton Hill and Bed Stuy that's booking quality artists. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber, Photo Credit: Toby Seifinger

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

Dream-pop outfit Queen of Jeans recently stopped by Out Of Town Films headquarters at Berks Warehouse in Philly to record a live session. Performing two songs from the group's self-titled debut EP, the sultry, swagger of "Moody" effortlessly charms, while "Pup" languidly caressess and comforts, taking you away from all your worries in the world. Marissa Lesnick's lead vocals and the band's backing harmonies sound spectacular. You can catch Queen of Jeans live, and fall under their spell on Thursday, August 18 with Grubby Little Hands as part of the Spruce Street Harbor Park Waterfront Sessions. (Photo by Bob Sweeney)

We booked Brooklyn ambient-pop duo Girlyboi for our latest Northside Fest show (on the day of their anniversary!) after they became our artist of the month a few week earlier. The item has been working hard on their upcoming album, which in all likelihood will gather the various singles they have been releasing since 2015. Here's a brand new one they just released, entitled popular songs, and slightly more upbeat than what they got us used to.