Throughout their more than decennial career as a band, Letters to Nepal have continuously redefined their sound, and they show no signs of settling. On past projects, the New Yorkers by way of Siberia have showed ambient post-rock inclinations, building atmoshperic arrangements to emphasize Evgeniya Kuznetsova's mellow but vivid voice.  Their latest track, "TRICKY," shifts towards a sound that's more electronic, with trip hop overtones (hence the title?). Kuznetsova's vocals are pushed more to the forefront than ever before, her poetic lyrics meshing nicely with the tranquil electronic production.  "TRICKY" is a promising new-new beginning for Letters to Nepal. See them live at Rockwood Music Hall on 6/30. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

The staggeringly beautiful stylings of Providence, RI group Arc Iris have been brought to life in their new video for “Kaleidoscope,” a single off of their upcoming album “Moon Salon.” The three piece ensemble, which includes former Low Anthem member Jocie Adams, uses tantalizing vocal melodies, mysterious cello lines, emotionally-charged drum beats, and lush harmonies to create mesmerizing performances, both acoustically and visually. The new video is no exception - it features a blended interaction of dancers, musicians, and light for a psychedelic display, reminiscent of Joanna Newsom, Fleetwood Mac, and Animal Collective. The video takes you on a fantastic journey through their sound, which is unique, compelling, and enchanting. You can catch Arc Iris’ enchanting aura this July at their C’mon Everybody residency in Brooklyn, starting on July 5, and in New Haven, CT on July 21. - Dan Rome

Music fans have different tastes, we all know that, but it's rare to find somebody who can't relate to pitch perfect vocal harmonizations. That's something NYC folk-pop quartet Bailen delivers with flair. The group might have recorded just one song so far ("Something Tells Me," streaming, released at the beginning of the year), but that was enough to open several doors, including the Rockwood Music Hall ones (where they'll be performing on June 30th) and the... Taipei, Taiwan ones! Yes, the band is scheduled to perform four July shows in the Asian island, supporting local hero Yen-J, before embarking on an East Coast tour that will take them right back to Rockwood Music Hall on August 26th. The video for the single gives us an obvious clue on why Bailen is getting fresh buzz in a scene as crowded as NYC: they are really good performers, and their music is extremely reletable and sincere. Don't miss the Rockwood show on the 30th!

As evidenced by their collaboration with The Songwriter's Orchestra to re-arrange their single "Jagged Edge," nu-soul duo Jazze Belle have already made some noise (and interesting connections!) in the NYC scene. Their sound can be described as mellow, darkly introspective soul. Producer Jett Carter employs simple percussions alongside minimal synth parts to create a wide, moon-lit soundscape for vocalist Taylor Simone to wander through. Her soulful, confident voice touches on themes pertaining to love, but mostly from the side of how self-doubt or other complexities of life can get in the way. Special mention is also due to Carter clevelry repurposing and altering Simone's voice to build vocal harmonies, creating transfixing moments that emphasize certain lyrics. With two singles and a slew of covers comprising their live shows to date, it will be interesting to see how these two evolve in future projects. You can see them live at the Harmlem Arts Festival on 6/25. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

At the risk of assessing a small sample size consisting of one single, it's clear that synth/indie pop duo Kid Coyote have a lot of potential. Their lone track, "Full Moon Rising," is reminiscent of Phantogram's chiller, Big Boi-less offerings. Clara Berry's smooth and spacey vocals hang over Joe O'Neil hybrid electro-acoustic production, giving their music a feeling both eery and smooth. With just this tune to their name, it will be exciting to see what else Kid Coyote will bring to the table when they perform at the Plough and Stars on 6/22. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber