Above: Souly Had. Album art: Reilly Balcom

“Greatest Fall” Motorbike

The Saratoga band dropped their debut album Victory Lap in February and are set for some big shows coming up. “Greatest Fall” is a lush, 4-minute run that feels perfect for an indie movie soundtrack. Take your time.

“Better Now” Laveda

The indie pop duo’s new release is cinematic, it almost begs for choreography. With breathy off-set vocals and catchy beat, Laveda’s recent singles seem to live between the influences of The XX and The Naked and Famous. They play off radio pop’s key elements, finding their own way through with rugged instrumentals and the guiding light of vocalist Ali Genevich. Catch the band at Desperate Annie’s Thursday, Aug. 22 at 9 PM for Super Dark Thursday. 

“Paradise” Souly Had

The hip-pop artist released his 6-track EP B.L.I.S.S. (Island Records) on Monday, featuring three of his most recent singles “Overrated,” “Hills” and “Paradise”—a bright and beachy dance track with a quick piano interlude that is just what the doctor ordered. True to the genre, Souly may be lamenting a lost love but it feels lighter than air.

“Final Fantasy” Stella Emmett (ft. Half Waif)

Gleaming electro-pop with a haunting undertone, the single from the new album Admirer (out Aug. 23, featuring a collaborative track “Blue Ranger’s Interlude” with local band Blue Ranger) is a driving, icy force. Emmett and Half Waif orbit the listener with almost choral, hypnotic harmonies and pulsing beats. 

“System Error” Zonal (ft. Moor Mother)

Smashing together dub, techno and industrial into a sludgy beat stew Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and Kevin Martin of The Bug are set to drop a full-length on Relapse records in October. The first single features spit-fire poet/producer Moor Mother, who played Basilica Soundscape 2017. 

“Find You” The Black Electric

The new project of Mike Vitali of Magnetic Eye Records/Great Day for Up fame should please fans of Queens of The Stone Age, Mark Lanegan and other fuzzed-out bluesmen. The band opens for High Reeper tomorrow night at Pauly’s Hotel. 

“Matriphagy” Venom Prison

Outspoken deathmetallers Venom Prison are taking over Chrome in Waterford on Sunday. This could very well be the metal show of the summer. So prep yourself with this blistering amalgamation of riffs and outrage.