The brainchild of singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dan Arnes, Leapling plays a brand of indie pop that's at once subtly quirky and gently touching. The young man surrounded himself with local musicians to complete the project's second full length album, a "mid-fi" home recorded work whose release will be celebrated at Sunnyvale on June 18th. The record, entitled 'Suspended Animation,' defies categorizations without resorting to fireworks, offering the contrasting interplay between the edgy arrangements and Dan's serene melodies and vocal delivery. Check out our favorite song "Shakin'" - streaming below.

While many bands attempt to take on an entire sonic spectrum, Leaping’s latest, Vacant Page, zeros in on a narrower landscape, and in no way is that a limitation. By focusing on a certain mood, fixating on a rhythm, Leapling uncovers hypnotic hooks in the most unexpected places. From a delicately orchestrated minimalism of “Going Nowhere” to the dark and lush psychedelia of “Silent Stone”, the songs carry an energy that approaches meditative. This isn't to say that the album is at all listless. Leapling’s songs leverage a budding energy into elated and kinetic peaks. There’s an underlying timbre on most of them, lapping at song’s shore, defying any expected swell, but overtaking the song, adding a complex wash to the song's skeleton. This ultimately makes for an incredibly complete and focused album, powerfully dynamic but also deeply contemplative. Leapling will play a release show tonight at Shea Stadium, with Cloud Becomes Your Hand, Palm, Cantina, and Felicia Douglass. - Emilio Herce

Praise be to the band who avoids the genericism that inherently exists in so much pop music today.  In the name of all things catchy, Leapling are proving to be true masters of the hook.  “Here comes the summer/Waiting for you/Whether you want it baby/There’s nothing you can do,” the lyrics which open up their most recent release from January of last year feels like a declaration of sorts; indeed, whether we want it or not summer is upon us, just as Leapling will be.  Their infectiously catchy melodies are surrounded by shimmering guitar licks and incredibly groovy yet relaxing backbeats.  Dan Arnes’ lyrics contain a wonderful simplicity, and a voice that matches the intimacy of the late Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse).  The members of the band are all over the Brooklyn scene; Arnes and Yoni David were both founders of the now-closed venue, Big Snow Buffalo Lodge. R.J. Gordon and David are both members of Baked, and Gordon’s in a band called Lost Boy.  All great acts that you should check out.   Leapling will open things up tomorrow at the Glasslands Gallery on July 1st  so don’t be late! -Jake Saunders

Tonight Silent Barn will host the first farewell party for Big Snow Buffalo Lodge, a small Bushwick DIY venue whose life was abruptly cut short this July by a freaky shooting accident involving co-owner Yoni David. The lineup is nothing short of breathtaking, with adorable electro pop Brooklynites Twin Sister, two bands previously featured on the cover of our mag (Ava Luna and Celestial Shore), and two very interesting up and comers we recently covered (Zula and Leapling). Empress of is DJing.

A second farewell party is scheduled for December 5th at Shea Stadium with a bunch of cool newer bands we'll cover very soon.

Leapling plays what I call "impressionistic pop" - Here We Go Magic's music is one of this genre's best examples. Featuring drafts of melodies, gentle arrangements and semi-whispered vocals, this is textured, almost transparent music for the shy - or the sleepy. The Brooklyn based quartet released their debut "Losing Face" EP in January and will play Shea Stadium tonight March 06. Check out opening track "Nature Must Not Win," streaming below.