Few bands show the combination of skill and passion that Connecticut's Streetlight Shakers do. The trio uses a simple set-up of drums, keys, and bass to produce full-blown Americana gems. The elegant vocals of Jeff Boratko lead the way past intricate basslines and finely-crafted drum patterns, telling a story easy to relate to, easy to imagine. The band's debut record A Light in the Dark is jam-packed with tunes tailored-made to capture consciousness profoundly: some songs inspiring like "Pull Yourself Together" some cautionary like "Down With the Devil" all demand careful attention. The group's stories seep into the mind and remain there, fermenting till the next listen. The band has a busy month ahead with the next New England show at First Church in West Hartford on August 13th. We are streaming "Brooklyn Bound" to keep your weekend going in style. - Rene Cobar

In line with her emotional and observational tendencies, the artist behind Florist, Emily Sprague, is talking to us and herself about fear in (soft)spoken word, making many references to death and life on earth. "My hair is dirty blonde," Florist begins. ". . . Sleep early, wake early," the lullaby continues. The monologue is visual and representative of the artist's visions as she explores them on Emily Alone. The project, like the track, navigates stream of consciousness ideas with an emphasis on the elemental realm. "If I lose my mind, please give it back to the earth, fire, water, wind, earth, fire, water, wind, and lie down, lie down with me." Florist drifts in and out of song and line, passing between the two like there is no time for anything but also a vast wealth of it. Her mind is in the right place as she questions her body and spirit, waxing poetic and musing ideas.

Of the song, Sprague says: "'Celebration' is a love song for darkness and the peaceful end to all things. A song in three movements: reality, fantasy, memory.  In a lot of ways this song is the thesis to Emily Alone. Minimal arrangements - acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and voice accompanied by the ambient sounds of earth. Birds and water. The song begins with an experience of the now. It falls into imagining the way that things will always return to what they should be.  It ends with a burial of negative forms and the acceptance of a beautiful new path towards growing from nothing."

Emily Alone is available for pre-order now and out on 7/26 via Double Double Whammy. - Susan Moon

Spiffed up and ready to take on the world are Boston's Them Fantasies, a well-polished group with a brand spanking new debut record. The band's Caffeine Queen is an alt-rock treat with an unquestionable aroma of jazz and hints of pop. "Hook-Up Culture" amps up the groove factor with a slithery-entrancing bassline while "Melatonin" lets the guitar solos and anthemic choruses fly for a double shot of alt-rock goodness. In "Acid Anna," the band shines as the jazz influences take over and provide comforting escapism from reality. From the speedy "Plastic Heart" to the reggae-soaked "Them Fantasies," it all comes together sumptuously. Having returned from an East Coast tour, Them Fantasies are sure to let the album's steam propel them to the next set of gigs. Enjoy our favorite track from the new record "Acid Anna" below. - Rene Cobar

Daydream is an appropriate title for Brooklyn-based Pearla's first single from her upcoming debut LP Quilting & OtherActivities. Behind the band moniker, singer/songwriter Nicole Rodriguez reveals her most intimate thoughts through beautifully arranged emotional lullabies laden with metaphors and lush melodies. Recurring themes include love, evocative personal memories, the search for ways to escape darkness, whose emotional power gets boosted by her enchanting voice and a sparse but vivid production. Combining elements of folk, pop and psychedelia with a playful yet sober approach to songwriting, "Daydream" carries a wistful sort of confidence and a poetic power that's rare to find. 

In other Pearla-related news, the artist will be headlining Rough Trade on August 28th, celebrating the debut album release on Egghunt Records (Lucy Dacus, Camp Howard, Gold Connections). To hear the full EP, you'll have to wait until the September 6th release. - Susan Moon

In her blend of folk and pop Brooklyn-based artist Kira Metcalf mixes poetry with a variety of genres. Listening to her new LP Indelicate, this young talent writes songs about women's experiences with the self-assuredness of a seasoned performer and an enviable introspective quality. Opening track "I Had a Head," is an acappella number that is as satisfying for its harmonizations as it is for Metcalf's voice. "Thornbird" is an unexpected change in style, in part reminiscent of rock songwriters of 90's like The Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan or - more recently - Paramore's Hayley Williams. 

Her new music video for "Lily" is equally poignant, showcasing Kira's keenness to investigate moments that escape most of us. The line, "to have what I crave feels like a trick" is the song's takeaway and the perfect summary of a personality that enjoys intellectual and lyrical reflection over... simple enjoyment. Kira Metcalf will perform live at Elsewhere's Zone One on July 24th. - Susan Moon