Brighton-based post-punk/chamber pop band The Academy of Sun drops an engaging new tune from their upcoming hypnotic album.

Seattle-based darkwave duo HALLOWS unveils the sleek and noir title track off their upcoming EP on Phage Tapes.

Puerto Rican artist Andres Lugo and Philadelphia based noise-pop creative Tom Lugo unveil their atmospheric shoegaze/ethereal rock debut LP.

Greek industrial/synth-punk outfit Mechanimal unleashes an intense, hyper-driven video created from speed-freak editing of images from Athens’ city steets.

Eric Nizgretsky, lead singer of the indie rock band goes into the meaning behind the songs on the LP out today via Moon Crawl Records.

NYC’s High Waisted announce their 2nd LP, Sick of Saying Sorry, and share an explosive rock ‘n’ rock lead single with its official video.

Dream-pop/shoegaze band Whimsical release a warm video for a comforting track off their latest lyrically astute and sonically swirling LP.

Veteran multi-genre musician Nat Freedberg (The Upper Crust) drops a shining, rockin’ track from his upcoming 3rd LP in a year.

The indie/alternative music artist delivers a bold storytelling animated video for a track about female empowerment off her new EP.

Psych-folk/trip-hop outfit The Mystery Plan enlist the talents of Micah Gaugh (The Veldt), Ian Masters (Pale Saints), and more on their new LP.

Minneapolis musical stalwart Matt Wilson (Trip Shakespeare) launches his new orchestral venture with a tuneful and heartfelt track.

Veteran rock band the Pedaljets unveil a fantastic ode to rock ‘n’ roll on a vibrant and fun video for a driving track off their new LP.

Seattle-based (by way of California) shoegaze/noise rock band VLLY release a compelling, roiling, dreamy, and captivating debut album.

London-located soul funk collective Crowd Company bursts at the sonic seams with a rich and vibrant new album that was recorded in Boston.

Oregon-based indie rock/Americana band AM Clouds drop an engaging track from their upcoming debut album.

Swedish-Australian indie pop/rock duo Tiny Fighter unveil an involving storytelling video for a sweeping track off their upcoming LP.

Scandi-pop singer-songwriter Johanna Kuvaja releases a heartfelt and melodic ballad that conjures up retro-‘80s Eurovision vibes.

Long-running indie rock band The Black Watch, led by John Andrew Fredrick release a fun video for a track of their upcoming LP.

Indie legends Guided By Voices, umm, guided by the renowned Robert Pollard, drop an urgent and foreboding single from their upcoming LP.

Taiwan-raised, Rhode Island and Hong Kong-residing singer-songwriter Chance Emerson releases an endearing video directed by his kid brother.

Canadian singer-songwriter Paige Cora unveils her warm and heartfelt debut album that is attuned to the rhythms of the natural world.

LA-residing electro-/post-punk trio TV Heads drop their second potent and absorbing LP that features Jessica Lankford on drums.

Portland, OR-based dream-pop band Starover Blue unveil a dreamily drifting performance video that mirrors a track off their recent LP.

San Franciscan rock ‘n’ roll band Greg Hoy & The Boys (led by multi-talented Greg Hoy) releases an engaging video for a spirited song.

“It is truly exciting for my father Marc Bolan and his band mates to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has taken some time, but his music has influenced musicians all around the world.” – Rolan Bolan

Norwegian psychedelic post-punk hybrid band Mayflower Madame unveils an alluringly dark video for a track off their upcoming LP.

UK/Denmark electronic/pop duo Perpacity release a vivid-imagery video for a lyrically incisive track from their upcoming fourth album.

Floridian indie pop-rock band Four Star Riot release an engaging performance video for a lyrically astute and musically catchy track.

Canadian post-metal band The Basement Paintings blends ambient and post-/prog-rock genres on their latest full-length.

Chicago-based folk/Americana ensemble Magical Beasts, founded and led by Nathan Paulus, have released a new EP.

Indie rock band Sunshine Boys (members of Blake Babies and Poi Dog Pondering) offer a perceptive and relevant message about our future.

Huntsville, Alabama-located garage rock ‘n’ roll band Drop Diver deliver an exciting performance video of a rousing track from their debut LP.

My best bets on another great year for music, old and new. (Never mind the cranks, here’s the good stuff as ever.) Hope this little list inspires you to find, or give a second look to, a few cool releases you might miss otherwise that you end up truly loving.

UK-based electronic collective Broads teams up with folk singer-songwriter Milly Hirst on an expansive and calming track.

Former frontman of Inca Babies, Manchester-based Harry Stafford is releasing a new album soon of music he dubs Gothic urban blues.

Ian Vanek (ex-Japanther) returns with his long-running punk/art rock project Howardian with a colorful video for a jaunty, catchy single.

New Yorker and singer-songwriter Josephine, recording with two other musicians, delivers a soulful to spirited vintage-pop album.

London-based dark indie rock outfit Officer, led by Dc Logan, delivers a lyrically poetic and powerful, driving track from their upcoming LP.

Veteran NYC (by way of Chicago) musician Jonny Polonsky (Puscifer, Big Nose, many other collaborations) returns with a new album.

Upstate NYC-based artist Luis Mojica will soon be on tour to regale East Coast audiences with his confessional, piano-driven songs.

Brandon Phillips (The Architects, Other Americans) goes solo with a dark, but sleek synths and electronics based solo project.

Tampa-based indie/alt-rock band DieAlps! unveil an engaging performance video for an exciting track off their upcoming second full-length.

Alt-folk/rock singer-songwriter Dan Tedesco unveils a socio-politically perceptive and powerful EP that follows up last year’s full-length.

New York/Minneapolis symphonic pop duo The Brilliance release a reflective video for their engaging classical/trip-pop hybrid number.

LA-based hardcore outfit Arcline recently dropped their latest raw and raging album Gateway Drugs via Upstate Records.

The LA-based avant-garde musician will release a new EP in March via Cautionary Tail that follows up her acclaimed debut album.

Alberta Cross’ Petter Stakee teams up with French author Alexandre Diego Gary (son of actress Jean Seberg and Romain Gary) on a new album and short film.

Dayton, OH-based space-pop/fuzz-rock band XL427 (led by Andy Ingram) launch a vibrant, melodic, and lyrically perceptive LP.

Pop singer-songwriter and Doctor Sleep actress Emily Lind releases a day-after-festivities cover of a Sufjan Stevens song.

Take a listen to a collection of the latest Christmas-/winter-themed tracks to make your holidays merry and bright – and tuneful.