Love songs tend to be fairly focused in their subject matter, yet Queens-based folk songwriter Ian Wayne takes an eagle-eyed approach on new track “Baby,” penning a ode on an “imagined longview of life in love” that speaks the universality of the emotion. Sweetly sparse and consistently grounded, Wayne’s vox glides over a downtempo indie, almost Americana saunter, offering a plainspoken view of adoration that accepts both the good and bad in equal measure. With an economy of language and an ear for balance between the track’s winding guitar solos and a softer central voice, his capacity to render emotional intimacy in terms comprehendible to any warrant praise and a careful listen. Stream it below, and keep an ear out for Wayne’s forthcoming record Risking Illness, out September 18th on Whatever’s Clever.

Immediately smile-inducing, the brash, fisherman’s tone of Odd Fellows Way’s latest single “World's Worst Liar” is as New England as music can get. Truly anthemic and furious-paced with drums that gallop and guitar chords that take flight, the song is bar-ready and so replayable. The lead vocal is a story told in a cheerful spirit, rough and ready to infect. Odd Fellows Way provides the type of happiness we all seek these days, and beyond that too. Listen to the butter-smooth sax that deliciously spreads itself all over the track below. - Rene Cobar, photo by Curtis Arnett

A pleasant mix of folk’s old and new trajectories, Brooklyn seven piece Dirty Bird’s new single “Eventide” seems tailor-made for periods wherein time surreptitiously passes. “Behind the shadow of the day’s final thoughts, I walk, still I’m endlessly searching for dawn,” echo the track’s vibrant refrain, a mix of soft percussive fills and an interwoven tapestry of guitars, banjo, and baroque-like vocal accents. Lush and inviting, it’s ironic that “Eventide” would make prime listening for a walk through an idyllic meadow during a period wherein we should all (still) be staying inside — for the time being it provides an acoustic reprieve that’s perfect for fans of bands like San Fermin or the Decemberists. Download it below (all proceeds go to the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund). Photo by Anthony Mulcahy

Soul Honey Records have released the lead single, "Ghosts in the Attic", from their forthcoming EP "Soul Honey Family Barbeque" which is due out June 19th. This is the long evolving project centered around songs written by Andrew Christopoulos. The three songs on the EP were written by Andrew while in High School, but have grown and changed as he has collaborated with over 20 local artists over the last few years.

The EP features musicians from Pivot Gang, iFight Dragons, Retirement Party, Friday Pilots Club, Late Nite Laundry, Strange Foliage, Blue Dream, Bullfights on Acid, Sir Mango, ZooFunkYou, Othersides, The Violet Suns, and more. This would make you think it is wild and huge, but the resulting sound is beautiful, intimate, and dynamic.

Sun Beard has released the first single, "Little Bird", from their forthcoming EP, "Honey In Da Pine".

This is the Folk-based Psych Rock of Janis Wallin on bass (Family Groove Company), Scott Tipping on guitar (Backyard Tire Fire, Cornmeal), and Jonathan Reed on drums (Old Shoe), along with original founder Matt Robinson.