Alternative

Bess Rogers: Songs Other People Wrote

Brooklyn native Rogers, who, if not moonlighting as a vocal buddy to Ingrid Michaelson, is crafting her own magnificent tunes. Her independent efforts date back to 2007, but she’s now going for the kill — nope, not jumping the shark — as she astounds us with this 4-track cover EP.

Cary Brothers: Noisetrade Sampler

Movie and TV soundtracks are a true audiophile's friends, mostly because are a goldmine for good music and new acts to look out for. This is precisely the path of Cary Brothers, author of multiple heart-wrenching anthems you might have heard on productions such as "Garden State" and "Easy A". If you want to know him better outside the silver screen, you'll have no regrets listening to his Noisetrade Sampler.

Shannon Wardrop: Medicine

Backed by a three-piece band, Shannon Wardrop delivers fresh, punchy melodies in her latest EP Medicine. The 20-year-old singer/songwriter from the outskirts of London takes her inspiration from The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Jefferson Aeroplane, and The Kinks. Released last June 2, 2013, Wardrop’s sounds enters a new dimension of alternative music with soft vocals and sharp arrangement.

Allen Stone: The Sleep Sampler

Contrary to what this EP might connote, we urge you to get your players poppin’ for Allen Stone. The 26-year-old Stone is inching his way to breaking out onto the mainstream scene, but we’d like to pat ourselves in the back for chronicling his rise this early.

Me and the City: Live Laugh Love

Lightning-quick sledgehammer banjo stylings and flame-throwing guitar mayhem form the backdrop of Live Laugh Love. Me and the City is an indie folk group that started as a one man project and eventually grown into four members. Band influences range from The Decemberist, Young the Giant, Rolling Stones, Adele, Mumford & Sons, and Dave Matthews Band.

Moon/Ruin: Ocean

Want to go on a permanent haze? Try giving Moon/Ruin‘s lone EP a spin. Fronted by songwriter Kale Ogle, who’s incidentally the only member of the band, the collection Ocean is a formidable bag of tunes that’s set to keep you going on those hot, lazy nights.

Them Hills: Rad Disguise

What’s it like to hear ‘demos’ that are as good as studio productions? You’ll be pleasantly surprised. This is the idea behind Rad Disguise, the latest release of the four-piece band Them Hills, whose name was a play on their town’s (Los Angeles) nickname, “The Hills”.

Little Comets: A Little Comets Sampler

Craving to attend that super hip music festival but the heavens won’t permit? Listen to what the Little Comets have to offer instead! With a repertoire described as “kitchen sink indie”, this English three-piece act have been working their way into every music lover’s hearts since 2009.