The Meltaways play riot-grrrl punk the way it was meant to be played--like a knuckle punch connecting with your temple. With spirited, blitzy vocals, schreeching guitars, pointed lyricism and the warmth and scratchiness of a lo-fi recording, the band's self titled release is a blistering 7 track record of earnest bravado. Check out the Meltaways at IDIO Gallery 12/17 with Turnip King, Deadbeat Club and Human People and stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni

Turnip King’s swirling blend of psych rock and dream pop was born in Long Island's' coastal town of Sea Cliff, where the band hails from. The group is about to release their debut full length (or rather "mini-album, since it's comprised of only seven songs) Laika on August 19th via Fire Talk Records. The two singles unveiled so far showcase slow burning songs reminiscent of acts such as Slowdive and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The first single off the album “Carsong” encapsulates their experiences of growing up in the suburbs, while making references to driving around aimlessly listening to music with a friend. Its sparse intro highlights Lucia Arias' youthful vocals before breaking down into a shoegazy wall-of-sound. Second single “Metonymy” is a slower number characterized by wailing psychedelic guitars, breezy drumming, and echoing melodies. Turnip King just wrapped up an east coast tour with a show at Trans Pecos and will be performing again at Shea Stadiumon August 10th. - John Honan

Are you ready for more 90’s panache? Good because that’s exactly how Slackgaze, the "lifestyle/archival/everything-coolthat’s-worth-knowing-about-unless-you’re-a-square-or-something" zine from Brooklyn, describes themselves. Slackfest is being held the weekend of June 20th equipped with headliners including Brooklyn psych royalty, Turnip King (streaming), the one-FB-fan-at-a-time guy ONWE, and the extremely enjoyable experimental folk crew, The Adventures of Silver Spaceman.

The bill is chalk full of local gems from god knows where, but that matters little because all we want to do this summer is space out to some jams that these artists have been pumping out day and night just for our very own ears to explore! Oooh, can you feel it!? There’s summer in the air and the sounds that have been leaking out of this great city are thriving and alive with colors and re-imaginations from every corner of the musical realm into which we delve.

Particular favorites on this bill include Tribal Days (streaming above), whose easygoing jams reminisce bands from our slacker-rock phase of the 90’s (I hear Bedhead, Sonic Youth, etc.); Malatese, a promising noise-punk outfit from Virginia; and Palm (streaming below), whose sound ranges from hardcore to noise rock to prog rock... they’re so all over the place it’s too hard for us to pin them down, but damn does it feel good listening to them. Regardless, we urge you all to check out the bands on the line-up because it’s going to be a good one. - Jake Saunders

Read John McGovern's Diary of his CMJ Music Marathon Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5.