Meernaa, the “beautiful, freaky dream” of Oakland’s own Carly Bond, is a fuckin beautiful freaky listening experience. Tiny Telephone production quality is full-on apparent: that room-encompassing, take-me-away-Calgon feeling is a pleasure. Last year’s EP, Strange Life, features an all-star collection of supporting musicians, with tracks ranging from bluesy synth rock to R&B post-rock and a vocal range that repeatedly surprises. Tracks like “Good Luck” are like if Bonnie Raitt, Angel Olson, Sharon Van Etten and that scene in the snow globe from the Labyrinth all got together and created an experience of a song. Meernaa is on tour with Mr. Vanderslice as we speak. See them at The Rickshaw Stop on April 28 to experience Meernaa’s newest work and to hear John Vanderslice's new album, The Cedars. - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Nate Brenner, aka Naytronix, just released the single “Come Back” off his forthcoming album, Air, and it’s a fantastically mixed, warm and pleasing jam that pushes the limits of psych pop. The percussive backbone is blessed with drummer Hamir Atwal’s hard-to-mimic snappy jazz touch. The album features some other Oakland favorites, including Madeline Kenney and Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus. After his work scoring Sorry to Bother You, we're not surprised. “Come Back” is a killer teaser and we can’t wait for the full album, out June 7th on Botcave records. - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Night School just released their new music video and it’s not only a charming shoegazing dream, it’s a sweet homage to California landscape with a heavy hint of mystical witchiness. Love your shoes, Witch. Watch their music video with us, then come on out to The Chapel for their record release show. For those of your purities who can’t wait to get your hands on the record, order it here. - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

You heard it here first! The Deli is proud to premiere a new single on this foolish April 1st. Keith Sweaty took Step Children’s “The Ballad of Lea Meadows” and transformed it from post-punk dance rock with a Mountain Goats feel into an intergalactic trip. It feels like the track took a dip in the Stranger Things pond and we’re into the vibes. See what other shenanigans the Step Children guys are brewing and check them live at Hotel Utah with Credit Electric (really lovely Americana with electric infusions) and We Arsons (surrealist folk with a true 90’s appreciation) on the 6th of April. - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

This month Barrio Manouche released their newest single, “El Joven” and the song is another fantastic hit. With "El Joven," Barrio Manouche does what they do best: invigorating Spanish gypsy jazz all with beautiful backing, from trumpets to the cajón, lots of sax, beautiful guitar work, and plenty of reason to get up and dance. Check out their video and go see them in San Francisco April 13th or 20th at Club Deluxe, and April 26th at The Chapel! - Lucille Faulkner