Northampton’s Mama’s Marmalade instills the spirit of New England deep within its bluegrass music: the genre’s Scottish, Irish, and English origins shine brightly in the group’s compositions. The swift tempos in each song allow the array of string instruments to each have a moment of brilliance, from the steady strum of banjo strings to the finesse with which the violin is played for elegant flourishes, it all comes together beautifully. The band’s latest single “Fire” is a harmonious dash that culminates with a passionate lead vocal delivery and a musical breakdown you cannot help tapping your foot to. The band is playing the Pre-Fest Fest at the Greenfield Energy Park in Greenfield, MA on July 11th. We are streaming “Fire” for you below. - Rene Cobar

Singer-songwriter Taylor Kelly crafts smooth seamless lyrical lines on her latest single, “JWYTK”. A soulful warmth radiates despite being the bearer of bad breakup news. Locked into the ever-expanding groove, one becomes invigorated by the soul-jazz hybrid. Within those apologetic tones, an optimism emerges, brought into the light by the compact, richly detailed, instrumental arrangement.

Folk-rock collective Dirty Bird has a new, lovely single out called “Once,” and they are celebrating it in style April 21 at the Mercury Lounge. The single contains strong male-female harmonies, a catchy lead melody and the band's signature creative approach to Americana. The group seems to have improved the formula from their 2018 record Still To Be Ours, pushing their experimentation farther without betraying their own sound. This is a band that deserves to be seen live and will be supported by fellow folk-rock group Dead Gowns from Portland, Maine. Check out Dirty Bird's new single below. - Rene Cobar

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

Dina Maccabee’s forthcoming record The Sharpening Machine is a balancing act; Maccabee juggles inclinations towards melodic singing and experimental vocal expression, while simultaneously modulating between instrumental textures both acoustic and electronic. While it can be initially perplexing to discern her overall vision, it is out of these contrasts that she creates a tension wherein shifts in structure and sound deliver a satisfying build and release. Recent single “Could You Be Right” serves as a testament to the record’s dynamic nature, changing from stumbling synth lines and a wandering vocal melody to an indie-pop, almost baroque-like march during the song’s chorus (and then back again). It’s a peak behind the curtain to Maccabee’s uniquely singular vision which will drop in full on April 5th - stream it below, and be sure to catch her at The Owl Music Parlor on April 6th with Kaethe Hostetter and Out of Sight of Land. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)