Photo by David Horvitz
The Band: Sunset Rubdown
The Buzz: A side project of Spencer Krug from the equally buzzy Canadian indie rock band Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown write weird, wobbly rock songs that turn classic rock inside-out, writing big, guitar-driven songs full of yelps and hollers.
Listen If: You’re tired of waiting for the new Arcade Fire record, or you have a thing for vocalists who sound perched on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Key Track: “Idiot Heart,” a taut and tense number built around a tidy guitar strum and Krug’s woebegotten vocals

The Band: Target Market
The Buzz: Illinois indie rock outfit blend searching, earnest melodies (we did say “indie rock,” remember?) with insistent guitars and buzzing synthesizers. Their stature is small, but their sincerity is fetching. They even maintain a sweetly lo-fi and personal WordPress blog.
Listen If: You miss the days when Death Cab for Cutie had some teeth.
Key Track: The rollicking “Particles,” which takes off like a runaway ferris wheel, a blur of whirling guitars and scattershot percussion

The Band: Baby Shakes
The Buzz: The new sound of old punk: NYC quartet marry shoop-shoop Motown girl group melodies to crusty, clanging chords, an irresistible combination of bouffants and safety pins designed to make every sneering secret romantic swoon.
Listen If: Your two favorite movies are “Rock & Roll High School” and “Hairspray.”
Key Track: “Ooh La Love,” where vocalist Mary Blount wonders “Do you love me like I la-la-la love you?” We do, Mary. We do.