The Band: Ragen Fykes
The Buzz: She describes herself as “Dolly Parton meets Kool Moe Dee,” but even that description sells her short; Fykes has a sweet, mystic alto, the kind that curls up like cigarette smoke and floats calmly and curiously over warm funk grooves. Her collaboration with Portland producer Ohmega Watts under the moniker M64 (scientific lingo for the collision of two galaixes in outer space) pushes worn-out neo-soul bravely forward — call it 30th Century R&B.
Listen If: You’re tired of waiting for Erykah Badu to deliver that sequel to New AmErykah.
Key Track: The M64 track “Helium,” where Watt’s humid funk production serves as the perfect counter to Fykes’ airborne vocals.

The Band: Hawthorne Headhunters
The Buzz: Tri-coastal trio of Stoney Rock (a.k.a. Black Spade) Ced No and Proh Mic write bloodshot tracks in the same spirit at the Mizell Brothers and David Axelrod, (mostly) shunning vocals in favor of 700 ton funk grooves that are all laid-back Cadillac cruising.
Listen If: Your favorite part of the Off the Wall reissue is the instrumental tracks at the end.
Key Track: The fat, funky “PCH,” centered by a thick-as-tar organ line that’s smeared across a simple, simmering backbeat.

The Band: Megafaun
The Buzz: Pals with Justin Vernon — a.k.a. Bon Iver — this North Carolina duo writes loping, harmony-laden folk-rock, with just the right level of weirdo mysticism. But don’t pigeonhole them just yet — the group has shared stages with everyone from Akron/Family to punky cut-ups the Dodos, and their latest album was by Chris Stamey, of pioneering jangle-pop band the dBs, indicating a musical restlessness that informs all of Megafaun’s glassy-eyed, yearning songs.
Listen If: You’re looking for a version of Fleet Foxes, with stars in their eyes and beards made of clouds.
Key Track: “The Fade,” a wondrous, rickety tree-fort of a country song, built from blanket of harmonies, brittle banjos and looping guitar.