ALVVAYS, an enchanting jangle pop quintet from Toronto, “creates the sound of pristine pop music blasted through cheap, blown-out headphones…you sense both the sadness and the liberation of knowing that nothing lasts forever.” (Pitchfork) Formed by frontwoman Molly Rankin (daughter of John Morris Rankin of the Celtic folk collective the Rankin Family) in 2011, Alvvays released its self-titled debut on Royal Mountain Records (Canada), Polyvinyl Records (US), and Transgressive Records (Europe) in July 2014. Rolling Stone called it an “indie-pop wonder,” and it debuted at #1 on the US college charts in August–the first debut album to achieve this feat.

Matt Mondanile’s DUCKTAILS “approximates the gentle comfort of a Sunday afternoon” (Spin) with a breezy approach reminiscent of his other band, Real Estate. Originally a solo recording project, the psych-pop continues to pick up momentum and members; 2015’s St. Catherine (Domino) is its fifth studio album to date.

Brooklyn’s own BIG THIEF is “everything you could possibly want from modern folk-tinged rock and more.” (Vice) Led by the gripping singer and guitarist Adrianne Lenker, the band’s debut arrived this May on Conor Oberst’s Saddle Creek label.