Gumma, Born Twins, Day Friend

Founded by Amir Pirayandeh in 2015 “as a home-recording project,” calling Gumma an “indie-rock” band cuts short the unique possibilities present. Their incredibly promising 2024 full-length Sweetness of Nothing ranges from Seventies yacht rock to stock beats in an old Casio synthesizer to Black Sabbath, sometimes multiple things in the same song (“The Casino”). Indie rock duo Born Twins have a sunny, winning formula in the double harmonies within their strong 2023 release Novelas Cortas. Day Friend’s notable September debut, Penelope, features lyrics clearly drawn from a nightmarish sleep paralysis in a sound reminiscent of the early Aughts revival. – Kahron Spearman