NYC Scene Report – Young Thieves, Pom Pom Squad, & Melody English


This week’s NYC Scene Report features Young Thieves deep in a “Criminal Phase,” Pom Pom Squad covering FKA twigs’ “Cellophane,” and Melody English tackling the disengaged with “Affect Me.”

* Longtime column favorites Young Thieves are primed for a huge 2020. Now signed to InVogue Records, the Alexandra Amor fronted electro-pop trio just released their first single of the year, “Criminal Phase,” featuring hip-hop artist JZAC.

According to guitarist Andrew Lynch (who, along with Dmitry Libman complete the Young Thieves lineup), the band will be releasing another single in February, and follow it up with an EP release in March.

Knowing the journey to this “Criminal Phase” of their career has included its fair share of hurdles, Lynch says, “We’re really excited to get the EP, and appreciate everyone’s patience and support.”

Click play on the single, and get criminal with Young Thieves.


* Punk rock band Pom Pom Squad have been kicking some serious ass over the past six months. Their 2019 EP, Ow generated quite the buzz, and the band was recently named the supporting act for Wisconsin-based band Disq’s upcoming spring tour.

In addition to all that, a few weeks ago the Mia Berrin led band released a killer cover of FKA twigs’ 2019 hit “Cellophane.”

Calling it “one of my absolute favorite songs of last year,” Berrin says that her desire to cover “Cellophane” stemmed from a personal appreciation for FKA twigs. “She was one of the first artists that made me seen as a woman of color occupying an alternative space,” she explains, “and I could immediately hear myself in the sweeping ebbs and flows of this song.”

Click play, and listen to Pom Pom Squad’s amazing take on “Cellophane.”


* Melody English is a unique artist in NYC’s indie music scene. She manages to balance being an indie pop artist while also holding the position of General Director for the Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra.

To say she has range would be an understatement.

English is currently gearing up to release her debut album, Melody, which is due out February 14th via House of Feelings. The lead single is “Affect Me,” which she explained the inspiration for, saying, “It’s about people that are hopeless and disengaged, making fun of people that posture like, ‘Well, it doesn't affect me. And when it falls I won’t be here to see it.’ It's about not confronting your own problems, being a passive or privileged or disengaged bitch. But it’s also feeling paralyzed, pointless, and that nature will wipe us out anyway. For example, when you are learning something and someone makes fun of you, so you just stop learning, put the dream on the shelf, resent everyone, and completely shut down. Like teen angst in an early guitar lesson.”

Give “Affect Me” a spin, and engage with the music of Melody English.


For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.

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