NYC Scene Report – Moon Kissed, Jennifer Elster, & Warp Trio

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Moon Kissed popping some “Bubblegum,” Jennifer Elster predicting “You Know What Will Happen,” and Warp Trio teaming up with Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez to dive deep into “The Well.”

* NYC-based synth-pop trio Moon Kissed will be releasing their sophomore album, I’d Like To Tell You Something Important, on October 22nd, and the first single is the playful, patriarchy smashing, “Bubblegum.”

Discussing the song in a statement, the band’s Khaya Cohen said, “‘Bubblegum’ is an anthem about using the patriarchy to get what you want. If men are going to think of us as tiny and harmless, we can harness that into a power to ‘use them then eclipse them,’ in the words of my friend Zoey. The mix of punk, and adorable digital, is a resistance to being boxed in. A blend of lyrical and sonic sarcasm, cuteness, ferocity, and anger, ‘Bubblegum’ lends a hand to coping with the frustrations of dealing with men.”

As a card carrying dude I do have to admit … we do tend to not notice things happening right in front of us. As one comedian pointed out, we invented instant replay because we forgot what we just saw. So Moon Kissed may be on to something here. Plus, the song is awesome.

* When I first listened to Jennifer Elster’s new single, “You Know What Will Happen,” it gave me such a ‘90s alternative vibe that I had to play it again … and again … and again.

The NYC-based artist, poet, and musician released “You Know What Will Happen” in anticipation of her upcoming debut album, which is due later this year.

Discussing the song in a statement, Elster said, “‘You Know What Will Happen,’ to me, is a sexy, wild, dance song about defiance and protection. This untamed song is a watchdog for your heart. It’s a song of someone who has been so incredibly hurt, all defense mechanisms are readily available. Danger due to sensitivity to protect that which is sincere and tender.”

If you remember the ‘90s alternative scene, there were a lot of artists who weren’t afraid to experiment, and do some seriously weird sh*t. Click play on “You Know What Will Happen,” and I think you’ll find Jennifer Elster is cut from that same cloth.

* Sometimes you have to let a song build, and allow it to take you someplace. That’s the case with the latest single from NYC-based chamber punk outfit Warp Trio. The song is titled “The Well,” and it features vocalist and songwriter Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez.

A gorgeous, haunting, six and a half minute piece, “The Well” depicts the story of how the isolation of the pandemic affected people, and it’s off Warp Trio’s upcoming album, Warp Trio’s Pandemic Disco Fantasy, which is due out August 20th.

Check out the video for “The Well,” which features NYC-based dancer Emily Houghton, who did all of her own choreography for the clip. If you’re anything like me, it will leave you looking forward to hearing more from Warp Trio.

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