NYC Scene Report – New Myths, Rachel Lynn, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features an “Unbelievable” cover from New Myths, Rachel Lynn saying you can “Look to Me,” Otis Clapp finding a “Gypsy,” and Yvetter Nacer getting out of the “Quicksand.”

* Brooklyn-based rock trio New Myths released a cover song a few weeks ago, and it’s “Unbelievable.” Actually, that’s not just a review of their music, it’s also the name of the song, as Brit Boras (guitar/lead vocals), Rosie Slater (drums/vocals), and Marina Ross (bass/vocals) covered the EMF classic from 1991.

Slowed down, and with a sound that’s part grunge, part Garbage, the New Myths version of the song has a totally different vibe than the original.

For those of us old enough to remember when “Unbelievable” launched EMF to the top of the charts, and eventual ’90s one hit wonder lore (or when Kraft used it in their “It’s Crumbelievable” ad campaign in 2005), this cover is a real treat.

As an aside, New Myths’ live in-studio performance of this song makes me want to attend one of their shows, so there’s a chance you’ll see me in the crowd sometime in the near future.


* NYC-based singer-songwriter Rachel Lynn is embracing a ‘60s soul-pop vibe with her latest single, “Look to Me.”

In a statement, she explained the inspiration for the song, saying, “‘Look to Me’ is about trying to be a source of support for someone who's struggling with their inner demons. Sometimes those demons can try to take over a relationship, and it's a difficult battle for everyone involved. Musically, the song has a retro-pop vibe, so my producer, Ali Culotta, wanted to mix it as a modern-pop song with a nod to earlier eras.”

Whether you love your music old school, or new school, you can always look to Rachel Lynn for a great song, and “Look to Me” is another winner from this longtime column fave.


* “I ain't sh*t but anxious / Off the wall like I'm still eating them paint chips.”

Those are the opening lines of Queens-based hip-hop artist Otis Clapp’s latest single, “Gypsy,” a song that’s off a project that’s been half a decade in the making.

In a statement, Otis Clapp discussed the song, and the album it will be on, saying, “I present to you ‘Gypsy,’ the very first single and video off my upcoming project 40s on the Church Steps, a project that I’ve been working on since 2014! So much blood, sweat, and tears was poured into this vision. It’s been a hell of a process, and the long road has lead me to this, and I’m really proud to share it with you.”

“Gypsy” is yet another fantastic song from Otis Clapp, and 40s on the Church Steps should be on everyone’s “Most Anticipated Albums of 2020” list.


* In baseball terms, Cuban-American artist Yvette Nacer is a five tool player. An actress, author, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Nacer is currently playing the role of Fate in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. Somehow, she’s also found time to release a new single, titled “Quicksand.”

Discussing the inspiration for the powerful pop ballad, she said in a statement, “I was inspired to write ‘Quicksand’ because, at the moment, I felt stuck. I was frustrated that I seemed to be in a negative loop. The song is essentially a cry for help, and a determination to break the pattern. We all feel trapped sometimes, but we have the power to rise above it.”

Click play on “Quicksand,” and experience the power of Yvette Nacer’s voice.


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