Punk rock has taken on a number of forms since it's emergence in the late 70's. While some artists have celebrated its more abrasive aspects, many others embraced the speed and energy while adding melodic elements to it. Brooklyn's Fat Heaven's new two-minute-long single “Crybaby”, with its aggressive and punchy power trio sound, clearly falls within the genre, with the band's penchant for catchy vocal melodies placing them closer to poppier acts like Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. That said, there's certainly enough edge on “Crybaby” to fuel a mosh pit.  The band's lyrics, included on each of the four videos linked to the EP's tracks, indicate thought behind the rhymes. “Suburban Nightmare” doubles-down on that approach with a high-powered lament on the working life. “Never Needed You” provides the perfect break-up song for those who've been in (and then out of) a relationship. Final cut “Fashionista” adds a 50's feel to the progression while calling out style appropriation when it's merely a pose. The band is promoting a live show on 11/16 at a “secret location” (DM them for address). - Dave Cromwell

Physical media fans, rejoice: After releasing Million $$$ Dream online last October, Brooklyn's alt-pop quartet Twiga are about to drop that album in tape format via the label Effortless Crush. The glittering gold cassette comes with a digital download code for the album, so that regular people (i.e. those who don't own a cassette player) can actually listen to it. To celebrate the release of Million $$$ Dream on cassette, Twiga will play a show at The Gateway on March 17th. The event, called "Write Your Reps!" also features fellow Brooklyn bands Fat Heaven, Narc Twain, Medium Mystic, and Debbie Downer. - Will Sisskind

EDIT: A previous version of this article noted the location of this show as Shea Stadium. Due to the recent closure of Shea Stadium, this show has changed its location to The Gateway. - WS

The punk forces behind Fat Heaven celebrated the release of their new album Tough Luck last night at Moffat Heaven, a new Bushwick venue. The band (recently winner of our NYC Artist of the Month poll) plays high-octane rock'n'roll evocative of early-90s pop punk that so many of us still love love and crave, blended with a very NYC garagey roughness.

The release party for Tough Luck also featured performances from SCARBORO (which includes two members from Fat Heaven), girlwave trio THICK, Olde Tigers from York, PA, and Deli NYC favorite Hiccup. – Will Sisskind

If music could be comfort food, then early 90s punk rock is my chicken and biscuits. There's something about fast power chords, distorted guitar and raspy vocals singing to me about things that suck that pierces straight through the most tender parts of my crusty little heart, and lights me up like a tree on Christmas. Brooklyn-based punk trio Fat Heaven happens to be one of those bands that hits me right in the soft spots. Their recently released track "Nowhere" is a ballad for kids in ripped jeans and no place to go, and is just as hard hitting as its late 20th century predecessors. Clean, but not poppy, "Nowhere" is anthemic in tone, high energy in rhythm, and could easily be a closer at your local DIY basement show while dodging bodies and bottles. Check them out at Aviv on Sept 1 with Last Minet, Red Arkade and Learning Curve, and be sure to listen to the track below. - Olivia Sisinni 

In the dim backroom of Greenpoint’s Matchless Bar, Brooklyn-based, Skidmore College-rooted quartet Pooch started the evening off with a warm set of songs that touched on several kinds of rock (indie, psychedelic, maybe even surf) that particularly captivated thanks to frontman Jonathan Benbeniste. With a warbled timbre reminiscent of Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz and a formidable yet welcoming stage presence, Benbeniste ushered his bandmates through guitar solos, electronic loops, and drum riots that showed a group furthering their cohesiveness.

Fellow Brooklyn rockers Looms took the stage next, playing loose tracks that thrilled with their spindly guitars and calmed with their plaintive keys. Singer/guitarist/keyboardist Sharif Mekawy certainly was engaging, especially during the four-piece’s closer: a cover of Radiohead’s “Bodysnatchers.” Simulating Thom Yorke’s vocal idiosyncrasies on the keyboard and belting the beautifully pained line, “I have no idea what I’m talking about,” Mekawy put a wonderfully electrified spin on the 'In Rainbows' cut.

Then came Secret Crush. As its lead singer’s triangular, red guitar foreshadowed, the Bushwick-based outfit performed mostly joyous electric rock tracks while periodically dipping into the tremulous madness of Deerhunter. Through guitar lines that changed volumes (at times low, at others house-breaking) and songs that began with an ominous recorded voice, however, the Brooklyn quartet blended these disparate sounds into their own odd-rock.

Bassist Jack Counce of the next band, Fat Heaven (pictured), wore a Heatmiser shirt but the New York-based trio sounded a bit more like Nirvana (or, perhaps, a grungier Green Day) than that Elliott Smith-co-founded group. Over Gayla Brooks’ extremely fast drumming, lead singer Travis Yablon yelled into the microphone ferociously yet sweetly, delivering such lines as, “Will you walk with me?” There was warmth in the chaos.

To end this by-now-rainy night, the aptly-named Brooklyn quartet Future Punx (a recent Deli NYC record of the month) put on a danceable set at Cameo Gallery. Assuming the stage like aliens come down to party, the post wave band bounced into a set of electronic trances, skittering guitars, and rubbery basslines. The Devo and Blondie of the late ‘70s and The Human League’s early ‘80s hit “Don’t You Want Me” were clearly heard in these songs but Future Punx is not a gimmick. Refreshingly, they just seem to not take themselves too seriously and, as a result, allow for a good time.  – Zach Weg