NYC’s the Gradients are getting ready to release their debut album this year, and “Shelf” is their latest offering. It’s an inspired piece of new wave-y pop, backed by sharp and muscular instrumentation. For a song that sounds as confident as this, the lyrics betray an anxious vulnerability that helps to weigh it down. “I guess my mind surrendered/ I can’t help but remember,” goes the chorus. “Am I the only one?” they ask repeatedly, starting quietly and building up to a distressed yell by the end of the song. Listen below.

Tour Dates (w/ Sharpless):
8/6 Haledon, NJ @ John Ryle House
8/7 Pittsburgh, PA @ Pallas Theater
8/8 Bloomington, IN @ The Back Door
8/9 Chicago, IL @ Bric-a-Brac Records
8/10 Detroit, MI @ Elijah’s
8/11 Cleveland, OH @ Mosh Eisley
8/12 Binghamton, NY @ TBA
8/13 New Paltz, NY @ Writer’s Block
8/15 New York, NY @ Studio at Webster Hall

The Gradients’ self-titled debut will released by the end of the summer.