Neon Indian and Snarky Puppy drop new music, plus other local music tidbits

It's been a big week for musicians with ties to North Texas, though the majority of them don't actually live here.

Brooklyn-based Neon Indian, fronted by former Dentonite Alan Palomo, released a new electro-pop tune Tuesday called "Annie," and it's the first bit of material we've heard from the band since 2013's Errata Anex. Considering that EP was a remix compilation, you could say this catchy four minutes full of undeniable summer vibes is the first bit of original material Neon Indian has put out since 2011 (Era Extrana).

Pitchfork stamped its sealed of approval as one of the best new tracks, as did Consequence of Sound, Paper Mag, Spin, etc. The song is reportedly part of a forthcoming album, which we'll just say right now we're excited to hear.

Not too far away in another part of Brooklyn, former Denton musicians Snarky Puppy are also riding the release of a new album, Sylva, created in conjunction with Holland jazz-pop orchestra Metropole Orkest.

The Guardian called it "a refined and cohesive orchestral suite rather than a collection of quirky groove vehicles" in a glowing four-star review. Writer John Fordham continues:

"Fans can relax, however: this isn't a mainstream smoothing out out of an inimitably original band's rough edges. Assist/leader Michael League's long-term dream has been to take a composer's personal vision into a bigger and more cinematic soundscape without abandoning Snarky trademarks such as catchy soul-jazz horn hooks, loose improv and dancefloor funk."

Closer to home, Fort Worth rising star Leon Bridges finally has a release date for his debut album, Coming Home, on Capitol Records: June 23. Until then, critics just can't stop raving about the bluesman. Rolling Stone recently included Bridges on a list of 10 up-and-comers you should know about. The Daily Beast went as far to call him the "new face of soul."

Hey, we aren't arguing.

Dallas Morning News music critic Hunter Hauk recently put out the contenders for the song of the summer. What do you think? Will it be pop superstars like Tay Swift and Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna and Jason Derulo? Or someone less mainstream, like Janelle Monae and Mystery Skulls?

Tell us your picks on Twitter: @GuideLive