New York’s CMJ music marathon is an epic display of music journalism and indie street cred. From October 20-24, over a thousand under the radar bands will perform, hundreds will be blogged about, and a dozen will be become semi-obscure household names (see: Passion Pit) in the aftermath. The 22 initial showcase artist have been announced today, and so we have compiled a guide for your listening pleasure. Six word artist descriptions and song downloads — enjoy!

1. Broadcast
Pensive electro performed by benign fembot.
Sample Song: “America’s Boy” [Download Now] via The Decibel Tolls

2. School of Seven Bells
Easy listening indie pop cures insomnia.
Sample Song: “Conjour” [Download Now] via Stereogum

3. Zac Brown Band
Truckers enjoying cold bear and trucks.
Sample Song: “Toes” [Listen Now] via MySpace

View the rest after the jump.

4. Múm
Experimental, Icelandic blips and boppity beats.
Sample Song: “Sing Along” [Download Now] via RCRD LBL

5. Atlas Sound
Deerhunter side band sounding kinda different.
Sample Song: “Walkabout” [Download Now] via The Fader

6. Japandroids
Two Vancouver bros rocking in garage.
Sample Song: “Young Hearts Spark Fire” [Download Now] via Pitchfork

7. Margaret Cho
Comedian Asian chic singing/being sassy.
Sample Song: “Eat Shit and Die” [Watch Now] via MySpace

8. The Budos Band
1970′s blaxploitation film soundtrack equals badass.
Sample Song: “Budos Rising” [Download Now] via LA Record

9. The Very Best
The very best alt afro pop.
Sample Song: Yalira [Download Now] via Stereogum

10. The Temper Trap
Yup, (500) Days of Summer soundtrack.
Sample Song: “Sweet Disposition” [Download Now] via I Guess I’m Floating

11. Crystal Antlers
Pissed off, hardcore ’70s rock. Roar.
Sample Song: “Tentacles” [Download Now] via Stereogum

12. Portugal. The Man
Purposeful punctuation. Classic rock. Redone creatively.
Sample Song: “Lay Me Back Down” [Watch Now] via Pitchfork

13. Pitbull
Not mistake, he is really playing.
Sample Song: “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” [Watch Now] via YouTube

14. Cymbals Eat Guitars
Dynamic indie rock popularized by Pitchfork.
Sample Song: “Wind Phoenix” [Download Now] via Stereogum

15. Malajube
Canadians singing quirky rock in French.
Sample Song: “Ursaline” [Download Now] via Stereogum

16. Local Natives
Powerful/delicate tunes with sweet drums.
Sample Song: “Airplanes” [Download Now] via My Old Kentucky Blog

17. Wild Light
Not very wild, but very standard.
Sample Song: “California on My Mind” [Download Now] via Spinner

18. The Antlers
Pretty buzzband music for sad types.
Sample Song: “Two” [Download Now] via Stereogum

19. Das Racist
Das jocular hip-hop about fast food.
Sample Song: “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” [Download Now] via Consequence of Sound

20. Suckers
Deceptively jolly single with off notes.
Sample Song: “Easy Chairs” [Download Now] via Stereogum

21. Pissed Jeans
Meaning, “we make you piss them.”
Sample Song: “Dream Smotherer” [Download Now] via Stereogum

22. Screaming Females
At times, an accurate band name.
Sample Song: “Bell” [Download Now] via La Record