The Indie Pop category was definitely stacked this year, and after compiling the jurors’, readers’/fans’ and writers’ votes, congratulations go out to Louie Louie! The stylish garage-pop sisterhood has been working hard and steadily building on their artistic vision, causing many in the Philly music community to take noticed. Led by Emily Robb (Lantern, Myrrias) on guitar/vox and joined by Jenna Robb on drums/vox, Emily Eichelberger on bass/vox, and Leslie Burnette on organ/vox, the band harkens back to the golden age of girl groups that produced legendary acts like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las; however, the ladies put their own surf-psych spin on the classic sound. Louie Louie just celebrated the release of its full-length album, Friend Of A Stranger (Born Losers Records), with a packed performance this past Friday at PhilaMOCA, and will be spending the rest of the month into March on the road in support of their first LP. 

We are also happy to see and share that runner-up honors go out to Mercury Girls, which features members of Literature, Pet Milk, and Little Big League. They released their debut 7" last year via highly respected indie-pop label Slumberland. And Queen Jeans, who placed third overall in our poll last year, continue to be on the minds of our voters with their recent honorable mention performance. Check out the latest releases from all these fine bands below!

With bubbly synth-pop coasting in a steady calm matriculation, Fabergégé’s self-titled debut album never stops. Featuring Thom Lessner (Sweatheart), Dave Pap, Kelly Karavalis, and Pat Finnerty, the band finds a solid, mid-tempo pace, cruising along in consistent, low-pressure circumstances. It’s a joyously, fun collection, offering lyrical tongue-twisters that bounce with a bright, pop hue. Hopefully it will help to push you through any midweek lulls.

The new single release, "CoastGhost2Coast"/"Spooksville, USA," from Haunted Homes, stirs up the strange. The former eerily traverses desolate country terrain as one becomes conscious of the sounds that creep in the shadows. The latter bristles in a pleasant steady backend-anchored stroll, despite its lyrical nod to temporary existence. The quintet has a knack for rattling one’s thoughts in a memorable "cowboy wandering the cosmos" manner. You can catch them at Ortlieb’s on Friday, February 24 with Perfeckt Touch, Davey and the Chains, and Power Mystery.

John Ryan, a.k.a. Petunia, shells out energetic, heartfelt songs on his new EP Funny Talk. Focusing in on personal anecdotes with universal implications, the songs ache and arch in a smooth yet sincere manner. Whether touching on fragments of memories or analyzing the present circumstance, the tracks move in unified melody with an alt-country surrounding that spikes when called upon. Imploring a rather immediate familiarity, it echoes points within one’s past without becoming predictable. Petunia is slated to perform on Tuesday, March 7 at Boot & Saddle that will also includes Tim Darcy (of Ought) and Molly Burch. (Photo by Amanda Wagner)