On the short, sweet "Leawood Street," Lady Chops & The Goddamn Jam paints a rich picture of a childhood summer day about town. Lead singer Bethony Nichole’s lyrics are an idyllic series of vignettes: descriptions abound of magnolia trees, gravel underneath one’s feet, pressing one’s hands into wet concrete and wearing overalls. For the most part, the song is refreshingly devoid of overt angst, instead focusing on the images and sensations that comprise a child’s experience of her world. The song brings the listener back to a place of innocence and simplicity. The only moment of mature reflection is the refrain: "I want to be a someone some day." It’s a feeling most of us can relate to, one that catches up with us into adulthood before we’re ready to realize that that someday is now. The song is still a heady, delightful portrait, and the instrumental prowess of Lady Chops’ full band serves to enhance this sensory experience without calling much attention to itself. 

Lady Chops is playing at Whip In on February 15th, with support from the folk stylings of Much 2 Much and the debut of the new indie-rock band Tish. – Ethan Ames 

NYC synth music makers (and huge lovers of anything synth) Holy Ghost! just announced the upcoming release of their first album since 2013 "Dynamics." Preview single "Epton On Broadway (Part I & Part II)" keeps faith to the uplifting, ’80s influenced synth-soulpop sound of previous releases. The album represents the culmination of a transactional period, and preview single "Epton on Broadway" underlines this, as explained by frontman Alex Frankel: “Lyrically, ‘Epton On Broadway’ is a bit of a choose your own adventure. But to me: The verses are lamenting the end of a really fun era: “All my favorite places closed” – “nostalgia for the laughs and the afterglow.” 

New York’s Harrison Lipton lays down some heavy alternative R&B vibes on “Cannonball,” with help from friends Quelle Rox and Huck. Accompanied by smooth, jazzy seventh chords and shuffling percussion, the song is a testament to the experience of becoming singularly fixated on a romantic interest, wherein all other thoughts fall by the wayside as paltry in comparison. Lipton’s first verse sets the mood with images of sultry baths and popping pills, enabling Huck to wax poetically on taking tequila shots and the passage of time as the track winds to a close, becoming increasingly more ethereal and echoing as it all fades to black. It’s a suave single, best enjoyed under the haze of cigar smoke and whisky, and guarantees a good time when Harrison takes to Zone One at Elsewhere on February 15th for its release party, supported by Melt the Band and Walker Landgraf. Stream Cannonball below. – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)