Oakland rockers The Heartlights are all energy on their debut release Oh Dear, a six-track EP with thrashing guitars, fast-paced percussion, and delightfully melodic vocals. Lead vocalist Maggie Aytac has a saccharine voice that layers infectiously over their garage-influenced power pop arrangements to create instant hits like “You’re So Cute (It Hurts)” (streaming below), which comes across as a fuzzier take on classic surf rock. The rest of the EP shows similar influences, combining angst with energy to create a tongue-in-cheek ode to Californiacation. At the moment, their next announced live show is on March 9th at The Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland. – Lilly Milman
