King Shelter want to follow their own course on "Pick Your Poison." But happiness gets in the way for the noise rock trio, as they air their grievances over a number of social norms that don’t necessarily fit well with anyone who wants to follow their art. It takes off with a shimmering lo-fi grime as it leads into a sonic assault during its hummable chorus, later to unleash into a distortion-laden coda that surges with foreceful energy. 

"Pick Your Poison" is the first single off of King Shelter’s upcoming full-length record, $hame, which comes out on March 30 via Broken Entertainment. Catch them at The Echo on February 28 with Mt Eddy and Keyrocco. Juan Rodríguez

Sydney Ranee makes a bold claim on "A Dangerous Woman." One might think that the soulful singer-songwriter lures her object of affection with a treacherous plan, but instead, Ranee has a simple yet powerful approach: to make him weak at the knees through kindness and seduction. She carries "Woman" with a casual demeanor over a classic neo-soul sound that never goes out of style, further accentuating her sultry elegance with a video that exclusively puts the focus on her assured confidence.

Ranee will be performing tomorrow, February 2nd, at The Federal Bar in NoHo. "A Dangerous Woman" is currently available on all streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez

Modern shoegaze outfit Modern Time Machines aren’t keen on playing it straight. Their technical proficiency could rival their nineties forebearers, given how their intricately-layered guitars and impassioned choruses weave together with clamorous virtuosity. On their latest, "High Noon," taken from their forthcoming second full-length, MTM, the band excels at writing a shimmering, hook-filled melody without heavily resorting to the usual grab-bag of influences.

Modern Times Machines have also just released a video for "High Noon." On it, the band cruise around the city as they stumble upon different kinds of gear on their way to their rehearsal space. But instead of taking a straightforward approach, they make things a little bit more fun by concealing a number of references that should appeal to both casual – and ardent – fans of local film director Paul Thomas Anderson. 

MTM is set for a release of April 6. Catch their upcoming performance at The Satellite on February 4. Here’s the video for High Noon below. Juan Rodríguez

Bannack creates folk-driven Americana with a roots-pop slant on their debut full-length, Compendium. Made up of three main songwriters who met at the University of California, the live collective write hearty, open-hearted hymns with a fervor that follows the likes of The Head and the Heart and elder locals Edward Shape & the Magnetic Zeroes. Compendium may sum up their experiences as young collegiates, but their natural compositional skills – they wrote and produced the album themselves – demonstrates a confidence one seldom finds on debut efforts.

Bannack will play a record release party at Evidence Film Studios on 1/26. Compendium is also available tomorrow on all major streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez

Melt into euphoria with the laid back and intoxicating sound of Warsaw Pact. Band frontrunner, Ivan Delint, originally from The Eleventh Frequency, has successfully launched his solo career. Delint began from the early age of 13 with interests first stemming from Deep House, Franz Ferdinand and The Cure, with growing enthusiasm for artists like Cold Cave, She Past Away, and Lebanon Hannover. A modern take on the influential cold wave genre, Warsaw Pact brings back the early post-punk era with ease. Necessities for this song include noise-cancelling headphones, a dark room with an excessive amount of Christmas lights and, of course, no pants (at least that’s how I listened and danced to this song.) “Day by Day” floats you along a blissful nirvana that cultivates for a musical experience separate from what we hear on the radio. Something is to be said about a musician who can accurately and beautifully bring back a lost genre; something is to be said about Warsaw Pact, so here I am to say it.

We can expect new things to come in the following months, including a remix to “Day by Day” and a music video, both which can be found on their streaming sites. You can follow their facebook page to stay up to date on further releases. Kayla Hay 

Thanks. blend chic electronic pop with a vintage disco treatment on "Your World." The dance trio take on a sunny disposition as they promote a message of self-empowerment, funneled through a funky blend of Madchester-informed swagger and light rock elements with a sharp pop sense.  

"Your World" is out now via Highland Park Records. Juan Rodríguez

Photo: Dan Monick

It’s been almost three years since Teenage Wrist unveiled their promising debut EP, Dazed. The grunge-informed trio is back with new single "Dweeb," a brooding, guitar-heavy scorcher which balances their raucous bearing and stately vocal delivery with powerfully contrasting effect.

"Dweeb" is the third single off of Teenage Wrist’s debut LP, Chrome Neon Jesus, which comes out on March 9 via Epitaph. Catch them at The Hi Hat on January 18.

MISSIONS are in search for their inner purpose on "Stay Gone." The Echo Park trio immerse themselves in some musical references that may sound familiar, which range from traditional Mexican folk music to tensely-coiled post-punk, to create a sound that’s truly all their own. "And if I can’t find my way back / I might as well stay gone," sings Christopher Clark with strong conviction, a simple declaration that’s magnified by a victorious chant that makes his absence all the more felt.

"Stay Gone" is the lead-off track off of MISSIONS’ latest self-titled EP, which they recently unveiled with a release show at the Satellite last week. Here’s the video for the track below. Juan Rodríguez

The joy and anguish of growing up is captured beautifully on Herbert Bail Orchestra’s video for their latest single, "Chains." The Anthony Frattolillo-directed video, who is also the main songwriter of the group, follows the story of a young boy as he experiences significant life events with careful nuance, an attentive close-up into its subject matter with a warm sense of empathy. "Chains" is also a natural progression for the ten-piece ensemble, as it employs a gentle roots rock feel that’s finely tailored with an attention to craft and collaboration.

"Chains" can be found on Herbert Bail Orchestra’s second full-length effort, History’s Made at Night. The group will be celebrating the release with an album release show at The Satellite tomorrow, January 11. Juan Rodríguez

On BOYO’s first full-length ‘Control,’ Robert Tilden and his bandmates explored the trippy eccentricities of indie rock with pop songs that were slightly deformed in character. Endowed with a clever title that immediately reminded me of this Associates gem, "A Social Death By Proximity (Los Feliz)" is a fitting continuation of Tilden’s anxiety-ridden explorations, keeping his inner chaos under control as a warm blanket of reverberated guitars mount into a surging chorus.

"A Social Death By Proximity (Los Feliz)" is the latest single off of BOYO’s forthcoming LP, Me Again, which is out on January 19 via Danger Collective Records. Tilden will be celebrating the release with an all ages release show at the Bootleg Theater on January 25. Juan Rodríguez

The Gloomies just capped off a couple of West Coast dates, which does bode well for the potentiality of new material around the corner. But in the meantime, the indie-pop duo set their sights on the new year with a chilly turn to escapism in the form of new single "Space." Joined by Madeline Follis of Cults, the seraphic track incorporates a hazy swirl of electronic textures that paint the sky like a soft oil canves. Its delicate musical composition inspires one to quell the stress during these cold, wintry months.

"Space" is out now on all streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez

Mind Monogram take a fanciful trip into a lysergic wonderland on "Hedberg." The psych-rock four-piece envelops their grand throwback sound with free jazz embellishments that give the track a true sense of freedom. An ode to idiosyncratic late-comedian Mike Hedberg, "Hedberg" untangles into a beautifully melodic and layered production that keep its tuneful hooks grounded in experimentation.

"Hedberg" is the second single off of Mind Monogram’s forthcoming full-length, Ivory Hall, which is out in early 2018. Juan Rodríguez