Common Souls, a self proclaimed ESM (electronic sad music) duo, just released their newest single off of their latest EP, Pyramids. The single, “Roots//Habit”, is a love song so organic and raw you’d swear it was written just for you (and for one of you out there, it probably is). The pure talent Ryan Yoo and Nick Velez have is equivalent to an entire studio production, with sound producers, mixers, band members, etc. But they do it alone and the amount of soul and vibrant energy the two produce is astonishing. Pyramids creates a dynamic, electronic, spellbinding musical experience that captures the emotion in music most artists struggle to find. Common Souls might just be the secret love child of The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, and I am definitely okay with that. – Kayla Hay

"Let the world take over you," sings Derek Brambles as a faint ambient soundscape turns into a celebratory anthem with a big-room sound. "Shadows," the debut single by indie pop group TOPANGA, is a slick, joyful tune that falls somewhere between the jaunty hooks of The 1975 and the rousing flamboyance of Passion Pit. It’s another one of those "live in the moment," chart-friendly tunes that intends to bring some sun to these increasingly chilly autumn nights.

TOPANGA is releasing their debut EP, Midnight Jungle, on February 3. But you don’t have to wait until February to sample some of their new songs, as they’re making a stop at El Cid on Friday, December 2nd.

Gale Forces, the nom de plume of Jade Devitt, takes the essential core of early nineties hard rock and revives it with flashes of melodic flair. Devitt keeps things simple, though he also adds a crafty playfulness with big, crunch melodies that suggest there’s a certain whimsy to his delivery. He’s not really emulating the mannered miserablism of that era’s period, a formula that worked for Dave Grohl and could very well work for him as he expands his songwriting ambitions, too. 

Devitt will be performing songs off of his self-titled EP with his full band at Molly Malone’s on November 12.

Upcoming L.A. rock group Max Fite has recently released a new EP called Shake It On Down. Lead singer and guitarist Max Fitelson paints a beautiful, visual picture on the video for “Devil In Me”, a single off of the new album. The song opens with Fitelson emerging from a shipwrecked boat on the beach with a woman walking along the shore. “Devil In Me” has an amazing rock ballad, similar to that of The Killers or Gaslight Anthem. With beautiful guitar solos to back up Fitelson’s imaginary lyrics, this lively rock group creates a scene of incredible yearning for something that is no longer there, the innocence of childhood: “Then we get to grow up old, learn about the worlds disease. They said gods with you, he’s no where to be seen.”

If you missed out on their release party, don’t fret! They will be playing at The Viper Room on December 5th, or pick up Shake Me On Down from iTunes. – Kayla Hay

On their new single "So Good", garage pop trio Lucy Gucy welcome one with a slap-happy attitude and an ample serving of buoyant hooks. "Time wasted never tasted so good", singer Tiffany Schirz with a bright grin that effectively conveys their spontaneous and amiable energy. It’s a lovely sentiment that reminds us to free ourselves from any complications and just enjoy the day. 

Lo Moon perform with a mercurial elegance that’s both graceful and intense. The LA trio’s introduction is certainly daring for a band who’s just about getting their start: the seven-minute "Loveless" is a sweeping, atmospheric piece that unfurls with a patience that draws out its emotional impact to a very high degree. Even if we’re not entirely sure as to what direction they’ll ultimately take (aside from the fact that their facebook page references eighties soft rock acts like Prefab Sprout and The Blue Nile as influences), the band has already caught the attention of some big names to follow their every step: not only do they have the support of major-label behemoth Columbia Records, but they’ve also enlisted record producer Chris Walla – who’s known for his affecting and poignant approach to songwriting – to work on their upcoming debut effort.

See the hype for yourself when they make a stop at the Bootleg on November 29.

Art pop singer-songwriter Elle Belle has just released the third single off of his upcoming debut album Wako Gumbo, "Knock on the Light", a lighthearted and funky romp that showcases his flair for keeping things just a little bit weird without losing sight of what makes true pop songcraft. Sporting a phased-out guitar tone that’s too nifty to ignore, Belle belts out a clean vocal style with a soulful bent whilst wholly embracing a synth-driven sound that highlights his natural performance ability.

Wako Gumbo is due out on November 11 via Little Record Company. And if you like what you hear, you can catch him play at Resident on October 29th. 

"Not Your Enemy", the new single by Modern Crush, immediately captures you and doesn’t let go. The art rock trio’s blistering new single is pointedly ungarnished, particularly in how it embraces a scuzzy, primal form of rock n’ roll that holds no apologies. There’s also some playfulness in Joseph White’s howling vocals, an unpredictable driving force who’s complemented by a taut rhythm section that raises the amps and propels out.

You can see Modern Crush live at El Cid on November 5. And check out "Not Your Enemy" on their official website. 

Coyóte make a consirable commotion on their latest single, "a lil bit", though it’s also the kind of contagious racket that will turn a non-plussed frown into a convinced nod. The Siler Lake foursome’s hyper guitar leads and blistering synth stabs hit you with a frantic unease, and though it’s not inspired by any current trend, it does peculiarly evoke the dance-punk craze of bands like Death Above 1979 and !!!. Perhaps those references are sightly out of touch, or even premature, for today’s grunge-obsessed revisionits, but it’s only a point of reference; coyote’s bracing and agitated strut provides, well, more than just "a lil bit" of joyful release.

Coyóte’s debut EP is out later this fall. – Juan Edgardo Rodríguez

With a quick search of L.A. artist Tempest Le Mans, we are instantly reminded of a genre of music from a not so distant past. The Valley singer-songwriter Nathan Castiel created a seventies vibe that reigns in the most nostalgic feelings through his newest single, “In My Room”. His sound is something straight from my parents’ record player circa 1976, and it has the most refreshing and flawless acoustics. It takes the listener on a sentimental journey accompanied by soothing melodramatic melodies, ingenious writing and soulful consciousness. Check out Tempest Le Mans on soundcloud or bandcamp to get your fill. – Kayla Hay

Big Sis is the new project of Nathan Paris-Hernandez, a songwriter who’s assembled a loose collective of musicians that include members of other well known local acts like L.A. Witch and Pastilla. On their latest single, "Way Back", the band exhibits a more robust and nuanced version of melody, noise and rock that resonates with a nonchalant, yet rough-around-the edges beauty. But there’s also some intricately knotty guitars in display, honing in a slackened mood with its loungy grooves and psychedelia undertones.

"Way Back" is featured on Big Sis’ upcoming self-titled effort, which will be out digitally and on cassette via ¡DAME! on October 21. You can catch them at Redwood Bar & Grill tomorrow, October 6, alongside Globelamp and Pipe Dreams. The band is also playing a record release show at ¡DAME! Studio on the day of its release. – Juan Rodríguez

Longstanding power pop locals Weezer announced that they’ll be performing at the El Rey Theatre on November 3rd for Rhonda’s Kiss, an organization which helps cancer patients in need.

Proceeds from the concert event with Weezer will benefit the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and further the mission of Rhonda’s Kiss, supporting programs to assist cancer patients in need, and helping those who receive a cancer diagnosis make ends meet during treatment.

Tickets are on sale now via RhondasKiss.org. GA tickets are $60, Mezzanine VIP are $250, and Balcony VIP are $450. All donations and tickets purchased for the concert are tax deductible.