A pleasant drift carries the new track by duo Alohaha, “Welcome to Your New Life”, as if they’re both together on a quiet, stately retreat to rightfully decompress. If only this carefree scenario would emulate true life – both producer Jake Sinclair and poet Lyndsay Thornton consider this their breakup album, one that they consider to be a “sunset-drenched soundtrack to the rise and fall of a lived relationship”. “It’s a paradise/baby/you hoped you’d find”, they sing quietly in unison as a Hawaiian lap steel guitar meanders against a steady drum beat. It almost sounds like a compromise, where both parties can envision some kind of ldyllic harmony where they can both find peace apart from each other. 

“Welcome to your New Life” is out now, and look out for their debut album release in December via Black Rainbow. – Juan Rodríguez

If you’re looking for tunes worthy of soundtracking only the coolest Halloween party (obviously, the one at *your* house), 222 has got you covered. This electro-dance rock duo released their self-produced debut album, Libretto, earlier this year. They also recently put out an eerie music video for their single One Night Stand, which stars singer/guitarist Jade Howard as a stylish femme fatale, getting back at a date (played by drummer Dennis Hamlin) who has become a bit too attached.

If you’re eager to start the holiday early, 222 are playing at the Hotel Cafe tonight at 9 pm. On Halloween, they’re releasing an early version of a new music video to their mailing list subscribers. It’s for their song "Headcake", and it looks like the band is aiming to up the creepy-factor this time around. – Brittany Scheffler

William Alexander offers just the right amount of strange on his latest single "Strangest Things", a breezy, psychedelic track about falling madly in love that settles into a firm groove with its funky, swaggering backbeat. The Long Beach singer/songwriter will relese his debut full length, entitled Strangest Things, on November 6th via Yellow K Records. 

Like an abandoned shack by the seaside, Travelers’ new song "My Fault" contains a multitude of ghosts. Not the threatening kind, but the ones that wisp by on a breeze, leaving you to wonder if you had actually felt anything in the first place. Something seems just out of reach, as harmonies fade over and around the core melody, on which the vocalist croons, "I thought I felt you breathe, but I lost it."

The band consists of members Bret Leinen, Aidin Sadeghi, Eric Cannata and Francois Comtois, with Cannata and Comtois also involved in the popular indie rock band Young The Giant, and Leinen and Sadeghi coming from former OC folk outfit Strange Birds. Saying Travelers sounds like a mix of these two bands would not be inaccurate, but we’ll let them define their sound for themselves – they purportedly have an entire album under their belt, with more songs to be released in the coming weeks. – Brittany Scheffler 

Tall Tales & the Silver Lining is a music project led by singwriter Trevor Beld Jimenez, whose Americana-tinged folk rock songs are informed by that rich 70s California soft rock sound. While there’s a staunch traditionalism to his songwriting approach, Trevor also takes from the heartland rock movement of the turn of the century; tracks like "Let It Go" have that twangy uptempo groove reminiscent of Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams, and earlier single "Something to Believe In" – also from his full-length debut Tightropes, lends a low-key groove that Patterson Hood would be proud of. 

Trevor just released a free download of a new track, entitled "Burning Out", from his upcoming digital EP Unknown Forces. The EP will also be released in a mobile-web format, which will feature new live tracks, a new video for "Unknown Forces", a band interview, liner notes, and even an integrated Spotify playlist for the full Tightropes LP.

Unknown Forces is out on October 30th through Other Music Recording Co, and don’t miss their show at the Bootleg on November 7.

Deli Artist of the Month-nominated dream pop duo Sumeau have a message to send to you: Wake up. Beware. See the writing on the wall.

In their recently released single "Strange Graffiti", vocalist Kat Primeau’s heady voice draws you in, but she isn’t here to seduce you – she’s here to get you to pay attention. The message is ominous and urgent: "Systems collapsing, streets occupied, one seismic shift away…It’s about time for disaster to call." The eerie organ and sparse piano set the mood, and the song ends with little fanfare, making it hard to lose sight of its meaning. Primeau’s partner Chris Sousa does a great job on the track’s production, creating an air of nostalgia, perhaps for a time when the disaster was not so prominently on the horizon.

But there’s only so much we can do as individuals to stave off catastrophe, right? Sumeau haven’t given into hopelessness, and have instead opted to share their music with the world – they’ve been working on new songs, expanding the range of their sound with the addition of three new members to the band, and playing shows all over the city. Their next show is hosted by Sofar Sounds, and will take place at a secret location in East LA on Thursday, October 22. Visit this page to apply to attend or to buy a ticket that guarantees admission. It is sure to be an intimate experience. – Brittany Scheffler

Electro-pop darlings Babes are back with a new full-length album on Barsuk entitled Untitled (Five Tears). They just revealed a video for the track "How Do You Make Love Stop", a bright, mid-tempo stunner that continues their winning streak of lovestruck, leisurely ballads. 

Untitled (Five Tears) comes out on October 30th, which they’ll be celebrating with an album release show at the Bootleg. 

Sydney Wayser has been quiet for the past two years after having changed her stage name to Clara-Nova. It seems as if the long period of minimal exposure has done wonders for the singer-songwriter. Her latest single, "An Island", can disorient at first, though once its overwhelming aural spectacle of gossamer sounds begin to gain some clarity you’re ultimately enthralled by the amount of labor that went into the production. Wayser imagines living in an "island in the sea" with a fantastical edge, holding a passion for tuneful constructs that could very well be described as a psychedelic interpretation of an Asian musical.

"An Island" is the first single off her debut EP The Bronze Age, which comes out on October 30th through The Cherry Party. And make sure to catch her perform at El Rey supporting Other Lives on October 15. – Juan Rodríguez

Alyeska is the recording moniker of Alaska Reid, a Montana native now based in LA with a dry, brittle-as-fine-glass vocal tonality reminiscent of contemporaries like Sharon Van Etten and Laura Marling. Her latest single, "Medicine River", is a drifting anthem that soars with an emotional freedom that allows her to cleanse herself thoroughly from all wounds. Produced by recording mastermind John Agnello, the track’s jagged guitar lines and thumping snares are accented with a newfound clarity that follows the song’s theme to move the story forward.

You can catch Alyeska play an acoustic show at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs on October 15th, followed by a full band show at the Study on October 16th.

Dance pop duo Kisses have just released their new single "Jam", which marks a slight departure for the band since it came to life as a live composition instead of relying on synths. The new track comes in conjunction with an actual jam release; entitled "Plum Kisses", the jam will also be available directly from Hit City U.S.A’s webstore and local eatery Sqirl.

Kisses will host a listening party of their third album Rest in Paradise at Formerly Yes in Downtown LA on October 4th. It comes out on October 9th through Hit City U.S.A. 

Ventura five-piece Curtsy make a startling first impression on their debut full-length album Something I Can’t Control, with songs and vocals that come alive with resplendent assurance. Featuring walloping single "Run Cold", the slickly-produced effort marries ringing guitar arrangements with a spiraling array of keyboard effects, giving the album’s overall sound a stark luminosity.

The band does carry a strong post-shoegaze influence, but only in spirit, as they prefer to construct gentle soundscapes that waft beneath a powerful anthemic thrust. Not to mention that they fully embrace clarity over dissonance, carefully considering each and every element they introduce as if detailing a floral portrait with a fine paint brush. Vocalists Crystal Napoles and Austin Knecht compliment each other with careful precision, carefully considering every verse with a harmonic naturality reminiscent of turn-of-the-century darlings Stars during their guitar pop phase. It proves that though they openly doubt their instinctual urges, the band couldn’t be any more in control of their songcraft. – Juan Rodriguez

Something I Can’t Control is out now on all digital outlets. 

The end of the summer can be a crushingly difficult time when you’re young. Instead of clinging on to those sweet memories, the more likely scenario is that a separation will ensue because, well, real life gets in the way. Reminsicing is simply not enough, but in the case of synth pop duo Howls, they want to rekindle those meaningful, though fleeting, moments on their latest single "Krusht". Laced with frosty synths and a cold, throbbing drum beat, the duo shed light on what happened to these two former lovers in the form of a story in miniature. The details are scarce but precise, enough to conclude that it ultimately leads to a sad ending. 

"Krusht" is featured on Howl’s forthcoming EP Come On, which is due out on October 23rd via Buddyhead Records. – Juan Rodríguez