Chameleonic post-punk band Corners are about to embark on a national tour, beginning with a hometown show at The Echo on February 10. The Echo Park four piece are currently promoting their second full-lengnth Maxed Out Distractions, a set of nine tracks that find a steady balance between skuzzy garage rock and chilly new wave.

Forgiveness is a tough, hard process. It can be both liberating and excrutiating, and synth-pop duo OOFJ make sure to apply a dramatic angle to the term with their expansive new single "I Forgive You". The Danish/South Africa transplants’ latest opens with a swathe of luscious strings and trickling sound bytes, which abruptly descend into a disquieting pause as singer Katherine Mills-Rymer softly coos with cold detachment, "I forgive you/ like I’m supposed to". We’re never quite sure who or what she’s referring to — quiet submission or bold acquiensence — its thorny ambivalence a sign of something that’s about to happen even if we’re not supposed to find out. 

"I Forgive You" is the first reveal off the duo’s upcoming full-length release Acute Feast, which is slated for an April 21 release through Ring The Alarm/Fake Diamond.

Alt-rockers Dronen are prepping up for the release of their latest EP, 284 Days, a smoldering five tracks that serve as a re-introduction to the band after the release of 2013’s Digital Pathways (Analog Pathogens). The band’s brawny, muscular sound is best shown in first single "Lights Out", which has the hallmarks of a classic rock track with its roaring, clean guitars and uniform rhythm section set against singer Daniel Olivas’s powerful vibrato. 284 Days has an official release date of February 3, and make sure to catch them play at Proof Bar in Santa Ana on February 8.

Set to drop February 24th of this year, The Black Ryder has decided to self-release their newest and upcoming album The Door Behind The Door. After roaring reviews and positive vibes from press and fans with their 2009 album Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride, duo Aimee Nash and Von Ryper are bringing new textures, an organic drive and earthy melodies to contract a new, personal connection to the music. Lucky for us, two singles have been pre-released for our enjoyment, including ‘Seventh Moon’ and ‘Santaria’. “Seventh Moon’ is a dreamy combination of Nash’s sensual, relaxing voice and Von Ryper’s loaded chords and mellow, effortless flow, creating a creepy form of psychedelic rock. The Black Ryder is best paired with a dark room, scentless candles, Dragon’s Blood incence and a bottle of red wine. Enjoy irresponsibly. – Kayla Hay

Alternative rock band Rosechild are prepping up for the official release of their debut EP Remedies, a warm and organic three tracks with a slight psychedelic bend to them. Lead by the evocative vocals of Haile Meirow, the EP is forceful yet tactful, hard-edged mid-tempo songs that pulse with a slight dissonant edge surrounded by ambling guitar textures. You can listen to the entirely of Remedies on their soundcloud page. 

The rock n’ roll potpourri of singer/songwriter Jordan Corso, known in band form as Cotillon, follows crisp, precise song forms built in a classic pop template. Recorded with Chet "JR" White of GIRLS fame, Corso’s debut full-length effort was written after taking a brief hiatus from promoting his very well-received EP White Roses. Cotillon will be released via Burger Records on January 26. You can now listen to the whole thing over at Spin.

Fresh out of the release of their latest full-length, Lost Thoughts, jangly dream pop band Cre.scen.do are bringing their wispy, ramshackle songs to El Cid on January 24. Theirs is a sound that snugs tightly between Slumberland and Labrador Records, boasting fuzzed-out production elements, laconic vocals reminiscent of The Radio Dept. and suitably melancholic, though never mopey, lyrics that leave an indelible mark on the soul. The self-released Lost Thoughts is out now, and can be found on various digital music platforms as well as on their official website.

After having a breakthrough year with their debut full-length Ganglion Reef, psych rock wizards Wand are showing no signs of stopping. The band has just announced a new full-length, Golem, and judging by pulverizing first single "Self Hypnosis in 3 Days" it promises a mighty feast of heavily layered fuzz and sludgy rhythm guitars. They’ve also announced a string of tour dates in the spring, which includes a stop at the Echo on March 13th. Golem will be released on March 17 via In The Red Records. 

Flashy indie rock group Jag Sun’s newest single, "Modern Dinosaur", adds flare to their already blooming sound. With solid story telling executed by guitarist Talip Peshkepia, Jon Bradley killin’ it on the drums and Robbie Gullage rippin’ on the bass, the trio puts vintage dinosaurs to rest. Monumental guitar strums and dramatic drum hits bring the song together, sweeping the ground with its infectious melodies. A blissful kind of pop, if you will. – Kayla Hay

The latest track by duo We Are The West, "Regards", couldn’t be more apropos for this holiday season. The tender, meditative track by members Brett Hool and John Kibler appears on their latest EP of the same name,  which is composed of three tracks that are meant to be a "thank you" to their fans as they continue to work on their continuing four part album series.

Psych pop marauders Drinking Flowers know their way around a chorus that sticks, one that whirrs on and on as the quartet performs with a nonchalance that points at their unfettered rhythmic sensibilities. Stoic it isn’t, though, and what makes "Pop Underground" such an earworm is how those ringing guitars and massed vocals carry forward an almost entrancing thrust. It all culminates into a very satisfying coda with a swagger that’s nothing more than pure, unsullied rock n’ roll. The track comes off their latest EP Shadow Show, which was recently released through Lollipop Records. 

Post-rock outfit Whale Fall are set to officially release their second full-length The Madrean next month, a fully instrumental recording with a cinematic feel that conveys a quiet intensity in its sheer scope. This is music to get lost to, boasting a guitar-oriented sound accentuated with horn parts that patiently build up without resorting to any cheap cathartic moments. The Madrean is meant to be listened to from beginning to end, as its eight tracks pay homage to the Madrean region of North America. The album can be streamed in its entirety on their bandcamp page.