The fragile sadness of Instupendo’s “Homme” (featuring Benny Sings) is reinforced by the graceful black & white imagery of its video. Director James Rönkkö captures natural beauty and love, while demonstrating the existential crisis of heartache and loss. And while the song’s delicate tone suggests an in the moment appreciation, the music video’s narrative dramatically reflects.

Grant Pavol just released his debut EP Important Videos. Its introductory cut, “DJ (Natural Sciences Jam)," jumps from an oddly intense scenario into the rambunctious bounce of rhythmic power chords. The straight-ahead, momentous climb of the vocals cruises into a valley, before the guitar sprints toward the song’s peak, dissolving with exhaustion.

Sami Rahman, a.k.a. Mattress Food, recently dropped his "new" album, Cryola!. Faling in a lo-fi, bedroom-folk proximity with soaring/warping psych elements peppered in places, the collection of songs initially sounds simple, but negotiates intriguing territory. A largely familiar acoustic strumming backdrop is slightly shaken off its personal axis. Rahman shared, "So these songs have been kicking around my hard-drive for a few years, and I would like SOMEONE to hear them before, inevitably, my death." Please grant a dying man his final request. 😉

The Stammer channel the late, great Lou Reed on their new single, “In Which We Burn”. Featured on their forthcoming album Face In Peril (due out August 12), the song utilizes controlled bursts, distancing itself from the pain of the past. The volatile guitar/bass/drums combination breaks/tears away from the somber synth in search of a fresh start. The quartet will be at Ortlieb’s on the evening of the record’s release, where they’ll be joined by Summer Scouts, Last Full Measure, and Parrot Dream.

West, the forthcoming EP from Ivy Sole, will be released on July 26. Its lead single, “Rooftop,” sets up a soulful, mellow beat before moonlight reflects on the victims of police brutality and the ongoing devastation it causes. While exhibiting a concisely sharp sense of lyricism, the track shares the significance of societal concerns in normalizing tragic injustices . There is strength amid the sadness and a desire for change. Ivy Sole will be performing at MilkBoy on August 30 as part of The Key Philly Music showcase.

Krust Toons: "’Stop." by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

It’s been over four years since A Stick and A Stone‘s last release Night Vision and debut Opal Nightly (which is way too long, in our honest opinion). But thankfully, the project’s mastermind, transgender singer-songwriter Elliott Harvey, has returned, with a partner in crime in viola player Myles Donovan (Disemballerina, Negative Queen, Ominous Cloud Ensemble), for their hauntingly captivating new album The Long Lost Art of Getting Lost, an apt title for the ethereal headspace and otherwordly places that the duo takes us during this seven-song journey, which is now available via Sentient Ruin (US vinyl/tape), Cold (EU vinyl), Breathe Plastic (EU tape), and Sprit House (CD). You can also stream the EP below, and catch A Stick and A Stone live in Philly tomorrow night at Panorama Art Studio with Nothern Liberties, Voyager, and Jesse Sparhawk.

Madalean Gauze recently unveiled her new album Cool and Fun. Tonight, Johnny Brenda’s hosts a performance marking the occasion. On the six-song EP, Gauze embarks on a personal journey, exhibiting a centered, commanding presence, maintaining the course, even while the skies dramatically shift in appearance, foreshadowing twisting winds and unforgiving precipitation. While those surroundings could be thrown into a vortex at any moment, a playful but unwavering confidence continues to step forward. The beguiling sonic potions of Haunted Homes and the catchy but seriously shaded Americana of American Trappist (performing an acoustic set) will help set the tone for the evening. – Michael Colavita

More places to bake this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Madalean Gauze (Album Release) Haunted Homes, American Trappist

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Magic Deal, Amanda X, SAT Commonwealth Choir, Selfhelpme

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Goat Wizard, The Age of Truth, Anthrophobia/Adam East/Philly Soul Sydicate, SAT Archive/Fully Glazed/Fame Lust/Night Sweats, SUN Them Jones, Vinnie Paolizzi/Son & Heir, Full Bush, Science Club

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Narcos, Dark Web, SUN Pube

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Ben Arnold, Travel Lanes, Cookie Rabinowitz, SAT Taiwan Housing Project

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Andrea Valle , Schilly, Sleepy Dah, Charley Coin, Ronnie Riggles, Anyee Wright, SAT FV, Snakeboy

TLA (334 South St.) FRI The Whiskeyhickon Boys

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Promise of Redemption

Electric Factory (421 N. 7^th St.)

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Flannel, SUN Volteque, Keely Sibilia, Dana K Fiero

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Science Club, The Retinas, The Dispersions, SAT The Stone Eye, SUN Slenko & McKeys, Wild Dust, The Russells, Automatic Colors

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) SAT Lady HD

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Disgruntled Sherpa Project, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Space Pizza, Wyldflowers, Worst Ones, Blushed, SAT Seeing Snakes, Molly Rhythm, The Ray Gradys, Lamplighters, The Mad Splatter, Riverside Odds, Mid Rats, Teenage Bigfoot, Victory Boy

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Moral Support, SAT Left to Vanish, Collider, Gloves Off

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Fractals, SAT Dr. Beardface & The Spacemen, Elwood James Band

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Fallible Being, SAT No One You Know

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Nik Greeley & The Operators

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Burnt Sienna

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Radiator Hospital (Solo), Joe Jack Talcum, SAT No Thank You, Harmony Woods

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Iona Lake, Truant Minds, Vanderlyle/Egocentric Plastic Men, Pretty Words, Mike Muli, SUN Who Loves You, Tombo Crush, Lester/Career Crooks, Manikineter, The Hell Hole Store

Bond Villain (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Driftwood Soldier

All Night Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Twelve Gardens, Hello Shark

Little Italy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Coping Skills, Vivian K

Tangerine Motors, a.k.a. Joseph Miles, just dropped his debut self-titled EP; the six-song selection was "bred from a hot Philadelphia summer and a mountain of self-revelation," and produced by Brian Dale Allen Strouse (of The Lawsuits). Stepping out from the saloon shadows, “Pink Lemonade” carries an alluring air of dangerous intensity. The album opener is caught between a swaying street stroll and moments of semi-ragged urgency. (Photo by Hope Helmuth)

Amid Independence Day celebrations earlier this month, the Cloth released their new EP Going to Vomit. Shrouded in the brutal darkness of unforgiving grunge-noise-metal tones, a despairing/tormented voice echoes personal pain. Raw, emotive-laced energy rises to the surface in grim potency that one just can’t shake.

Mountain, the forthcoming release from Missoula transplant Cooper Hepburn, a.k.a. Melon Painting, is scheduled for arrival on October 1, courtesy of HOYA Recordings and Diet Pop. “Dog Walker” meanders in a loose but locked in folk groove, backend-anchored with a sprinkling of keys and guitar sprints. With a feel akin to Hello Shark, a semi-spoken, personal narrative anectdotally recalls before switching gears from a passive, sleepwalking recollection to a proactive push, with accompanying instrumental exclamations.

“Becca’s Jam,” the latest single from hip-hop collective Hardwork Movement, which was produced by Weathervane Music, negotiates a narrative of love from multiple perspectives. A through line of percussion steadies the course as currents of electrified keys and trumpet create a break in the clouds. The storytelling baton is seamlessly passed in a hopeful desire to maintain a deep connection. Paired with Strange Parts, Hardwork Movement will be braving the heat, and performing this evening as part of Spruce Street Harbor’s Waterfront Sessions.