This year’s Deli Philly Best Emerging Artist in Indie Rock, The Retinas, will headline a three-layered billing of Philly up-and-comers this Saturday at Ortlieb’s. Fuzzy, humid garage-punk permeates, as the loose, hazed-over relatability ricochets between the band and its audience. While employing a casual air, revealing lyricism invites you in. Then, those simmering, suburban storyboards reach a tipping point and scorch. Melding rubber-burning, fuzz-filtered fury with relaxed, melodic grooves, Tangiers zigzags the threshold of intensity, while relative newcomers, Lally, exhibit an inherently gritty, infectious batch of rock.

Also, this Sunday at the NoLibs watering hole, the adventurous psych/jazz guitar exploits of Nick Millevoi tear into the  underexplored, aided on the billing by the perception-altering, sonic-wanderings of Chicago trio Mako Sico and the ever-evolving, investigative musicality of Jeff Zeigler. – Michael Colavita

As one prepares to head out this evening, the electro-percussive grooves of Camp Candle can provide the score for your nocturnal activities. The duo just released their EP Lights… via LA-based label Manimal Vinyl Records. Captivating vocals and sleek synth merge, setting things off for the three-song collection, which you can stream below. Camp Candle will also be performing this Sunday, May 21 at The Fire with Andre Altrez and Meganoke. (Photo by Darien Virgo)

We’ve been posting our favorites from the slew of eclectic tracks released by prolific Philly singer-songwriter and former Deli Philly Artist of the Year, Alex Giannascoli [formerly Alex G and now (Sandy) Alex G]. Well, his new, highly anticipated LP Rocket is out now via Domino, and we are absolutely psyched to share it with you. It’s a captivating showcase of his songwriting talents, and we have no doubt that the album will be introducing him to a much wider audience in the near future. So kickstart your weekend off right by pressing "play" below, and don’t miss his summer tour closer at Union Transfer on Saturday, July 8 with Japanese Breakfast and Cende!

Nightlands, a.k.a. Dave Hartley (The War on Drugs), recently released a new album, I Can Feel the Night Around Me, via Western Vinyl. Cruising through the streets with a behind-the-wheel and then an overhead, coastal viewpoint, the video for “You’re Silver," which was co-directed by Daniel Fox and Matthew Marchlewski, captures the smooth intensity of the surrounding environment. Soothing, soulful vocals layer as the gentle, gliding groove coasts those harmonies into gear. Nightlands will headline a bill on Saturday, May 27 at Johnny Brenda’s, and will be supported by The Dove & The Wolf and The Building. 

Surprise Time, the forthcoming sophomore album from Tinmouth, is scheduled to arrive on June 2. Set into percussive motion, “Get Over It” is the melodically-sustained tale of maintaining the will to fight, despite consistent losses. While the message is delivered with a self-assured, positive confidence, the harshness of reality still smacks down. Ortlieb’s will host Tinmouth’s record release show on Friday, June 2 with Secret Nudist Friends, Little Kicks, and Journalism. 

The music video for “Make It Her, Forever” by The Orange Drop may have slipped under our radar initially. However, now that it’s in full-view, we can’t look away. Featured on Stoned In Love (available via Mega Dodo), the video drills deep into a heady kaleidoscope. You can get lost in the vibes this Sunday, May 22 at Bourbon & Branch, where they’ll be joined by Doug Tuttle and Lina Tullgren. 

Katie Bennett (Free Cake For Every Creature) and Lincoln Halloran (Hello Shark) welcomed the folks at Swell Tone into their apartment for a session. Covering Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One,” the pair performs a bare, acoustic rendition on the couch. Honing in on harmony, the duo unlocks the song’s emotive qualities. You can catch Free Cake For Every Creature when they kick off their tour with Adult Mom on Wednesday, May 31 at Everybody Hits, as part of lineup that also includes Boosegumps and Emily Yacina. 

Swells is the full-length debut from Work Drugs‘s Thomas Crystal, and will be officially released on May 19. Soaking in the sunshine and sea breeze, one is whimsically transported onto an island or beach setting. However, while situated in those favorable conditions, the collection lyrically describes emotive tales of love and loss. Step into the cool evening sand, and reflect in the smooth wave.

F​/​V Hope, the forthcoming EP from Friendship, will be released via Sleeper Records on May 27. Dusty drums and shimmering, subtle string work set the tone of “Rich Man,” as Dan Wriggins’s guttural bellow describes the discourse of catching up with friends/family, and the powerful positive imprint that they have on our lives. Abi Reimold joins in creating a momentous, uplifting, harmony-fueled conclusion. On Saturday, May 27, All Nite Diner hosts Friendship’s EP release show, which also includes Naps.

F​/​V Hope, the forthcoming EP from Friendship, will be released via Sleeper Records on May 27. Dusty drums and shimmering, subtle string work set the tone of “Rich Man,” as Dan Wriggins’s guttural bellow describes the discourse of catching up with friends/family, and the powerful positive imprint that they have on our lives. Abi Reimold joins in creating a momentous, uplifting, harmony-fueled conclusion. On Saturday, May 27, All Nite Diner hosts Friendship’s EP release show, which also includes Naps.

F​/​V Hope, the forthcoming EP from Friendship, will be released via Sleeper Records on May 27. Dusty drums and shimmering, subtle string work set the tone of “Rich Man,” as Dan Wriggins’s guttural bellow describes the discourse of catching up with friends/family, and the powerful positive imprint that they have on our lives. Abi Reimold joins in creating a momentous, uplifting, harmony-fueled conclusion. On Saturday, May 27, All Nite Diner hosts Friendship’s EP release show, which also includes Naps.

F​/​V Hope, the forthcoming EP from Friendship, will be released via Sleeper Records on May 27. Dusty drums and shimmering, subtle string work set the tone of “Rich Man,” as Dan Wriggins’s guttural bellow describes the discourse of catching up with friends/family, and the powerful positive imprint that they have on our lives. Abi Reimold joins in creating a momentous, uplifting, harmony-fueled conclusion. On Saturday, May 27, All Nite Diner hosts Friendship’s EP release show, which also includes Naps.