Philly’s own Curtis Cooper has a new album coming out on June 3, titled Graceful, and you can now listen to its lead single, "Breathe Out," below. The song lyrically depicts how tension and anxiety tend to build and weigh us down. That compounding effect is countered by the bright, jangly guitar and percussive patterns. Then, the warm, vocal harmony relieves in an airy, uplifting manner as the recording opens up. That ability to create complex, vivid imagery and sound, while retaining a personal connection easily grabs one’s attention and makes Cooper’s next release something to look forward to.

A new video for Void Vision‘s "Body Says" has arrived. The lead single, featured on Shari Vari’s forthcoming album The Other, is due out later this year via Mannequin Records. Directed by Hanna Hamilton & Floor Eleven, a quartet of white-coated, vampire-esque individuals are onlookers to a bit of tantalizing entertainment. A hypnotic, danceable darkness consumes as a whole lotta freakiness falls under the spell of the music.

"A claustrophobic ode to physical and mental confines. Dark voguing, undulating bodies, DIY surgery and the increasing sensory stimulation compels the demonic watchers to become ravenous and bloodthirsty."

THE N**** IN ME IS ME, the forthcoming album from Soul Glo, is slated to arrive on June 7 via SRA Records. Its opening track, “22,” barrels forward at a frenetic clip, releasing thoughtful lyricism in a raw, eruptive form. That avalanche of free-flowing vocals and unabashed instrumentation cultivates a quick, impactful punch. You’ll be able to feel the sting in-person, when the band performs at Break Free Fest, which will be taking place from May 25-27 at The Rotunda. (Photo by Luke Mouradian)

Omni MC, Teef, & E1 Beats have combined forces on their latest release, Da Vida. A silky combination of beats & wordplay glide effortlessly in unison. It’s an intimate R&B/hip-hop merger – one that skillfully weaves layers of sonics from the complementing genres. You can find Teef performing next in Philly as part of The Fishtown Getdown on Saturday, June 22 at NKCDC Garden Center.

The quartet of Mickey Cake recently shared a new single, “Like Medicine,” via Bandit Susan Record Label. The song is rather comforting composition with its casual, strolling pace. The vocals provide a serene effect, while also making a plea/request. What you find is a sweet, little ditty to help cure your mid-week blues. Mickey Cake will be holding an in-store performance this Saturday, May 18 at Main Street Music.

Chris, the debut LP from Big Nothing, is out now via Salinas Records. Momentously-composed, melodic pop-punk taps into emotive elements, whilst exhibiting contagious energy. A casual, uninhibited, lyrical approach creates relatable access points and the makings of live anthems. You can catch the Philly quartet at PhilaMOCA on Tuesday, May 21 with Radiator Hospital, Swanning, and Cherry.

"Video" is the new single from Random Carbon, a.k.a. Benjamin Manglos. It captures an air of 80’s nostalgia as the baritone vocals recall memories, illuminated by glimmering synth. One tends to remember past events through an idealistic lens when trying to avoid or escape the present. With the knowledge that the future bestows, what would happen if you could go back?

Chromatics are currently on their first tour in over 5 years. Dubbed the Double Exposure tour, the band also plans to feature footage directed by bandmate/producer Johnny Jewel. The audio-visual experience will be coming to Philly this Sunday, May 19 at Union Transfer, with support from Italians Do It Better labelmates Desire & In Mirrors. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line: "What Ever Happened to Dear Tommy?" Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Krust Toons: "Band Moms" 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.

We Could Have Been Anywhere, the new release from Lester, occupies a cozy, mercurial dynamic. As though rocketing through space with a clear singular focus, while the tumultuous nature of the outside world occurs within sight, these songs have an allaying effect. Uniting vulnerable vocals with volatile instrumentation, the band creates an ebb and flow that pulls you in and then pushes you away. It’s heavy, and it still feels like home. (Photo by Kevin Riley)

Spring is in full bloom, and that means a day of music and BBQing is in order. This Saturday, the Haus of Yarga will be hosting its BBYQ (where vegan options will be available as well). Fourteen acts are slated to appear at the annual event that will be starting in the early afternoon. The brutal, blitzing punk of Dialer will roar and menacingly rip, integrating synth & saxophone. Trash Knife will also immediately jump into high gear, sprinting in a tenaciously catchy, shredding circumstance. Unleashing a subdued slacker vibe that can ramp up in a moment’s notice, while escalating into heavier, fuzz-forward tones, the trio of Apt A weaves between genres as internalized monologues are released to the outside world. John Galm, a.k.a. Bad Heaven LTD, will deliver some mesmerizing folk that wraps you in its spellbinding words as the instruments comfortably warp around you. And to add yet another layer of intrigue, Shamir is also listed as a special guest. – Michael Colavita

More places where you can enjoy this spring weekend…

Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT BBYQ: Dialer, Das Alpaca, Gait, Zyme, Trash Knife, Apt A, Drift, Copley Woods, Chava, Huey the Cosmonaut, Eat, Bad Heaven Ltd., Shamir

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Shannen Moser, SAT Shannen Moser, SUN Girls Rock Philly: Spring 2019 ARC Showcase

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Among Criminals/Fame Lust, SAT Grimace Federation/Riot Nerd: TRL Dance Party, SUN Gibbous Moon, Brick Nova, Girl Science

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI The Ire

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Stephen Maglio, SAT Travel Lanes

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Strand Of Oaks 

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT The Last Gasp A Zombie Dance Party: DJ Dave Ghoul, DJ Kiltboy 

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Balance & Composure

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz, SAT (Upstairs) Nothing Wrong, Open Hand

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Mojo Machine, Kitty Rotten, The Tone Bandits, SAT HypeCity Presents: #511Show 

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Dry Reef, Cookie Rabinowitz, Apple Juice Jones, SAT Tom Mackell (EP Release), The Naked Sun, Ami Yares

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Lady HD, Kingsley Ibeneche, Kirby Sybert, SAT Hotbed, Joe Harkanson

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Dominy/The Cheddar Boys, Dogs On Main Street/Transmission, SAT The Shakedown: Rob Paine, Willyum, SUN Worst Ones, Desert Hands

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) SAT LUNCH, The Smoking Lightbulb, SUN Reece Ratliff, Jason Ager, Meghan Cary

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Fallible Being (EP Release Show), Wormtooth, SAT BrainFest 2019: Kahlil Ali, Full Bush, Babe Grenade, Alright Junior, Vilebred, Dear Forbidden, The Good Mess, JAY SKULL IN SPADES, School of Rock Philadelphia, Andorra, Built From Chaos

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Blessed Muthas, Instant Smile, The Barren Marys, SAT Lust for Nothing, DJ Archangel Angelo

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Tile, Body Spray, Desperate Living, Hover, SAT Toxic Malt

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Royale, SUN Wepa! An All Latinx Burlesque Showcase

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Barker Brothers, Tyler Sensenig, SAT My Familiar, Jac with No K, Blackjack Rose

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute, Minka

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN One Step Closer

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hurry, Gladie

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI  ialive, Torito 

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI XL, Lame Brains

Gay Baby Jail (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mechanical Canine, Puppy Angst, Faucet, SAT Godcaster, Tall Child, Diaphane, Sad Sinderella

Brewerytown Living Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Holy Gifts, Elaine Rasnake

Cousin Danny’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Sour Spirit

 

Radiator Hospital returns to a stripped-down, intimate sound on its latest release, Sings "Music for Daydreaming", which just dropped today via Salinas Records. Graceful melodies roll and bounce in an easy-going manner as the endearing nature of the lyrics strikes an exposed, relatable chord. The band is set to hold its record release celebration on Tuesday, May 21 at PhilaMOCA, supported by Cherry, Swanning, and Big Nothing.