Philly quartet Mumblr appears to have released its swan song, Genie. The band continues to create a diverse, intriguing sound. Expressing vulnerability and volatility, these songs engage with their melodic yet menacing/fragile/frenetic/funky tones. Casual, observational lyricism makes quick, gravitational shifts, instilling urgency. Ranging from calm to crushing, there’s a poetic, unabashed strength that leaves a lasting impression. Thanks for being original and kicking ass, fellas!

in the shape of…, the forthcoming album from So Totally, is scheduled to arrive on May 3, and the band recently shared its lead single “Pluto”. An initial, luminous glide creates a sense of lightness that gradually gives way to the afterburners of murkier fuzz. There is a relatable outlook within the spacey, shoegazing framework – one of feeling temporarily lost and out of sorts among your peers, while wanting the comfort of attention as you drift off. (Photo by Jeff David Beardsmith)

The quartet of Boon recently released its latest album All of Us Laughing, which is available on cassette via Glass Orchard Records. Waves of vocals refreshingly wash over you as pensive arrangements negotiate space, forming intriguing sonic shapes. Floating through that heady atmosphere, the words appear to be transmitted in as the music swirls around it. Boon will be performing next in Philly on Saturday, April 13 at Gay Baby Jail with Mavis the Dog, Carinae, Mother Tongues, and Stoner Will & the Narks.

This Sunday, April 14, the ever-evolving of Montreal will be bringing White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood to the stage of Union Transfer. Kevin Barnes’s latest release is sonically influenced by 80s-style "extended dance remixes," while taking lyrical refuge from the varied works of Angela Davis, Noam Chomsky, Chris Kraus, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Mark E. Smith, and Malcolm X. Barnes will also be joined on the billing by fellow Athens tourmates/synthpop trio Yip Deceiver. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Simulated Reality". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Krust Toons: "What Stage Does John Cena Play?" 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.

Fledgling four-piece Eliza Bird recently shared a new single, “spoons, knives?”. Lyrically, the song expresses a desire to take a stand against those whom overlook and/or mistreat you. Wrapped in warm, delicate atmospherics that are accented by the soft moan of guitar, there’s an internalized tug of war between passively grinning and bearing or pulling no punches. It can be a struggle, weighing the potential results of action versus inaction and determining the best course to take, especially when dealing with the underlying theme of domestic abuse.

A soothing strangeness is created by experimental rockers Cerulean Blue.  At any given musical moment, the band appears to ride a chilled-out, melodic trajectory. And with a flip of a switch per se, a sort of aggression-releasing chaos ensues, or at least, the potential lies in wait. Those polarizing conditions keep listeners in a state of high alert. Tonight at the House of Yarga, Cerulean Blue will be sharing the billing with the floating-amid-the-clouds meets the jarring,  adrenaline-laced thunderclap of Sun Organ, as well as MA’AM. (Photo by Michelle Goodwin) – Michael Colavita

Other places to escape the chill this weekend…

Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Cerulean Blue, Sun Organ

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Ellen Siberian Tiger, SAT Scantron, SUN Max Swan

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Spelling Reform (Record Release Show), Buddie, TIOGA, SAT School Of Rock Philly presents: A Tribute to The Kinks/School Of Rock Philly presents: Arena Rock/Mo Lowda & the Humble

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Zilla Rocca/DJ Mike Shaffer, Skeleton Lipstick, SUN Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen, The Bad Larrys/Ulthar, Moros, Blood Spore

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Foxtrot & The Get Down, Brianna Judge, Great Time,Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Dame Luz

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia, SAT (Upstairs) Rachel Andie/(Downstairs) Ben Vaughn Quintet, Kenn Kweder

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The End A.D., Eyes of The Living, Empire Rock Club, SAT AscensionDrive, Effusion 35

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Mo Lowda and the Humble, Kirby Sybert, SAT Dark Thoughts, Rubber, SUN Deadfellow, Sock Revival

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI In Different Sounds, Travis J And The Rhinestones, SAT Archpalatine, Aquatic Ape Theory, Idle Kyle, Philadelphia

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Retroglyphs (EP Release), Vital Stats, All This Huxley, SAT Marielle Kraft

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Day, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Line Leader, Qwark

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof, SUN Honeygasm Sundays

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Punk Brunch with special guest Jo-Ann Rogan, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Rivers of Nihil, IATT, Burial In The Sky, SAT Emo Nite LA: DJ Sets from Matt & Michael from The Wonder Years and Amora

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) SAT Endless Taile

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Trap Rabbit, Somethin’ Divine, Montoj, Will Brown and the Jamboree Band, Nematode, SAT Naps Past Noon, The Savories (Album Release)

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Reef the Lost Cauze, Kuf Knotz, Boogieman Dela, SAT David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Brackish, No Thank You, SUN Taiwan Housing Project, Lightninging

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.)FRI Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Dune Puma, Rasan in the Heyday, SAT Cheer Up, Radish, Looser, SUN Dominick John Diglio, Douglas Ethan, Patrick McElroy, Michael J. Vitale

Jerry’s on Front (2341 N. Front St.) SUN Kiel Everett 

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI 2nd Grade, Torchiana, SUN No Option

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St) FRI IANN, AM!KA, SAT Face Plant

Pickle Rehearsal Space (5213 Grays Ave., Unit B14) FRI Twin Beds, Georgey V, SAT The Chairman Dances, Pepto Abysmal

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI dot.gov, SAT Adventure Lost, Tucker Hill, Sitting in Cars

Cousin Danny’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blueprint, Drowse

Super Wimpy HQ (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Knifeplay, +ID

The pairing of Chris Walker & Tim Gibbon, a.k.a. La Palma, recently shared its debut self-titled album. A bubbling, bouncy, psych-pop/surf vibe hangs in the humid air. The balance of low-key, laid-back melodies and adventurous instrumental combinations create a compelling/calming dynamic. Unassuming, infectious rhythms and harmonic vocal textures hypnotically draw you in.

Wanna find some music that has something to say? Let us introduce you to Covert Contracts (Get Better Records), the debut LP from Control Top. The album builds off bassist, singer and lyricist Ali Carter’s intrinsic response "to feeling trapped and overwhelmed in a capitalist patriarchy, offering indictments of wrongdoing and abuse of power, odes to empathy and ego death, as well as declarations of self-determination." Combined with the frenetic guitar work of Al Creedon (I Im Eye My, Bleeding Rainbow) and the manic drumming of Alex Lichtenauer (HIRS), the post-punk, power trio exorcises societal demons to create one of the most exciting releases to come from Philly’s underground music community this year. Control Top is currently on tour with Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers, and is scheduled to perform next in Philly on Saturday, May 18 at Franklin Music Hall, opening for The Hives + Refused. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)

The Whips recently dropped a new single, “I Wanna Love You (All the Time)”. A rumbling, rhythm & riff combo kickstarts the track, as an admission of affection is confessed in sweaty, garage-rock glory. The raunchy, for-all-seasons, in-all-conditions adoration is expressed, punctuated by a slick guitar solo. You can catch The Whips this coming Monday, April 8 at Ortlieb’s, where they’ll be opening for Tommy And The Commies as well as France’s Les Lullies.

Ahead of its official release on April 12 via No Quarter, All Time Present, the new album from Chris Forsyth, is available for streaming, courtesy of NPR’s First Listen. Setting sail on an adventurous path, a reeled-in, ruminating, atmosphere juxtaposes the searing, soaring, psych-rock peaks with pensive, instrumental valleys. A mythical, sonic story evolves over the long haul. Jerry’s on Front will be hosting a pair of record release shows on April 27 and 28 (the first of which is sold out), with the latter being supported by Cold Hands.

Including Travis Arterburn and Tom Anthony (both formerly of Clique), the quartet of Half Thought recently shared its self-titled debut. The track, “Script Revisted,” opens with a melancholy monologue as a delicate dusting of piano-led music plays and reinforces the mood. A rolling, exuberant tempo eventually grabs the wheel. Recognizing one’s temporary pitfalls/mistakes, the song’s protagonist appears ready to try again.