Cancer is the official debut EP from punk quartet MINT. Meshing sincere observations with a snarky, sarcastic edge, the band creates a ramped-up, rowdy, infectious energy. Unapologetically in your face, the tracks push back against the status quo, while retaining a resilient, upbeat tone. The album was also recorded, mixed, and mastered by Wherever Audio’s Kyle Gilbride.

Warmer weather is on the horizon, and not so coincidentally, The Tough Shits have come out of recording hibernation with a new record, Burning In Paradise, out via Burger Records. The album captures a joyful, slow-burning, late-night, spring/summer aesthetic. They are melodic, sweaty, nostalgic songs that demand one to sing along with a sense of community; however, the tracks also fire on all cylinders with the undeniable ability to stomp and shred. You now have time to learn some lyrics for the band’s upcoming performance at Johnny Brenda’s on Monday, June 24 with Daddy Long Legs.

tv.ant.race, the forthcoming album from Cocordion, is scheduled to arrive on May 3, and the noise-pop trio recently shared its lead single “Body”. The song embodies a celestial cathedral of sound within intimate confines. It has a confessional yet warped dynamic – bedroom pop from futuristic, space-age chambers. You can catch Cocordion at Anthorna Gallery on Monday, April 1 as part of a lineup that also includes fellow locals Magnetic The Shaman, Moon-Liters/Millennium Development Goals, and Gash.

Ruminating in the grim shadows, unfiltered emotions are released with Collected; the new LP from Philly’s Callow hits at the core. Pressing the pedal to the floor, these tracks capture a jarring intensity that builds in quick, effective bursts. This unrelenting collection songs features recordings from throughout the band’s discography, along with unreleased "Tomorrow Is Ours" and "Callow". Collected is available on cassette and for streaming/download via local punk/hardcore label Hydrogen Man Records.

Krust Toons: "This Isn’t a Coffee Table!" 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.

Merge Records’s Ex Hex will be rolling into next Wednesday, April 3 at Union Transfer. Mary Timony (Helium, Wild Flag) and company will be in town in support of their latest LP It’s Real, the follow-up to 2014’s critically-acclaimed Rips. They’ll also be joined by tourmates Moaning and Philly’s own The Smarthearts. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "It’s Really Real". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Wyndwood recently shared its new full-length album Defense. The LP couples earnest, exposed vocals and lyricism with a contagious energy. “T.U.F. (Trust Ur Friends)” captures the ache of being let down and making the difficult decision to move on, cutting someone out of your life. Composed yet vulnerable vocals dig their nails into your skin as the instrumentation reaches a tumultuous yet cathartic peak. Featuring Abi Reimold on backing vocals, the song exhibits the emotive force of heartbreak and the strength needed to step away. (Photo by Abi Reimold)

This Saturday night, Underground Arts will play host to Lizedelise’s belated album release celebration for Holy Matrimony, The Deli Philly’s March Record of the Month. A graceful, internal monologue of thoughts meets the external instrumental realization of emotion in the band’s complex, cathartic contemplations. Those bright, buoyant tones are contrasted by the thundercrack of reality, balancing the hypnotic and the heavy. They’ll be supported by the at ease, ethereal, melodic folk-pop of Strawberry Runners. Madeline Rafter (Sieve, formerly of The Original Crooks and Nannies) will also be taking the stage with material from her project Snake Boy Gang, melding genuine, observational lyricism with playfully scattered instrumental backdrops creating a poignant, personal, pop sound. The evening is presented by House Cat & The Key, as part of The House Key Showcase, and is sponsored by Founders Brewing Co. – Michael Colavita

More places where you can escape March Madness this weekend…

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Lizdelise (Album Release), Strawberry Runners, Snake Boy Gang

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Philly Loves De La Soul: DJ Mike Nyce

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI TRL Dance Party: DJ Dame Luz, SAT Catbite/Fame Lust, SUN Moons

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Karaoke Gung Show

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Jermaine Dolly

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) AllegrA (Record Release), Beach Bod, Boosegumps

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Heavensake, SAT Spinechain, Rollin Loaded, Disaster Committee, Tough Shit, SUN Project 3², Menace Of The Canvas, Theory of a King, As Annie Falls

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Jurks, The Valets, SUN Sad Actor

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Westboro Baptist Choir

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Joey Stix, Dahi Divine, Ty Lemar, SAT Rosu Lup, The Lunar Year, SUN Birthday Boy

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy (Adult Program Gig), SUN Paul Green Rock Academy (Adult Program Gig)/Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Blackjack Rose, Dave Cope, South on Sunday

The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT The Becoming (A NIN Tribute), Lust For Nothing

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI The Stone Eye, Adder, Kingsnake, Double Planet, SAT King Slender (Tape Release), Iffy, Cocordion, Oh, Are They?

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Agent Zero, Shapesift, TheBusiness, BITSKY

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SUN WEPA! Latinx Burlesque

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Apple Juice Jones, Aquatic Ape Theory, Kingsound Vibration, SAT Kissing the Klepto, Dune Puma, Merit, Moment to Capitalize, Jac w/No K

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Darla, SUN Whiskeyhickon Boys, Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise 

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Wax Wav, Party Muscles

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SAT Camp Candle, Gender Work, Computer Dating

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Broke Body, Kelsey Cork and the Swigs, The Russells, SAT CVGES, SUN Paul Harrold and the Winston Churchills, Lucky House

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Bleary Eyed, Kenduskeg, SUN So Totally

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) SAT Cyber G

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Screamcloud, Blushed, Sleepy Freak

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Internal Rhyme, OG Juan Shinobi

Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Coping Skills, Absinthe Father, Bleary Eyed

Okay is the forthcoming EP from Grant Pavol, and will be released on cassette on May 17 via Shamir’s fledgling indie label Accidental Popstar Records. Today, we have received a sampling of the release, with its lead single,  “Vintage Clothes”. An acoustic guitar helps to set the folk scene. There is a sense of being a fly on the wall as a connection is almost made. Learning as the moments go by, the track captures an evolving, perceptive perspective. An unguarded honesty makes the song pensively powerful.

In advance of their forthcoming album Genie, due out on April 1, Mumblr recently shared a video for their new single “Game Show”.  Transported to the sets of some classic TV shows, the song delicately opens up lyrically, with its protagonist’s apprehension over answering. Exploring the idea of missed opportunities and the domino effect/vicious cycle of depression, the song works to keep its cool before some much-appreciated rock ensues. Unfortunately, it sounds like this next album might be the end of the road for the Philly quartet, who shared this message along with the video.

It has been a fun ride sharing good and better and best times with beautiful people across this North American continent.

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Make sure to always boof your LSD with help from a good friend or a worst enemy!

A most sincere thank you to all the folks who have helped us over the years, whether it was a place to play, or a place to stay, or a shoulder to lean on, or spending time being open with each other about emotions in these years of tumult over a meal. May the greater order and chaos of the universe shine upon you all. It’s been fun!

Feel, the new release from Pepto Abysmal, is for those who are missing the brilliantly macabre songwriting stylings of Pill Friends‘s Ryan Wilson (like we are – RIP). Tapping into one’s inner workings, an endearing, raw vulnerability is revealed in these brutally honest bedroom recordings. The ability to create relatable, poignant lyrics from such a unique viewpoint is a rare gift.

Shit is the debut EP from punk outfit Eat. There’s a lax yet feverish energy emanating from these lo-fi recordings. The tracks loosely fit together as the lyrical fragments spill into the brooding, frenetic instrumentation. These disjointed but mesmerizing snippets shine the light on a promising, new Philly act, if only for a fleeting moment or two. (Photo by Keith DeBottis)