Victory Is Rated, the third studio album from Dark Blue, is out now via 12XU. The magnitude and discontent of the current state of affairs rings remarkably clear. With a jarring, marching heaviness and John Sharkey III’s booming controlled baritone cutting through in melancholy catharsis, these songs bring you to your feet, but it also makes you take step back and reevaluate. The record appears to address larger societal problems, while integrating them within a powerful, personal perspective. (Photo by Manny Dominguez Jr.)

A new single from Control Top’s highly-anticipated full-length debut, Covert Contracts (scheduled for release on April 5 via Get Better Records) has arrived. A fire-starting buzz instantly glows in the grimy, ripping “Chain Reaction.” Addressing the momentous avalanche of negativity and how it has rippling, personal affects, the track increases the hostility, and in a way, temporarily diffuses it. You can find the power trio on tour opening for Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers and Mercy Union, with a stop in Philly on Friday, April 19 at Underground Arts. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)

"The Sun Still Seems to Move," a new song from Philly singer-songwriter Shannen Moser, has arisen. The recording possesses a gentle, folk-country progression as Moser narrates in an earnest, emotive manner with raw, gripping beauty. Inserting a poem as vocals bounce and echo off each other, there’s a tender yet escalating tension that tears right through. You can catch Moser this Thursday, February 28, on a Home Outgrown Presents lineup at The Music Ward that also includes The Obsessives and Active Bird Community. (Photo by Vincent Sadonis)

Bridge Underwater recently shared its new self-titled full-length album. Breathe in the buoyant, bubbly, pop-rock sound. Velvety, seamless melodies and exacting, instrumental lines create a weightless sense of intimacy, as the synth and vocals wash over you. It’s delicate, dreamy and danceable – all at the same time.

The brilliant and always unpredictable Deerhunter will be gracing Union Transfer’s stage this Friday, March 1, presented by Drexel University’s WKDU 91.7FM. Bradford Cox and the gang will also be supported by Brooklyn sound sculptor Taja Cheek, a.k.a. L’Rain. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Krust Toons: "You Know Who I Don’t Trust?" 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.

This Time Next Year, the debut album from Kevin Connor, a.k.a. The Trust Fund Kids, is slated for release on March 15. Jumping out of the gates, "Loving You (Is Such A Waste of Time)" captures an exuberant, appreciative, yet simultaneously dejected lo-fi bedroom-rock sound. Taking in the scenic view, in snow covered suburbia, the footage has a familiar, neighborhood aesthetic. However, as one is taken around a path toward the video’s conclusion, an eerie clarity in the music plays out.

The 12th annual celebration of duos, better known as Two Piece Fest, will be taking place this Saturday, beginning in the afternoon and running through the evening at Everybody Hits. The pairing of Michael Cantor (The Goodbye Party) and Sam Cook-Parrott (Radiator Hospital) creatively connect as The Afterglows. In a manner, it seems rather natural; songwriting and singing peacefully, poignantly converge in their music. Radiating with earnest emotion, reinforced by finely threaded, fire-kindling harmonies, the two-piece is a fine example of how deft simplicity transmits over a large expanse. The Afterglows will be part of a diverse, locally loaded-lineup that also includes Drums Like Machine Guns, 7th Victim, Hermit High Priestess, Brown Rainbow, Camp Candle, Korine, and many more. So make a day of it, and catch some dynamic duos at Philly’s favorite batting cages/DIY venue. – Michael Colavita 

More tunes to fill your soul this weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Two Piece Fest: Peter&Craig, McGarnagle, Drums Like Machine Guns, Burnt Nurse, Hatchers, Hermit High Priestess, 7th Victim, The Afterglows, Sour Spirit, Camp Candle, Beloved Binge, Static Brothers, Brown Rainbow, Korine, Geb the Great Cackler, Petty Laugh, Hollywood Milk

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI David Vassalotti, SAT Philly Loves J Dilla

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Midnight Singers, Cowmuddy, Cabin Dogs, SUN Crying In Public, Kaytee Della Monica, Aster More

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Daeva/TRL Dance Party, SAT Ruby the Hatchet, Heavy Temple/Fame Lust, SUN Pravda, Ketosis, Vixen77/Internal Rhyme, OG Juan Shinobi, Digital Crates, Fresh Side Twins, Bran Bav, Aleasha Watson Mitchell, AP The Plan, The Mighty Farooq

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SAT Catbite/Webbed Wing

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Guests, SUN Maaly Raw, Astro 8000, Killsing

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN So Colloquial, Proper Dark, We’re From Antarctica, LaBella & Poole, Andrew Huston

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Philadelphia Funk Authority, SAT (Upstairs) Philly Gumbo, Badd Kitti/(Downstairs) Things Fall Apart 20 Year Celebration of The Roots Iconic Album: Ill Doots, Hardwork Movement, Chill Moody, Zeek Burse, Drusef, Emyne, SUN Kids Rock Philly: A Benefit for LiveConnections

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Three Chord Money, SAT Teenage Bigfoot, The Lot, Assemble, Brandish, SUN Snake Charmer, Last Minute Hero, Basic

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Frances Luke Accord, Rob Clancy 

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Brown Rainbow, People Eating Fruit, Laura, Laura, SAT Commonwealth Choir, Buddie, SUN Blood Sound, Line Leader

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Aybe, Teef, The Young King, Aquarius, SAT Holy Mountain, SUN Andross, Danger Club, Auburn Row, Goodnight/Goodluck

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Dj Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Eric Wortham II 

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT  Knightlife, Andorra, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI The Preps, Ramoms, Atomic Sky, SAT Battalion Zośka

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Brian Toll

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI P-Rents, Blackjack Rose, E. Joseph & The Sparrows, SAT Goodthief, SUN Babes of Bourbon & Branch Drag Brunch/Tetra

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI The Russells, Hover, Rowhome, SAT  TFD, Night Raids,  Atomic Cretins, No Gods

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Lust for Nothing, DJ Archangel Angelo

The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Party Line, SAT Plastic Club, Tamara Anderson

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT  Urban Guerilla Orchestra, SUN Countdown to Ecstasy

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI The Chairman Dances, Camera Thief, SAT Old Charades,  Heaven Man, Mat Burke, The Tisburys

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Kluster Phunk, SAT goldenSpiral

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI Tate, Fast Car Slow Car, Cory Paternoster, Lunch, SAT Love Your Friends Fest: Who Loves You, Coping Skills

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Kelsey Cork and the Swigs, Busy Bee Project, Too Dogs, Canine 10

Super Wimpy HQ (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Love Your Friends Fest: Patches and Pins, Tall Child

Gonesville (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Love Your Friends Fest: SOUL GLO, Tombo Crush, Fred Beans

Lyrical vulnerability meshes with silky beats in the recordings of Fruut, the latest moniker of Dani Mullen. There’s a graceful, anti-gravity quality to these electropop sounds. With the new album All About You, Mullen explores emotive-laced circumstances in songs whose experiences feel as though they’re being processed/lived through in real time. Intimately hypnotic, these tracks capture an endearing closeness.

Cali garage-psych provocateurs Ty Segall & White Fence (a.k.a. Tim Presley) will be making a tour stop in Philly this Tuesday, February 26 at Union Transfer. The WKDU presented showcase will also include Drag City labelmates Axis: Sova, who are currently on the road supporting the duo. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Joy". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

GREAT ( then after awhile, it didn’t mean anything to them), the new LP from Michul Kuun, a.k.a. NAH, is out now via Ranch Jams. There’s a brutal beauty in these recordings, as a chaotic concoction of sonic segments is blended. Unpredictable yet timely transitions create an intriguing, hyper-kinetic atmosphere. Weaving an array of textures into a unique, noise-threaded, sonic quilt, one is frequently surprised, and always intrigued.

The forthcoming debut EP from South Philly’s Fake Nudes is ticketed to arrive via Third Uncle Records. Its single, “Whizzing on the Children of the Sun,” helps to build the anticipation. Jumping immediately into a joyous, formidable riff, there’s a laid-back yet tenacious tone, as the track naturally finds its window. One rides that infectious, garage groove, and in a moment, it’s gone unfortunately. However, you can always press play once again.