Kingsley Ibeneche was raised in Camden, NJ, and studied dance at University of the Arts in Philly. He has toured as a dancer with artists like James Blake and Travis Scott, which is stylistically reflected in Realms, his new EP, which was released on New York independent label Astro Nautico. Sultry, smooth vocals permeate through a tapestry of live instrumentation and sampling, enveloping the listener in a dreamlike state. The tracks are dynamic and rich, scintillating between unease and tranquility. The world  that he builds is full of life and sound, but leaves plenty of room for Ibeneche’s vocals to thrive in the center. A release full of surprises and genuine twists, there’s a uniqueness to the music that betrays an instinctual familiarity. Realms packs so much quality into so little time, an achievement that really tags him as an emerging artist to keep an eye on. He’ll be hosting his record release show on February 28 at World Cafe Live, supported by Great Time and Madison McFerrin – Josh Kelly

Active Listening: Night on Earth, the forthcoming album from Empath, is slated to arrive on April 2 via Get Better Records. The sounds of nature are quickly traded for the more immediate thump of bass as the album’s lead single, “Soft Shape,” comes into focus. Encircled by creepy dolls as synth eerily rings, there’s a creepy mesmerizing quality to the band’s accompanying video. As though in a neon fog, a magnetizing, mysterious aesthetic unfolds, and as the instrumental ending suggests, it’s part candy, part chaos. (Photo by Alysse Gafkjen)

“All My Loving,” the latest single from Ceramic Animal, is an expansive (almost 10 minute) musical sojourn. Steeped in a nighttime groove, the song hovers between a smooth, weightless, cruising approach and a heavier, psych-blues stomp. Those adventurous escalations continually increase the pressure, until the top appears ready to explode. What results is a locked-in yet wide-reaching trip that precisely pushes the limits. You can catch Ceramic Animal at Johnny Brenda’s on Tuesday, March 26, with touring compatriots Spendtime Palace.

A Mild Circus, the debut EP from Philly trio Yarrow, is out now via Get Better Records. A fierce, menacing, post-punk blitz sears into your ears. Tracked and mixed at the Headroom with Kyle Pulley, Mark Watter, and Jackie Milestone, there’s a jarring rumbling that immediately grabs one’s focus. However, that power is refined and utilized creating impactful narratives with rippling societal implications.

Punk outfit Vixen77 recently dropped its debut self-titled EP. Recorded & produced by Pete Donnelly, the three-song sampling unapologetically announces the group’s arrival. With an enthusiastic assertiveness, the femme fatales mesh polished backing harmonies and guitar shreds with unwavering aggression. Vixen77 will be performing next in Philly at Kung Fu Necktie on Sunday, February 24, along with Pravda, Ketosis, and Symfinity.

Julia Rainer crafts a clear cathartic musical vision. A power lies in the open expression of the singer-songwriter’s folk/Americana. Amid the serenity of open natural spaces, a stirring haunt develops. Perhaps, it’s that the lyricism casts vivid imagery into the atmosphere, resonating and reverberating throughout your being. Soulful vocals chronicle earnest narratives, serving as a catalyst to a captivating calm. Tonight at No Face Studios, Rainer will be joined by the duo of Hetepsa and Nu Ra, a.k.a. Camp Candle, whom dispense hypnotically sleek, airy electropop. The sparse, eerie, dimly illuminated yet resounding songs of Weekend Athlete find a way to linger/stay with you, completing this three-pronged local lineup. – Michael Colavita 

More places where you can find the locals this weekend…

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI Camp Candle, Julia Rainer, Weekend Athlete

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Mo Lowda & the Humble

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Chestnut Grove

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Dear Forbidden, Valentina Janie/DJ Deejay, SAT Ramona, Teenage Bigfoot/DJSC, SUN Grave Blankets, Usti Waya

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI DJ Shearn

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI 21st Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention Afterparty: Nightfall, Asthmatix, SUN Theory of a King, Enigmyst, 100 Men On Mars, Big Handsome, MarsDog

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT DJ Love, Killsing, Yolo Ono 

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Jackson Pines, SAT (Upstairs) Kayleigh Goldsworthy, Jesse Barki

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Magnificent Birds of Prey, BEES, Good Morning, Daydreamer, SAT The Prisoners, The Barren Marys, Seeing Snakes, Vixen77

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Deadfellow, Something Like A Monument, Chalk & the Beige Americans, Starterjacket, SAT The Dull Blue Lights, Scantron, SUN Barney Cortez, The Fleeting Ends, Earth Radio

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Bears Have Hearts, VAS, Firm Taqtics, SAT Tom Mackell, J Solomon, JW Farrell, SUN Mew Kardo, Jiliyah, Buckavali

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Tigerbeats/Sweat Daddy, SAT TheresDrinkingToBeDone.com

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Jacky Bambam, DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Joe Borsellino Trio, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Rover Rover, Cubbage, SAT The Robinsons, Wrong Turn

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Dottie Riot’s Music Revue/Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Goalkeeper/Sad & Boujee 

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The Haunting, THE END A.D. Voodoo Death Cult

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Loafass, The Boardwalk Kings, Wrong Turn, SAT Wrists (Tape Release)

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) SAT The Output, Ryan Corcoran, Dom & Jesse, Cookie Rabinowitz

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, Wax Future, SAT Hannah Taylor & Rekardo Lee

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Beach Bod, SUN Past Life

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Fallible Being, Rasan In the Heyday 

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN Alone In A Crowd :a Benefit for Howie: Pagan Babies, Let Down, Nowhere Roads

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Flux Capacitor, Solar Circuit

Good Morning, Daydreamer, the latest musical vehicle featuring Marc Neibauer, recently shared a new single. “Clarity” captures a swirling, ominous tone, while peering into focused thought. Enhanced by spellbinding strings, a dramatic, sonic vortex is achieved. It taps into a state of meditative menace. The band will be performing tonight at The Fire, along with BEES! and Magnificent Birds of Prey.

Stress You Out, the new album from the pairing of Rachel Wild and Nathan Avila, a.k.a. Beach Bod, has freshly washed up on our shores. The recording’s melancholy soaks into your skin as the delicate mist of melodic harmony takes over. A soothing/sincere dynamic balances the adrift, surf atmosphere. You can wade in their sonics this evening at Everybody Hits, where they’ll be opening for Oso Oso and Diva Sweetly. (Drawing by Liana Frances)

A casual, psych haze emits from the ventilation with the trio of tracks, found on The Savories‘s Singles. Turning towards a cosmic drift, one allows thoughts to wonder as the instrumentation serves as a guide. A gentle, melodic adventure develops wafting over one’s eardrums, before shifting into gears at prime points. You can catch the band on this evening’s billing at Century, with Bill Guy & The Essentials and Shoot the Messenger.

Daz Jones recently released a seven-song collection, titled Lost Tapes Vol. 1. Aided by Gus Staranko & Phillies Messiah, EP standout, “Last Days Pt. 1,” opens the proceedings. Keys and snare combine in a crisp, rolling beat, there’s a confident aggression –  one that expertly weaves the streets, with the smooth ride of one’s words. Survival is a must.

With their debut five-song demo, The P’ids have got our attention. There’s an immediate impact as the tracks carry an intensity that closes the distance, backed by a swift, lyrical punch. Welding raw, revving instrumentation with a seasoned sound, an enticing energy is ever-present as the force of the band is fleshed out. And think this is just the beginning…

Sam Becht, operating under the pseudonym Sam Bekt, offers up stylish, homespun, pop melancholia on their album Selfie. A reflection on our culture of burnout and tech malaise, the LP combines field recordings and samples into songs that play cheerful despite taking on darker topics like social media validation and post-grad listlessness. The tracks touch on many genres without landing in one particular spot, giving Becht plenty of room to flex their producer chops. Tracks like “Switzerland” and “Sign Off” display an impressive range in style when put side by side, never deviating from offering a clean and full sound. You can take Selfie for a spin below. – Josh Kelly