Arrow Bowie is the forthcoming album from Philly emcee Ralphiie Reese. Its title track slips through the shadowy streets as soulful backing vocals, keys and percussion setup the scenario. A faded, grimy aggression flows at cruising speed, before a battle-tested determination springs forward. The LP is slated for release on cassette via Icy Palms Records on February 15.

Greg Mendez just released an impressive collection of demos, entitled Home Videos (2006 – 2018). The gifted Philly artist is able to put a spotlight on the power of writing simple, well-crafted songs with his latest, bare-bones release. The (mostly) home-recordings immediately captivate without the need of studio magic. Mendez humbly posted, "they are far from perfect but I like them and they deserve to be out there. It took me a long time to feel comfortable really sharing my music with ppl I didn’t know so thank you for making me feel so welcome." Thank you for sharing. Do yourself a favor; get into this. (Photo by Veronica Isley)

Magic Coffin Ride, the new album from Nyxy Nyx, arrived recently via Blight Records. Enjoy the comfort of a mesmerizing haze. Acoustic guitar leads one down a dreary/solemn path. The inviting, tranquil nature of the vocals contrasts with the volatility of the recording’s frayed, fuzzed-out edges. It’s an enchantingly eerie, adventurous adrift.

Belgrade offshoot, Goldenaire, recently released a new EP, titled Modern Meltdown. The four-song selection inhabits a sort of soothing rush. There’s a continuous rhythmic rumbling that surges through the collection, as if the the external world is chaotically buzzing by and somehow you’re in a tunnel that processes the events in a more laid-back, organized manner. In that way, the sound can be heavy and meditative.

Produced by Brian McTear (of Miner Street Recordings), the quartet of Petunia has a new single, “Bad Date”. Instrumentally, the song captures the heart-racing, stress-inducing anxiousness of a date. That sense of anxiety causes one to observe and evaluate all the conscious/subconscious decisions and choices. Sometimes despite our best intentions, what can go wrong will go wrong, and there’s a desire to escape the situation. It’s a whirlwind that can lead to a wide range of outcomes.

Potion 200, which is comprised of Bill Fries (Drone Ranger), Jeremy Colonna (Clasp), and Zack Robbins (Superheaven, DARK MTNS, Flight Habit, Sun Organ), recently shared a trio of tracks from their forthcoming LP Oblivion Parade. A smattering of percusion pops like firecrackers in the distance, hushed secretive vocals, and ascending keys build a mysterious intrigue on “Ask The Angels.” The song branches forward in a breezy pleasant jangle. Bill Fries’s soft vocals lift as if floating on a daydream cloud. One steps into a fantasy world if only for a fleeting moment.

On December 14, Living Statue Records will release You Can Sing Me Anything: A Tribute to 69 Love Song, with a plethora of artists covering The Magnetic Fields’ classic album. Proceeds from the benefit compilation will be directed towards No More Dysphoria, a non-profit organization created with the goal of helping transgender individuals pay for major aspects of their transition. For their part, Worriers take on “Grand Canyon”. In lieu of the airy bounce of the original, there’s a reeled-in bareness to this version, which brings the emotive resonance to the forefront. Its forthright vulnerability is self-accepting, yet yearning for change.

Krust Toons: "Rocky IV" 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.

Infinity Dance Complex is a new musical endeavor from Matt Anderegg (Mothers, Body Meat). Their new album, These Rules, is debuting via Philly’s own Nino Tomorrow. Still in its infancy as a label, Nino Tomorrow has spotlighted MIDI mastery from contemporary artists like Ada Babar and Kasra Kurt, while also reissuing obscure recordings from Texas-based electronic sound sculptor Charles Ditto. These Rules immediately submerges the listener in an ethereal, tightly wound, rhythmic enterprise, encircling luminescent dreampop. Like listening to a kaleidoscopic funnel of floating dial tones eclipsing one another, leisurely gazing up from the bottom of a fish tank – sonic layers floating in a time independent of one another, working in tandem to contour what becomes a really well-rounded soundscape. On these recordings, Anderegg successfully synthesizes experimental electronic music and airy, overblown vocals within the framework of pop songcraft. The Infinity Dance Complex songs feel intimate and immediate, yet allude to a distance from the listener that almost heightens its appeal. – Josh Kelly

A reflective maturity permeates throughout Fall Into The Sun (Merge Records), the latest album from reunited Swearin’. The quartet’s tour will be making a stop at Everybody Hits tomorrow night. The record seems to see with the clarity that comes from allowing the moment pass. However, it doesn’t feel like a time capsule, more so that altering proximity creates a broader or more well-rounded perspective. That being said; there’s still grit and emotive immediacy in the melodic manner which the lyrical vulnerability and instrumentation entangle. Swearin’ will be joined on the billing by the exuberant, blitzing pop-punk of tourmates Dark Thoughts and Cincinnati garage-punk trio Leggy. – Michael Colavita 

Other places where you can pass the time this weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Swearin’, Dark Thoughts 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT The End of America, Oldermost, Mesmeric Haze, SUN The Spirit of The Beehive (Record Release)

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Strand of Oaks Winter Classic IV, SAT Strand of Oaks Winter Classic IV

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Long Hots/DJ Deejay, SAT Man Like Machine, Something Like a Monument, Poor Devils/Fame Lust, SUN Crackhouse, Green Meteor

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Z by Z, Ready Now

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Marah

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI The York Street Hustle

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia, SAT (Upstairs) School of Rock Philadelphia, SUN Joanna Pascale & Sister Cities Girlchoir

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Nearly York, Diverse Magnetic, SAT Eric Hills, The Bells with Zach Fey

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Ivy Sole, Anyee Wright, SUN Brackish

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Dirty Dollhouse, Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element, SAT Ali Awan, Jimmy Scantron, Kirby & the Vibe Tribe, SUN Grace Vonderkuhn, Dominy

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Green Wolf, Punk Hands, SUN Desert Hands, Mage Hand

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

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

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Eighth Fish of Christmas/John Hebert, Rev’rend TJ McGlinchey, Alec Stewart, James Cooper, SAT The Eighth Fish of Christmas, SUN The Eighth Fish of Christmas 

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Riverside Odds, Tough Shit, Beer Me, Atomic Cretins (Tape Release), Zorn, Traitor, SUN Little War, Brandish, The Red Hand

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Lamplighters, Andross, Hassle

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ian St. Laurent, SUN  Maya Simone, Taylor Samuels, Namarah

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Outer Heaven, Cancer Priest, SAT A Scent Like Wolves/DJ Mighty Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Kissing the Klepto, Andrew Jude Band, The Front End, Kevin Correll, SAT Pool Radio, EDO, Philadelphia School of Rock Adult Band

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Stella Ruze, Rare Spirits, Jamie B. Gallagher, SAT Dot.gov, Swwik, Bazmati Vice, SUN GinWheel, Smadar Rubin, New Alone

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Trap Rabbit, SAT Chris Kasper, SUN Nik Greeley & Friends, Hambone Relay/Gnarbot, Lör

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) SAT Murayama, Soupy 

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SAT Buddie, Twiin, LunchBox President 

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Harmony Woods, SUN Kayleigh Goldsworthy

Jerry’s On Front  (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Fursaxa, SAT Writhing Squares, Desertion Trio

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, TheBusiness

Philly emo revivalists Algernon Cadwallader announced plans to reissue their debut album, Some Kind of Cadwallader, in honor of its 10th anniversary, along with 2011’s Parrot Flies and a new self-titled compilation, which includes the group’s EPs, b-sides, and covers. You’ll also find previously unreleased versions of "Serial Killer Status" and "Katie’s Conscious" that were originally meant for a seven-inch. The reissues and compilation will be out on December 14 via Lauren Records/Asian Man. There is still no word of future tour plans, but you can find former AC members performing on stage with Hop Along and Yankee Bluff.

Suicide Bong Tapes recently shared Philly Sampler 2012 – 2018, a collection of songs from the artists featured on the label’s releases. A diverse range of sound/style is distributed. However, the common ground of local/community unifies. It’s an excellent entry point for those looking to survey the sonic landscape and possibly retrace one’s steps, delving deeper into the original releases.