Wax Wav’s sophomore EP, aptly titled EP2, is out now. With Lynna Stancato (formerly of The National Rifle and Bondage & Discipline) joining the fold, the band hits the ground running, addressing societal issues and how they affect our personal lives. Finding a balance between frustration and aggression,  the music pushes ahead with an optimistic composure, calling listeners to action in anthemic union.  You can catch the band at The Pharmacy on Saturday, November 10, as part of a lineup that also includes Breaklite, Gallons of Pork, and The Valets.

The trio of Kelsey Stewart, Andy Staszkiw, and Zack Sternwalker, a.k.a. Potential Gospel, recently shared a new single. "Song of Sweetness" emerges from the chill of morning with an enchanting folk-surf feel. It serves as an invitation to connect on a personal level with a dream-like/mythical ambiance. Take an affectionate stroll, and let the peripheral world temporarily wash away.

Krust Toons: "GOT" 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.

Rapper Verb Tec and producer Vanderslice have collaborated to create The Freedom Papers. Honed over the course of a decade, the album exudes a time-tested sound – one which rides soulful, R&B beats as Verb Tec demonstrates a calm, confident, mature mindset. With a relentless, resilient pursuit toward ongoing improvement, the messages of these recordings inspire.

A contagious melodic ripple about the unknown future, “The End of the World,” the latest single from Port Arthur, addresses serious subject matter in a breezy way. Exuding thoughtful, existential energy, the track speeds by in carefree, joyous fashion, while covering important ground. The value of personal connection stands out in the grand scheme, because its easy to get lost in the shuffle. Amid those deep contemplations, a fun, multi-faceted song flows. (Photo by Marisa Whitney) 

Today, Baby Steps, the new EP from the Kate Lord-led outfit Sleepy Freak, was released, and tomorrow evening, Horror Land will host a showcase of locals to mark the occasion. There’s both a sense of reflective imagination and the push toward adventure in these songs. An ongoing evolution runs a thread through the narratives that steadily simmer and ripple, leading way to a ripping cathartic release/realization. Gradually building tension through transparent vulnerability and melodically stacked progressions, these personal journeys lead you somewhere, while still hitting home. Sleepy Freak will also be joined by the bummer pop of Snowhore and lo-fi, sad folk of Puppy Angst, featuring Alyssa Milman (of Blushed). (Photo by Emily Dubin) – Michael Colavita

Yay!!! Fall is finally coming…

Horror Land (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Sleepy Freak (Record Release), Snowhore, Puppy Angst

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Sammus

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Emily Drinker, SAT RunHideFight

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Tone Bandits/DJ Deejay, SAT Fame Lust

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bri Steves, Beano French, Good Girl, Julian King

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Sun, Killsing Visionary, Joshua Lang, DJ Hvnlee

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Transistor Rodeo, Betterducks/(Downstairs) Roots, Rock and Research: A Benefit for the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute:  West Philadelphia Orchestra, Jeremiah Tall

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Lost Thirds, SAT Burnout Star

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Miss Cantaloupe

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) SUN Storks 

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Revolution, I Love You, Maitland, The One2s

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI The Russells, Overwinter, SAT Blue Wonder & The Mystic Woman, Mike Matteson, Zack Krall Band, Knightlife, Brick Nova, SUN Bardus, Dirt Queen

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Lew Jones

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

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Saint Slumber / The Rich Quick Memorial Show: Reef The Lost Cauze, Ai-Que

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Lean Wit It

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Royale, SAT Ian St. Laurent

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI James Pace Band, Mr. Unloved, The Parameters, SAT New Alone, Local Smokes, JW Farrell, Nematode

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI John Kadlecik’s West Philly Fadeaway, Wax Future

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Alenni, Curtis Cooper

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Jakk Frost

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Sex With Rollercoasters, Mr. Lisp, Dead Robins

Space 1026 (1026 Arch St.) FRI Tact, Yankee Bluff, Eight, Big Nothing, SAT Tate, Slugqueen, Weller

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Broke Body, Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Busy Bee Project

Tundra Dome (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Carrie Ford, Egg Soda, SAT Sour Spirit, Bathassaults/Lvsxw (duo), Sewer Pope

The Mothership (602 S. 52^nd St.) SAT Righteous Aquarium & Jet Lightspeed, Dialer, Exmaid 

The Tusk (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Spirit World, Shapeshifter

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Diaphane, SUN. Beach Bod

Get Better Records recently issued a split LP, featuring The HIRS Collective and Jenna and the Pups. The HIRS Collective continues to hit with an immediate, raw, emotive surge. In contrast to the unfiltered hardcore, the downhill, melodic pop-punk of Jenna and the Pups rides dual-guitar lines in crisp, catchy pockets. Both of Jenna Pup’s projects cut to the chase with succinct, honest messages.

After initially being earmarked for the Sad13 release Slugger, then being left off Speedy Ortiz‘s Twerp Verse, “DTMFA” will now be included in Adult Swim’s Singles Program. A tale of independence and confidence, the song naturally flows in a catchy, sugary-pop sound that incorporates a strong call-to-action, referencing the Dan Savage catch phrase – "Dump The Motherfucker Already". Speedy Ortiz will be performing next in Philly on Wednesday, November 28 at the First Unitarian Church with Palberta.

Black Dog In My Path, the new album from Yowler, officially arrives tomorrow via Double Double Whammy. Maryn Jones’ (All Dogs, Saintseneca) songwriting finds a reflective, haunting place, where serenity and grit converge into a spellbinding, personal quest. You can join Jones and friends this evening at PhilaMOCA for Yowler’s record release celebration. They’ll be supported by fellow locals The Goodbye Party and Swanning.

Crying In Public recently shared a pair of new recordings as part of the Sad Nectar demos. "Mr. Danger" is a warm, dream-pop ballad that feels as if you’ve entered the singer’s bedroom. The ideal qualities of a new relationship are accented by the elegant clarity of the song’s longing vocals. The soft, steady backbeat merges with the strums of guitar to create a soothing, lo-fi progression.

Our appreciation for mewithoutYou has existed long before the inception of The Deli Philly. The band never ceases to astound; with its masterful songwriting, the group’s ever-changing musical palate continues to refine/redefine its vast catalogue. [Untitled] is mewithouYou’s seventh full-length album, and is available via Run For Cover Records. The Philly stalwarts are gearing up to hit the road once again on a national tour in support of their latest release, and won’t be back home until Wednesday, December 5 at the TLA, where they’ll be joined by The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die and Hold Down The Ocean.

"Kanagawa" is the lead single featured on Florry‘s forthcoming album Brown Bunny, scheduled for release on November 23 via Sister Polygon Records. Its new music video (by Jamie Alam) captures a candid/vivid home video aesthetic. There’s a mellow melancholy of overcoming loneliness within the steady progression, interjected with intense, instrumental expansions. That mix of somewhat subdued closeness with brash heaviness is an enticing combination. You can catch the band’s record release show on Sunday, November 18 at Tundra Dome, with Corey Flood, Emily Yacina, and Will Table.