One witnesses a stripped-down, endearing vulnerability in Sad Reality: Palisades Demos, the latest release from Eric Slick. Hearing these songs at a moment closer to their starting point reveals a sense of their evolution. The sparse, subtle nature of the instrumentation further shines a light on the lyricism as a hallowing/haunting beauty solemnly saturates. You’ll also be able to find a copy of Slick’s out-of-print meditation zine with your download of the album.

Stoops recently shared a new track, “Too Much Time,” off their EP Singles. After a brief moment to find its sonic footing, the song rolls forward in joyous oddity. Pairing the bounce of percussion and keys with vocal harmonies, there’s a pleasant looseness to the recording. That head-in-the-clouds, daydream quality is temporarily interrupted by an audio interlude of hostility, provided by a Joe Pesci sample, before returning to its exuberant, brighter tones. Keep a look out for the band’s debut full-length, The Syrup of Ipecac, and catch the quintet this Sunday, July 15 at The Barbary, supporting Sweet Moves and Cave Mode Shakes!

Below is the debut single from Rosie Thorne, the new project from Mannequin Pussy‘s Marisa Dabice, Zach Sewall (Grave Goods, Vexxed), and Max Steen (Cold Fronts, Vexxed). "Slick" is the first of what will be a series of songs that the trio plans to release each month for the next year. Fleshing out the pop moments that are sometimes hinted in the Mannequin Pussy catalogue, Sewall and Steen once again team up to build an infectious, downtempo groove that perfectly complements the seductive lilt and thoughtful, shadowy prose that exudes from Dabice, creating an unexpectedly irresistible, electro-dance jam. We are already looking forward to Rosie Thorne’s next installment, which really can’t come soon enough for us.

Vacationer is back with a new album, Mindset. Mastermind Kenny Vasoli calculated that he has spent over 8% of his life working on its completion, and if you and a companion would like to experience his mindset live this Friday, July 13 at Union Transfer with Sego, we’d be glad to make that happen. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Ready for My Summer Vacay". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Krust Toons: "There’s Been an Awakening…" 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.

Thin Lips have another endearing new single to share with us from their forthcoming full-length album Chosen Family. The beloved, former Dangerous Ponies members just dropped the humorously titled, "Gaslight Anthem (The Song Not The Band)," which also features backing vocals from local music pals Frances Quinlan (Hop Along), Brendan Lukens (Modern Baseball), and Zoe Reynolds (Kississippi). The LP is due out on July 27 via Philly’s own Lame-O Records. Chrissy Tashjian, Mikey Tashjian, and Kyle Pulley are currently on tour with Hop Along, and will be back home for a sold-out show with Japandroid on Tuesday, July 24 at Boot & Saddle. If you missed out on tix for that evening, don’t sleep on next month’s performance with Slaughter Beach, Dog on Saturday, August 25 at PhilaMOCA. (Photo by Scott Troyan)

Calm and crushing contrasts in tempo create the framework of the unfortunate aftermath of a relationship gone bad in “Row Home,” the latest single from Pilkington. Soft, sensitive vocals exhibit an emotional connection to the past. However, that flash of nostalgia quickly builds to bursts of conflict-releasing energy. Linking the somber with the supercharged serves as a dynamic hook. As we await the release of the quintet’s full-length debut, you can catch them at Johnny Brenda’s on Friday, July 20, in support of The Magic Numbers and Minihorse.

Venturing through the glorious and gloomy days with a rough, gritty exterior and a melodic core, Left & Right appears to have reached its final destination. This evening at Johnny Brenda’s will be the quartet’s final show. The Charlottesville transplants exhibit the ability to magnetically pull you into personal narratives that mimic or highlight one’s own circumstances, and after sitting calmly on the couch and collecting your thoughts, it pushes past the familiar walls. That release of emotion opens up the cathartic floodgates. Delaware trio Grace Vonderkuhn will also be unleashing its brooding psych-punk musical mesh – part frenetic fuzz and a smoky slow-oozing stew. Articulating genuine self-awareness in momentous, endearing waves, No Thank You harnesses emotive energy, while the cozy, haze-inspiring tunes of Queen Jesus are set to kickstart this weekend. (Graphic by Jess Cavaluzzi)  – Michael Colavita

More places to take a break from this heat wave…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Left & Right (Last Show), No Thank You, Queen Jesus, SAT Rock & Roll & Birth Control: Strange Parts, Tact, Full Bush

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI The Smarthearts, Party Muscles, Earth Telephone, SAT A.M. Mills, Hulqamaniaq, Magic Deal, SUN Frances Quinlan, Hardwork Movemement

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Breaklite, SUN Invasive Species, Weakknees/Shelf Life

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI First Time’s the Charm , SAT First Time’s the Charm, SUN Shannen Moser

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Chalk & The Beige Americans, Dirty Soap, SAT Aleana, Selina Carrera, Vinny, Devoni Jacob, Rieko Copeland, Lenora Magee

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Dirty South Joe

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) John Vettese/Conjunto, DJ Rahsaan/DJ Shaun Klassic, SAT Dan Montgomery

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT The Paul Green Rock Academy, SUN Anthony Passante-Contaldi, Sun Tunnel, AaronRey

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Max Swan, Tuck Ryan Band, SAT J Walk Proper, NorthEast Corners

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Bitsky, Dirty Dave, Wamz, SaaZi, SAT Mt. Vengeance, The Spirit World, SUN All This Huxley

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Collider, Satyagraha / Emynd, Bo Bliz, Wassup Gina

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Andrew Montoya, Melissa Clampffer, Betty Iron Thumbs, SAT AGT, Darlingtyn, Mercury Retrograde

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Through Neighborhoods, Rally, Hen, SAT Baby Blitz, Flamingo Chicks, The OK OK’s

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

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy, Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Thunder & Glory, SAT Mid Rats, Stolen Wheelchairs, PIJIN SPIT

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Seldom Family (Tape Release), Long Spells, False Tracks, HiSoft, SAT C.M. Slenko, Alex Walcroft

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Riverside Odds 

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Ed Christof, SUN Franky’s First Ladies

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Brian McConnell

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, Control For Smilers, SAT Splintered Sunlight, Whiskeyhickon Boys

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Alexander Charles, Javan, SAT Moment to Capitalize, In Finding Way, Andross, SUN Goddamanit, Assemble

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Alcyon Lake, SAT Low Crouching Bear, Wack Cheddar

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Shelf Life

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Deep Couch, Julia Rainer, Telyscopes (solo)

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Cerulean Blue

The Mothership (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kilamanzego, Manikineter

Freshy’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Welter, The Retinas, The Judex, Uncle Dan 

Think Free is the latest musical chapter from ever-resilient emcee Freeway. A solid sampling of big name guests, which include Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Lil Uzi Vert, Fat Joe, Faith Evans, etc., make notable appearances. However, crisp production and Freeway’s authentic command of the mic shines front and center. A sleek, soulful wisdom emerges, demonstrating endless evolution. There’s a balanced blend of grimy and grounded.

Delivered via Cold Rhymes Records, What Was The World, the new album from Kate Ferencz, recently graced our sonic doorstep. Recorded at Magic Pictures, with beats courtesy of Height Keech, the adventurous artist covers a vast landscape of topics, experienced through a conversational, unpretentious lens. With a mystical, dance backdrop, Ferencz crafts a mesmerizing fantasy world. That playful/serious hybrid is one which gains additional traction as the long-form poetry comes into meaningful focus.

Hip Hop On Purpose II is the new LP from Philly emcee Teef. A laidback, smooth-talking confidence permeates in these personal narratives. Turning phrases on dimes and connecting dots in succinct yet diversely themed lines, the album feels close to the vest, with an amplified net of resources and ramifications. You can stream and download it for free below.

NVM, the new EP from Fleabite, was recently released via Salinas Records. The new video for the EP’s closer, “Find,” offers a quick-hitting montage,  casting a candid, wide-ranging view of tour life. It’s a whirlwind of closely-knit individuals and a series of scenic stops, providing a visual scrapbook of memorable moments along the quartet’s adventures. Fleabite will be holding a belated record release celebration this Tuesday, July 10 at LAVA Space, which will double as a benefit for the venue and Morris Home, "a residential recovery program providing affirming and culturally competent services for the trans community." They will also be joined on the bill by Pinkwash, Jenna Pup, and Juice.