Make It Count, the new LP from No Option, was recently released via Life & Death Brigade. A primal fervor shortens the distance as an urgent, immediacy surges with unrelenting angst. Making you ponder, "What options do you really have?!" You can catch the hardcore quintet this Sunday, August 11 at Creep Records, as part of a lineup that also includes Pit Hair, Freeze, Stepping Stone, and Piece of Mind.

Produced by Justin Roth (Soft Idiot), Semi Sweet is the full-length debut from Highnoon, a.k.a. Kennedy Freeman, and is out now via Cicada Choir. Freeman (who also performs in live incarnation of Beach Bod) observes and evaluates through personal narratives. Anchored in melody, free-floating yet focused lyrics create a gentle atmosphere. Highnoon is slated to perform at The Barbary on Sunday, September 8, along with Bad Heaven Ltd., Very Bad Vibes, and Proper. (Photo by Morganne Boulden)

RFA bassist Brendan McHale, a.k.a. Whaler Jr., has a new album out now via Castle Crank Records, titled Wasting Time. Bright, at ease, acoustic guitar and keys radiate an inherent warmth, which draws one toward the shoreline. An inviting, unpretentious nature is soaked in vocal harmonies, soothing the tension and offering reprieve. Tonight, Whaler Jr.’s record release will be held at PhilaMOCA, with support from NYC’s The Misters and Tokyo’s The Molice.

Joseph D’Agostino (of Cymbals Eat Guitars) recently announced a new project, Empty Country. As a precursor to a forthcoming album that is slated to arrive early next year, a pair of songs, "Ultrasound" and "Jets," were recently made available via Tiny Engines. "Ultrasound" explores the emotional turmoil and anxiety of waiting for a biopsy report “…following a suspicious-looking ultrasound”. With D’Agostino’s wife Rachel, as well as Charles Bissell of The Wrens, featured on vocal harmony, the song fuses a sense of a loving connection and appreciation as one goes through a whirlwind.

Matt Kelly (formerly of Toy Soldiers) recently dropped a new release, EP 2019. Beginning with a jangly, surf-psych vibe, brightened by synth/keys, the three-song selection is threaded with an infectious, rumbling rhythm. That charming energy pushes the musical motor into high gear, daring you to sit still. Kelly will be performing next in Philly on Wednesday, August 21 at Ortlieb’s, as part of the Cherry-Veen-Zine-curated residency. (Photo by Skyler Jenkins)

Sheena, Anika and Augusta, a.k.a. Sheena Ozzella (Lemuria), Anika Pyle (Katie Ellen, Chumped), and Augusta Koch (Cayetana, Gladie), will release their debut EP Simple Pleasures on September 6 via Asian Man Records. Its lead single, “For Billy,” is a spellbinding a cappella that interlaces the trio’s vocals in a penetrating, fluid beauty. The song is seemingly a reflection of the emotive path taken to reach the present moment. (Photo by Katie Krulock)

The quartet of Unclaimed Diamonds recently shared its debut EP The First Five Slabs. A casual, conversational approach exhibits a commanding presence. Succinct songwriting quickly allows impactful, sonic scenes to take shape, riding a wave of noise-injected grit. The album was also engineered by Kyle Gilbride (Waxahatchee, Dark Thoughts, Yowler) of Wherever Audio.

Strength, the new album from John Galm’s (ex-Snowing) Bad Heaven Ltd., has recently arrived. The delicate, intimate narratives wrap the listener in a tranquil, hypnotic state. The soothing, somber dynamic drastically alters when earth-shaking, fuzz-filled force enters the equation. You can catch Bad Heaven Ltd. at The Barbary on Sunday, September 8, as part of a lineup that also includes Very Bad Vibes, Highnoon, and Proper.

Krust Toons: "Huh?" 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.

Singer-songwriter Sam Silbert (of Gorpho) recently shared a solo effort, simply titled Songs. The three-song EP captivates with painstakingly, brutal honesty. Creating beautiful tales of loss and heartbreak, it’s a bit of bedroom-folk at its finest. Feels aplenty are captured on this brief yet poignant snapshot in time.

Cayetana performs for the final time (in the foreseeable future) this Saturday evening at Union Transfer. We certainly have a soft spot for the Philly trio – so much respect goes out to the ladies for deciding to pick up instruments for the first time and just go for it as a band. Their music finds a way to exhibit earnest vulnerability that gets under your skin, while simultaneously serving as an exhilarating, cathartic release.  The locked-in powerful push of rhythm unites with the expressively raw, soulful vocals, pulling one into the deftly-detailed, memorable, lyrical scenes. They’ll be joined by the glimmering, melodic, twang-infused narratives of Katie Ellen and the charming storytelling of Dave Tomaine’s Cave People. (Photo by Mary Ferrigno) – Michael Colavita

Other places where you might want to end an evening…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Lojii, Swarvy

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Hollow Comet

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Knolling Bones, Seeking Spades, Burnout Star 

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Swearin’, Dark Thoughts, SAT  Joe Jack Talcum, Street Vengeance, Trash Knife

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Cayetana (Final Show), Katie Ellen, Cave People 

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Ghost Light

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI DJ Economix

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Taylor Kelly, Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element, Sophie Coran

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Too Many Talk Shows, Slokey

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Alright Junior, SAT Dominy

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Delmont, Goodthief, SAT Littlun, SUN Crozet, Arch Of Love

Khyber Pass Pub (56 S. 2^nd St.) FRI  Roger Harvey, Wild Flowers of America

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI The Parsnip Revolt, SAT Hotbed, Z by Z, SUN So Totally

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN The Business, Jay Lubes

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Roi Lush, Masta K, Taste of Vomit, SAT Disoriental 

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Annalise Curtin, Lomax Lane, Knightlife, SAT The Becoming, Eric Vain, SUN Candy Cigare77es, Total Whine

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI God Root, Witching, Caged, Yuckmouf, Pit Hair, SAT Schotzi

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SUN Ear Me Now

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

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Greg Sover Duo, SAT The Output (CD Release), Evergo, MaMa’s Juice Box, The Smoking Lightbulb

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Hezekiah Jones, Chris Kasper, Under the Oak, Splintered Sunlight, Big Mind, SUN John Kadlecik & The West Philly Fadeway 

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Samryebread, CJ Mills

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Busy Bee Project (Final Show), lylyly, Faucet

The Tide Pool (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Slokey (EP Release), Oni, Forest Kids Collective, Mr. Hideyoshi x Toadofsky, SAT Humilitarian, People Eating Fruit

Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Trot, Glass Spitter, Moyogash, Cop Jokes

Free Candy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Line Leader, Don Babylon 

“Sad Girl Hours” is the latest single from the quartet of Cold Soul. Genteel guitar is laid down as Rachel Nakshian delivers a melancholy tale of longing and heartbreak. Attempting to hold and piece yourself back together when everything seems to be falling apart can be daunting. Those overwhelming emotions build as the instrumentation gradually amplifies and comes to the forefront, while the steadiness of the vocals demonstrates resilience.