Across a series of streamlined videos, director Alice Agrusa visualizes the vibrant, pensive tranquility of Instupendo’s Faces I Know. The inherent warmth and beauty of both nature and personal, intimate moments shine when highlighted through the buoyant musical movement. Without dialogue, the EP not only serves as a means of transition; it elevates the imagery, encapsulating a vivid hope.

A glimpse and a glimmer of endearing, tranquil observations march toward internalized growth on Aperture, the new EP from Birdspotter. The delicate, soothing nature of melody ramps up, flexing musical muscle, in swift sprinting streams. Simultaneously, a serene softness sweeps one away in a reflective, timeless daydream. There’s a peaceful power in this six-song collection.

Krust Toons: "Damn, Son!" 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.

Reminiscing as a stage of grief, the new self-titled EP from Goodbye Max demonstrates an ongoing melancholy, with a sense of appreciation. Expressing regret over choices made and carrying the weight of those decisions afterward, there’s an innocent fragility to the bedroom-folk sound. Moving forward is such a difficult process, especially when the people from the past had such a meaningful impact/influence. It sometimes feels like living in the present discounts that importance; however, it’s just part of emotional evolution.

It’s a joy to see what happens when artists come together and collaborate on projects, especially when the outcome bears something like So Cool, the new split cassette from Blushed and Secret Nudist Friends, who happen to also share bandmates Matty Klauser and Missy Pidgeon. Coming from the DIY community of South Philly’s Tralfamadore, our July Record of the Month is out now via goodhowareyou records.

Pidgeon initially takes the reins with Blushed. It might not exactly be the first time you’ve heard these three tracks, which also appeared on the band’s debut DEMO EP. However, with the addition of guitarist Dan Leinweber (to Klauser on drums/percussion and Alyssa Milman on vox/bass) and recording/mixing help from Kyle Pulley and Jackie Milestone at The Headroom, these tracks have proven to be deserved of a revisit. Side A opens with “Weak,” a grunge-pop ditty that pulls at your heartstrings. The endearing yearning in its vocals captivates, drawing you in, before giving a playful smack across your face. It’s a good lead up to the rambunctious cheer of 90’s riot grrrl, gang sing-along – “Webcam,” which kicks things into another gear, while still hinting at the group’s ever-present lazy-day, surf sound. That sun-blistered imagery is fleshed out in Blushed’s final track, “It’s So Cool,” which is reminiscent of the bittersweet dichotomy that can found on Anna Troxell-led Creepoid recordings.

Handing the mic over to Klauser and his Secret Nudist Friends, which also includes Pidgeon on keys), Brian Hullihen (vox/drums/percussion), and Andy Slepman (bass/keys), there is a shift in sonics, as well as decades. Inspired by a plethora of artists, ranging from The Kinks, to The B-52, to contemporaries like Oh Sees, Klauser crafts soul-filled songs that often feel timeless. With “Something on Your Mind,” you can find a bit of that beloved, old time rock ’n’ roll that might feel absent from the airwaves these days, while “Triangle” comes at you from all sides, building from its math-y introduction, before letting loose and giving way to EP closer and Side B standout, “I Can’t Love Anyone”. Taking us on a psychedelic voyage of reverb, distortion and self-loathing, the anthem of the loveless hits home with a sobering gut-punch.

With So Cool, you’ll have a hard time deciding which side you like best. And that’s a good problem to have. – Alexis V.

Tonight, Everybody Hits hosts Weller celebrating their self-titled debut album, which is being re-issued today via Tiny Engines. Composed succinct melodies envelop in a relaxed revealing jangle. Holding a place of comfort by lyrically unlatching the inner-workings, there’s a continuous desire to find one’s footing and/or fit in the world at large. That ongoing existential search may never truly end, rather just morph, but the ongoing evaluation is one which can be viewed as a self-portrait that many others can see themselves in. Currently in the midst of a run of dates with Animal Flag and with a new album in the works, The Obsessives help fortify this lineup, which also includes the soothing, shoegazing darkness of So Totally and the intricately-woven, experimental folk of The Human Fly. – Michael Colavita

Other places where you can heat up or cool down this weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.)FRI Weller (Record Release), The Obsessives, So Totally SAT Weekend Athlete

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Lovelorn, Night Sins, Dreamswell

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Dark Blue, The Guests, Deep Red

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Elison Jackson, Frogg/The Tough Shits, SAT Mcguires Mob, Wrong Planet, SUN Deathmonger/Slophouse, Dear Forbidden, Endless Taile 

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Fairy Godmother

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Black Urn

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Philly Soul Syndicate, SAT Filo’s Reunion

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Anthony Green, Good Old War

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Steady Hands

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) John Vettese/Philly Gumbo/(Downstairs) John Byrne, No Irish Need Apply, SAT (Upstairs) The Dukes of Destiny/(Downstairs) Animus (Philadelphia’s Belly Dance Spectacular)

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Moral Code, Duress

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Looseleaf, SUN American Dinosaur

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Low Energy, Downtrodder, Readership, SAT Commonwealth Choir, SUN Don Babylon, C. M. Slenko, Tapes & Tubes

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Boogieman Dela, Eli Capella/Matthew Law/Leo, SAT Familiar Things, Saver/Creem Circus, The Judex/Ian St. Laurent, John Redden

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 Rich Medina, SUN The Jawn

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT John Byrne, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Zymotic Flow, Rusty Blue, Poppy, SAT S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D. Mage Hand, Space Pizza

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Stargazer, Left to Vanish, Varials, SUN Kaonashi, Last Minute Hero, Flowercrown, Hollow Visions 

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SUN Honeygasm

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd) FRI DJ Beatstreet

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Stone Electrics, Joshua C. Miller, Jackson Howard, Vessna Scheff, SAT Static Flow, Apple Juice Jones

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Aaron Parnell Brown

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Savage Dads, Cassettes

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Sudo Williams, Andrew Milicia, ialive, SAT Maggie Mae, Gracie Martin and The So Beautifuls, Ntive Flora

JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT (Farewell Show) My Name Is Tom, Shy, Narra

Green Haus (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Camp Candle, Elaine Rasnake, The Polychromatics, Whoopsydaisy

Goo Lagoon (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Yowler, Sitcom, Dan Wriggins 

Magic Pictures (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kate Ferencz (Tape Release)

Philly emcee GrandeMarshall recently added a new EP to the equation. Self-produced (excluding tracks “One Step Away” and “Buyer’s Remorse,” which were co-produced with Scanz), In Good Spirit maintains a lyric forward introspection. The beats roll with a smooth simplicity, affording concise flows room to run. It’s laidback, exuding a cool confidence. Feel free to give it a spin below. (Photo by Cones)

Distortion and percussion merge, cracking open “Retirement Meat,” a new song from Heavy Medical. That anxious aggression sends shards of sonics at you from abrupt angles. Rumbling through in a jarring, heavy gut-punch, the track shakes the foundation. It’s a heart-pounding jolt that asks for time alone. "Retirement Meat" appears to be off the band’s upcoming album, which is titled Problems.

Power-pop outfit My Name Is Tom recently shared its debut full-length album, All Good Things. Exposed, emo-driven, harmony-harnessing rock is the focus of the Philly quartet; there’s a confessional universality to it. Positively releasing feelings in energetic flourishes shifts the tone as the band owns and embraces its temporary shortcomings. Addressing experiences and thoughts in an uninhibited manner makes them real but simultaneously less daunting. You can catch My Name Is Tom at JJ Diner’s farewell show this Saturday, with Narra and Shy.

Kaylee Sabatino, a.k.a. Cheeky, just dropped her new EP Flora. Sleek vocals coupled with late-night beats curate a mysterious, dance-generating ambiance. Forging fresh air and spacial mobility, the songs mix a bouncy brightness with a contemplative darkness. Guided by the groove, one can follow it down the rabbit hole of discovery.

The tandem of Zilla Rocca and Small Professor, a.k.a. Career Crooks, recently shared a new album, Thieving As Long As I’m Breathing, via Urbnet. Among a plethora of remixes, “Crook With A Deal” is wedged in. Updating 50 Cent’s “How To Rob” to fit the present, personal context, the track rides the hustle humorously, dropping names and taking what they please in the process. With a nod and a wink, a fun, unstoppable tenacity and acknowledgement is on full display.

Chapter 1 (2nd Bounce), the new album from Wild Love and The Slammy Slammies, retains a rustic, folk-blues whimsy. Home-spun from the heart, a genuine affection and yearning echoes. A bedroom/campfire closeness holds one in its grasp, as the listeners gather round, and those bouncy, energetic notes of appreciation seep into the system, etching a personal significance. Allow these lo-fi recordings to sway you into a pleasant drift on this beautiful summer day.