Lamps, the first official LP from 20-year old Mad Squablz, was recently released via Free Soul Media. Smooth, R&B vibes simmer as an insightful, sharp-tongued attack hits with a controlled precision. Cruising in those velvety, musical pockets, one gets comfortable, and then that relentless flow takes over, exhibiting ease at upper echelon speeds of delivery, as if everything slows down, even when the outside world is flashing by. Shining a light on steadfast focus, maturity exudes from the youthful emcee.

Rainy Daze is the new full-length album from synth-pop outfit The Soft Spots. Positioned underneath a soothing waterfall of dreamy psych-pop, the LP glides in a natural sway, slowing down the constant whirlwind. A sunny outlook is at the core of these songs, albeit with noise-adjusting, shoegazing moments lodged in between. One easily adjusts to the daydreaming waters. You can catch the four-piece at The Fire on Friday, April 6, where they’ll be joined by Distant Voices, The Phonies, and Tubey Frank.

The quartet of RFA is slated to release its self-titled debut album on April 6. Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, it’s latest single, “Down Your Street,” balances the bass bumping at the door with the silky thread of guitar underneath. Caught in the circular trap of reflecting in the midst of moving on, a sweet sadness results. RFA will be holding its record release celebration on Saturday, April 7 at PhilaMOCA, supported by Secret American and Del Water Gap.

Krust Toons: "I’m With the Band!" 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.

Recording under the moniker of A.I.O.S., which is short for Analog Intelligence Operating System, Keith Bowman recently packaged a collection of tracks for the simply titled, EP 01. Entrenched in an electronic groove, peppered with space-age sampling transmissions, trumpet blasts with a classic, technology-warping feel, an homage harkening back to the early 90’s. There’s a complexity of several spinning plates of sound, and that loop vibrantly serves as the continuous timeline for the puzzle’s pieces to link together.

Kingfisher, the forthcoming EP from Cave People, will be released via Stereophonodon Records on April 6. Its lead single, “Wait,” ponders in a daydream of distraction. Hung up on an individual or ideal, the song pleasantly stirs in a delayed sadness. Then, that mid-tempo tone ramps up as haunting howls breakthrough in the background. With support from Petal and Body Guard, you can catch the band’s record release show on Thursday, April 12 at Boot & Saddle.

This Saturday evening, the garage-rock trio of Tom McHugh, Anthony Fulginitti, and Andy Silverman, a.k.a. The Retinas, will be commemorating the release of their new EP ANDY (Pho Realz Records), with a rip-roaring performance at Ortlieb’s. The band tools within a diverse-range of sonic textures from loose exuberance, to a more personal scaled-back yet powerful reverb-shaking discharge of emotion. Working the sliding scale, gearing up to break free, and gathering those of a similar mind within united-infectious melodies stoked with a psychedelic candle, The Retinas launch into the psych-pop stratosphere that still feels comfortably at home. Joining in the festivities, the quartet of Stoops stitch together tight melodic turns of phrase, gradually heating up as those words stick in one’s head and the body’s tension dissipates. With a new EP Glow Worm set for release on April 1, the electro-folk hybrid of Seth Carpenter, a.k.a. Bucolic, will set things into motion. – Michael Colavita

More places to avoid really drunk people in green this weekend…

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Lightninging, SAT The Retinas (Release Show), Stoops, SUN Levee Drivers, Cherry

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Aura, Tsehaitu, Orion Sun, DJ Hvnlee, SAT Langor, Davey & The Chains, The Homophones

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Rover Rover, Pulgas, Zinske, SAT Beard-o-Bees, SUN King Britt

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Line Leader, Mavis The Dog/ S.T.O.P./DJ Deejay, SAT Sharkbullet, No Gods/Twin Beds, Social Norms/DJ PHSH, DJ Aktive

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI The Bigness, Alyssa Joseph (EP Release), Sleepy Freak, Colonial Williamsburg, SAT Del Sur, Americanadian (Release Show), Port Lucian

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Joey Crakk, LJ Sauve. Roi Lush, SUN (Balcony) Probably Gonna Suck, Calm Down, Vhybrid, Knightlife, Forever Vista

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN Darlingtyn

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Apache Trails

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Division, MRJR, Socko, Shots Called, SAT Tortuga/Sex with Rollercoasters, Mob Mentality, Uncle Dan, Loafass, The Heels, SUN Earth7, The Soundcheck, Zupang/Teef

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Swift Technique

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay

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

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) SAT OT, Mad Squablz, Buddy Leezle

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SUN Rude Boi

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sing, Bird of Prey, Harlowe Jones, Soldier On, SAT Steve (the band), Somata

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) SAT Parlour Noir, SUN Joshua Chase Miller, Deep City Healers

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Beating, SAT Gerald Veasley, Pablo Batista

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Backwoods Payback, SAT Goodnight Lights, Spelling Reform, Sun Hat

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Snake Boy Gang, Deer Scout

JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Past Life, Sleepy Freak

Pilam (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Masie Blu

“Bad Feeling,” the debut single from Fur Church, sears itself into your brain. The relentless rhythm section barrels ahead, while the vocal intensity orchestrates a primal effect. That high-speed, runaway-train vibe hits another gear when halfway through, a fuse is lit, and white-hot guitar riffs ensue. However, the cavernous, backend tone once again assumes the reins as the song concludes.

Philly’s own Instupendo and Germany’s Digitalism will be bringing their ethereal dance grooves to Coda on Friday, March 30. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Faces I Know". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck! 

While creativity and originality are often linked, music can also branch out from past roots. Once we dig into a band, tracing the elements that formed the foundation of its sound, it can give us clues into the musical mystery. Ecstatic Vision pay homage to their psych-rock forefathers with a collection of covers, titled Under The Influence, which is set for release on May 5 via Heavy Psych Sounds. The first sampling, a spin of “Troublemaker” by Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family, elevates the raw fury, so to speak, of the original, as the band provides its personal stamp.

One hopes for winter to quickly evaporate into spring; however, this year – it stubbornly hangs on. Meanwhile, Juliana, the new album from the quintet of Family Volleyball, whimsically flourishes in the face of the freeze. The tranquil, jangly delicacy covers you in a snuggly soft blanket along the seashore. Drift into a daydream, and temporarily escape. (Drawing by Molly Dwyer)

Alyssa Thomas, who records under the moniker Fairy Godmother, recently dropped a new EP, titled Attic Space. Released on cassette via UK imprint Fox Food Records, the album features contributions from (Sandy) Alex G members Alex Giannascoli and John Heywood on drums and bass respectively. One gravitates towards the enchanting, incisive melodies. Breathing in the fresh, open air of the space afforded and then utilizing that space too, as a barrier that holds one in close, what initially floats in the personally ethereal captures an unforeseen density, retracing one’s steps, while reaching out into the future.