Yesterday, the quartet of Dreamswell delivered its new EP Act 2. Blistering backend propels the doomgaze sound, aided by scorching guitar and the calming frost of ethereal vocals. Caught up in the hazy turbulence, one can find catharsis. You can catch the band’s EP release show this Sunday, January 28 at Boot & Saddle, where they’ll be joined by Aster More, Katie Jo Knaub, and Haunted Homes, as part of Black Dog Gallery: Music & Art Collaboration (A Benefit Show for Planned Parenthood).

“Promenade,” one half of the self-titled single release by Orange Jewel, establishes a percussive drift. The hushed sensitivity of the vocals plays off the exterior resilience of its guitar lead. In a reflective state of sadness, one tries to move on.

Consisting of members from Drums Like Machine Guns, Heavy Medical, and Ugh God, Shit City just debuted a three-song EP. Untitled dishes out a dose of menacing noise rock. Unfiltered, brutal, bashing instrumentation rumbles ahead in a jarring procession. Vocals stream from a far-off point as the primal underbelly churns.

A trio of songs recently arrived from Roya. Packaged as Voice Memos, a looming, haunting atmosphere reverberates. Hidden in the shadows, lo-fi solitude emerges, engaging in unifying harmony, while simultaneously stirring up personal demons. It’ll shake you at your core.

Philly indie darlings Hop Along just announced that they will be releasing a new album on April 6 via Saddle Creek Records, entitled Bark Your Head Off, Dog. Its lead single, “How Simple,” taps into ongoing progress of personal growth. Continuing the knack to impose heartfelt imagery with universal appeal, the song plants a seed of independence. There’s a catchy through-line as the song advances through waves of polished melody. Hop Along will be performing next in Philly on Saturday, May 19 at Union Transfer.

Fabric Scraps, the latest album from Torito, was newly released via U Don’t Deserve This Beautiful Art. Threading a quick-witted, unrelenting delivery with an affinity for layered lyricism, the bull takes the reins. Featuring contributions from Quelle Chris, E. Grizzly, Zilla Rocca, and The Hell Hole Store (ialive and Darko The Super), this collection of tracks continues to embrace a relaxed, humor-forward tone, within a nonstop, thoughtful mind that seems to cruise within a stream of consciousness. Press play, and then spin it again.

Eric Slick tackles break-up for the first time in song with his latest single, "Hesitation". It can be found on Amazon’s Valentine’s Day playlist, Love Me Not, which is due out February 9. He doesn’t currently have any Philly solo dates on his calendar, but you can catch him keeping the beat with Dr. Dog at The Festival Pier, where they’ll also be joined by (Sandy) Alex G.

Krust Toons: "An All Nerd Punk 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.

Issued via Slovakian label Z Tapes, Johnny Utah, a.k.a. Jacob Sullenger, recently shared a new self-titled EP. Draped in the fabric of acoustic bedroom tones, the songs blossom into bright, melodically exuberant pop. Inhabiting a personal, penetrating space with smooth, surprising transitions and a sugary stickiness, there’s an undeniably infectious creativity. Integrating layers of sonics while retaining an overall lightness allows these tracks to perculate, bringing to mind contemporary artists such as (Sandy) Alex G and Beck.

Messy, The Deli Philly’s December 2017 Record of the Month and the latest album from Curtis Cooper, is being celebrated with a release show this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. Cooper harnesses an ability to expose an emotional intensity that’s endearingly accessible, developing a well-conceived, melodic framework, while still tapping into a raw, rip-it-out-of-your-chest, guttural tone. In contrast, they can create a sense of stillness, instrumentally illuminating pensions with a dim, folk backdrop, allowing the weight of the words to wrap around you in a comforting manner that still sends chills up the spine. The Andy Molholt-led Laser Background will also be joining them tonight, instilling ease as waves of playful, candy-coated dreams wash over. And infusing joy and humor into their infectious bummer-pop, the duo of Coping Skills will be leading the way. – Michael Colavita

More places to be this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Curtis Cooper (Record Release Show), Laser Background, Coping Skills, SAT OOLALA, David Fantasy & Adult Content

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI 722 (Reunion Show), Church Girls, Dylan Jane

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Eliza Edens/Slagmatter, Thunderbird Divine, The Gravies/Lil’ Dave, Dr. Plotkin, Gummibear/DJ Deejay, SAT The Charley Few, Fucksake/Pet Lizard, The Space Cats, Mesén Around/DJ Sylo, DJ PHSH, SUN Scantron, Trash Beach

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN Kohoutek, Northern Liberties

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Al-Tarik

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SAT Patrick Richards

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Glenn Bryan & Friends

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mt Vengeance, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, SAT Fixation/Traitor, Blasphemous

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Damn Right (Album Release), American Dinosaur, Greg D., SAT Mach22, Everlit, Siravo, Night Mission

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Air Is Human, SAT Goodnight Lights, Witch Bomb

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Creem Circus, RunHideFight

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Reed Streets, SAT Queue, Lizdelise, SUN Plastic Shrines, Styrofoam Dinosaur

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

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hambone Relay, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease, Hannah Taylor & The Rekardo Lee Trio, DJ Dan Reed, SAT Adventure Lost, Tyler Kingsley

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT The Exclusive Tri-State Showcase

Century Bar (1350 S. 29^th Street) SAT Blackhand, Buzzherd, Off Meds

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Port Arthur, Tiger Castle, This Kills Me, Justin Kerecz, SAT Kenny Price, XPresidents, Hank Henny

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Music For The Arts (11^th Annual Benefit): Old Soul Revival, Chris Grunwald & The Slow Response, The TC Cole Riot, Droppin Deuce, The Bad Larrys, SUN The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI PT Benefit: Narra, SUN Small Circle, AllegrA

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Seeing Snakes, Billy Bollinger, The Absolute Sky/Heaven Man, Swwik, Sitting in Cars, The Ugly Barnacles, SAT Badnew, Snakeboy, Flamingo Chicks, SUN Shelf Life, Mavis the Dog/Fred Beans

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.)FRI Maryn Jones, Mowgli’s Mirror, SAT Crooked Spine, Tim Woulfe

The Spreehive (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.)  SAT Supine, Get Well, Jennifer

Skulls (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Leadrs, Median

Wharf Cat Records recently issued Somewhere Else, the first full-length album from Profligate, a.k.a. Noah Anthony, since 2014. A calm intensity is evident almost immediately, as beats bend into unconventional sonic shapes, hovering over the threshold with precise cleanliness, while simultaneously scattering industrial scraps all over the dance floor. Passages of serene stillness are countered by jolts of jarring noise, establishing an ear-alerting balance. 

Strolling keys set off the psych daydream of “So Familiar,” the new single from Ceramic Animal. Trapped in a state of déjà vu, the inherent warmth of new love permeates. Floating on a cloud but already questioning the long-term ramifications/outlook, the message is mixed. Ceramic Animal is slated to appear at World Café Live on Saturday, February 17 with Sixteen Jackies and Dr. Danny.