Americanadian recently contributed two songs to a split EP with South Jersey quartet Nowadays. Both tracks share a reflective state of melancholy. With its dual lead vocal harmonies and breezy tempo, “Carpool Tunnel” feels like an interwoven discourse. In contrast, “Ceramic Cat Plate” carries the emotional weight of isolation, aching within the delicate instrumental movement. Americanadian will be performing next in Philly on Saturday, February 24 at The Hairy Hut.

Critical Equation, the forthcoming album from Dr. Dog, will be released on April 27 via Thirty Tigers. Intertwining an eerie sense of isolation as the steady march of rhythm progresses, “Listening In” carries an unsettling air of mystery. Coupling those haunting vibes with the familiar reinforcement of harmony and jagged instrumental inserts creates a sonic landscape open to discovery. Festival Pier will be playing host to the Philly stalwarts on Saturday, June 23, where they’ll be supported by local wunderkind (Sandy) Alex G.

Later this year, hardcore quintet Trash Knife will be dropping a split 7” with Dumb Vision, via Wisconsin label Kitschy Manitou Records. Building from a rockin’, unified base, “Inna Funk” hits into next gear when the song’s defiant vocals kick in. That impending, unfiltered urgency shifts the tone with a swift shot of adrenaline. The switch is flipped, and there’s no looking back.

The duo of Prom Acid just released their debut album. Holy Moldy twists creepy noise-engulfing trance, in a chaotic heady kaleidoscope. Fuzzy, synth-induced grooves and heavier guitar-anchored tracks mingle together, warping the mind. Continuously shifting the ground below one’s feet, a leapfrogging level of experimentation radiates.

Dark Web frontman, Sims Hardin, dropped a new single, “Train To Success,” under the moniker Brain Clouds. Guided by acoustic guitar, while featuring backing vocals by Jo Kusy, the song sends a compliment to its subject of interest. Admiring from a distance and hoping for a second chance, there’s a delicate, heartfelt simplicity to the musical message. On Monday, February 19, Dark Web is featured on a lineup at The Sound Hole that also includes another of Hardin’s projects, Throbbing Chakra, Louie Louie, The Caveman, and Nice Guys.

The trio of Young Pilgrims recently shared its sophomore record Anhedonia. The album spills over with jangly emotive rock; however, in contrast to its title, those bursts of illuminating exposure are quite pleasant. After all, everyone screws up, or shuts down from time to time, hearing a relatable message might just help to pick you up off the floor.

Krust Toons: "How Many Bands Have You Seen?" 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.

Back in September 2015, Pat Finnerty brought his rock opera, The Lid, to Underground Arts, and now, its corresponding album is finally available for streaming and/or purchase. Step into the Brit-rock, time-warping tale and its jovially catchy tunes. “Dedicated to Brian Langan and to all of the hard working people that made the show possible.” The album balances the personally-invested storyline, within a fun, uplifting, and truly creative musical framework.

Blast off into the weekend, as the tandem of Kevin Nickles (Ecstatic Vision, Taiwan Housing Project) and Daniel Provenzano (Purling Hiss, Spacin’) continuously pushes the boundaries, fusing hard-driving, raw rhythms, space-transmitted vocals and blasts of tangential-tracing free jazz into a Krautrock-melting pot of sound. Developing layers of flavor through inventive instrumental combinations, The Writhing Squares cultivates an air of surprise and intrigue as one straps into the sonic shuttle uncertain of what discoveries lie in the future. This Saturday, at PhilaMOCA, the Philly outfit will be opening the proceedings, followed by local punk/reggae-groovin’ legends, Scram. This leads the way to the DC instrumental trio of The Messthetics, which includes former Fugazi members Brendan Canty and Joe Lally, whose debut album is due out later this year via Dischord Records. (Photo by Peter Kerlin) – Michael Colavita

Other places to hang this weekend…

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Destroying Angel, Void Vision, SAT Scram, The Writhing Squares

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Frankie Vado, Joey Stix Experiment, Jordan Brown, Dolores, Tammi Jean, SAT The Dove & The Wolf, Carroll

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Cold Fronts, Big Nothing, SAT Restorations, Tiny Vices

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI John Dominy, Sun Hat/Purling Hiss, Long Hots/DJ Deejay, SAT Peachy Nightjar, Mr. Lisp/Evil Sword, Necrosexual/Fame Lust/Night Sweats, SUN The Boardwalk Kings, A Day Without Love, Weekend Athlete

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Abbey Road: A Collective Performed by Members of Looseleaf and Other Special Guests, SAT The Pancakes & Booze Art Show

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SUN A Night of Stardust

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Daniel de Jesús

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz, SAT (4pm) PnB Rock, (8pm) PnB Rock, Shawn Smith, SUN Low Energy

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT Riot Nerd Presents: A Live Music & Burlesque Tribute To Emo

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI West Fire, Think Machine, Rusty Blue, Decontrol, SAT Apex Predator, Near Nightmare, Nasuta, Agents of Aggression, Crown of Earth

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT Osler Circle: A (Hard Day’s) Night For Children’s Hospital

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Parsnip Revolt, Katie Barbato

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Sophie Coran, Joshua Chase Miller, Ellen Siberian-Tiger, SAT The Space Cats, Tektonic

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI The People (EP Release), My Son Bison, SAT The Upticks (Album Release), S.R. Frost & The Sanctuary Band, Delmont

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI A Minor Error, It Makes Sounds

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Keystone Mountain Boys, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI The Russells, Kate Dressed Up

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Royale, SAT Ian Saint Laurent, SUN Thunder Snow Cone: Love Hurts Freak Show

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds, Deluxedo, Knightlife, SAT Somethin’ Divine (EP Release), You Do You, The Sly Foxes, Breaklite

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Worldtown Soundsystem

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hurry, Empath, Knifeplay

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Sunchoke/Crimson Masks, Some Birds, Uncle Dan, SAT The Four Of Us Are Dying, Zombie Shark, SUN Fred Beans, Rabbits To Riches, Kenny 3

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mike Mulli & Dead Flowers, Busy Bee, Rachel Andie

The Sound Hole  (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Masie Blu

All Nite Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Sun Organ, Coffee, Leadrs, Ursula

“With U” is one of the five tracks found on the forthcoming tape from Knifeplay, which is being released via Smoking Room. A clap of percussion and keys orchestrates a closed-bedroom, cathedral tone. Then, an expanse of semi-chaotic noise rains down in illuminating fashion. Tj Strohmer and company are part of this evening’s lineup at Everybody Hits lineup, where they’ll be joined by Wildhoney, Hurry, Glitterer, and Empath. (Photo by Chili)

Every Little Thought, the forthcoming album from Hurry, will be released on February 23 via Lame-O Records. Directed by Brendan McHugh (Everyone Everywhere), the video for “Waiting For You,” which was shot at Philadelphia Horticultural Center, finds the band perusing the plants as well as performing. A pensive plot of isolation, perpetuated by persistent phone use, is both relatable, and hints at a need to change. Hurry is scheduled to perform at Everybody Hits tonight, with Wildhoney, Glitterer, Empath, and Knifeplay.

Featured on their EP Susan, Secret Nudist Friends recently shared a video for the single, “Lima Beans”. Shot at Tralfamadore, the band invites one to step inside, sit down, and have a beverage. That, coupled with up-close performance footage, captures a hazy, garage-psych atmosphere. Secret Nudist Friends are slated on a billing tonight at Kung Fu Necktie that will include Gender Work, Kelsey Cork & The Swigs, and The Smirks. They will also be presenting their first official music video at Good How Are You #2, a local artist showcase being held next Thursday, January 18 at Tralfamadore.