Night Bloom begin their new year right with the debut of Luv HZ. The EP is delicately groovy, an homage to lo-fi sensibilities and R&B emotionality. To put it plainly, Night Bloom is chill. The Philly-based duo can effortlessly evoke something akin to laidback SoCal whimsy; however, their music is excitingly fresh and entirely their own. Let the luv wash over you. – Amanda Ogea

A few days ago, Mark Lanky released a new 3-song EP. Its title track, “Happy New Year,” is an open letter, reaching out to someone disconnected from a previous relationship. Casually moving down the road on the compact bass-n-drum vehicle with the whine of pedal steel filling the gaps, Lanky’s lingering sadness/regret resonates. He’ll be pouring his heart out this evening at Ortlieb’s on a split a billing with Sad Actor.

Wet Leather, the new album from Dominy, was recently released via Blix YZ Records. Saturated in a mixture of warm melodies with folky Americana roots and a surf-rockin’ sway, the songs hint of a pleasant, grooving future. Stumbling down the road in that slightly inebriated, unobstructed-sing-along manner, the record provides a boost to one’s mood. Kung Fu Necktie will be playing host to Dominy’s album release show on Friday, January 12, where they will be supported by Sun Hat and Comfy.

Sandcastle offers another gem in their latest EP Garnet; or, Swan but Not Forgotten (An Occult Romance). The collection is layered in renaissance-laced, acoustic glam rock that steps to the forefront. Placed somewhere between the sadness of romantic memories, the personal narratives are modernly interpreted from a Victorian perspective. It’s an emotive-triggering, time-traveling fantasy.

Anika Pyle (Katie Ellen, ex-Chumped) recently shared a new track. Steeped in honesty, “The Void” utilizes an acoustic-strumming backdrop, stepping out from the shadows of the past. Forging ahead and starting fresh, even when it’s difficult to forget where one’s been, the song is eerie while remaining enthusiastic. Katie Ellen is slated on a bill at LAVA Space on Satiurday, January 27, with Long Neck, The Goodbye Party, and Who Loves You.

Electro-ambient trio Square Peg Round Hole was recently performed “Lapse” ( which was featured on their 2016 album Juniper) as part of ThrdCoast’s Blue Room series. Zoomed into the band’s working quarters, the dynamics of their tightly woven instrumental fabric are revealed. Compactly precise, percussion-forward movements develop intricate details that set the sound in cinematic motion.

Krust Toons: "An Unwritten Rule…" 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.

An ominous bass rumble bubbles to the surface in Moor Mother x Mental Jewelry‘s "Street Dept," before angular guitar runs slice through the atmospherics. Found on the duo’s joint venture, Crime Waves (Don Giovanni), last year, the distorted footage of the artists is viewed through a crimson-filtered lens, contributing to the sinister presence maintained throughout the project’s latest offering. Step into what might just be the unlikeliest of street anthems.

Last March, as part of Weathervane Music’s Recording Workshop series, King Azaz laid down a new track, called “Bury the Pit.” A guitar lead wades into drum-swaying currents as the earnest vocals float over top. There’s a grimy, groove element at play, sending out a charge of adrenaline in calculated, rough-around-the-edges pulses. That raw energy, refined into a strategic attack, maximizes its impact.

Hauntingly exhilarating, FUNeral, the freshly released EP from Madalean Gauze, sits between layers of secluded strangeness and playful enjoyment. Twisting traditional storytelling with a fantasy-laced vibe, the album may catch you off guard in a pleasant, surprising fashion; taking on cinematic undertones, the plot quickly turns. Tonight’s EP release show at Boot & Saddle will benefit Valley Youth House, a Lehigh Valley organization that ensures vulnerable, abused, and homeless youths in the community access to shelter and counseling, and features support from a trio of locals. Recently added to the Topshelf Records family, the harmony-fueled, girl-pop, throwback sounds of Queen of Jeans plan to release their debut album this year, and they’ll be working double-duty this evening, supporting Balance and Composure’s sold-out show at First Unitarian Church as well. Cut from similar musical cloths, the garage-pop quartet of Louie Louie dips into easy-grooving, semi-psych waters that retain a classic catchiness. Unleashing their personal-brand of barraging noise-pop, Empath will get the night started. – Michael Colavita

Other places to stay warm this weekend…

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Madalean Gauze (EP Release), Queen of Jeans, Louie Louie, Empath, SAT Flat Mary Road, Baker Man, Tough Guy Soda

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Nightfall, Trash Knife, The Charley Few, SAT Frog Holler, Hezekiah Jones, Dem Hills

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI All This Huxley/DJ Deejay, SAT Brother Martin, Port Arthur/A Black Celebration: DJ Baby Berlin, DJ Jem/DJ Mighty Mike Saga, DJ Elijvh Vrms, SUN The City and I, So Totally, Lowercase Roses

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., F. Woods & The Fellow Humans,  Bunny Savage & The Plibmen

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Dance Party Quizzo: The Beating, Crouse

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Alex Catrambone & Friends

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Candy Volcano

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Conjunto, SAT Light of Day(Upstairs) John Byrne/(Downstairs) Ben Arnold, SUN (Upstairs) Diane Monroe &  Tony Miceli Duo

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Panophonic, Sonny Knockout, E.Joseph & The Sparrows, Magnificent Birds of Prey, SAT Outer Heaven, Backslider

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI The Last Generation On Film, Vacation James, SAT Hayley Dare, Seb Isaac Band, SUN Dan Malloy, Nicklas Hughes, Michael J. Vitale, Slenko & McKeys

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Jesse Lundy Band: Mach 4

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Sexoffice, Rover Rover, SAT Kiska

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Darla

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

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) SAT Mercury Retrograde, Pet Lizard, Visoon

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

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Chad Jenkins Band, Primatives, Kevin Segal & The Old Souls, SAT Alright Junior, The Good Mess, Phantasm, The Sea Tease

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Stiltwater, Big Mind, Dry Reef, SAT An All-star Tribute to Paul Simon’s Graceland: Ryan Tennis

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Balance and Composure, Queen of Jeans

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Jacopo & The Late Saints, Truant Minds, Tiger Castle, SAT So Totally/Cerulean Blue, Gracie & The So Beautifuls

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Mista Quik, Prototype:AT, Tapes & Tubes, Alpha Alpha

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Trash Boy, Overwinter, Georgey V

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Fleabite, Susie Derkins

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

Fabric Scraps, the forthcoming album from Torito, is slated for release on January 12 via local label U Don’t Deserve This Beautiful Art. Accompanied by Quelle Chris, the bull’s smooth, relentlessly charismatic rhymes jumps off a runway of jazz piano on his latest single, "Breakfast Loops". The tale intricately connects an array of subjects in a flash, so quick that if you blink, you’ll get lost in its lyrical dust. Catch Torito’s album release celebration (with support from Lt Headtrip, The Karma Kids, JE Double F, Sol Patches, Ronnie Vega, and The Hell Hole Store) on Saturday, January 13 at LAVA Space!

Later this month, Jon Coyle (of Son Step) will be releasing a new solo EP Happy Place, with the aim of raising proceeds for National Organization for Women. “Chazy” (featuring Doug Hirlinger) coerces a natural flow, establishing sonic swimming conditions. A loose, percussive foundation sends off an exploration, which is reeled in by the melody of cascading vocals.