On "Still," Blue Velvet Drapes take a moment to sit back and dial down their internal chaos. The San Fernando Valley sextet’s latest intends to appease one’s anxiety, carrying that loving sentiment over a bittersweet blend of jangling guitars and a buoyant mid-tempo rhythm section. "Hold from break, keep easy," vocalist-lyricist Jessy Juliet Rodríguez sings, bringing out a welcoming warmth through her sweet tone. The band leaves things to open interpretation, better for the listener to develop their own narrative, even if the song’s message touches on their personal story—six high school friends who’ve managed to stay together through troubling times. 

"Still" is featured on Blue Velvet Drapes’ recently released EP, Spiral Down. Catch them perform at Silverlake Lounge on July 28. Juan Rodríguez

On their new single, "Breathe," Manuel the Band counterbalance their slick, indie-rock sound with tuneful, intricate glides. The Long Beach quintet let a mellow, bass-driven melody guide their groove, gradually intensifying into a big, horn-driven finish. Vocalist Manuel Grajeda sings with passionate fervor over a gentle background harmony, transformed by the intimacy of physical contact.   

"Breathe" is the latest single off Manuel the Band’s forthcoming debut full-length, Room for Complication. Catch them at Basement Tavern in Santa Monica on June 29, as well as in various venues surrounding the Long Beach area throughout July. – Juan Rodríguez

Effexor can “treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder." However, “Effexor” by Party Nails can cure awkward silences, 5 o’clock traffic blues, lame parties, and is a general mood booster. Elana Belle Carroll’s new single, “Effexor,” is an intoxicating blend of dream-pop and indie-rock that has an indescribable vibe. Her wide variety of spunky and uplifting tunes will be the unofficial kick off to the summer, which started June 20th, and is the perfect banger to shoo those winter blues. – Kayla Hay

There’s a weary quality to Goon frontman Kenny Becker’s optimistic sentiment. "Alright/Okay/I’m walking on sunshine all the time," Becker sings on "Check Engine Light," subsumed by the anxiety that consumes his thoughts. His words may be sincere, but his dry tone says otherwise. And just like that indicator lamp that nags one to no end, it’s a feeling that’s better not to ignore—before it gets any worse.  

Goon’s fourth single off their full-length debut, Heaven is Humming, continues their solid streak of hook-driven scuzz rock—a sound they’ve been refining since the release of 2016’s Dusk of Pink -EP. Check out the band’s forthcoming headline release show at Echoplex on July 18. It’s out July 19 via Partisan Records. – Juan Edgardo Rodríguez

"Shaking," the new track by San Fernando Valley trio Rose Dorn, fools you at first—it begins with a wispy, sticky-sweet melody that quickly descends into a slow, shambling manner. That changing mood suits the indie-pop band’s downcast theme, having been inspired by the coping mechanisms people use to fend off trauma. Nevertheless, they’re able to make it land with a wholesome, bright melody. Bar None Records recently signed the band, and you can see why—their keen sense of melody fits right at home with the label’s past and present, from The Feelies’ post-2000’s jangle-pop to Happyness’ winding indie-rock. 

"Shaking" is the first single off Rose Dorn’s forthcoming full-length debut album, Days You Were Leaving, due out August 23. Juan Rodríguez

Good Days’ "Blue" sounds as wholesome as their origin story—songwriters Eric Ronick and Michael Cannova met at the Lower East Side in New York when they discovered they both had shared likeminded musical interests. The indie-pop duo both have an affinity for a beachy, classic oldies sound, something they bring back to life on their joyful new single. The piano-led track opens with their prominent dual harmonies—and keep it that way for about a minute—capturing a vintage L.A. pop groove that carries on into the very end. If there’s a restorative effect to "Blue," well, that’s intentional, as they wrote its infectious bopping beat with three phases in mind—focus, escape, and love. 

"Blue" is the latest reveal off Good Days’ singles collection ROYGBIV, which you can listen to now via their official soundcloud. Juan Rodríguez

West Coast Weekend has one great thing going for them—they have a band name that virtually any 9-5er can sympathize with. Luckily, the indie-pop quartet’s new single,  "Nobody Like You," also has a brisk, jubilant vibe that perfectly exemplifies their positive attitude. Everything about it pops with a radio-friendly sound—featuring energetic claps to surging horns, the band lends their slick harmonies to a track that casts a sun-dappled glow. 

"Nobody Like You" is the second single off their upcoming EP, which comes out sometime in June. Catch their debut show at The Satellite alongside Sleeplust and Molly Moore on June 10. Juan Rodríguez

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Kills Birds wanted to bring a primal approach on their new single “Ow”—ignore any restrictions and discover their essence through pure spontaneity. Armed with vocalist Nina Ljeti’s feral delivery, the noise rock project built the skeleton of the track through unconstrained means. At first, guitarist Jacob Loeb had a simple riff and Lteji could only offer her stream of consciousness vocals. The final result shows the now-quartet’s undeniable chemistry—Ljeti’s offbeat, cryptic imagery is built around Loeb’s bendy, soft-loud sonic dynamics, stringing together an aural assault that blazes through with loads of attitude.

"Ow" is featured on Kills Birds’ self-titled debut LP, which is due out August 28 via KRO Records. Watch them perform at Office Party in Highland Park on June 18. Juan Rodríguez

Wild Wing like to take their garage-meets-cowpunk into strange, unexpected detours. The San Fernando Valley’s latest, "Me ‘n Mine" is no different—accentuated with ripping, fuzzed-out guitars, the four-piece envision a barren apocalypse that seems to suggest our imminent future—mostly attributed to today’s destructive political tribalism. "I arrive/to find there’s no one else alive," sings vocalist/guitarist David Gantz, conveying a calm demeanor before the band spirals into a disorienting breakdown. 

"Me ‘n Mine" is featured on Wild Wing’s upcoming fourth full-length album, New Futures, which is due out on June 21. That’s also the day they’ll be holding a record release show at Non Plus Ultra. Juan Rodríguez

Both in thought and feeling, Animal Waves coast along in overdrive on "Lately, So Lonely." Singer/guitarist Robert Davis, alongside bassist Charles Salvaggio and drummer Matt Zavorski, deliver heavy, pummeling scuzz-rock that captures the looseness of a fun night out. But the trio’s warm, breakneck scuzz is also nuanced—dabbed with a touch of psych-noise, they balance rough and smooth with an unbounded energy that complements Davis’ yearning, impressionistic lyrics. 

Check out Animal Waves’ "Lately, So Lonely" single below, and be on the lookout for upcoming gigs by visiting their official website. Juan Rodríguez

The Millennial Club has just released their debut EP, She’s So Insane, and we should talk about just how insane it truly is. This band keeps creating an incredible mix of music that continues to impress me, given that the collection of songs on this new release are important to the success and growth they have experienced this past year. “MI” is by far the most accomplished, proving that they’re raising the bar with a madcap collection of riffs, keyboards, synths, guitars, and even saxophones.

She’s So Insane makes you feel like time isn’t slipping away as fast as you may think. Their music sparks a warm and familiar glow that proves just how irresistible their music authentically is—an album to fuel your summer, every single day. Kayla Hay

A shrieking cry opens Desert Weather’s swaggering new single, "Still in My Head." The garage rock quartet captures the euphoric excitement of meeting a special someone whose spirit is infectious. Led by singer Eric Smedberg’s vocal nonchalance, the band tears through a raw, yet exuberant guitar work that’s backed up by a chugging backbeat. "I’m screaming your name/from the top of my lungs," he openly declares, fully surrendering to a rush of emotions that are impossible to contain. And as it unfolds, we can’t help but feel the excitement, too. 

"Still in My Head" is the first single off the band’s forthcoming EP, due out later this year. Juan Rodríguez