Hannah Read—who goes by the stage name Lomelda—writes intimate songs that elicit big, tender-hearted emotions. Read’s latest album, M for Empathy, is designed in minute-long sketches that detail the pains of loneliness and fraught relationships.  She fingerpicks with a classical guitar—a sole companion through this bittersweet 16-minute musical portrait—which embellishes her inward-looking thoughts. 

M for Empathy is the follow-up to 2017’s breakthrough album Thx, out now via Double whammy Records. You can stream the album in its entirety on all streaming platforms. Catch her opening for Big Thief at The Irenic in San Diego on April 20. Juan Rodríguez

Pinky Pinky first brought a luscious punk attitude to their garage jams on their self-titled debut EP. On their new single, "Do Me Dirty (Charlie)," the young trio—vocalist/drummer Anastasia Sanchez, guitarist Isabelle Fields, bassist Eva Chambers—applies a breezy, humorous quality to their retro-sounding jangle pop. The track’s swinging, Merseybeat groove comes from a familiar place, but it’s also unlike anything else, as they bring forth a puppy love melody to their otherwise lustful affirmation. 

"Do Me Dirty (Charlie)" is the first offering following their Hot Tears EP. Juan Rodríguez

 

Oyster Kids sing to those who need some solace on their ode to self-doubt, "Losing My Mind." The indie pop’s latest single is an upbeat anthem with lyrical undertones that match every mood you could possibly be in. The four-piece acknowledge that it’s okay to "lose your mind," and how it isn’t always simple to snap out of it. The atmospheric aloofness this hauntingly creative band produces has a special place in the deep roots of the L.A. music scene. Kayla Hay

Joni Fatora reflects on a distant love through quiet contemplation on "Botanical Baby." Fatora—who performs under the name Joni—is reminded of how human relationships can be as fleeting as the changing of the seasons. She’s surrounded by nature, alluding to how flowers can be as beautiful as they are toxic. Joni’s cooing vocals waft over a breezy, Tropicália-inspired melody with a tender embrace. There’s a tinge of melancholy to her words, all the more bittersweet when sung with such languid ease. 

Joni is currently working on an EP, due out later this summer. Watch the lyric video for "Botanical Baby" below. Juan Rodríguez

TANGIENTS unleash their primal fury on "Hazel." The duo of Chelsea Ray and Be Hussey are not for slow-builds—their confrontational post-punk immediately shoots off with a tribal roar over an enrapturing guitar lead. Led by Ray’s commanding vocal acrobatics, "Hazel" emanates a visceral energy that is shrouded in mystery and seduction. They push forth a rich, full sound that is far greater than their two-piece setup.

The duo is playing at The Echo on March 19 alongside TEEN and Methyl Ethel. Check out "Hazel" below. Juan Rodríguez

It’s a rare occurrence when a musical project decides to name a track after their namesake. But instead of self-promotion, consider Subtle Smiles’ self-titled debut single as a definitive introduction into their hypnotic synth-pop. True to their name, the Long Beach duo—producer Brian Frederick and singer-songwriter Marley Rae—wield a low-key, yet richly textured sound that beams with scintillating intensity. "Starlight/ star bright," Rae playfully sings as frizzy synths and a lithe guitar riff proffer an unearthly atmosphere. "Subtle SMiles" should appeal to those who enjoy the dance-oriented balladry of New Order and the lavish, introspective pop of A Sunny Day in Glasgow. 

"Subtle Smiles" is featured on the duo’s debut LP, Significant Other. Look out for a physical release later this summer via Donut Sounds. Juan Rodríguez

Like many of us, Aaron Mendelsohn could use a breather. On "Holiday," Mendelsohn—who performs under the name Drinker—gives thought to how some self-reflection can guide your life choices for the better. The swaying, downtempo track served as a defining moment for Mendelsohn, given that he wrote it in one aftertoon just before moving back to Los Angeles after spending some time living in New York City. With its murky, dimly lit mood—helmed in unison with his bicoastal creative partner Ariel Loh—the ambient-leaning "Holiday" reflects the uncertainty of making such difficult choices with a cautious sense of confidence.

"Holiday" is the fourth single off of Drinker’s forthcoming debut LP, Fragments, which comes out on May 3 via B3SCI Records. Juan Rodríguez

Sara Olmstead had followed many an artful pursuit before she felt the confidence to direct her talents toward music. With a guitar in hand, Olmstead—who performs under the name Rows Arc alongside band members Jason Gagovski and Neeraj Kane—wrote a vast amount of folk songs thinking they would never see the light of day. "Some Days" was one of those songs. Defined by a sparse acoustic arrangement, "Days" unfolds its minimal layers of ambiance as Olmstead lets out a wistful, yet sultry croon. Its bare-bones structure makes her performance all the more potent, coursing through a haunting melody that is subtle in emotional expression.

"Some Days" is the first release off of Rows Arcs’ forthcoming full-length, High on the Tide, out on March 29 via Hawthorne Street Recordings. The trio will perform at independent art gallery The Pit on April 19, which will also include some of Olmstead’s multimedia installations. Check out the video for the track below. Juan Rodríguez

Daise dropped yet another dreamy pop single to make your heart melt. “Glass Mind” is a mentally moving story of overcoming the hardest times in your life and not letting it affect your future. The lyrics alone transcended me into a new and elevated mood, creating a stellar, almost surreal 5 minutes of bliss. Their chillwave-informed ambiance remains wholesome to the sound they are known for, all while paying homage to a sound that sparks creativeness to anyone that listens to it. 

Glass Mind is the newest single to be released from their upcoming album out later this spring. Catch Daise at The Fox Theater in Pomona on March 9th. Kayla Hay

Following the shower of support from their high-profile fans, Starcrawler quickly follows their self-titled LP with "She Gets Around." The sludgy, garage rock-leaning single has a more menacing air compared to the sprightlier songs of their debut, given how their chugging riffs and dissonant chord arrangements move at a slightly slower tempo. "She Gets Around" is also a first from a recording standpoint, as the quartet decided to take their time inside the studio rather than record it in one take. 

"She Gets Around" is the first reveal off of Starcrawler’s soon-to-be-announced new album. It is now available on all streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez

India Coombs has had enough. Coombs—the LA-via Pennsylvania transplant behind duo All Things Blue—is moving on from an unreliable partner who’s gotten far too many second chances on new single Yellow Heart." "You promised me a lot of hope/ but you never followed through," Coombs wails, letting her feelings simmer as she lays out a barbed, funky riff. Her joyful release is juxtaposed with a fiery guitar lead, all while exploring her strengths and her foibles in an approachable manner.

"Yellow Heart" is the latest single off of All Thing Blues’ forthcoming EP, "Doomed to Lose," which they will self-release on March 14. Juan Rodríguez

Photo: Anna María Lopez

John War creates a beautiful symbiosis of clashing sounds on "Track #4." The multi-instrumentalist’s latest defaces any fluid approach to genre conventions, taking a loose indie rock structure and turning it inside out with an odd convergence of styles which include, and are not limited to, reggae, sophisti-pop, and jungle tekno. War – who self-produced Track #4 – adds a surrealist touch to his lyrical imagery, seamlessly forging his madcap vision while retaining a pop slant.

"Track #4" is just a taste of War’s inventive approach and should be indicative of what he unveils on his forthcoming Summer release, the tentatively-titled Fantasy. Juan Rodríguez