Sometimes, a little generosity can come a long way. In Squid Cult’s latest video for "Baby Blue," it takes about 5,500 miles of separation to accomplish that mission. The indie rock foursome took an unconventional approach to bring some happiness to a transatlantic friendship, where the band members recreate a cheeky spy thriller with a lighthearted tone. The story unfolds like untying a knot, an adequate narrative for the song’s fluid time signature changes and smooth, yet intricate instrumental arrangements. 

"Baby Blue" will be featured on Squid Cult’s forthcoming full-length record All Boys Leave Home Someday, which comes out on August 3rd via Septarian Records. Juan Rodríguez

Post-punk tends to go on two directions despite its sweeping expanse: you either mitigate some of its energy or you jar it as far as it can go. But there’s an equal balance on Polyplastic’s latest single "Next Slide," which takes the musty exterior of its Factory Records phase and reflects it with an elegiac beauty.  The duo of natives Charlie Ellis and Emily Ibarra deftly handle their latest single with a steady rhythmic pulse, where Ellis’s torchy vocal delivery slithers against its lean, urgent guitars.  It almost sounds like a livelier take on Joy Division’s "Dead Souls," but instead of a broken despondency, I hear a scintillating, and especially tuneful, anguish. 

"Next Slide," is the latest single off of Polyplastic’s forthcoming EP, Not No Out, which comes out on June 29. The duo is celebrating the release with an EP release show at Gold Diggers on the same day. Juan Rodríguez

The Millennial Club hit our Artist of the Month poll back in May, and we are happy to announce the release of their newest single, “Santa Barbara,” as of today. A long and breezy drive back to the future as if it was painted by Bob Ross himself, The Millennial Club brush a dreamy, warm pastel of lush, atmospheric pop that will streamline you back into the 80’s. Radiant and passionate lyrics, paired with a smooth synth bass that floats you up and down the coast, will leave your ears ringing for more. Lead vocalist Andres Owens sings about raw and unfiltered love, matching a relationship every one of us has come to know. Owens is backed by a beautiful ensemble of instrumentals that can be heard from bars to cars in an instant without ever noticing a change of scenery. 

The Millennial Club are set to drop their forthcoming EP, "She’s So Insane," later this summer. Kayla Hay

Nylon Smile, the nom de plume of Nikolas Soelter, is taking a new, more reflective direction on his new single "Dust." Soelter, formerly of post-punk band Never Young, explores a brighter indie rock sound with a duskily invigorating focus. Under the helm of Melina Duterte of Jay Som, Soelter utilizes chilly textures set against a dainty guitar lead with an all-around blissful coating. 

"Dust" is the first reveal off of Soelter’s debut EP, Angel of Doubt, which is out in August via Citrus City records. Juan Rodríguez

One of the most unique sets I have listened to in a while, Cabin Fever is the shoegazing band I have been looking for. The band’s latest music video for "The Brown Bunny" is a studio recording that eccentrically highlights every affliction and consolation of the group. Band members Sean Moriarty, Joel Bedolla and Tripp Beam team up with Alvaro Vela, Jon Joseph, and Patrick Taylor to release their forthcoming EP, Exercise The Demon. An epic collage of soft grunge, experiential sounds, and shoegazing melancholy will light up your speakers and melt your subconscious. The music video focuses solely on the musicians, their performance, and the instruments, something that’s not typically a focal point in videos, but is a pure high for the viewer. That we don’t see the faces of the band members aids the audience to focus on the actual music and the messages they are itching to portray. The video for "The Brown Bunny" gives solidarity to the band member’s unique individual talents and adds a je ne sais quoi to their already alluring arrangements. As they’ve described via their instagram page, it’s “Simple songs for complicated people.” Kayla Hay

Alex Marín was something of a nomad before he finally settled in Los Angeles. He soon met with William Gardner, and alongside drummer Grant Van Amburgh, assembled the definitive version of his latest project, Silver Twins. And their first single, "Bruce Lee" is a stellar summation of that period, a pulsing indie rocker with anthemic flourishes. Marín is the lovelorn chaser who’s pining for affection, though judging by the song’s killer, shout-worthy hook, he quells that urge with a joyous intensity.

Listen to "Bruce Lee" below. And make sure to catch the trio perform at Hotel Cafe on June 27. Juan Rodríguez

Robert Tilden ponders an imaginary escape on "Take Me Away." The glistening standalone track under his moniker BOYO, which features psych-pop local musician Dent May, sounds like a lost, starry-eyed sixties chart-topper. Like most of his recent full-length debut, Me, Again, it also mirrors feelings of isolation and depression, as his swelling guitar arpeggios unravel with an acquiescent calm. As for recording with May, he was both grateful and awestruck by the experience, an opportunity that came his way after they both met at a music festival they were both playing together.

"Take Me Away" is out now via Danger Collective. Juan Rodríguez

Smokescreens came together over a shared love for the Flying Nun scene of the 1980’s. And "Someone New," their latest single, is representative of that sound – there’s the driving rhythm section, the circling guitar leads, and the tuneful chorus you can’t forget for days. The four-piece may have dutifully done their homework, but there’s no mimicry involved, as they make use of a classic pop sensibility that sounds as fresh as when The Clean shouted, "Tally Ho!"

"Someone New" is the latest single off of Smokescreens’ forthcoming debut LP, Used to Yesterday, which is out on July 13 via Slumberland. Check them out on any of the following LA tour dates:

06/09 – Redwood Bar
06/22 – Love Song
07/13 – Monty Bar (Record Release)
07/19 – The Echoplex

Jordan Thomas just had a rough day on "Smoking." The desert locale is a curious setting for Thomas, the main songwriter of Gentle J, and his bandmates to give their ode to the New Hollywood seventies movement with a grubby cinematic flair. The resplendent guitar arpeggios of the track give a faint glimmer of hope for Thomas, transforming an otherwise grim outcome with an impressionistic, even transporting form. Just like the scene that replays in Thomas’s journey, "Smoking" possesses a dazzling hook that will also linger in your mind for days. Juan Rodríguez

PLNT9 build up the intensity and keep it that way on "Let it Loose." The debut single by the Hermosa Beach trio provides a zestful blast of pure rock n’ roll, where a hard-charging beat continually batters over Nick Haze’s metallic riffs. But it’s the dynamic rhythm section of vocalist Alex Archon and Chuck Mckissock that keeps the track in place, as they unapologetically play with a ferocity that is both muscular and taut. It’s a confident introduction that clearly delineates the trio’s no-frills combination of noise rock with psych elements.

The trio are following up "Let Loose" with a new single sometime in June. In the meantime, listen to the track below. Juan Rodríguez

SLOWTRIP balance noise with beauty and rage on "Follow." The forthright alternative track, which makes a critique on the harmful effects of institutionalized faith, follows a pummeling form of tuneful rock music with a sludgy approach. But the four-piece don’t have any interest in telling anyone how to go about their business, and instead, want to openly share their personal belief that one shouldn’t conform to any societal norms. It’s a dense, textural rocker that’s thoughtful without becoming overly overbearing.

"Follow" is the latest single off of SLOWTRIP’s forthcoming EP, Blur, which came out on May 18. Catch them on June 2 at Dipiazza’s in Long Beach and June 13 at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa. Juan Rodríguez

Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten have created a beautiful assemblage of uplifting, star gazing energy that will elevate your mind and soul into serenity. Masterminds Friedman and Weingarten together tackle both the instruments and the vocals with ease dominating the soft grunge genre. Hints of Tegan and Sara and Liz Phair flow through their newest single, “Work," layered with moody instrumentals, heavy lyrics, and undeniable talent. Momma is of the first magnitude – their depth and experience as young women hold a great impact on the sound they create.

Momma’s forthcoming album, Interloper, is available on May 25 via Danger Collective. Follow the duo on Instagram and Facebook for updates on a future tour. Kayla Hay