Orange County natives The Colourist had always tinkered with the idea of writing their newest track "Yes Yes", very early into their formation as a band, and it looks like all the pieces have finally fallen into place. The slick, finely crafted pop-rock track tackles the baggage brought upon by a destructive third wheel, one that seemingly works in orchestratrating a couple’s demise with lies and deceit. It’s an upbeat cautionary tale that’ll work wonders once they play it for an arena audience, who will jubilantly raise their hands up during the song’s propulsive chorus. 

Fueled by adolescent memories and the need to start a new chapter, Broadheds is the new super-group helmed by Eulogies’ Peter Walker. A collection of short pop-punk inspired tunes filled to the brim with energy, dynamics and spirit that range from frenetic angst to reggae-tinged longing, are simply the backdrop for showcasing Walker’s expert songwriting skills. Walker brought his guitar/vocal demos to a star-studded cast that includes drummer Danny Weston, Jr. (The Kooks), bass player Justin Meldal-Johnsen (NIN, Beck, M83), and Fitz and the Tantrums’ sax player James King. An unexpected choice, King’s addition to the group is what really makes the album soar as he brings a diverse range of styles to the mix from traditional ska leanings, to Zappa-like chaos. The deeper narrative and the intention to make this as a stand-alone art piece aside, this album has the makings of a breakout hit. Almost every song has single potential, while still carrying the weight of a cohesive work filled with little sonic treats that keep you coming back to find new treasures. Masterfully produced and arranged by both Walker himself and Meldal-Johnson after only a mind-boggling three days of recording, this is what the magical combination of pros at the top of their game having actual fun sounds like. Their album release is expected to be a multi-media extravaganza, with projections, videos and the artwork by Mark Todd being presented alongside the live performance. Stream the single, "Nothing That I Care About" below, and catch the star-studded cast at the Bootleg on April 9. – Jacqueline Caruso

LA indie-pop heavyweights Army Navy are back with a brand new track titled "Pickle", taken from the band’s forthcoming full-length. And though they haven’t shared any information with us yet, I’m sensing a moderate change from the crunchier, power pop stylings of their previous release, The Last Place. The jaunty, lilting little number thrusts forward with a mid-tempo melody that sparkles with an effervescent delivery. They’re not so much changing ther classic songwriting as they are refining it as they go along. Seventies LA bands like 20/20 and Great Buildings would be proud. 

The student-run college radio station KXSC, based out of USC, put on the 5th installment of their annual Fest this Saturday. Featuring a cross section of the LA Indie scene, the lineup included garage rockers The Dead Ships, party starters Nguzungzu and headliner Dan Deacon. Undoubtedly an eclectic and entrancing night of music, but the true highlight was Chelsea Wolfe. She brought her doom-folk, and a full band to the stage for a set that transfixed the college ballroom. What normally feels like a lecture hall was transformed into what felt like the site of a cult sacrifice. The crowd – dominated by young males who seemed to know every song by the opening swells – leaned in to worship at Wolfe’s altar as she possessed us with her folklore. She artfully rocked her way through most of the tunes from Apokalypsis, which showcased the insane creative talents of her band, most notably Kevin Dockter’s hauntingly sinister guitar work during “Pale on Pale.” Each song was drenched in a ghostly gloom that filled the room with mystical anticipation, as if Wolfe herself would somehow be transformed by her own incantations. Despite some unfortunate sound issues, we were all relieved when the violinist returned to the stage to close out the set with “Flatlands.” Her artistry and ambiance aside, this is a tune that stays with you. The clear standout, “Flatlands” soars in the live setting. Stripped down, it allows the eastern-leaning guitar riff to take the lead, while her understated tension pours out in a misty cloud of poetry over us, hanging there just out of reach. You can catch the mystifying Wolfe and her band at Desert Daze on April 20. – Jacqueline Caruso

Photo Courtesy of Leslie Andrew Ridings

Bridgette Moody and John Seasons have come together to form a new project more joyous and free than their past incarnations. In anticipation of their soon to be released debut full length, Haunted Summer has released the single “1996”, which is rich with orchestral swells and a laid back, loungey groove. The B-side, “Ain’t One,” is equally as charming, but with a bit more rhythmic pep and rambling atmosphere. Their brand of dream pop feels timeless, with just the right amount of youthful nostalgia to woo your ears into submission. Moody’s smooth, light as air vocals captivate like a siren of the sea, while the arrangements are lush and seductive, but never pushy. It’s a delightful combination that has the power to fill any lazy summer day with an extra bit of magic. Stream the single below and catch them at The Satellite on April 5. – Jacqueline Caruso

The Aged brothers, the duo behind the understated, but soulful, inc., have released the video for “Black Wings” off their LP ‘no world’ which came out earlier this year on 4AD. Watch the brothers as they swing chains around an abandoned farm. Let them soothe you with their mildly sinister, yet sultry melodies, as they sit around a bonfire at night…swinging chains. I have to admit this video seems reminiscent of something from the 90s that you thought was super sexy and cool when you were 13, but if you watch it now it’s confounding and most likely hilarious. I also recognize that was probably the point. I’ll leave it up to you whether their brand of skinny white guys whisper singing r n’ b over repetitive guitar riffs is worthwhile. But in the meantime, I’m going to keep this video on repeat, because there really is something mesmerizing and appealing about it all. – Jacqueline Caruso

Tim Presley, known for releasing music last year at an unheard of rate under the name White Fence, is at it again. With an alarming five albums, one of them being a two-disc set that came out in a little less than a year ago, he’s gearing up for the release of his new album, Cyclops Reap, on April 9th. Songs on the album include Fragility, Pink Gorilla, New Edinburgh and Chairs in the Dark – all hold true to the psychedelic rock feel that we all know and love. Presley’s new song, "Fragility", is written like a delicate love poem, which endows you with a relaxing tinge while evoking big emotions as well. However, "Pink Gorilla" is one of the more obscure songs on the album; make sure to leave the candles and romance at home because this one will induce an obnoxious amount of dancing. Presley doesn’t let avid listeners down, as Cyclops Reap is surely a great attribute to his ongiong legacy of keeping up with the ever-lasting sounds of garage. – Kayla Hay

Real life couple and the musical duo behind Houses, Dexter Tortoriello and Megan Messina, are having a very busy 2013. Following a string of shows at SXSW, their sophomore album, ‘A Quiet Darkness’ is set for release on April 16th via Downtown Records. The opening track, “Beginnings,” is sparse and ominous. The droning, understated and melancholic harmonies mixed with the growing intensity of the ambient instrumentation create a larger than life soundscape that sets the listener up for the dark ride ahead. The entire album is ambitiously conceptual: a married couple attempt to reunite along Highway 10 after a nuclear disaster, ending tragically with their inevitable deaths. If that’s not enough, the duo spent time capturing found sounds and videos in abandoned houses along the real Highway 10. The layers of intentionality and artistry put into this body of work make it rich with texturally chilling atmosphere. Houses are set to spend April touring with Cold War Kids, followed by a long run in support of Baths. – Jacqueline Caruso

 Over here at the Deli’s imaginary offices, we’re big fans of eerie electro-pop trio Sir Sly. So much so that we named them as the next "Artist to Watch" back in late January. The band will be touring across North America this spring, which will end with two stops at the Troubadour and Constellation Room in late May. Better mark your calendars now, so you don’t miss it! 

Heavy Hawaii are a San Diego duo that are truly operating on a plane of their own – their latest single, "Washing Machine", is a disquieting, heavily reverbed pop ballad seen through the lens of a hallucinogenic nightmare. It’d be facile to put it in the same vein as Syd Barrett via The Madcap Laughs, except the instruments are deliberately buried into the mix as opposed to Barrett’s clear, repetitive guitar parts. It’s as if Matt Bahamas and Jojo Keylargo dreamt up a scene in which they buried Barrett in the sand and recorded him from underground while basking in the kaleisdoscopic tinted sky. The rhythmic pulse is one of stillness and calm, but that quavaring organ bewilders your senses and throws you into a tailspin. And once it finalizes, you feel like taking the ride again. Their new album, "Goosebumps", drops April 2nd on Art Fag Recordings.

Laurel Canyon-based songstress, Meg Olsen, is like something out of an Anthropologie ad. Romantic and mysterious, yet somehow familiar. She sings plaintively in a more relaxed, but similar fashion to the ladies of First Aid Kit. Tambourines, twangy guitars and rotary-drenched organs dance underneath Olsen’s lilting, laid back poetry. “Corners of Bars,” the first track off her EP, ‘Deal From the Bottom,’ has a ghostly quality that captivates your imagination. She sings stories wrapped in dreams from a bygone era. There’s a mix of folk and bluegrass influence on the EP, but the overarching landscape is mellow, seasoned, and covered in a layer of mist and fog. Stream the entire EP below. – Jacqueline Caruso

LA-based trio Gliss is offering an intimate take on songs from its newest album, "Langsom Dans," with a five-part video series of stripped-down performances. Adding to the album’s entrancing and amorous sound, the video series takes listeners to the songs’ most innermost layers. The videos take place in a simple, yet mystical living room setting, making viewers feel like they are getting a personal concert. The series includes the songs: "Into the Water," "Blur," "Weight of Love," and "Kite in the Sky." While Gliss’ songs often carry dark tones, the band manages to add soft beauty and lightness through whispered vocals and sparkling synth textures. The warm, moody qualities of the music lend themselves well to the cozy setting of the video series. It is a nice change of pace for the group after having performed a handful of shows at SXSW. However, Gliss will return full force with a show on Wednesday at the Echo. – Karla Hernández