Including Travis Arterburn and Tom Anthony (both formerly of Clique), the quartet of Half Thought recently shared its self-titled debut. The track, “Script Revisted,” opens with a melancholy monologue as a delicate dusting of piano-led music plays and reinforces the mood. A rolling, exuberant tempo eventually grabs the wheel. Recognizing one’s temporary pitfalls/mistakes, the song’s protagonist appears ready to try again.

The self-titled debut from Low Dose is out now via Knife Hits Records/Brutal Panda Records. A battering ram of rhythm merges with distorted guitars and Itarya Rosenberg’s roaring, guttural vocals, creating an unstoppable, bruising melodic grunge-punk sound. Unabashedly open, aching lyrics are delivered through a hazardously heavy musical landscape; these songs adhere under your skin. You can celebrate its arrival with the band tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s, supported by Psychic Teens and Potion 200.

Boothe Carlson is a musician and visual artist based in Philadelphia, whose album 8 or 9 Walled Room was recently released by local tape label Nino Tomorrow, which is run by Ada Babar and Palm‘s Kasra Kurt. Carlson’s videos feel reminiscent of artists like Cecelia Condit, crafting experiences out of mundane imagery that are profoundly emotive and subtly unnerving. Their aptitude for craftsmanship in the video realm translates strikingly well into music, in both instances their works seemingly make use of whatever items are at their disposal. On 8 or 9 Walled Room, they repurpose household objects into percussive tools, making arrangements that are sparse but aren’t lacking in charm and musicality. Vocals become just one of the sounds that pop up in short, staccato bursts – a sonic whack-a-mole of sorts. The songs are short, highly technical, and radiate a warmth that feels more modest than boastful. – Josh Kelly

Will Yip’s Memory Music recently dropped Better, the new Caracara EP. The three-song collection is intimately brought to life through setting-shaping lyricism. Compact instrumentation builds and bursts putting a spectrum of emotions on full display. You can catch the band’s EP release show at Everybody Hits on Friday, May 3, brought to you by Home Outgrown Presents. (Photo by Emily Dubin)

Lois Volta (formerly of Adam & Dave’s Bloodline) recently shared a new single release. “Feels So Good” stirs with an earnest, spiritual appreciation. The vocals rain down in relaxed yet powerful harmonies as a mantra of maturity naturally results. A gentle, folk sway and groove rolls in on its B-side, “I’m Alright,” as the song lyrically describes how altering one’s point of view and learning from past experiences can lead to contentment. The power of change rests in your own hands.

A gust of wind ushers in “27 Stones,” as it eerily declares, “Poor little girl, you are in a world and no one knows your name.” Then, the gentle strums of acoustic guitar and keys intertwine to brighten the mood, and a mission statement and a motif of dissatisfying reality vs. a fantastical ideal is established. “I want to feel anything that’s real” is countered by the cutting chorus of “Nothing feels beautiful anymore,” before the longing of “I wish I could find the place, where all the things you love, you could hear them call you…” is revealed. A gradual momentum is built as the narrative of falling off course due to selfish desires unfurls. Clarity comes through over the course of a pensive climb, introducing us to The Madalean Gauze Band’s enchanting new LP Nothing Feels Beautiful Anymore.

It is followed by a menacing instrumental tone that sets the scene for “This One’s For You”. The swirl of tension creates a head trip as the vocals encircle in a chaotic, mesmerizing twist, before “Hotel Room” shifts gears, recalling the moments of falling in love in New York. The guitar sets out striding in accompaniment of the single in a singular, intimate manner. The recording serves as an admission of one’s true belief/desire. “Loneliness is safe, but a love will keep you going strong.”

“Welcome to the Party” greets us with its bewitching tones, requesting Madalean to “free yourself from the darkness,” as an ominous bell toll is cast against the proceeding, sunny vocals. “Life is a journey full of heavy demons” – the search for meaning in one’s life continues, before “Spooky Voodoo” spirals downward like a rumbling, runaway locomotive. The album’s title/sentiment is reiterated in an interlude of sorts and during the firestorm of “HAHA!” The song taps into destiny through a dream-like imagery and suggestive fall from grace: “You’re not the most beautiful anymore.” It toes the line between aggression and playfulness.

With “Talking,” there is a temporary reprieve, checking in on the listener. Foreshadowing the next track with the line: “Love, it shouldn’t be so hard.” “More Than You’ll Ever Know” has a strolling, percussive-guitar, one-two punch. Suggesting a sense of loss and loneliness – “things could be different, but they’re gone,” – a bouncy yet melancholy atmosphere filters through; the disappoint over revealing one’s genuine self and not being accepted is counterbalanced by a hopeful observation: “I want to believe in something that’s bigger than what I live in…”

“Electric Moment” seems to acknowledge an optimistic, personal outlook whilst taking ownership of one’s emotions, as acoustic guitar and angelic background vocals create a bare but bright aura. The aptly titled “The End” goes full circle, reinforcing its lyrical purpose in coda form. Nothing Feels Beautiful Anymore pages through a personal scrapbook of recent memories and relationships. Its ups and downs are viewed through a captivating psych lens, providing us with a kaleidoscope of wondrous sonics to enjoy. – Michael Colavita

Krust Toons: "The Ramones of Punk Rock" 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.

nonultrajoy, the new EP from Andi Jones-led Ther, is available on cassette via Deep Sea Records. A calm, contemplative catharsis unfolds. Words are woven in well-realized stories/songs that carry depth whilst flowing breezily free. On Wednesday, April 17, Ther will be performing at Everybody Hits as part of a lineup that also includes Noera, Lirra Skirra, Christina Puerto, Host, and Warm Dust.

Light up, and head on out to High Reeper’s record release this Sunday at Johnny Brenda’s. The local ensemble fearlessly dives head first into multiple chasms of the metal genre, while keeping true to its stoner roots and retro 70’s aesthetic. The quintet’s riff-tastic LP is a fine example of why Philly’s underground sounds can’t be put in a box. High Reeper will also be joined at the beloved Fishtown watering hole by celestial beings Green Meteor and NYC hard rockers Mick’s Jaguar. So feel free to bang your head, and let those locks/freak flags fly! – Alexis V.

Other places where you can rock or not this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Clap Back – Benefiting Small But Mighty Arts: Rieko Copeland, SUN High Reeper (Record Release), Green Meteor

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Baker Man (Record Release), Mesmeric Haze, Aspect Ratio, SUN Augusta Koch 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Gringo Motel, The Rectors/Shake It Off: Taylor & Friends Dance Party, SAT HIPS, DJ Lean Wit It

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI RFA, Secret American, Ali Awan

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SAT Brainrack

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT The Pogos, Floaters, Voodoo Death Cult, Standard Bearer, SUN Man Like Machine, Timelost

TLA (334 South St.) SUN Lee Mazin, Bry Greatah

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI DJ Diamond Kuts, Lee Mazin, Bri Steves, Summer Valentine, Wyo Chi, Mamba Cinco

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Kaz: Drop It Like It’s Hot

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Reverend TJ McGlinchey, Mason Porter, Christopher Davis-Shannon, Alec Stewart/(Downstairs) Marah, John Train, SAT New Sound Brass band, Scantron,The Dull Blue Lights 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jaxy & the Three 57s, SAT Drums Like Machine Guns, Aggressive Trial Attorney, Paradise Gardens, Night Terrors, SUN Broad Cast, The Zheroes/Slokey (EP Release), 3hibachi, BK Friendly, Mr.Hideyoshi, Toadofsky, Magnetic The Shaman

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI S.R. Frost (Record Release), SAT Goddamnit

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Crozet, XXIIIXIX/November Lounge, Det Cart Sid, The Third Arrangement, SAT Mirrorsigns

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Rich Medina, SAT DJ Deejay

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Bill Guy and The Essentials (EP Release), Referee, Puppy Angst, SAT American Dinosaur, Lady HD, Stonewall Vessels, SUN Christian Real Keez, Tori Seven

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio, Transistor Rodeo, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Only on Weekends, Wolves Can’t Dance, SAT Raw Street Cabaret 

The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT GHOUL B.C., Night Mission

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI The Age Of Truth, Thunderbird Divine, Ritual Earth, Grey C.E.L.L., SAT Tartarus Horde, Stopping Power, Hallucinogenic Bulb

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SAT Hot Damn, SUN Necrosexual, Rockers Galore

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Darlingtyn, Briz & the Revival, SAT Viewing Party, Chaos Theory, Minerva

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Big Mind, Crucial, Solomonic Sound System, SAT Breakwater

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Murayama, Overwinter, Expansion Project, SAT SteveO & The Crippling Addictions, Lost Boys Lottery, SUN Gloves Off, World Below, Snake Charmer

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Rebecca Zimmerman (Album Release), Canine 10, Stereotytans, Drew Arden, SUN all boy/all girl, Phoebe Fm

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Medusa’s Disco, SAT Full Bush, Dweller

Warehouse on Watts (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT DJ Everyday, Rob Paine & Francisco Collazo

Fossilillies is the forthcoming album from Son Step, and is set to come out on May 17 via Grind Select. The experimental pop quartet recently introduced its lead single. “Saucy”. A gentle, bouncy, rhythmic thrust propels the track forward as backend and synth mingle in a vibrant tone. Harmonic, vocal warmth helps to retain a closeness, while exhibiting a drifting-toward-discovery danceability. You can catch the band’s album release celebration ar Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday, June 6, supported by Great Time and Data.

“Louder,” the lead single from Slingshot Dakota’s forthcoming album Heavy Banding, expresses an undeterred perseverance in the face of doubt. Keys and percussion barrel ahead in bright, brutal fashion as a relentless message is delivered. Reinforced by Kiley Lotz (Petal) as well as the members of Dikembe and Expert Timing, the chorus serves as unflinching mantra: “We’ll just keep getting louder.” The record is scheduled for release on May 24 via Community Records/Specialist Subject Records/Stiff Slack, and the duo will begin its tour on Thursday, May 30 at Everybody Hits, supported by Harmony Woods and Hit Like a Girl.

An ominous stir paints outlines for the sonic setting of “Foundations,” which appears to be the title track for post-punk outfit Downtown Club‘s upcoming album. The drums chime in allowing the world to open up. April Harkanson’s vocals shine like a flashlight, illuminating small segments under the cover of darkness. Within a menacing, enigmatic space, a dance-inducing track results.