Portrait in Silver is the new album from Night Sins, a.k.a. Kyle Kimball (of Nothing), and is available via Louisville, KY’s Funeral Party. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Nick Bassett (Whirr/Nothing). The recordings stealthily stride through the darkness in a ghostly, synth-forward manner, admittedly more akin to Depeche Mode’s Violator than The Sisters of Mercy’s Floodland. Night Sins will be bringing the retro dance party into the shadows this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, with support from Carnivorous Bells, Forever Chasing Honey Bees, and Drowse.

The full-length debut from lylyly is scheduled to arrive in November. The group recently shared a video for its new single, “I Thought That I Was Dying (Same As Yesterday),” which was directed by Bob Sweeney. The piano-anchored track captures an overwhelming sense of stress and gloom that won’t let go. Releasing those internalized stressors hopefully serves as a relief of pressure in which others can relate to. lylyly is also set to perform on Friday, September 13 at Anthorna Gallery, with goodnight/goodluck, A Day Without Love, and Little Church.

We recently shared a rad, new collaboration of Moor Mother with Zonal, the duo consists of God Flesh/Jesu’s Justin K. Broadrick and electronic producer Kevin Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound). The Philly genre-bending artist also just announced the release for Analog Fluids Of Sonic Black Holes. The solo follow-up to Fetish Bones is scheduled to arrive on November 8 via Don Giovanni Records. And with its lead single “After Images,” electronics and spiritual samples are tuned in as a bombarding, percussive beat announces its advent. Camae Ayewa’s confident, commanding vocals serve as an urgent warning.

Somber strokes of guitar and a light dusting of drums develop the intimate closeness of “Inp,” the first song on Bad Heaven Ltd.’s sophomore album Strength. Amid an overarching sense of loneliness, the power and positivity of personal connection remains as John Galm (ex-Snowing) suggests, “…and I know that evening’s empire won’t absolve this place. I’ll burn three cigarettes, and you can call it sage. I’ll sigh a benediction after all its praise for thee.”

In contrast to the previous calm, “Almost” immediately rushes and rumbles creating a chaotic, contemplative intensity that then gives way to melancholy strings and a gentle, folk-oriented rumination. “Alex is lonely. They think that their body is worthless. It’s hard to stay hopeful, when you think that you lack a purpose.” There’s a refined elegance as the instrumentation gradually builds with a beautiful release that also seemingly serves as a tribute, rekindling the opening theme: “It’s almost better now.”

With the album’s title track, Galm exudes optimism in the moment of declaring, “Lucky and bored in love with you, it’s reasonably fine. I was not true. Try to be more. We’ll see it through.” The recording is punctuated by a demonstrative blaze of guitar, while “Stick Around” revisits the desire for existential meaning and purpose, bridging the divide and connecting on “…you and I,” and then transforming into an intimate, rejuvenating harmony of a duet, with the addition of keys/synth to retain an ethereal quality.

“100” delves into the weight of despair and loneliness within desolate surroundings. However, despite the frustration depicted in the dreary, folk/Americana setting, a glimmer of hope remains. “Fuck your landlord, it’s not their home. I live for you and for you alone.” In opposition, “Cross” serves as a cheerful song of appreciation for the person that’s always there for you. “I love you like a brother. It never ends. See you every weekend my only friend.” That breezy buoyancy is joyously interrupted by an instrumental foray.

The single, “Bed,” sinks into the sadness of depression and the desire for relief. Those quiet contemplations are infused with the force of unrestrained feedback, before acoustic guitar and piano delicately intertwine on “Forever,” describing a cherished relationship. “I just hope that you’re in my life forever. I thank every lucky star that you were born.”

Strength explores the difficulties that life can present and the redemptive qualities of having someone to rely on. They are two things that don’t always coexist together, but have found each other on this powerful release. – Michael Colavita

Krust Toons: "As a Matter of Fact…" 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.

Hopefully you have Monday off to recover from this week’s Weekend Warrior pick. SRA Records will be hosting its 10^th Anniversary Bash this Sunday at PhilaMOCA. The local indie label is never shy about bringing us some of the heaviest, hardest-hitting acts to come out of Philly. The celebration’s stacked lineup will consist of SRA family & friends – Chronic Anxiety, Psychic Teens, The HIRS Collective, Soul Glo, Solarized, Exmaid, FOD, and Gene London Calling. Get there early for the matinee hours and beyond! And if you happen to be one of the unfortunate ones who don’t have Labor Day off, then just quit already because they obviously don’t appreciate you. – Alexis V.

Other places where you can spend your Labor Day weekend…

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN SRA Records 10th Anniversary Bash: HIRS, Soul Glo, Psychic Teens, FOD, Solarized, Exmaid, Gene London Calling, Chronic Anxiety

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI YellPunk Fest: The Droopies, Gaz, SAT Dania Hallak 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Sleep Tactics (Record Release), Savage Dads, Timelost 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Possum Kingdom, The Agoraphobix / DJs Paul T and Sean Hearn, SAT Witching, SUN Necrosexual, Basilysk, Atomic Cretins

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Rebel Foster, DJ Dommis, Mike Voss, Ill Dill Tha Vill, PRLM CHLD, Boob Mile$, Patrick Feliciano, SAT DJ Richard Reich, DJ Elijah Arms

TLA (334 South St.) FRI Petty Levels & Saucy Sev

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Grunge-A-Palooza:The Elysiums, White Limo, Superunknown, Purple to the Core/Urban Guerilla Orchestra, Al Chestnut

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Put Children First Charity Event: Dead Robins, Tortuga, The 1940s

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Bazmati Vice, Ariel Skye, SAT Chalk & The Beige Americans, Dirty Soap, Kelsey Cork & The Swigs, Jesse Gimbel

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Det Cart Sid, SAT Body Spray, Nowhere, SUN Soft Idiot

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI A Benefit for Tina Quigley: Reward, Nonfiction, Brandish, SAT Michael Wavves, Trent Thomas,Alex Catrambone, Sami Rahman 

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Douse, Doused, SAT No Gods, Polemicist

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Scarlet and the Degenerates, DRACO, The Russells, Wormtooth, X88B88

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT Kalicade, SUN Ear Me Now

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI This Temper SAT Packed Lunch, Moment To Capitalize, The Jumping Juvies

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, Jah People

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Flesh Tomb, Schotzi, SAT Fixation, The Grip, SUN Moment To Capitalize

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI  Grace Vonderkuhn, Miss Cantaloupe, SAT DJ Lean Wit It 

Couchtown (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI City Dressed, Rasan In The Heyday (Solo)

Free Candy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Moral Crayfish

Hubris House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Telyscopes, Vague Advice, Samryebread

TRUCK (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Puppy Angst

Made In America (Ben Franklin Pkwy.)SAT Pink Sweat$, SUN Lil Uzi Vert, Tierra Whack, Kur

The "pro-bee" quartet of Eleby is back with a new single, called “Glass House”. Airy keys and an ominous bassline converge creating a delicate yet determined dynamic. Hushed vocal layers linger like remnants of a secret whispered. Softly sung, revealing lyrics inhabit an intimate space, before the band locks in for an extended groove to close things out.

Topshelf Records recently released Queen of Jeans‘s new LP If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid. Serene, personal narratives reveal intimate, inner workings with a resounding clarity. One becomes swept up by the breezy, beautiful atmospherics. On Friday, September 6, Boot & Saddle will host the trio’s album release celebration, with support from Gladie. (Photo by Bob Sweeney)

you and the sky is the latest release from Timothy MacIsaac, a.k.a. Treasure Box. The EP merges a calm/chaotic dichotomy, mirroring the desire for tranquility in a complex cluttered world. Whispy vocals hover in the lo-fi, fuzzed-out, noise-laden sonics. Sift through the array of textures, and embrace the dreamy, experimental ambiance.

Sheer Mag’s new full-length album, A Distant Call, the follow-up to 2017’s Need to Feel Your Love, is out now via Wilsuns RC. Welding a raw, emotive-fueled fire with effortless melodies, the recordings mesh finesse and strength, with the band demonstrating a widening range of songwriting prowess. Just press play, and let it rip. You can catch Sheer Mag performing live on Thursday, October 10 at Union Transfer, with Tweens.

Singer-songwriter Jeremiah Tall recently shared “Graves,” the lead single from his forthcoming album Bare Bones, which is scheduled to arrive on October 11. A grim sonic swirl sets the tone. Unearthing a lively folk-blues stomp, the prediction of a zombie apocalypse is heeded. The end is near, and you’ve been warned. Hopefully it won’t come before Tall’s performance at Philly Music Fest on Saturday, September 27 at World Cafe Live.

Krust Toons: "If You Wanted to Get Laid…" 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.