TOSH, the new album from Wrecking Crew member Curly Castro, recently dropped via Backwoodz Studioz. Meshing the grimy with elements of dub, the record brings the heat in a perpetual, potent, slow burn. Balancing an air of danger and determination, there’s an authentic wisdom delivered. However, you’ll also an emphasis and enthusiasm, embracing the moment at hand. Polished beats and bars come together on a versatile LP that won’t stop.

Indie rockers Commonwealth Choir have a new single, called "Palm Reader," which was produced by Dan Pawlovich (Valencia, Panic! At The Disco). The song is a description of the way you can change as you emerge from adolescence. Melodically marching forward with guitar runs as exclamation points and the balance of vocal harmonies, the recording is caught between the pull of memories and the drive of the future. Despite your best intentions, sometimes it’s best to cut ties, or alter expectations. (Photo by Abi Raymaker)

“Luxton,” the new single from the quartet of Nonfiction, traces the steps of addiction and grief. Lingering memories and sadness resonate as one perpetually recalls what’s been lost. Emotive, nostalgic melodies and harmonies blend the present with the past. It’s so difficult to move forward when images from one’s former life keeps finding their way into one’s vision.

Delicate piano and an airy rhythmic push allows one to drift into “Crazy For Your Love,” which kicks off the Big Dogs EP from Jacob Sullenger, a.k.a. Johnny Utah, available via Z Tapes Records. Toggling between bright falsetto and introspective, spoken, behind-the-scenes asides, the song hovers in a slinky, playful manner, as intermediate trumpet blasts breathe fresh air into the mix. It’s followed by “Folding Like Honey,” which creeps in a funky, key-oriented, night-time groove. The soft, secretive delivery of the vocals rides over the sirens of the streets. It’s a brief confessional track of infatuation, shown through pops of neon light, while “Really Meant” builds drama & warmth in a strolling, vamping headspace. “Patty” is instantly dipped in a deep R&B/funk tone. The song is a candid manner of reaching out, revealing one’s feelings in the hopes that they will be reciprocated or a relationship rekindled. At the same time, the smooth flow of that instrumental elixir induces movement on the dance floor. Album closer, “Skytop Garden,” opens with an encouraging message, draped over a mellow, jazz sample of the classic “Blue Moon,” which is kicked up by the backbeat. Featuring SCALISI, the recording creates a soulful, musical dialogue that serves as a snapshot of an earnest love story. With the EP clocking in at about 12 minutes, one becomes easily immersed in Sullenger’s experimental, bedroom-pop world, which is definitely worth revisiting. – Michael Colavita

Krust Toons: "So Long 2018!" 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.

When former members of Fight Amp and Legendary Divorce announced that they had combined forces as Low Dose, the first sampling of the unholy union came in the form of their single, “For Sure,” an unforgiving, grunge explosion that piqued our interest. It served as a teaser for the band’s forthcoming self-titled debut album. On Sunday at Kung Fu Necktie, the quartet celebrates lead singer/guitarist Itarya Rosenberg’s birthday, and plans to play the album in full, which sounds like an excellent way to send off 2018. They’ll be joined by the powerhouse, post-punk trio of Control Top, whom will be heading out on tour this spring with Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers and Mercy Union. Containing former members of Prophet, Said I and Fight Amp, hardcore quartet Lesser Light will also be taking the stage for the group’s inaugural performance, while Brooklyn’s Netherlands is set to unleash a stew of strangely compelling, sludge experimentation. (Photo by Shadowscene) – Michael Colavita 

Other places to end 2018 just right…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Live Band Karaoke with Pat Finnerty & The Full Band, SAT Japanese Breakfast, SUN Japanese Breakfast, MON Japanese Breakfast, Dj Missy (Marisa Dabice of Mannequin Pussy)

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element (Record Release Show), Little Strike, Las Palabras, SAT Full Bush, Exmaid, Grace Vonderkuhn, MON Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Kevin Schultes and The Wild Dogs, Slophouse, Chris Sneade, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Low Dose, Control Top, Lesser Light, MON Fame Lust

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN RFA, American Dinosaur, Spelling Reform

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI A Tribute To The Clash performed by REANA, MON West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Sun Ra Arkestra, Mambisa 

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Valencia, June Divided, MON Making Time New Year’s Eve 

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Hijinx After Party: Subtronics, SUN Hijinx After Party: Louis Futon, Tiedye Ky, MON Low Cut Connie, & More

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI The Disco Biscuits, SAT The Disco Biscuits, SUN The Disco Biscuits, MON The Disco Biscuits

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Mr. Brightside, SAT Armani White, MON Stimulus NYE

Franklin Music Hall (421 N. 7^th St.) SUN The Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza, MON Hardwork Movement

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Stoops, Laser Background, SAT (Upstairs) Eddy Echo, MON (Upstairs) The Jersey Corn Pickers, The Cheddar Boys, Boulevard Express / (Downstairs) Start Making Sense

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Soraia, First of June

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Cheerleader, MON Lovelorn, Suburban Living

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) MON The World Without Us

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Twin Beds, Mattress Food, Phillip and the Flatheads, MON Hands And Knees New Year’s Eve

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Sonni Shine, MON DJ Deejay

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Stella Ruze, Whiskey Train, Andrew Jude Band, SAT Tucker Hill, The Maguas, Skye Lee

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Scantron, SUN Rusty Cadillac, MON Brown Sugar 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Hulqamaniaq, Sparklies, Cosmic Lottery, SAT Black Cat Habitat, The Easily Fooled, Jake Rogers

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Shawn Ryan, MON DJ Ben Aire

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SUN Wolves Attack

The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT The Barren Marys, The Prisoners

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Cop Jokes, Hallucinogenic Bulb, Moyogash, Guillermo Pizarro, SAT The LOT, Fucksake, Side Pocket Louie, MON Narcos Family Band, Nauseator, Witching, Hivelords, Atomic Cretins, Yuckmouf

The Met Philly (858 N. Broad St) FRI PnB Rock, SAT  Kurt Vile

Frankford Hall (1210 Frankford Ave.) MON Vacationer, Minka, Sixteen Jackies

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Uncle Dan, Mr. Lisp, Boozeradly, SAT The Duke Brothers, Night Mission, Mikey Potatos, MON The Funky T, Knightlife, Stone Eye

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Bry Greatah, Mars Parker, Voss, SAT Darla, The Underwater Sounds, SUN Big Mind, MON Splintered Sunlight, Swift Technique

The Locks at Sona (4417 Main St.) SAT The John Byrne Band 

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) SUN Le Yikes Surf Club

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Lylyly, Rasan In The Heyday, Secret Nudist Friends

Warehouse on Watts (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Talkpeck Soundsystem, SUN CIA (Album Release), Catullus

We love band geeks! Kelsey Corcoran, a.k.a. Kelsey Cork, is a self-proclaimed one, and her passion for music is self-evident, going as far as getting her bachelor’s degree in music education from West Chester University. And though she has the technical know-how, Cork prefers the “raw, real, free of pretense” feel of rock and roll, and it shows in the debut single, “Center City Blues,” with her backing band The Swigs. We had a chance to catch up with our most recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner, and you can check out the interview HERE. Also, keep a look out for “a surprise” from Kelsey Cork & the Swigs in the New Year – cheers! (Photo by Alyssa Resh)

Jesse Barki (of The Mellowells) recently dropped a solo album, which he has titled Age Of Unknown Callers. Thoughtful, personal, folk songwriting, driven by acoustic guitar, creates a clear, sonic vision. A useful universal wisdom/maturity meets an emotive outpouring, pushing its power. Zooming in and out between short & longterm viewpoints, there’s a candid authenticity addressing one’s evolving expectations, while finding where we individually fit in the bigger picture. (Photo by Rachel Adshead)

Whyvs is the latest album from the punk quartet of Wives. A rowdy, raw, grunge element comes right at your ears. Menacing rhythms and jagged, distorted guitar set the tone. The primal of the vocals accompanies the jarring dynamic of instrumentation. Oozing with heaviness and intensity, the collection is a heart-racing release.

Philly’s own Null recently shared a new EP, oddly titled . – – . . . – . – . . . – . . (pull). Peppered with a glitchy array of noise, Josh Lesser creates a candid, warped, pop sound. Hovering between the threshold of heady & at home, one swims in the strangely familiar waters. While floating in tranquility, volatile transitions appear ready to loom around every corner.

Rob Grote (of The Districts) recently shared a new single under the moniker of Goat Mumbles. “Stag” occupies a shadowy, synthwave spectrum. A progressive, percussive groove shimmers in the moonlight, creating a mysterious, lonely dance track. The song seems to be invitation to a prospective companion, as Grote’s vocals suggest a hypothetical future. The longing, semi-spoken deliver is contrasted by the warmth and brightness of his falsetto, introducing a different perspective of the artist’s musical talents. (Photo by Out Of Town Films)

As though floating through a vast, ethereal dream with turbulent twists, Maroon 6, the debut EP from Finders, provides a pensive ambiance A discovery-oriented drive delicately pushes one forward. The instrumental atmosphere is compact, but offers room for vocals to breathe. However, as one foot is placed in the clouds, another is grounded in reality.