L.A.

Young Jesus play homecoming show at Moroccan Lounge on 12/15

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Earlier this year, Young Jesus graced us with their breakthrough second effort The Whole Thing is Just There. Equal parts complicated and tuneful, the post-rock meets indie rock four-piece delivered a grand, sweeping statement that handles its broad tonal shifts with admirable confidence. It kind of snuck up on the release docket during the month of October, though thankfully, the passage of time has only revealed the album’s intricate treasures. From the heady, spiraling transitions of "Saganism vs. Buddhism" to the dissonant chords progressions of "Bell," the band is sure to thrill audiences with their forthcoming homecoming performance at the Moroccan Lounge on December 15. 

The Whole Thing is Just There is out now on Saddle Creek. Juan Rodríguez

Photo Credit: Kelsey Hart

Toronto

Blue Sky Miners – “Rocky Mountain Desert Rock” at Lee’s Palace 01.18

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Blue Sky Miners are a six piece band from Toronto that I would drop into the Americana category. Despite their location they find influences in the Rocky Mountains and the desert to combine for a folk sound that is more bad ass than the standard. The band member’s origins stretch across the whole country which brings many different regions together for their uniquely Canadian sound. They are headlining an Exclaim Class of 2019 show at Lee’s Palace on January 18th alongside Olivia & The Creepy Crawlies, Dan Edmonds and Katie Mcbride. – Kris Gies

Chicago

Tom Schraeder & His Ego “Aim Higher”

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Tom Schraeder & His Ego have released a new album called Aim Higher. This is their first album since 2015’s Gush, and first with the talented Kate Adams of Mending. She makes her presence felt through the album, but really standouts on “Wearing and Faded”.

Schraeder is currently touring Japan and will hopefully bring this album to stage in Chicago when he returns.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Gimmie Love” (Carly Rae Jepsen Cover) – The Superweaks

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Something Merry recently released EMO-TION, a tribute to Carly Rae Jepsen’s album EMOTION. All proceeds from the compilation will be directed to Immigration Equality, "the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization". The Superweaks are one of fifteen artists included on the album, contributing their take on “Gimme Love”. The song retains its tranquilizing, emotive vocal power; however, a quaking backend and the soaring, twin-lined guitars bring it home. (Photos by Scott Troyan)

NYC

Unknown Caller remembers old friends on “See You Again,” plays The Delancey 12.7

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Brooklyn-based night pop project Unknown Caller explores the dichotomy of meaningful connections on his newest drop, “See You Again.” The song, a four minute, Saturday night R&B romp, mediates between the significance of human interaction as appreciated through melancholy, rose-tinted glasses. “‘See You Again’ is about people and places that appear in your life – perhaps briefly, perhaps enduring – [who] impact your worldview in a way you don’t always realize in the moment,” says Unknown Caller’s Alex Lichtenstein. Setting this lachrymose appreciation for forlorn connections against pulsing night rhythms evokes memories of evenings on the town with old friends – perhaps some who have since left the city – providing an adult perspective and melancholic appreciation for those times that have come and gone. It’s a mature, groovy take on NYC nightlife that will resonate with anyone who has lost a friend to parts unknown.

Unknown Caller will bring his visions of evening’s past to The Delancey on December 7th, supporting Blonde Maze, Sophie Colette, Hopper Race, and Ekurtis. Before that, stream "See You Again" below. – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

Chicago

Boye

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Boye is the indie rock project of Michael Theriault. They are preparing to release their debut album, Harbinger, on December 9th. Below is the video for the album’s first single “Rolled-Up Sleeves”, and the album’s latest single, “Oh Boy”.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Zuni” – Grandchildren

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Below is Grandchildren‘s new single, "Zuni," which shares the name with the band’s 2015 full-length release. Recorded a couple of months too late to make their last record, it ending up serving as a "musical compass" for the group’s forthcoming self-titled LP, with its more sparse, acoustic arrangements and concentration on harmonies. The album was recorded at beloved but now defunct West Philly DIY space Danger Danger Gallery. It is scheduled for release next year via Ernest Jenning Record Co.

Portland

KayelaJ

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Kayela J’s latest album Homage (Thank you) came out this fall, and you really need to listen to it. As the album title suggests, it pays tribute to her inspirations, with each song on the album dedicated to a different artist. Known for her own clever lyrical style and fast beats, Kayela brings a new twist to iconic styles such as Salt-N-Pepa and Lil Kim. With this album, Kayela J is well on her way to becoming one of the greats. 

Give Homage (Thank you) a listen below!

-By Nick Hartman

Chicago

Jimmy Whispers @ Hungry Brain (12/21 & 12/22)

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Jimmy Whispers has announced that he will be returning home for two shows at Hungry Brain this Holiday season. He will be bringing his full five piece band from LA, and will be performing songs from his forthcoming new album.

Whispers has been pretty silent since the release of his debut album, Summer In Pain, back in 2015. It will be a great opportunity hear direction his new album, and life in LA is taking his sound. Below is a fun accapela video that was recorded in Berlin back in 2016 and features Jimmy performing a song about “Humboldt Park”.

You can catch Jimmy Whispers on December 21st at Hungry Brain with The Lemons and Sports Boyfriend, and on December 22nd with, a yet to be announced, “very special surprise guest”.