2018 saw the emergence of many of strong, soulful, dynamic female artists, and one that may have not received the attention she deserves is Claire Bryant. She released her album, Somebody New, back in July, and through out the albums effortlessly blends R&B, Funk, and soul with lyrics that present someone who has fun, but is always in control.

Lake Shore Dive posted a fun video interview with Claire this week that you can check out below.

You can catch Claire Bryant on January 5th at Elbo Room.

Chicago Soul Jazz Collection recently released their latest album, Soulophone. This is detailed jazz of John Fournier, Marques Carroll, Andrew Vogt, Keith Brooks, Kyle Asche and Amr Marcin Fahmy.

The group is throwing a free release party for Soulophone on February 13th at Wire in Berwyn.

Reverent is preparing to release his latest album, Long Wave Sermon, tomorrow, January 4th, via American Damage. This is the dark experimental music of Jordan Reyes, and his first album as Reverent since 2017.

We are proud to be able to premier the first single from the album, “Coke”.

You can help Reverent celebrate the release of Long Wave Sermon on January 9th at Elastic Arts with Toupee, Forest Management, and Forced Into Femininity.

Producer and Emcee Ca$hed (aka Connor Cox) recently released his debut album, Opening Euphoria. He personally produced three of the tracks on the album, but it also features production from notion., bravo, Rob Reese, and FlameAlkahest. In addition, Ca$hed partners with Elliot Seitz and Claire Bryant on two of the tracks. Overall the album paints a picture of life Libertyville and all of the excitment and boredom that entails. 

SleeperSound is a Milwaukee-based atmospheric rock band with Chicago roots. The four piece band, consisting of David D’Antonio (guitar, vocals, synth), Kenny Buesing (guitar, organ), Mike Campise (Bass), Dan Niedziejko (Drums), recently released their debut full-length album, In Medias Res.

The album is filled with cinematic and also ambient ambient soundscapes surrounding the lyrics and vocals of D’Antonio. The album’s title is latin for “In the middle of things” and that seems to perfectly describe the feel of this album.

You can catch SleeperSound at Martyrs’ with Shed and Evacuate the Earth on January 18th.

Quasar Wut-Wut are preparing to release their latest LP, Digesting Mirror, on January 12th. The band has been together since 1990 and this their first release since 2004 and first in their new studio, Coupon Studios. Below is the video for LP’s latest single, “Mandatory Days”, and you can find the hilarious video for the LP first single, "Jezebel’s Arm” here.

This is the Psych-Pop of Jordan Frank (bass, backing vocals, keys, guitars, drums ), Matt Schwarz (vocals, guitars, keys, bass), Brent Sulek (guitars, backing vocals), and Doug Walsh (drums).

You can catch Quasar Wut-Wut on January 12th at The Hideout.

Beach Bunny has released a fun video for the title track from their 2018 EP, “Prom Queen”.

You can catch Beach Bunny on January 19th at Lincoln Hall with Retirement Party, Co-Stanza, and Lettering.

Noname has released a great new single called “Song 31” which features a chorus from Phoelix. The tracks addresses the struggles of finding success and the many pitfalls along the way.

Noname rang in the new year back home in Chicago with three sold out shows at Thalia Hall and will now spend most of the next three months touring the country in support of her tremendous debut Full-length album Room 25.

Lunar Hotel are preparing to release their debut EP, “Day Songs//Night Songs” on February 1st. The EP’s lead single will be officially released on January 18th, and is called “Side To Lose”. This is jangly rock of Marvin Albor, Sergio Valentini, Ryan Paroline, and Joe McLoughlin.

You can catch Lunar Hotel on January 6th @ Beat Kitchen with AfterSound, Bernie and the Wolf, Dead Lucid, and The Braided Janes

A band we missed in 2018 is the soulful group call Holly,. This is Tanner Bednar and Brandon Couture, formerly of The Reverends, with Dominic Zeier (Bass) and Rafe Soto (Drums). Back in September, the group released their debut album, Letter from Lawndale, and the fun video below the album’s lead single, “Pull Me In”.

Sophagus has released two new singles, “Big Belly” and “Free Head”, this month and both blendHip Hop with a DIY Punk sound. This is the first new music from Sophagus since early 2017 and a very pleasant surprise.

Sophagus is the work of Matthew VonEisengervich and he has been involved in the scene for years as a musician, artists, and clothing designer.

Paul Blanding has released a new EP called “Long Winter’s Nap” featuring nearly 40 minutes of exquisite ambient music. This could be the perfect soundtrack to your Christmas morning or something to drift to sleep to on Christmas Eve.