Divino Niño has released a cool, tropical Jake Armstrong animated video for their latest single “Flamingo”. The track is taken form their most recent album, Foam, which was released last week via Winspear.

You can catch Divino Niño on July 8th at at Empty Bottle with Combo Chimbita.

Afinca’o released a new sultry single called “Si Esta Cama Hablara” earlier this month. The title roughly translates to "if this bed could talk", and the heat builds from note one.

This is the Salsa band’s third single, first since 2017, since the release of their 2016 album Prepárate.

You can catch Afinca’o on July 5th at Spirit of Music Garden at Grant Park. They will also be performing at Taste of Chicago on July 12th on the Goose Island Stage.

Static in Verona has released their latest album, The Loud Nothing, on all platforms today, June 28th. This is the solo Alt Rock project of Rob Merz, formerly of Ash Avenue and Good Things, and The Loud Nothing is the fifth studio album from Static in Verona.

Nothing against Rob, but for us the standout track is “Daggers”, which features Seraphina of the London-based band Trills. In talking with Rob we found out that the two of them worked on a cover of The Monkees classic “Daydream Believer” a couple of years ago and she left him with an ad lib track that he sampled for “Daggers”

A close second favorite is “Charm of Finches” with what sounds like a blistering cello solo. It was that solo that promoted us to ask Rob who else appears on the album and he released that, aside for the Seraphina sample, the entire album was written, recorded, performed, and produced by Rob himself.

Sun Cop (aka R Andrew Humphrey) is back with his wrapped brand of Psychedelic Synth Pop. The Levee, which was released on the 21st, is his latest album, following up last year’s Shadows, and it takes the listener on an all new hazy musical trip.

Not that this album or brilliant musician needs our help, but when the talent David Berman (Silver Jews) emerged from his modest local apartment with a new album under the moniker of Purple Mountain, we had to listen.

This self-titled album, out July 12th via Drag City, is the first new music from Berman in ten years and the first since since Silver Jews disbanded. The album’s first two single out and available below, and neither go all that well with a sunny 90 plus degree Chicago afternoon, but they will transport the listener to colder, lonelier times.

Purple Mountains will be performing two shows at Sleeping Village on August 24th (sold out) and August 25th.

Gabacho is preparing to release a new single, “El Recuerdo” (The Memory), on July 11th. This follows his debut EP, “Some Time Ago…”, which was just released back in April.

The track has an amazing retro psychedelic sound and was recorded by Chace Wall (aka Skul.kid). This is in sharp contrast to Gabacho’s EP, which was sung in a mix of English and Spanish, and was a stripped down, acoustic, affair.

We are proud to be able to premiere the new album, Mis Sueños, from Radio Free Honduras.

The album, their first in five years, finds guitarist and lead vocalist Charlie Baran and Musical Director and Guitarist Dan Abu-Absi at the top of their collaborative game. The goal of the group has always been to spotlight the talent, charm, and songs of Baran and this album does that perfectly.

You can help the band celebrate the release of the new album on June 28th at Sleeping Village with ÉSSO and Kaleta & Super Yamba Band.

Dhan Dee of Chicago Loud 9 is dropping a new mixtape called “Muddy Waters” on June 30th. The album’s first single is called “Nickels and Dimes” and it cleverly plays with the duel meaning of both words.

You can catch Dee performing with Chicago Loud 9 on July 6th at Emporium Wicker Park.

Doom Metal group the Hÿss recently released their latest EP, “Hound”. This is the energetic metal fuel of Dave Fitzgerald (guitars/vocals), Pat Kennedy (guitars/mandolin/vocals), Matt McDonald (vocals), Mike Scales (drums), and Bill Sullivan (bass).

You can help the Hÿss celebrate the release of their new EP at Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville on June 28th with These Beasts.

Highest Low, the Hip Hop duo of Just Wise and Cruz Ocho, released their latest album, Underdogs, earlier this month. The album features production from Joe Tyse and contributions from Lil Bruja, Je$$e, Black Logic, and Tomcantsleep.

The duo manages to magnificently walk the like between old school and new school while touching on subject both fun and frivolous and grounded and serious.

Skul.Kid (aka Chace Wall) released a new EP, “Dove Songs”, via Midwest Action last week. As with Wall’s previous solo work, this is beautifully intimate Lo-fi bedroom folk pop.

Better Yet is a tremendous local long form interview podcast, hosted by Tim Crisp, and primarily featuring local and traveling musicians. The podcast is preparing to release tribute album to Wilco’s classic Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, called “All of God’s Money”, on July 10th.

The tribute album will feature an array of local bands and musicians including Meat Wave, Slow Mass, and Ratboys. The albums first single is New York’s Laura Stevenson’s take on “Jesus Etc.”.

All proceeds from this project will be going to AIDS Foundation of Chicago.