David Darrko (of Kinky Love) has released the first single, “Black Denim”, from his forthcoming debut EP, Suffer Suburbia, which is due out June 1st. Darrko blends R&B with Synth-Pop to create something both romantic and danceable. The EP features contributions from like-minded Chicago artists Carlile, KSRA, and Deanna Devore.

Ric Wilson released the second single, “Sinner”, from his forthcoming EP, "Banba", today. The EP is set to be released on May 18th via Innovative Leisure, and the new track features contributions from Chicago’s Kweku Collins with Rane Raps and Nick Kosma.

Ryley Walker is preparing to release his latest full-length album, Deafman Glance, on May 18th (Dead Oceans). The album features contributions from Cooper Cain (Bitchin’ Bajas, Cave), Bill Mackay, Brian J Sulpizo (Health&Beauty), Leroy Bach (Wilco, Five Style), Andrew Scott Young (Tiger Hatchery), Matt Lux, and others.

In a recent conversation with Laura Barton, Walker said this a more Chicago sounding record then his past two releases. In his words, "Chicago sounds like a train constantly coming towards you but never arriving. That’s the sound I hear, all the time, ringing in my ears. Everybody here’s always hustling….. This record is the sound of walking home late at night through Chicago in the middle of winter and being half-creeped out, scared someone’s going to punch you in the back of the head, and half in the most tranquil state you’ve been in all day, enjoying the quiet and this faint wind, and buses going by on all-night routes. That’s the sound to tune in to. That’s the sound of Chicago to me”. A love letter to Chicago, may be, may be not, but Walker shares what he has experienced on this album in a way he hasn’t before.

You can help Ryley celebrate his new album at Hungry Brain on May 18th (Sold Out!) and May 19th. (Photo by Guy Eppel)

Blacker Face has been turning rage in music for several years, but the climate is ripe a new EP from this Jolene Whatevr (aka Jolisha Johnson) fronted band. "Think Piece" was released back on April 30th and has taken a couple weeks to really sink in.

The EP addresses racial tensions (“Wadly”), political turmoil (“Hate Trumps Trump”), and the daily struggle of existing in 2018.

You can catch Blacker Face at Burlington Bar on May 13th with Daymaker, Sonny Falls, and Friendship Commanders and at Cobra Lounge on May 21st.

Glad Rags released the first single, “Alamo”, from their forthcoming LP, Wonder Under, today. The orchestral psych pop group has changed a lot since we first wrote about them and the release of their self-title debut album back in 2015. They’ve grown from a trio into the 15 impressive musicians that performed on “Alamo”. They mix elements of jazz, psych rock, and pop.

Wonder Under will be released June 28th.

Slow Mass is releasing their debut LP, On Watch, via Landland Colportage this Friday, May 11th. This is the post-punk band’s first release since their 2016 EP, "Treasure Pains". Below is the addictive video for their single “Blocks”, which is 3:35 of Audio Engineer/Producer Neil Strauch listening to the single.

The latest single from On Watch is “Suburban Yellow” also below.

You can help Slow Mass celebrate the new album at Schubas on May 18th with Cru and Nnamdi Ogbonnaya.

Jack Larsen recently signed to the local label Closed Session, and now is releasing his first single with them, “Break”. This track comes from his forthcoming debut EP, Push-up, which is due out May 18th. Larsen had this to say about the song and video below, "Half a year of my life was spent making the song and video to capture my coming-of-age story". Larsen, 22, grew up in the Western Suburb of St. Charles and definitely about to Break.

Alouette is the trash rock duo of jean.sencha (Voice & Guitar) and james.DB (Drums), and last month they released their second EP, "Luna". Their sound is fierce, aggressive, and undeniable. The EP’s lead track "Mezcal" is the standout, but all 6 songs are well worth the listen.

You can catch Alouette for a free in-store 4pm show with Pylons and Post Child at Record Breakers on May 12th. 

Mindswimmer is a futuristic jazz quintet and they recently released a new single called “Nephology”. The track feature spoken word from Chicago’s Race Bannon.

This is the group’s second single in 2018, with the first being “Elevation” which was released by Evanston’s Stellar Nursery Records back in March. The label is run by three member’s of Mindswimmer and will be releasing the group debut LP in the coming months.

Avantist has released a new track, “_violence", from their forthcoming EP, "Terasoma". This EP will be released on June 22nd via Chicago’s No Trend Records and follows up their self-titled debut LP which came out less than 30 days ago.

Avantist is four brothers, born and raised on the South Side, dedicated to making melodic avant-punk music.

The EP release show for Terasoma will be on June 20th at Empty Bottle.

Back in 2014 Mucca Pazza, the widely renowned Gypsy-punk marching band, squared off with the Chicago Sinfonietta. The battle, great as it was, it did not end in favor our indie darlings. It was a grueling battle that found the two groups performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and recounting the history of the French invasion of Russia.

The rematch of this battle takes place this Saturday, May 12th, at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville and on May 14th at Symphony Center in Chicago. This time the battle will center around Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite. You can get your tickets here.

Chicago’s Lailah Reich has teamed up with LA-based producer Tahif Attiek and Detroit’s Young Heavy Souls label to create a new EP called “Rose". The EP combines EDM, jazz, house and trip hop with Reich’s lovely vocals create a sound that could fit in the club, or beach, or a cool spring morning. The EP is due out this Friday, May 11th, and it’s lead single is “Mbira in NYC” can be streamed below.