New York native Davey Jones started Lost Boy ? as a bedroom pop project in 2008, but soon found a rotating cast of musicians interested in playing his music, which, however, never completely gave up its original, stripped down DIY sound, equally influenced by early Ween and Pavement. The band just announced the release their sophomore full length Goose Wazoo on September 9th via Little Dickman and State Capital Records. The record is presented as a concept album (accompanied by a comic strip) centered around the quirky idea of a detective in the shape of a blob named Goose Wazoo. The lead single and title track paints a picture of the main character in a fun and light hearted way by employing the use of jangly harmonies and catchy, cheerful vocal hooks. The group uses their fuzzy lo-fi pop and excitable drumming to craft the eccentric narrative of the song. Lost Boy ? has a string of local shows coming up in August leading to the record release show on September 10th at Shea Stadium. Strearming below also second single It Before. – John Honan

Over the years metal and its sub genres have progressed and increased in complexity thanks to the inspiration from bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Napalm Death, Deathspell Omega, and Meshuggah. New York’s Imperial Triumphant draw on the experimentation of these artists for inspiration to blend black metal with classical, death metal, and psychedelic influences. Their latest full length Abyssal Gods is a dark and innovative album that uses well-crafted compositions to take the metal sound in new directions. The record’s message focuses on the eventual extinction of mankind, which is rather appropriate, since the album’s eerie mood would be the perfect soundtrack to the apocalypse. The group’s drummer Alex Cohen wields a manic and diverse style of playing, due to his background in jazz, that is the backbone of their sound. In the record, Imperial Triumphant fearlessly pushes the envelop in every song with carefully crafted guitar tones, uniquely arranged piano pieces, complex tempo alternations, angular sections borrowed from math rock, and overall outstanding production values – this is a brutal record that’s actually easy on the ears. Those enjoyng this kind of music shouldn’t miss their show at Trans Pecos on August 19th! – John Honan

Where in 2011, DIY noise pop polymorphs Batwings Catwings debuted with the angularities of Peacock Collection, it’s now 2016 and My Chemical Romance is reuniting. Smashmouth is considered a radio classic hit. You can share a song by New Found Glory without getting shamed. As for BWCWs, they now channel the sincerity of skatepunk with a new bassist: Cindy Sukrattanawong (Littlest Sister, Dustin and the Explosions) replaces Joshua Crampton in the quintet led by Clay Johnson. Their new EP "Coast to Coast" shares five earnest remarks toned with emo pop’s histrionic melodicism and textured in gain—dissonance and feedback cameo in songs like "Totally Outrageous" and "1000 Volts". 

Batwings Catwings performs at [redacted]’s mixtape release show on the 12th with Justus Profitt, Love Nothing and Forget It.. Listen to the atavistic title track of their newest EP "Coast to Coast". – Ryan Mo

At the end of last year, Brooklyn’s Fern Mayo released their studio debut, followed last month with EP Hex Signs. The three track release maintains their angular brand of indie pop, labelled by the band as “skronk pop” and “dust punk”. Opener “Pinesol” features off-kilter instrumentation, and a urgent, tense rhythm section, as frontwoman Katie Capri sings about lost love and the numbness that comes with it. On the song “New Ketamine” (streaming) Capri examines and challenges the need to cling on to traditions even when they’re destructive. The tight and anxious guitars and drums on the track seem to reflect the suffocating nature of traditions. Fern Mayo will be playing Shea Stadium on August 10th and Le Poisson Rouge on the 25th. – John Honan

In their new single "Split for the Coast," New York’s Little Racer gives a recipe to pick ourselves up during tough times, with a surf inspired track filled with unpredictable bursts of energy and sudden, soft bossanova-ish breaks (the exotic inclinations are confirmed in b-side track The Town). To let go of all your worries, be sure to check them out at Le Poisson Rouge on August 20th. 

It’s been ten years since Adam Hervey founded the DIY venue Pehrspace, and a demolition notice from the property owners signaled imminent shutdown. But on July 30th and 31st, we weren’t there to say goodbye.

In its last 36 hours, space was as busy as it was on busy days. People came in and people hung out—as small groups of friends and budding scenes, but importantly as supporters of the space that always supported them. A day and a half was divvied up among longtime curators like Michael Vidal and KCHUNG Radio, who staged their final sets at 325 Glendale. From outside the plaza looked stripped, was stripped—inside a small team of volunteers led by Pauline Lay kept a tight schedule, even so far as to offer free earplugs and food while supplies held out. Like the twilight improvisations of Slow Rose and ensemble collaborations conceived by Aaron M. Olson (L.A. Takedown), Pehrspace brought individuals together, empowered them to create and appreciate. In its last 36 hours, the performers, curators, volunteers and audience were as we always were. And in the back of all our minds, though uncertain of the future, we eagerly anticipate the chalkboard set times to the next show.

Pehrspace continues to seek donations to successfully relocate; as of writing their GoFundMe currently rests just under $9,000. Listen to select performances from the 36-Hour Pehrathon at Cohen’s So Cal Rock Shows Bandcamp. – Ryan Mo

The last time we checked in with The Landing, the solo act was making major noise, reaching the peak of the Hype Machine charts two times back-to-back. We have to say, with his latest single "Stars in Motion" a three-peat is definitely in the space-pop artist’s "stars," so to speak. On the track, he reaches critical pop mass, inflecting RnB flavored, up-beat percussion into his usual, out-of-this world synth patterns to create a track that gets heads bopping.  The vocals are also notably earthier and more seductive than on previous efforts, contrasting well with the space-y nature of the production. With this track, The Landing has proved he can do pop with mainstream appeal, but sans cheese, along with his more artful work of the past. Don’t miss him live on his American tour from 8/8 to 8/27. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Somewhat contrary to the spirit of her style of choice (pop punk), 28-year-old Kait Eldridge embraces maturity and self-assurance on Big Eyes’ latest single “Behind Your Eyes.” Eldridge started the band seven years ago, and since then has developed a clear writing style that allows her relatable and level headed personality to shine through. “Behind Your Eyes” is about being able to see through a loved one’s tough exterior and knowing when they are hurting due to a strong emotional connection. In the single, the four-piece blends the catchy melodic hooks of pop influenced punk acts like The Runaways with guitar work that flirts with the power rock of the ’90s and even classic rock at times. Big Eyes will be releasing their latest album Stake My Claim on August 19th via Don Giovanni Records, and will be kicking off their upcoming tour on August 16th at Alphaville in Brooklyn. Check out also the video for the album’s title-track, streaming below.  – John Honan 

There are certain songs that speak to you when you’re young, and those songs are perfectly executed by The Unending Thread‘s split tape with Forget It. Perhaps it’s because they’ve had a few years to find their sound, but now that they have it is a significant voice for the young and reckless. That sound consists of strong relevant lyrics like “You never know what life has in store…I know I don’t know anything/ And that’s the best part of this journey that hasn’t happened yet” (“La Casa De Mi Padre”) and catchy choruses like “You always bring out the best of me” (“Dearest Anna”). Bassist Kim Reyes’ singing, often accompanied by guitarist Cesar Alas, drives a clear melodic path in the midst of the instrumental background.

The expertly arranged electric guitar, electric bass, and drums are so nicely played that they often compete with the vocals in the foreground, receiving much deserved attention.

Catch the Unending Thread’s performance at [redacted] Collective’s three-part showcase next week in celebration of the label’s first official mixtape. The mixtape will be released August 12 at the first show at The Smell and Saturday the 13th at Los Globos, where The Unending Thread plays with Utena, Gypsum, and Ruby Throated. First fifty guests to these two shows will receive a free physical cassette, containing 11 new and previously unreleased tracks by artists from the [redacted] roster. – Kaitlyn Tang

Turnip King’s swirling blend of psych rock and dream pop was born in Long Island’s’ coastal town of Sea Cliff, where the band hails from. The group is about to release their debut full length (or rather "mini-album, since it’s comprised of only seven songs) Laika on August 19th via Fire Talk Records. The two singles unveiled so far showcase slow burning songs reminiscent of acts such as Slowdive and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The first single off the album “Carsong” encapsulates their experiences of growing up in the suburbs, while making references to driving around aimlessly listening to music with a friend. Its sparse intro highlights Lucia Arias’ youthful vocals before breaking down into a shoegazy wall-of-sound. Second single “Metonymy” is a slower number characterized by wailing psychedelic guitars, breezy drumming, and echoing melodies. Turnip King just wrapped up an east coast tour with a show at Trans Pecos and will be performing again at Shea Stadiumon August 10th. – John Honan

Doll Baby formed a little over a year ago in Richmond, and released their debut EP Polliwog in June. Their sound combines an energetic punk rock with guitar driven heaviness of alternative rock bands like Jawbox and The Smashing Pumpkins. The opening track “The Great Divide” puts frontwoman and guitarist Julie Stroey’s flexible vocals and introspective lyrics on display, while the layered guitars help to drive the track’s moody atmosphere. Following song “Drift” was originally included on their 2015 demo, but appears on the EP with a reimagined sound characterized by swift, crashing drums, shouted vocals, and distorted glistening guitars that show the band’s versatility. Doll Baby will be playing Strange Matter on August 12th in support of Solids. – John Honan

Panoramic are sad boys who rock, as well as sad boys who also happen to be DIY4LYFErs. Respectively prolific and intimately tied to DIY scenes of Orange County and the Inland Empire, members Alex Vercnocke, Austin Jenkins, Jonathan Modell (The Human Machine, Tririlla Recordings), and Matt Sturgis (The Palisades, Hillary Chillton, Model Talk) are running out to the southwest from August 5th till August 11th with mathpop duo Talk, Tired Thanatoid, coinciding with the release of Panoramic’s debut album Not Exactly. Recorded at hideout/traphouse/lovenest The Palisades, the quartet’s first full-length sees an expansion beyond the pop punk roots of EP "Rule of Thirds". Polyrhythmic piano solos and tight harmonies combine with quintessential tropes of the post-teen years including walking away from love, addiction, lost friendships, and suburban malaise.

The album is being released on cassette (/25) and on CD via Pacific Nature Records: each cassette and CD will be scented with pine essential oil. See their tour kickoff/album release party at Beatnik Bandito tonight, and listen to the first track of the debut album, "Not Exactly", below.