There is an enjoyable ease found in the latest EP from Queen Jesus, Tar Ranch. Now, we’re not exactly sure if the "tar" in the title is a reference to heroin (with the pill on the cover possibly representing its pharmaceutical equivalent – oxycontin), but the languid five-song album feels awfully fitting to zone out to under the influence of the powerful opiates. Or maybe, our minds are generally just hardwired towards drugs. Whatever the case might be; Tar Ranch, which was recorded and mixed by Matt Schimelfenig, is an impressive sophomore release from the Philly quintet, and it will be available on cassette via Uncle Rats. Queen Jesus are also celebrating their release this Thursday, November 10 at The Storefront with DARK MTNS, Nina Ryser, and Madalean Gauze.

Emcee/producer Zilla Rocca and beat-maker Small Professor haved teamed up for a new poject, dubbed Career Crooks. The duo shared an incendiary new single, "Least Important Most Important," which draws inspiration from Mad Men‘s Don Draper. ("We’re going to sit at our desks and keep typing while the walls fall down around us because we’re creative – the least important, most important thing there is.") It was also accompanied by a new music video that was directed by Bob Sweeney, and you’ll be able to find the track on their upcoming full-length album, scheduled for release in early 2017.

Experimental British act Jesu and singer-songwriter Sun Kil Moon, a.k.a. Mark Kozelek (ex-Red House Painters), released a collaborative album, Jesu/Sun Kil Moon, earlier this year, which also features the likes of Will Odham (Bonnie "Prince" Billy), Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock, and members of Low. They’ll be bringing it to the TLA next Friday, November 11, and you can join them as our guest. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "America’s Most Wanted". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Celebrating his latest album, The Animal Box, released via local label Extra Lovely Records, YIKES the ZERO steps into a late evening affair at Kung Fu Necktie. Riding wide-ranging experimental beats that encompass electro, psych, jazz, etc., YIKES drops the gauntlet on the spectrum of hip hop, shifting between the drama of cinematic tones – the dial-tuning merger of juxtaposing genres and transmissions from another galaxy. A pair of local emcees (whom he collaborated with on the single “Gauntlet”) in the eloquent, white-hot experimentations of Raj Haldar, a.k.a. Lushlife (providing a DJ set), and like-minded labelmate Stainless Steele (whose album, Escapism, was produced by another of tonight’s performers Josh Hey) will be joining in the festivities. And crisscrossing between electro-folk-R&B among others, the upbeat vibes of Tamar Dart, a.k.a. Little Strike, will also aid in fortifying this late-burning night. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 11pm, $6, 21+ – Michael Colavita

The quartet of Lightninging just released its new album, The God of Sun & Tuesdays. Pulling from multiple rockin’ fronts, the crew appears equally adept at stewing in the expanding, psychedelic cauldron. Conversely contagious, clear-skied harmonies spill fortuitously forward in loose-feeling, expertly-spun instrumental sequences. You can catch Lightninging tomorrow night at Double H Ranch with Something Like A Monument, Man Like Machine, Vaudevileins, and Sedgewick.

The duo of Coping Skills (a.k.a. Rachel Dispenza and Lauren DeLucca ) covers a lot of ground in close proximity, mimicking real life in the video for “Drop Out of College”. Holding down a plethora of tasks/responsibilities at their real place of employment (Boot & Saddle), getting fired by their boss, consuming a large amount ofbooze, and playing to an unpacked house, filmmaker Jackie Papanier’s playful interpretation of the song, featured on Relatable Web Content, takes on a Garfunkel-and-Oates-type vibe. It’s something that many young artists must go through in their every day lives – only probably in a more humorous manner. (Photo by Julia Leiby)

Rachel Haines and Benjamin James have teamed up as The News, releasing their debut single, “Fail Better”. While lyrically delving into the aftermath of a broken/terminated relationship, it also offers advice for the future. Capturing the ache of hindsight, the song simultaneously coasts on a calm electro-pop beat, with a level-headed present perspective.

As part of Vancouver’s File Under: Music’s One Song at a Time video series, Pill Friends has released a new song and corresponding video for “Holy Like You,” which premiered yesterday at The A.V. Club. While the video navigates the warmly-shaded spectrum of sea and skies, the song swims in a subdued stream of sadness. You can also play with the track’s stems to create your own remix HERE.

Braden Lawrence (The Districts, Straw Hats) opens tonight’s show at Boot & Saddle under the moniker of Haggert Mctaggert. His latest project drifts in a free-floating, melodic, cosmic daydream, contemplating the daily status quo, tinged with hints of melancholy, while exuding overtly warm, warping textures. A wandering vulnerability thrown into motion by mellow, omnipresent percussion opens up the expanse as one peers through the sonic forest from an aerial POV. After recently releasing their new album, Here Comes the Wave, via Team Love Records, Shana Falana delivers airy dreampop with shots of turbulent shoegazing, setting the stage for the sandy, teleporting, psych-pop of Queen of Jeans. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita