While the quintet of Field Mouse splits time between Philly and New York, the band celebrates their new album Episodic, officially being released tomorrow via Topshelf Records, with a show this evening at Boot & Saddle. The collection of songs carries a composed yet volatile potential to shift as personal sketches of well-oiled, melodic pop-rock are momentarily provided. Rachel Browne exhibits a smooth, steady vocal tone that flexes when emotively pushed. It’s simultaneously tender and tumultuous. Cynthia Ann Schemmer’s (Radiator Hospital) musical vehicle, Swanning, occupies the middle slot of this lineup – decidedly open lyrically whilst incorporating rougher edges to the overall sense of polish. Led by Kyle Gilbride (Swearin’), Missing Earth kicks off the festivities. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Lithuania shared that they will be back in early 2017 with a new full-length album, titled White Reindeer. Below is the latest taste from the upcoming LP called "Holy Water," which premiered yesterday over at Brooklyn Magazine. It’s about “how we often complain about being alone in an era of interdependence and permanent connectivity.” You can get connected with them in-person on Friday, September 30 at Everybody Hits with Pinkwash, Loose Tooth, and Slow Mass.

Purling Hiss will release their forthcoming LP High Bias on October 14 via Drag City. Thick battering percussion and shreds of fuzzy guitar immediately paint the hazy setting of their first single, “Fever”. It’s a raunchy, psych-garage tone that is commanding yet comfortable.

Recorded at Lollapalooza, this Stereogum Sessions perfermance has Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald of Modern Baseball playing a stripped-down take of “Apple Cider, I Don’t Mind,” found on the band’s latest album Holy Ghost, which is available via Run For Cover. The instrumental simplicity enhances the aesthetic of intimacy, highlighting the deep, personal lyrical nature. Those expressions of hope and doubt intermingle, as one feels close like a member of the crowd.

A somber, stepping, acoustic strum paints the grayness in Josh Jones‘s  (ex-Univox) new song “Be Yourself”. While strings and keys offer candlelight to the dim details, vocal harmony demonstrates a determination in the face of despair. The song recognizes its spare, absorbing isolation; a loner finding direction.

Restorations have a manner of creating multifaceted songs that dig their heels in a personal manner and then branch outward. The group has self-released a new single “See/Sea,” produced by Jonathan Low. The songs continue in that literary, resounding lyrical tradition, booming into Americana-flavored rockin’ anthems. Restorations plan to continue on releasing in this manner for the near future so make sure to pay it forward. Catch them live at The Foundry on Thursday, August 18 for the Red Bull Sound Select showcase with Thrills and Mumblr!

Episodic, the album from the quintet of Field Mouse, will be released later this week via Topshelf Records. However, one can give it a spin now over at Bandcamp Daily, where it is currently streaming. Its honest, melodic, pop-rock exhibits overt control, with flashes of instrumental attack. Boot & Saddle will host the band’s record release show this Thursday, August 4 with Swanning and Missing Earth.

TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb offer a dose of country-blues with their new track “She Don’t Keep Time”. Those subtle swaying keys invite you into the saloon before ramping up to a stomp, then simmering into a boogie, and whistling like there’s not a worry in the world. Loosen up, listen up, and get down!

Krust Toons: "Dark Times" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

Currently on a run of August tour dates, many of which are with Deerhoof, Philly’s Blank Spell has released a set of songs that will appear on their upcoming LP. The tracks exhibit frantic fits of heavy. The pummeling charge of percussion and push of bass provide direction to the cuts of guitar as the vocals react to the sinister marriage of instrumentation. It’s adrenaline-fueled fire with creepy undercurrents.

Post-garage rockers The Retinas‘ new EP chaba is an unexpected essential for surviving the dog days of summer. Chock-full of lo-fi backbeats and skull-buzzing riffs, the five track stunner transforms the grit and grime of urban summers, late nights, and complicated feelings into memorably evocative songs worth dancing to alone or with friends.

Opening with the trippy hiss of “Accident,” chaba’s first track is seeped in xanax-coated romance and the sort of self-awareness that made great’s like Daniel Johnston iconic. The song’s lyricism hums with recognizable disenchantment that is bound to resonate at an instant with listeners. Tom Mchugh’s diction brings to mind the cinematic apprehension of Andrew Bujalski’s mumblecore masterpiece Mutual Appreciation meshed with the emotional imprint of “Tame the Sun” by Male Bonding. “Accident,” much like it’s namesake, ends abruptly without warning, leaving its listener to cope with its passing before “Aries” begins.

chaba’s second anthem paints a familiar portrait of the post-adolescent malaise of cynical dreamers with earnest hearts. Lo-fi in all the right ways, “Aries,” like a mirror, reflects reality without pretense. Like the less anxious version of Happy Birthday’s “2 Shy,” the charm of “Aries” is undeniably sincere. The oscillating intro of “Cheesepuffs” quickly evolves into a surf-pop banger – reminiscent of The Jacuzzi Boys; the track’s fervent riffs and fuzzed-out screams serve as the perfect preface to the notably catchy “Beat It Out”. The energy of the song doesn’t falter, keeping the momentum of chaba as cymbals crash and Mchugh croons – “Cause you chew my bones, acid soul/I’ve been off time with myself, I don’t mind” – a sentiment that is echoed in the EP’s final track “Hey Julia.”

After listening to The Retinas’ latest record, you will find yourself hungry for more. – Dianca London

One could rest up and ease into the forthcoming week, or one could venture to The Pharmacy this afternoon as Venus Be Records celebrates one year of existence. Among the acts slated for this daylong affair are Roof Doctor, whose latest EP My Band feels peacefully calm as it washes over. You’ll also find the boom and bust garage-pop of Line Leader. The incisive, internal, somewhat haunting, folksy momentum of Curtis Cooper ropes one in, while marinated in personal grit, with the touch of transferable energy, The Chelsea Kills. These are among some of the litany of fine acts set to perform today in South Philly. Aside from the ceaseless billing, compilation cassettes will be available as well. Tickets are limited, so get them while they’re hot. The Pharmacy, 1300/02 S. 18th St., 11am, $10, All Ages – Michael Colavita