The lady and gents of Thin Lips just shared their second offering from the band’s forthcoming LP Riff Hard. "My Mouth Is Skinned Like An Apple" is filled with natural pop vocal melodies, which have always seemed to come effortlessly to Chrissy Tashjian (Dangerous Ponies, The Bee Team); however, the track eventually gets to the business of staying true to the group’s album title. Riff Hard comes out May 20 via Lame-O Records, and Thin Lips will be celebrating its arrival that evening at Everybody Hits.

Creepoid just wrapped up a tour with Restorations, and the gang is back home to celebrate drummer Pat Troxell’s bday this evening with a surprise performance at Ortlieb’s. You have to know that the band will be tight, after clocking all those recent miles on the road. (Well, maybe a little looser since it is a party after all.) You’ll also be able to get your Taco Tuesday grub on. And the man of the hour requested that you bring weed so please don’t disappoint. Cheers, Pat! Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 10pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

Mercury Girls‘ new 7”, “Ariana,” will be released via Slumberland Records on May 20; however, both of its songs, the title-track and “All That Heaven Allows,” are currently streaming over at Brooklyn Vegan. The former is vibrant and youthfully airy, while the latter packs a more hard-driving energy, as backend provides the push giving the determined steady streaming vocals power. Mercury Girls play Underground Arts on Sunday, May 15 with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs.

The Original Crooks and Nannies stopped by the Brig in Philly to perform "Shake Hands," one of the multiple standouts off their sophomore album Ugly Laugh, which is The Deli Philly’s April Record of the Month. Madeline Rafter calmly lays down strolling guitar lines, juxtaposed by her booming voice, while Sam Huntington charmingly bops around, manning the electronics, creating lo-fi, infectious beats, adorably playing off Rafter’s lead. The duo finds just the right harmonious balance that can be felt throughout the group’s latest LP.

The Original Crooks and Nannies – "Shake Hands" live at the Brig from Brig Sessions 

Krust Toons: "Tour This Weekend" 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.

Talking Quietly Of Anything With You, which is now available for streaming, is the latest collection of softly-whispered confessionals from Katie Bennett’s twee-pop project Free Cake For Every Creature. The full-length album was produced in upstate New York with Chris Daly (Fraternal Twins, Long Beard) at Salvation Recording Co. It officially arrives on April 15 via Double Double Whammy, and Bennett will be hosting a record release show on Saturday, April 16 at Everybody Hits with Hello Shark, Addie Pray, and Microsoft Saint.

Laser Background, a.k.a. Andy Molholt, released his latest single, "Jawbreaker," on hand-cut lathe 7" via Eric Slick’s new imprint Least Records. The track will also appear on Molholt’s upcoming album Correct, due out May 13 via La Société Expéditionnaire. Below is a suffocating new music video for "Jawbreaker," which was directed by Ross Brubeck.

Laser Background – Jawbreaker from Ross Brubeck 

Having been delayed because of continual touring as a band member of CRUISR, Bruno Catrambone has finally found some time during the indie-pop outfit’s lull in shows to finish up his latest effort, Foreign Bed, for his acoustic folk-pop project Former Belle. The six-song EP is now available via Randm Records, and you can stream and purchase it below. Former Belle will also be heading out on a mini-tour next week in support of the new album with The Lawsuits, which will find them back in Philly on Friday, April 29 at The Foundry.

Get up, and grub down for the 38th annual Human BBQ at Pilam. The all-day affair showcases a roll call of talented bands (17 in all); the majority of which are sprung from local soil. Among those are the psych-pop of Grubby Little Hands, whose new album Garden Party is set for release on April 29 via Lefse Records. The coasting, casual wave of Blue Smiley amplifies in intensity, pushing its loose air into a turbulent state. The melting point of electro-hip hop and ambient noise with Moor Mother Goddess brings a broad spectrum of sound together. Emotively sprinkled, reserved and then raucous sounds Bone Bats and the somber, twisted, rockin’ melodies of Cold Foamers juxtapose the 0 to 100 grind thrash of +HIRS+. The subtle, lilting, experimental textures of Japanese Breakfast help to round out this festive day into form. Pilam, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 12pm, $15, All Ages – Michael Colavita

Emo trio Pocket unleashes close-up revelations in its new EP 1616. With a polished, melodic, steady instrumental/vocal balance, the band generates power via tight ebb and flow instrumentation and defined lyrical description. While a record release show is set to occur in June courtesy of Broken World Media, Pocket will be performing next in Philly on April 17 at The Fire with Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), Warren Franklin, and Jet Set Sail.

Wake the fuck up! It’s Friday, and time to make your ears bleed this morning, in a good way, as we get ready for the weekend. Forgive us, we have grown accustom to +HIRS+ releasing about 100 tracks at a time (literally) so it feels a bit strange to just be sharing with you their latest single "Build Your Own Bro Smasher Original Soundtrack." And for those who know what we are talking about, just try and think of this track as an EP.