Hardcore quintet Grower recently released a fresh LP entitled Hazel. Recorded at The Headroom, the album portrays an impending gloom. As relentless instrumentation scours the area and emotionally-saturated, raw vocals consistently tap into one’s gut, the dreary picture zooms in, reverberating the menacing soundtrack through your ears. (Photo by Sharp Hall)

It has been nearly four years now since Acres of Diamonds have released their last recordings, Animal Trust, which the band aptly explains – "we’ve always been in flux, never just one thing or of one mind. We’re busy like you, being inspired, honing riffs, recording, trying out different microphones, taking some photographs, hanging out, tuning our guitars." Below is the group’s new single, "Atlantic," that’s certainly fitting this time of year as this past summer slips further back in our memories. Acres of Diamonds are also back from their live performance hiatus, and will be coming together on Saturday, October 17 at Ortlieb’s. (Photo by Kate Swan)

Old pals and local punk legends Flag of Democracy (a.k.a. F.O.D.) and The Dead Milkmen shared an incredible story about unearthing a long-lost split 7" that they did together for Datchord Records in 1985. (You can read the press release about the album HERE.) However, it turned out to be hoax, but what we do have is a release of retro-sounding new tracks that harken back to the wonderful glory days of both punk outfits. You can now stream the new 7" in its entirety over at Brooklyn Vegan, and the record will be officially released on October 30 via SRA Records. 

We’re excited that The Deli Philly’s 7th Annual Anniversary Bash will be taking place on Saturday, October 10 at PhilaMOCA so mark your calendars or do whatever you need to do on your phones to remember! Of course, we’ll be supplying plenty of dope music with performances by hallucinogenic psych rockers The Orange Drop, darkwave, prom-pop trio Blood Sound, the cerebral indie pop of Hello Shark, and Suburban Living will be spinning rad tunes for us to get down to all night. It’s on, people; LET’S GET WEIRD!

As the arrival of Alex G’s new LP Beach Music steadily approaches, the anticipation builds with the release of his new single. “Kicker” utilizes juxtaposing imagery with a clean but rough around the edges riff and backend pop to assemble a grey-clouded daydream that finishes with a sweeping, smooth guitar-stretching outro. Domino Record Co. will release Beach Music on October 9. Alex G is set to perform at the First Unitarian Church on Saturday, November 14 with Girlpool and Eskimeaux. (Photo by Brent Smith)

Kurt Vile co-premiered his new full-length album b’lieve i’m goin down… over at WXPN, WFUV, KCMP, and KEXP earlier this morning. You can stream LP in its entirety below. The record officially comes out September 25 via Matador Records, and you can catch him live in Philly on Saturday, September 19 at Union Transfer, which will most likely be the last time for a bit with his tour schedule already set to run throughout the U.S. and Europe until the latter part of November.

Date Work, the latest Cyberbully Mom Club off-shoot/project, has released its first single. “Stay With Me” takes a yearning unguarded vocal display and combines it with a breezy, Velcro-style, get-loose groove. It’s decidedly upbeat, while keeping a zoomed-in approach. The song has familiar ties with Shari Heck’s previous works, while offering a glimpse in a new direction.

Taiwan Housing Project, the Philadelphia-based brainchild of Kilynn Lunsford (originally of Little Claw and Tyvek) and Mark Feehan (of Harry Pussy), successfully bridges the gap between indie rock and screamo, delivering emotional live shows fueled by Lunsford’s haunting vocal performance and perpetual, reverberating basslines. Many other bands (Sunflower Bean and Bully to name a few) have recently amassed interest employing these same sonic elements. Especially with a younger audience, this success makes sense: Taiwan Housing Project and noise-pop, in general, is in your face, a constant reference to micro and macro struggle, becoming a political force in addition to an accessible, raucously fun musical release. They will be opening the bill tonight at Ortlieb’s with Solar Motel guitar virtuosos, Nick Millevoi + Chris Forsyth, and headliners, Black Spirituals. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. Third St., 7:30pm, $10, 21+ – Blake Oetting

The cinematic score one pictures in a post-apocalyptic scenario instrumentally aches with the feelings of destruction and loss. As one traverses the new terrain, those sullen moments are transformed as a desire to take action emerges; the tempo increases, and urgency rules over despair. The instrumental trio of Mohican orchestrates sonic scenes that paint the aftermath in a poignant hard-hitting manner – a noisy precision that hits like an adrenaline shot and is quelled by somber moments of solace. With The Abuse Is Character EP now being released via Bob Records on limited cassette, the band occupies the middle slot this evening at Ortlieb’s. Ream, a new project that includes members of Abilities, opens offering a relaxed yet instrumentally rich journey. Post-hardcore four-piece Let It Out Matt headline, acknowledging a sense of despair while exhibiting an instrumental precision that provides a stabilizing fortitude. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. Third St., 7pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita

In Zac Efron’s most recent cinematic flop, playing a struggling DJ in the California valley, he desperately networks and fist pumps (in a profoundly uncomfortable manner, I should add) while trying to break into the competitive LA music scene. I must confess I have avoided watching the full film, but in the various trailers that I have seen, it becomes clear that his “breakthrough” is catalyzed by a journey into the “real world” to find our “everyday sonic palette” (not real quotes, I hope). This idea, no matter how poorly depicted in this movie, of utilizing “street sounds” to merge in the studio with the listener and complicate genre, adding nuance, is a necessary evolution in modern music. Philly-based hip-hop producer, Mr. Green has taken this idea to the extreme. On his latest album, Live From The Streets, he traveled the world to find the best street performers and most interesting sounds for production elements. The results are hip-hop tracks that reflect a proverbial sonic melting pot – a composition focused on innovation and true artistry. Catch his sonic wizardy tonight when he opens for Philly hip-hop stalwarts Jedi Mind Tricks and R.A. The Rugged Man! The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 7pm, $20-$22, All Ages – Blake Oetting