A sort of companion to the Philly acts 2015 record Psychedelic Swamp, this new collection features the Midi synthesizer as the primary instrument. It’s odd, endearing, and all-together unsurprising for these rock journeymen. Check out Midi Swamp; you won’t be disappointed.

Dr. Dog is playing in Bloomington at The Castle Theatre on February 20th. Tix are $25.

One of the best new country blues acts out there. In his second record of the year, Lil G.L’s Blue Bonanza has everything the Texas native is known for: heart, soul, and some damn fine rocking tunes.

He only has a few California dates on his slate. We’re hoping for a spring visit in support of this one.

An electric opus created by Jas Shaw of Simian Mobile Disco and producer Gold Panda, electronic elements with live keys and synths create an inspiring musical trip through a Tron-like universe. (Or at least that's what we saw when we closed our eyes.) On Reflection is full of beautiful moments and stunning compositions.  

We highly doubt they will tour this project.

The Seattle-bred rappers’ sophomore LP is everything you would expect after last year’s Watercolor. Laid-back rhymes over dreamy electro funk, Eye of the Beholder is as Pacific Northwest hip-hop as the regional genre can get.

Porter Ray is currently not on tour.

The third full-length from the prolific LA producer in 2018, nostalgia marauder is a walk down a rainy street. An empty late night bodega. A soul-affirming midnight tryst. It’s everything life in the city has to offer, the chill moments in-between the madness.

We wish he performed live more often.

Jam jazz stalwarts Tauk have gifted us with some late 2018 live recordings (apparently the first of many such releases given the vol. number.) That remains to be seen, but we do know that this New York quartet can bring the funky groove to peak after non stop peak. Whether you already love ‘em or you’re a newcomer, Real TAUK, Vol 1. deserves your ears.

They currently have no Chicago dates this year, which isn't a surprise since they came through three times in 2018.