Faint Sounds of Us Hanging Out is the latest record from Hartford’s Queen Moo, and boy does it intrigue. The album is a lo-fi adventure that gives you the feeling it took place in a bedroom and nowhere else. The instruments have a vivid sound to them: in tracks like “Flinch” electric guitar signals distort and reverberate to unpredictable drum patterns. There are soft piano overtures, trumpet segments, and quirky vocal harmonies, but it is the girt of the production that is most charming. All the vibrancy of the instrumentation has a grainy tinge to it, a real DIY touch. The record places the listener right in the middle of the recording process, hanging out with the band. The album release party is set for August 25th at The State House in New Haven. We are streaming “Periphery” below to get you ready for the show. - Rene Cobar 

 Taking their name from the ruler of a mythical city and filling their songs with as much inventive songwriting sorcery as we can handle, Hartford rockers Queen Moo are a rare rock n roll force. The band's latest album, Mean Well, is an instant classic, with blisteringly dirty guitars, relentlessly catchy hooks, and pitch perfect, understated vocal performances. Combining the blunt emotional punch of emo/punk with elements of classic rock and jazz, Queen Moo is a band you will want to catch on their current tour. Check them out when they hit Great Scott on 12/21 with Prawn, People Like You, and Slingshot Dakota. -Brian Varneke