Haunting, gratifying, and very indie, Den-Mate's Entropii is a pleasing blend of Icelandic dream rock and the sounds of synthwave/witch-house pioneers Crystal Castles. With an eerie aesthetic that is very much 2010s-dark indie, Den-Mate is making music that is not only very trendy, but also quite high-level. This is quality material, well produced, full of crisp and clean melodies clashing with unsettling backing tracks.

The impressive craftsmanship on display here is a sign of the young Virginia native's potential, Den-Mate is definitely a band to look out for in the near future.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Fresh from a weekend stint in folk friendly Charlottesville, Handsome Hound returns to their hometown this Saturday to headline Songbyrd in Adams Morgan. Well-crafted and soulfully entertaining songs are the key to this group’s success, as the indie-folk-rock outfit continues to build off of the attention garnered by the release of their first EP last year. Creative and well thought out, the music does justice to the band’s influences: Americana legends like Johnny Cash and modern folk stars Shovels and Rope.

Don’t miss Handsome Hound and Odell Fox this Saturday, April 22nd, 6:30-9 at Songbyrd in Adams Morgan.  Tickets on sale here or at the door.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Richard's Glasses is the first album from leading Phantom Tollbooth inspired Arlington indie-rock-post-grunge outfit Milo in the Doldrums.  High-level songwriting and musicianship shine through on this engaging blend of Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and other 1990s/early 2000s rock.

The key to this album is its variety, with the music being well-thought out and attention grabbing at all times. The touching ballads mixed in with the high-energy grunge make sure this album is well-paced, and at no time does the band allow the listener's attention to wander.  

A well produced first mini-album from Milo in the Doldrums.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Here was a music video that put a smile on my face: DC Deli emerging artists of the month Venn covering one of my all-time favorite songs, Ceremony by New Order. Venn does a nice job capturing the sound of the original track and wrapping it in their own shoegaze sound, setting it all to a cute, superbly retro video.

Being such a huge fan of the original it’s hard for me to refrain from nitpicking. I do wish the guitars were more lo-fi and the vocals a little less intelligble among other things, but reservations aside a fantastic homage to a classic.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Havana Seoul’s “Payday: Revenue, The Stunt” is at once laid back and full of excitement.  Crunchy, open air backing tracks and playful rhymes combine to capture the sound of a blissful feeling made possible by making money and buying brand new shoes.  Whether or not making money and spending it is enough to satisfy you, when the beats drop on this track and Mi-Yung starts rhyming the music becomes truly irresistible. -Written by Michael Dranove