The sophomore album by Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin, Crushing, delves into an emotional two-year journey and a transition in a relationship. While Jacklin’s personable self-examination remains in her songwriting, Crushing explores the mind, emotions and heartache. Her openness and healthy habit of rejecting expectations carry over from 2016’s Don’t Let the…

Australia’s Methyl Ethel brings a coming of age theme to Triage; the newest project by Jake Webb. Webb once again takes artistic control in writing, producing and performing, just as he did with 2017‘s Everything Is Forgotten and 2016’s Oh Inhuman Spectacle. With a nod of MGMT and atmospheric dream pop…

MØ performs at The Fox Theater in Oakland on Feb. 9, 2019. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. SACRAMENTO and OAKLAND — Taking the stage in a black wide-brimmed hat, white cut-off tank-top and black jeans, MØ began her show at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Feb. 2 with “Purple Like the Summer…

San Francisco singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt has a way with simplistic arrangements, bringing a tranquil feeling along with her uniquely folky voice. On her previous records, 2015’s On Your Own Love Again and 2012’s self-titled record, she sang gorgeously poetic lyrics over the top of calming guitar strumming. Pratt doesn’t deviate…

Alice Merton’s relatively recent entrance into the singer-songwriter game has brought with it a powerful voice and intuitive songwriting chops. Two years since she released her EP No Roots, she makes her long-playing debut on Mint. Thumping bass, funky rhythm, and unexpected synth tones play throughout the lyrical anthems…

It’s been two years since L.A. blues rockers 7Horse released Livin’ in a Bitch of a World, and as 2018 comes to a close, Superfecta comes out to play. Singer-drummer Phil Leavitt and guitarist-bassist Joie Calio maintain their love for the hard-riffing blues rock of their previous three records.…