Sims: Field Notes EP

Following the Doomtree crew’s recent book release, today Sims drops his new seven-track EP Field Notes. Sims has been performing songs from the new EP live, and recently made Andrea Swenson’s Friday Five for his “Sims Jong Il” video. When Sims recently visited MPR's booth at the Minnesota State Fair, he told Mary Lucia that he's taken a year and a half to record the EP. "I really pine over each word that I choose," said Sims. "You might not tell because I rap them really fast, but I do care about each word." (Aaron Bolton)

Jenny Dalton: Black Water

A few weeks before delivering a baby daughter, singer-songwriter Jenny Dalton delivers her third full-length, Black Water. Dalton recorded and produced all nine tracks, "cocooned" in a Stillwater house. On “Wolf Named Someday,” Dalton produces an eerie vocal quality backed by soft piano and shuffled beats. The song shifts back and forth between this eeriness and a sense of hope as she sings, “Puttin' on my nice red dress for the wolf named someday.” She'll be at Northeast Minneapolis staple the 331 Club this Friday for her release show. (Aaron Bolton)

Vision the Kid & Tru: Somewhere in a Dark City

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Rapper Vision the Kid is releasing his second record, Somewhere in a Dark City—again working with Tru, who produced his debut Lost Summer. Tru's beats will put your subwoofers to the test as Vision the Kid opens up about drug addiction and relationships. Among contributors to the album is Lydia Liza of Bomba de Luz, who sings the chorus of "Red Eye." Vision the Kid and Tru will celebrate the release of Somewhere in a Dark City on Thursday at the 7th Street Entry. (Jay Gabler)