The Awful Truth: Lakewater

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“Be careful what you say about love,” is the Awful Truth—and it’s their message on their title track for the new Lakewater release. The four-piece have added lush strings to their sound, creating a melancholic tone on songs like “Gold Grey Sky.” The track is exactly what it says it is: cloudy April skies clouding the hope a few warm days bring. Both tracks released have revealed the band’s new, fuller sound. They'll be at Icehouse on Saturday for the release show.

The Once-ler: Before Me

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The Once-ler is the newest member of the Polkadot Mayhem crew, and following up his Pale Blue Dot collaboration with Botzy and Dig Mode is Before Me. The single “20,000 Leagues Eager” is a vibrant slow jam; Before Me drops today.

Jones: Jones

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Jones are a power trio who play straight rock ‘n’ roll. The straightforward blues riffs on their new EP will be soon greeting the band’s dual home towns of Minneapolis and Chicago. “21 Megaton Bomb” has crunchy guitar work while the bass lead singer Clay Hagen’s vocals smooth out the sound overall. They'll be at Lee’s Liquor Lounge on Friday for the Minneapolis release show.

Kara Laudon: I Wasn't Made

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Kara Laudon brought some sentimental tunes from her new I Wasn’t Made release to Bedlam Lowertown last Friday. Laudon’s voice creates an immediate connection for the listener: her wispy high notes swell as her band fades away on songs like “We Come Down.” The album is full of strong songwriting—no low points on this one. Laudon was best-known for performing with John Mark Nelson, who produced her new album. “Summer Haze” was recently The Current's Song of the Day.

Tso Big: Beach Trash

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It’s taken about two years of house shows and playing around town for this psychedelic surf trio to get their debut album together, but Tso Big’s Beach Trash has now made its way onto tape, and it will be released this Saturday. “Sandy Towel” plays with tempo and time like any good psych track, but all three members add their own personalities while the main groove stays strong throughout the track.

Aaron Bolton is a senior at the University of Minnesota. Currently he is a co-host on Radio K’s Off The Record and is the music reporter at Radio K. He hopes to continue a career in music journalism.