Adult Mom – “Survival”

Steph Knipe of Adult Mom is the quintessential DIY indie kid: very cool, a little odd and documenting a journey to self-acceptance through music. Like of all Adult Mom’s releases, “Survival” is real and reflective, reminiscent of painfully frank scribbles in a private diary as the song alternates between self-loving words and a plea for recovery. The simple instrumental notes contrast with the emotions they evoke. Adult Mom thrives at small house shows, but they’ll play at Mahall’s in Lakewood on May 25 with opener Forth Wanderers.

Tegan and Sara – “Boyfriend”

Canadian sister act Tegan and Sara dropped teaser track “Boyfriend” on April 7 as the lead single for their ninth studio album, “Love You to Death,” to be released in June. “Boyfriend” goes heavy on the synth while building into a poppy rhythm reminiscent of the 1980s. Lyrically, the duo dives into the emotional toll of a super gay love triangle complicated by secrecy. Like recent hit “Closer,” Tegan and Sara’s happily repetitive yet dynamic track lends itself to a solo dance session or a high-key hangout.

The Lumineers – “Cleopatra”

Luckily for fans of the Lumineers’ first album and the chart topper “Ho Hey,” the folk rock stars are back with their obsession with pork pie hats. The storytelling album “Cleopatra” has been in the works for two years, but its flowery Americana vibes mesh with where the band left off. The title track is mournful and muted, edging on boring. “Cleopatra” revisits a familiar folky feeling, ideal as background noise in a warm coffee shop. The Lumineers are currently in the midst of a worldwide stadium tour.

The Modern Electric – “David Bowie (Save Us All)”

Cleveland-based cinematic pop band The Modern Electric channels legend David Bowie in all their music, but nowhere is the glam rock influence more clear than in “David Bowie (Save Us All).” The ode to Bowie is more relevant than ever, with the artist’s recent death and The Lumineers’ brand new album: (“Starman, save our ears from bands like Lumineers…”). Whether you’re a Lumineers fan or not, catch The Modern Electric channeling the glitz of Bowie at Musica in Akron on Saturday, April 16.

#FlashbackFriday

Belle and Sebastian – “Get Me Away from Here I’m Dying”

The always charming and occasionally tragic Scottish band Belle and Sebastian achieves high marks in both quality and quantity, based on their number of releases (nine) and shining reputation. The twee tune “Get Me Away from Here I’m Dying,” from the group’s 1996 album “If You’re Feeling Sinister,” features lead singer Stuart Murdoch’s airy voice and smart lyricism over intricate guitar licks. Uplifting even in the most dire of circumstances, the song is still relevant 20 years after its original release.