Formed at Berklee when T.J. Petracca and Sean Robinson began recording in the former’s dorm room, the pair moved from Boston to the Silver Lake section of Los Angeles, a more fitting locale where they added drummer Taylor Pile and honed their dreamy, lo-fi pop sound. “Roman Candles” finds airy guitar drifting slowly over steady drums and a stately bass line, with what sounds like a gently pulsing keyboard deep in the background. Nice.

Mirror Lady’s self-titled EP is due in February.

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Roman Candles mp3

Wells, a Texas native, has drawn notice for the one-woman orchestra feel of her live shows, where she samples and loops herself. The singer, songwriter and violinest also reaped positive notices for her first album, 2008’s “The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties,” which prompted Spin magazine to describe her as “a feral, streetwise Nina Simone.”

We’re not so sure about the feral part, but there’s definitely a visceral feel to “Passenger,” the free song from “Mama,” Wells’ forthcoming sophomore album. It’s a lush song with layers of sweet, woozy strings carefully arranged over a deep, hypnotic rhythm as Wells sings in an alluring, just-woke-up voice.

“Mama” is due April 10 on Partisan, and Wells is at the top of the list of artists we want to see at SXSW in March.

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Passenger mp3

Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, has said the group gravitated toward songs her dad had written during a stint in Los Angeles in the 1930s, which is borne out on “Old L.A.” The song, featuring Parker on lead vocals, has a wide-open feel, with knots of electric guitar swirling around a strummed acoustic on the verses, which blossom into a soaring chorus full of understated harmony vocals.

It’s a lovely introduction to this latest take on the Guthrie legacy (one of the earliest, of course, coming from Wilco and Billy Bragg), from four musicians who seemed perfectly suited to the task. The group also promises daily interviews about the album via this Facebook page.

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Old L.A. by NewMultitudes

“Museum of Flight” is the free song from his forthcoming album “Maraqopa.” Jurado sings at the top of his vocal range, reaching now and then into falsetto for an effect at once fragile and riveting. The spare acoustic guitar arrangement that carries the first verse blossoms into a spine-tingling blend of tremolo guitar licks, scratchy lo-fi organ and an effects-treated piano fill. Just beautiful.

“Maraqopa” is available digitally today via Secretly Canadian, which is offering various physical configurations with all kinds of bonus stuff. Check out the options here.

Photo by Sarah Jurado

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Damien Jurado “Museum of Flight” by DOJAGSC

“Court the Storm” builds on the chamber-folk sound of its predecessor, and singer Luzelena Mendoza has “embraced her heritage and personal experiences,” according to the press notes, singing four songs in Spanish on the album, produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. “Squawk,” the free song, is not one of them, but that’s not to say it’s not compelling. It is, thanks to a speedy guitar part weaving its way through lush vocal harmonies and dry, resonant thumps on a bass drum.

The album, due Feb. 28, is the first pay-what-you-want digital release on Tender Loving Empire. Don’t be stingy, people: Y La Bamba’s music is worth a bundle.

Photo by Ingrid Renan

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Squawk mp3

With a loose, rollicking rock ‘n’ roll vibe, the Boston band (that Celtics jacket isn’t just for show) is a welcome antidote to all those fussy Berklee kids intent on reinventing power-pop or pushing jam bands in horrifying new directions or whatever.

There’s none of that precious premeditation here, just raw, gritty riffs and vocals buried in reverb on “Sid,” from a forthcoming self-titled EP.

Dirty Fences have landed a handful of dates opening for Cults, who, good as they are, probably ought to be worried about getting blown off the stage. “Dirty Fences” is due digitally and on vinyl April 10.

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Sid mp3

Morrison came to the Omaha band after JJ Idt and Nate Mickish, guitarists in other local acts, had gotten together with the intention of creating riveting soundscapes. Rounded out by bassist Mike Overfield, keyboardist Patrick Newbery and drummer Roger Lewis, Conduits began opening for visiting bands like the Hold Steady, and did a short tour with Omaha faves Bright Eyes.

They also began work on their self-titled debut, due March 20 on Team Love. The band is giving away the first song, “Top of the Hill,” and atmospheric and rugged track that sends shuddering, overdriven guitars and swathes of keyboards swirling around Morrison’s serene vocals.

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Top of the Hill mp3

“Please Be My Third Eye” is faster and tougher than anything on the first album, and Goodman surrounds her floaty voice with layers of muscular guitars: there’s the murky, chugging riff that powers the whole song, and then, about 20 seconds in, a huge wave of bright guitar sweeps through into the chorus. It’s visceral and super-awesome.

Press notes describe the album, “Sees the Light,” as “a break-up album for the best kinds of break-ups.” Suffice to say we’re smitten already. “Sees the Light” is due March 24 on Hardly Art.

Photo by Magda Wosinska

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Please Be My Third Eye mp3

It’s the new indie-R&B persona of Alex Feder, who fronted Brooklyn’s XYZ Affair until his frustration with the biz and the scene brought him THIS close to quitting music altogether. Instead, he moved from New York to L.A., and named his new project after his grandfather, who traded a budding career as a big-band saxophone player for a spot in the family’s traveling salesman operation.

All that exposition makes it fitting that Feder is introducing the world to Leonard Friend with the song “Serious Music,” which glides on a bold, slinky-as-hell bassline and bursts of big, bright synthesizers. Just try to keep that booty still while you listen. You can’t do it.

The song is from “Lynyrd Frynd EP,” his debut, which comes out in digital form Jan. 31.

Photo by Bob Jones

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Serious Music mp3

The tune is an anarchic rocker crammed full of abrasive electric guitar riffs and a cacophony of drums, with unintelligible vocals cutting through the din until about the 2-minute mark, when things get really crazy and the song turns into some kind of psychedelic breakdown that has to be the sonic equivalent of getting whipped with nettles in an echo chamber. In other words, it’s awesome. (Check out the EP, “Medicine,” here.)

The Quiet Americans, who are anything but quiet, formed in 2010 when singer/guitarist Luke Giffen and drummer Eli Reyes got together. They’ve since added Simon Smeds on bass, and Steve Loveless on organ. There’s no word yet on the band’s plans for 2012, but hopefully they won’t deviate too much from the things bands do — namely, touring and recording.

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Weird Mountain mp3