Cherry Glazerr, Sex Stains
Recommended
Cherry Glazerr skipped puberty. Since their 2013 debut, Haxel Princess, the LA noise-pop group's made some major sound and personnel changes without revealing any growing pains. Their signature jangly psych-pop songs revel in youth without fetishizing it; "White's Not My Color This Evening" is a high-octane track about how much periods suck. Their newest material, the 2014 singles "Had 10 Dollaz" and "Nurse Ratched," are infused with some ready-to-thrash punk, a transition made natural as the band fully embraces the sardonic wit and guitar shreds that were only hinted at on prior albums. With the original Cherry Glazerr crew—singer/guitarist Clementine Creevy and bassist Sean Redman—now joined by two new band members, the last year could have been tumultuous. But based on their dark and catchy recent singles and decision to tour with Sex Stains, a riot grrl redux fronted by past Bratmobile member Allison Wolfe, Cherry Glazerr is figuring out their identity while shrugging off any notion of an awkward phase. EMMA BURKE