TANLINES, MAS YSA
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Tanlines are a Brooklyn-based duo that are part of the synth-driven electro-pop scene that’s dominated “indie” music for the past couple of years. The dancey electronic drumbeats, echoey vocals, and clear, vibrating guitar riffs have become a staple of the current sound. Tanlines’ debut LP, Mixed Emotions, came out in 2012 on Matador affiliate label True Panther, and while they may have caught some criticism for not exactly being sonically groundbreaking in the wake of several solid electro-pop releases that same year, you’re kidding yourself if you think “All of Me” isn’t one of the catchiest songs in recent memory. This year Tanlines have released a follow-up album, Highlights, and it’s more of the same consistent indie-pop that’ll be tough to resist dancing to. But a greater achievement might be their brilliant new website design, which apes Netflix in ingenious and hilarious ways. CAMERON CROWELL
TRAILS AND WAYS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) In recent years, there have been a handful of bands from Oakland who incorporate disparate global influences into a pop template (see: Tune-Yards, Waterstrider, Bells Atlas). In the case of Trails and Ways, their influences (bossa nova, Afrobeat, jazz) get channeled into breezy, upbeat dance tracks that obliterate any barrier you might have erected toward movement. But there’s another layer to these songs. According to an interview in the alt-weekly East Bay Express, the band also uses its music to combat climate change. Lead single “Skeletons” on new album Pathology sounds club-worthy on the surface, but is actually about apathy toward ecological collapse. The message is subtle, not overt, however, so apathy is still an option. KATHLEEN RICHARDS
SHELLAC, SHANNON WRIGHT
(Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, #110) We were going to recommend Wednesday’s show at Mississippi Studios, where Steve Albini’s Shellac is going to light everyone’s smarty-pants on fire. But it’s sold out. So now we’d like to suggest the warming glow of the post-hardcore math-rockers at Revolution Hall on Thursday, but guess what, snoozers? It’s sold out, too. Check in with your favorite scalper. COURTNEY FERGUSON Also see Up & Coming.