Kevin Bronson on October 9th, 2012

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Like a lot of rock singers, Katherine Pawlak sounds as if she has issues. At full throttle, the frontwoman of L.A. trio Sad Robot sounds as if she can handle them herself. At turns sultry, playful and angry, Pawlak gives the dirty/pretty stylings of her bluesy power trio a sense of urgency. If you’re a fan of Nico Vega or the Joy Formidable, you’ll recognize Sad Robot’s dynamic, and Pawlak, guitarist Nick Perez and drummer Jake Hogenson are aiming to build on it with the release of their second album, “1.0,” later this month. The leadoff track “Hold On” is a big, fuzzy paean to hope, while “Sing” and “God Damn the Man” have the spit ’n’ vinegar Aja Volkman dispenses in Nico Vega. Sad Robot can take it down, too, as the minimalist ballad “How Does It Feel” attests. Every so often, banging heads need a rest.

||| Download: “Hold On”

||| Live: Sad Robot is doing the Monday night residency this month at the Silverlake Lounge