Kevin Bronson on March 20th, 2026

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Here’s Greatest Hits … This Week (Vol. 379), Buzz Bands LA’s Friday mix, featuring music from Imaad Wasif, Primitive Ring, Devlin and the Harm, Lauren Lakis, Babe Dylan, Failure, White Fence, The High Curbs, Maudlin Strangers, Nessa Barrett, Tin Angel, The Undercover Dream Lovers, Sure Sure, Girlfriend Wife, The Aggrolites, Cherry Bomb and more.

Previous Buzz Bands LA playlists, with liner notes, here.

Anita Mills contributed to this roundup.

■ Imaad Wasif, “We Are Hunters” — “This album is huge for me. It embodies my hope, my pain, and shines a light on my many contradictions. It is a lens on my disillusionment with the world and a record of personal upheaval that could have easily swallowed me up,” Imaad Wasif says of “Superconsciousness” (out today), an album every bit as deep as its title. In his solo releases and with the various bands he has played with, Wasif has always been a force, “Superconsciousness” takes it to a new level. Live Sunday at Zebulon, supported by Lael Neale and Chalk Teeth.

■ Babe Dylan, “Your Turn” — The duo of Bella Marguerite and Esther McGrade, dba Babe Dylan, return with a club-ready blast of synth-pop, “Your Turn,” the follow-up to their February single “Prophetic Life” and another song you can slide into your playlist along with vintage MGMT jams.

■ Devlin and the Harm, “No Havana” — It’s been a decade since garage-rock stalwarts the Dead Ships released their second and final album (and played Coachella). Now frontman Devlin McCluskey is emerging with a new project, Devlin and the Harm, with a self-titled album coming out May 22. Gone is the rugged indie-blues that characterized the Dead Ships’ music, replaced by widescreen, orchesrrated, Western-tinged indie-rock produced by Alex Newport and played by a cast of L.A. indie all-stars. The songs are informed by deeply personal turmoil and political upheaval; “No Havana” was written as McCluskey cared for his terminally ill father, against a backdrop of the 2024 election. “Some of the worst moments of our lives happened while making this record,” he says. “But I also fell in love, got engaged, and started over. When things feel this bleak, making songs is how I try to be a become a better person.”

■ The High Curbs, “Racer #23” — And off they go: The High Curbs have announced the May 1 arrival of their third album “High Speed.” Please mind the speed limit while enjoying the new single “Racer #23,” and here’s the video.

■ White Fence, “Unread Books” — The follow-up to “Your Eyes,” “Unread Books” is second single from “Orange,” out April 24 as the first White Fence album in seven years. In contrast to the first single’s bouncy power-pop, “Unread Books” is full of heartache, arriving atop droning synths (played by Alice Sandahl of La Luz) and shuffling drums (Dylan Hadley).

■ Failure, “A Way Down” — The follow-up to “The Air’s on Fire,” the goth rocker “A Way Down” is the latest single from resurgent L.A. trio Failure’s seventh album, “Location Lost” (out April 24). Live April 21 at Zebulon (sold out).

■ Girlfriend, Wife, “Send Me a Sign” — Since debuting in November with “Fly Away,” L.A. duo Girlfriend Wife has added a comma. So welcome, Girlfriend, Wife. Lest you be led astray by their photos, rest assured that the duo of Tessa DeNicola and Kacy Hill are doing shoegaze and dream-pop, and “Send Me a Sign” is a fever dream compared to their shoegaze ripper of a debut, “Fly Away.”

■ Drypoint, “Cyclist” — L.A. shoegaze trio Drypoint (Dorian Ford, Gabe Jacobs and Garrett Blackwell) debut with a self-titled EP last year, and they continue to build on their massive sound. “Cyclist” is their latest roof-rattler.

■ Lauren Lakis, “There” — Alt-rock singer-songwriter Lauren Lakis is set to release her debut album “Deadlights” May 8 via RidingEasy Records. “There” is a crunchy, guitar-driven track with airy vocals. Check out the low-fi music video here.

■ The Undercover Dream Lovers, “One More Evening” — Friendly reminder that the Undercover Dream Lovers’ new album, “Atomic House,” is out today, featuring a bevy of tasty singles including “Banging My Head,” “Cookin’ in the Sun,” “Prom Queen” and “Lies Lies Lies.” “This record is a reminder to be present, to enjoy life for what it is and not get anxious about the future,” TUDL’s Matt Koenig says. “One More Evening” is the LP’s opening track.

■ Cannons, “Light As a Feather” — We’re just a week away from the release of Cannons’ fifth LP, “Everything Glows,” and the L.A. trio have unveiled the fourth single, “Light As a Feather.” This is what jumps in one’s head when you hear the term “pure pop.” Live July 19 at the Hollywood Bowl, with Bob Moses.

■ Sure Sure, “Telephone” — Friendly reminder that Sure Sure’s aptly titled new album “Soft Landing” arrived today. Live April 12 at the Constellation Room and April 26 at Venice West.

■ Maudlin Strangers, “Spaghetti Western” — Speaking of Western (see top item), Maudlin Strangers, heretofore purveyors of dark, sleek pop, take in interesting turn on their new single “Spaghetti Western.” Recorded in a 111-year-old Laurel Canyon house and produced by frontman Jake Hays, the song is more smoky than ghostly, while still maintaining Maudlin Strangers’ gritty edginess.

■ Nessa Barrett, “Buffalo 66” — Friendly reminder that L.A.-based New Jersey native Nessa Barrett’s new EP “Jesus Loves a Primadonna” is now available. Hip-hop meets noir in her latest single “Buffalo 66.” Watch the music video featuring Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood here. Live April 3, and April 4 at Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

■ Hrishikesh Hirway, “Rollercoaster” (feat. Fenne Lily and Uwade) — The follow-up to “Stray Dogs,” the melancholy “Rollercoaster” is the second single from Hrishikesh Hirway’s new album, “In the Last Hour of Light,” releasing April 24. Watch director Sean Stout’s video. As part of his series “A Concert and Conversation With Hirishikesh Hirway and Guests,” the artist will appear with Jason Mantzoukas on May 14 at Pacific Electric.

■ Tin Angel, “Feigning Asleep” — Folk trio Tin Angel (Grace Freeman, Daisy Abrams and Taylor Sackson) are back with “Feigning Asleep.” It’s just their third single since the trio’s debut EP in 2024, and the way they layer their harmonies is only getting better.

■ Young Lovers, “Ross” — Filipino-American rockers Young Lovers (Mikey Macapagal, Jonathan Higa, Josh Solomon, Ford Crispino) follow their 2020 self-titled debut LP with “Ross,” the first single from their upcoming album “The Circle’s End,” which drops June 12 via Anxiety Blanket Records. “Ross” is a dreamy guitar-driven track about a sudden brush with death. The music video is emotionally jarring featuring stunning choreography by Shane Higa, directed by Devonte Johnson.

■ Maiah Manser, “What’s It All For?” — “‘What’s It All For?’ is the feeling you get from looking up into a night sky full of stars and feeling suddenly like all of your problems are so small,” singer-songwriter-producer Maiah Manser says of her new single, the follow-up to “Feeling It All” and the second single from a new EP, “Fifth Dimension Part 1” (out May 29).

■ Seahaven, “Midnight Hour — Alt-rock band Seahaven returns from their six-year hiatus, bringing to the table “Midnight Hour” off their forthcoming self-titled album out June 5 via Pure Noise Records. “Midnight Hour” is a moody alt-rock song, featuring an epic guitar riff. Watch the music video directed by Alex Bemis here.

■ Trueblood, “Make It Out” — Trueblood are a band of teenage brothers (Cameron, Dylan, Mason and Ethan) who today announced their singing to Mercury Records. “make It Out” is their new single. Live Sunday at the Troubadour.

■ Chloé Caroline & Jordan Anthony,”Existing” — Singer-songwriter Chloe Caroline teams up with Australian-born pop artist Jordan Anthony “Existing” an emotional piano-driven duet. Chloe Caroline says: “We wanted to capture that surreal feeling of realizing you exist at the same time as someone who changes your life.” Watch the duo sing their hearts out in the music video here.

■ Primitive Ring, “Heads Will Roll” — Primitive Ring combines the talents of Charles Moothart (CDM, Fuzz), Bert Hoover (Hooveriii) and Jon Modaff (JModaff, Hooveriii). Their self-titled LP drops May 15 via In The Red Records. The band says of the new track “Heads Will Roll”: “This was the last song to come together for the record. The ‘missing piece’ to tie everything together. Both gentle and bellicose. Primal scream for a dying dream. What is there left to do in the wasteland but ride?” Watch the experimental music video here. Live June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30 at Zebulon.

■ The Aggrolites, “Till the Wheels Fall Off” — “Till the Wheels Fall Off” introduces “Super Atomic,” the first album from dirty reggae outfit the Aggrolites since 2019. It’s out June 5, and Jesse Wagner says of the first single: “[It’s] is about commitment — to the grind, to the music, to the vision. It’s all gas, no brakes. … That song captures our live energy better than anything we’ve done. It’s a ride-or-die anthem. Keep going, no matter what.”

■ Kit Major, “Punk Rock Boyfriend” — Solo artist Kit Major follows “Not As Witty As I Used to Be” with “Punk Rock Boyfriend,” a classic-punk banger off her forthcoming album “Miss Ego,” dropping June 12 by way of Futureless Records. Watch Kit crowd surf in the music video here.

■ The Strike, Famous” — L.A. trio the Strike (Chris Crabb, Jay Tibbitts and David Maemone) dip into their well of ’70s/’80s synth sounds for the yacht rock-adjacent single “Famous,” which, they say, “is a song about perspective. We live in a world where it sometimes feels like everyone is after their 5 seconds of fame. This song poses the question: What do I want to be known for at the end of the day?”

■ Lavalove, “Go Go Boots” — Pop-rockers band Lavalove drop “Go Go Boots” from their upcoming album “Tan Lines” out April 3 by way of Pure Noise Records. Singer and guitarist Tealarose Coy says: “We believe this song completely encapsulates the nightlife in Los Angeles and how it feels to be a girl out with her friends. The catchy melody and exciting background vocals really make this song pop out for us, personally.” Watch the fun multi-media music video here.

■ Nick Moon, “Setting Sun” — Nick Moon, aka Nicolas Munoz, is a noise-rock artist born and reared in L.A. “Setting Sun” is a satirical surf-rock track from his debut album “Who Is The Bone Man,” release date TBA. Moon says: “Here, musically and lyrically, nothing is sacred, and everything is meant to be played with.”

■ Cherry Bomb, “Digital Girl” — The second single from Cherry Bomb (Mandy Lee of MisterWives), “Digital Girl,” comes advertised (accurately) as a Y2K party. Of the song, the follow-up to “Never Be Me (M★therf★cker),” Lee says: “‘Digital Girl’ asks how far are you willing to go for your dreams and at what cost? In this Information Age where the pressures of perfection and an unsustainable quantity over quality are constantly burning out not just artists but everyone who is plugged in, it’s impossible to not romanticize unplugging entirely.”

■ Jacob the Horse, “The Black Hand” — Friendly reminder that punk-rockers Jacob the Horse today released their new album, “At Least It’s Almost Over.” Watch them in a game-show environment in the video for “The Black Hand.”

■ CARR, “Alien Rat Boyfriend” — Featuring singles such “Bang It Out” and “Hardcore!,” “CARRGIRRL,” the sophomore album from Carly McClellan, is out today. Live May 28 at the House of Blues Anaheim and June 1 at the Fonda Theatre, both opening for The Cab.

■ Damaged Bug, “Double Yolks” — Today brought the release of “ZUZAX,” the new album from Damaged Bug, the left-field side project of OSEES’ John Dwyer.

■ Anna Margo, “Selfish” — Anna Margo will release a new EP, “Swings,” on June 5, and the beguiling new single “Selfish,” she says, is “about the narrative people create when you finally stop shrinking for them. The song explores that moment where guilt turns into clarity, and you realize that protecting yourself and your peace might make you the “bad guy” in someone else’s story. It sits in that uncomfortable space where you’ve tried everything to make something work, but the healthiest choice is simply walking away.”

■ Jerry Paper, “Souvenir” — As is our habit, we’ll wrap this playlist with a cover: On his new EP “Boink!” (out today), synth-pop free spirit Jerry Paper takes on “Souvenir,” the 1981 song by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. (Bonus: There’s a Brian Eno cover, too.)