Animals in Cars, Tourist (out now, self-released, animalsincars.bandcamp.com): Kudos to this band for opening its single “Tyco” with a phaser. I wish this record sounded more like the trippy album cover instead of, like, every ’90s band in the world, though. (Fri., July 12, Central Saloon) KELTON SEARS

Eric Apoe and They, Funny World (out now, Soundtrack Boulevard Music, ericapoe.com): There is nothing tight at all about Funny World, which is quite a breath of fresh air. Each song sounds as if it’s on the verge of falling apart, but somehow just manages to stay on course. The track “Creeps” is reminiscent of Leonard Cohen’s moodiest works, while “The Blind Mohel” is charmingly self-effacing. CORBIN REIFF

Blackheart Honeymoon, Nothing and Everything Else (out now, self-released, blackhearthoneymoon.bandcamp.com): Members of Lowmen Markos join vocalist/guitarist Ian Prebo and upright bassist Wes Amundsen to create a handful of smooth country songs with a bit of indie rock mixed in. Things end on a touching note as Prebo softly sings over a friend’s voice mail in “Last Song.” (Fri., July 12, West Seattle Summer Fest) AZARIA PODPLESKY

Hausu,

Total

(out now, Hardly Art, hausu.bandcamp.com): “Our band was born between March 1991 and July 1992.”  Taken literally, this line from Hausu’s bio is a nod to its members’ youth, but it also describes their sound, an adept and studious recontextualizing of American alternative rock from the late ’80s and early ’90s. On the quartet’s debut record, you can hear traces of Dinosaur Jr.’s fuzzed-out guitar fireworks, Pavement’s jangly slackerisms, and even a bit of Slint’s proto-math rock, all united in a way that doesn’t feel derivative. What you largely won’t hear are hooks, but even if Total’s songs don’t stick, its ragged, fervent urgency will. (Sat., July 13, Sub Pop Jubilee) ANDREW GOSPE

Kite Repair, Barometrics EP (out now, self-released, kiterepair.bandcamp.com): This is rainy-day folk music at its finest. None of the four tracks are rushed, and occasionally, lead singer Michelle Fellows’ haunting voice takes its sweet time getting from one charming lyric to the next. Just press play and pour yourself another cup of coffee; you’ve got time to spare. (Wed., July 10, Tractor) AP

Spyn Reset, Serendipity EP (July 16, 23 Sounds Records, spynreset.com): This quartet plays instrumental electronica with a heavy dose of jazz. On “Synesthesia,” the band does away with a majority of jazz grooves, and kicks the beat into high gear, creating an electro-dance-rock track with a stellar guitar riff. AP

Sweet Water, Dance Floor Kills (out now, Fin Records, sweetwaterrocks.com): Back with its second release since its 2009 reformation, this grunge band’s EP has more in common stylistically with the music of bands like the Killers or the Strokes than with that of their early-’90s cohorts. Songs like “Birds on a Wire” and “Hey Living” are well-oiled, pop-driven tracks with just the appropriate bit of angst. (Sat., July 13, Ballard Seafood Fest) CR

Wet City Rockers, On My Way (July 11, self-released, wetcityrockers.com): For its second full-length release, the soulful reggae collective offers a collection of feel-good rasta-inspired cuts chock full of vocal harmonies, dreamy guitar, and bluesy melodies. It’s soulful and sunny, and, unexpectedly, homegrown. (Thurs., July 11, Barboza) KEEGAN PROSSER

Yevtushenko, Patients Zero (out now, self-released, yevtushenko.bandcamp.com/album/patients-zero): Though the members of Yevtushenko have yet to celebrate their first anniversary, they’ve already developed a genre-crossing sound of their own. Amber Shine’s Shirley Manson–esque vocals paired with fuzzy electronics and alt-rock melodies make this, the band’s second release, a great soundtrack for those rowdy late-night hangouts. (Tues., July 16, Tractor) AP