Tim Houlihan: Another Orion

A Minneapolis musician who grew up in St. Louis, Tim Houlihan is releasing his sixth self-produced album this Sunday at Icehouse. Another Orion is a crisp slice of roots rock that writer G.W. Hill aptly describes as "a classy set." Houlihan will be joined on Sunday by Katy Vernon, who's wrapping up what she calls "one of the happiest and most creative events of my life": releasing her album Present at Icehouse last fall.

Blake Duncan: The Best I'd Known

The Best I'd Known EP is a quiet offering from the lead singer-songwriter of Albertville due Echoes & Trinkets. Blake Duncan says he's influenced by Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, Beck, and Sufjan Stevens — and that's not far off, which is a testament to the quiet focus of this 16-minute release. The pulsing, gently building track "Walls" is a standout.

Moors Blackmon: Black to the Future

"We are a truly Afrofuturistic power trio," says keyboardist-singer Dameun Strange about Moors Blackmon, whose EP Black to the Future swaggers with funk-jazz energy. Drummer Kahlil Brewington and bassist Antione Martinneau complete this trio, who combine social consciousness with spacey sonic adventure in a way that might make Prince proud. Let's hope "The Calrissian Battle Song" shows up in a cantina in Episode VIII.

The Adjustments: At North Shore

[bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=1910652640 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

At North Shore, the new album from Duluth blues-rockers the Adjustments, is built around a four-song suite called "North Shore Sinner." Opportunities for sins of all stripes will abound on Friday at Carmody Irish Pub, when the band celebrate the album's release. Recorded in the band's home studio on the shore of Lake Superior, At North Shore has an easygoing vibe that well-suits the good life on the Unsalted Sea.

[bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=2178595348 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

"Partial Traces are the new project from members of what was formerly The Gateway District," explained the band when they made their debut last year. "In fact, Partial Traces is to The Gateway District what Toys That Kill is the FYP. Or what ALL is to The Descendents." Got that? Regardless, they have a new two-song EP that surges with righteous power.