Photo by Valerie Paschall

Ex Hex, “How You Got That Girl”
From Rips. Merge Records.

The Ex Hex bandwagon is pulling in progressively more fans and those who have sung Mary Timony’s praises for decades couldn’t be happier. Even more than supergroup Wild Flag, Ex Hex has been a showcase of her guitar prowess and her handle on what makes a great rock song. Still, Rips isn’t a Timony solo album, it’s the work of a three-piece BAND, and a considerable amount of that band’s swagger comes courtesy of bassist Betsy Wright. “How You Got That Girl” is one of the two tracks on Rips where Wright takes over the lead vocals and it’s also one of the more emotionally complex songs on the album.

Whereas songs like “New Kid” and “Waterfall” are badass trips into the halls of Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, the object of “How You Got That Girl” has not been entirely written off. While Wright states with unwavering coolness the opening lines that she has no interest in reuniting with with this runaway lover, she also admits that she wholeheartedly understands their appeal. This is also the song on Rips that most resembles a Cars track; between the brash opening riffs and Timony’s soloing, it absolutely sounds like it belongs after “Just What I Needed” on a playlist. But this is still more of a kiss off than a celebration and the song ends on a clap-worthy and confident send-off over Timony and Wright’s harmonious “whoah-oh-ohs.” —Valerie Paschall

The Funk Ark, Man Is A Monster
LP. Rope-A-Dope Records

The Funk Ark released their third album, Man Is A Monster this week and it is their most ambitious undertaking to date. Bandleader Will Rast has played keyboards and toured with Antibalas over the past two years. It’s clear he brought these experiences to bear on The Funk Ark’s new album. Rast’s phenomenal keyboard playing can be heard throughout, fusing beautifully afrobeat guitars, rich percussion and a very funky horn section.

The album is full of gems that keep the listener engaged and provide a few surprises along the way. “Doom Buggy” will be familiar to those who have caught The Funk Ark live, and it really captures their unique sound. Like the rest of the album, this cut creates a lush musical landscape that takes the listener on a sonic journey to lands unknown. With great technical skill and inspiration, The Funk Ark have created an album full of unexpected twists and turns, definitely worthy of any collection. —Andy Cerutti

Hemlines, The Hemlines Demo
EP. Self-released.

D.C.’s Hemlines have been playing shows around town for the last three months; their most recent gig was the opening of the D.C. Punk Archive at the Martin Luther King Public Library. The feminist quartet quietly put this four-track demo up on their Bandcamp page soon after their first show. Though this demo is fairly short (it clocks in at roughly 14 minutes), it’s packed with musical variety and power.

“Kitchen Window” opens with a bass line that recalls The Raincoats, with singer Katie Park’s bluesy vocal delivery (which morphs into a scream that works perfectly). “8.3” has a brief quiet intro reminiscent of early 90’s Polvo, but finishes as an urgent, chugging rocker with a ripping guitar solo in the middle. “Giant Biscuit Gravy Bowl” is essentially a slow-burning doom metal jam, while closer “The Triangle” is a minimal take on grunge. Listeners will be left begging for more from Hemlines. —Ahmad Zaghal

Hemlines play with Who Needs a Pulse? At Velvet Lounge this Friday. Info here