Photo by Brandon Nedwek

Dot Dash. “Winter of Discontent”
From Earthquakes & Tidal Waves. The Beautiful Music

Dot Dash came across our radar a couple years ago when the lineup for the Chickfactor anniversary shows was announced. The band is named after a Wire song, names The Jam as a huge influence, and is comprised of guys that cut their teeth in Slumberland and Dischord acts, but none of that information necessarily points to their current musical direction.

It just means that the two minute power-pop tracks on Earthquakes & Tidal Waves are perfectly crafted and executed with incredible ease. The virtuosic drumming of Danny Ingram is particularly noticeable on their opening track, “Winter of Discontent,” but it’s the guitar riffs that really sell the song. They harken back to a time when the indie rock landscape was dominated by masterful, guitar rock (see: The Replacements, Archers of Loaf) that somehow wasn’t encumbered by unnecessary posturing. Unsurprisingly, Mitch Easter (who worked with other no-frills bands like Superchunk and R.E.M.) produced this album. — Valerie Paschall

Moving Castle (AObeats, Jai Wolf and Manilla Killa). “Diamonds for Breakfast (ft. Mark Johns)”
Single.

We think it’s safe to say that even the folks behind Moving Castle couldn’t have expected such a stellar start to the new year. Formed in the winter of 2013 by AObeats, Robokid, and D.C.’s own Manilla Killa, the collective was created as a platform for unheard electronic artists (hailing from NYC, Boston, LA, and the D.C. area). Named Moving Castle for their interest in Japanese culture, the group continues to be a pioneering source for a variety of electronica genres.

One of their newest collaborations, “Diamonds for Breakfast”, features the entrancing vocals of up-and-coming singer Mark Johns along with production from AObeats, Jai Wolf, and Manilla Killa. The track blends soft, rising synths with cell phone samples for a whimsical sound as Johns’ cool delivery tells the story of an ignored message that wasn’t intentional. Slowly, throughout the song, her voice gets chopped up and altered, giving her more in common with the technology that betrayed her (than whoever was on the other end of the phone). A fitting end from the collective that calls the Internet its home. — Dalton Vogler

Pinkwash. “Cancer Money”
7-inch. Sister Polygon Records

Pinkwash’s Joey Doubek and Ashley Arnwine may have left D.C. for the greener musical pastures of Philadelphia (and who can blame them, really: that city’s musical lineup is better than the 1996 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball “Dream Team”), but they continue the leave their sonic imprint on the city. This time, it’s through their new 7-inch, “Cancer Money,” which was just released via local label Sister Polygon Records. With “Cancer Money,” Doubek and Arnwine deliver two songs that hit you like an air cannon to the chest: Doubek almost incomprehensibly screeching over his heavy, mile-a-minute riffs, while Arnwine delivers a full-on Animal assault on her drum kit. The result falls somewhere between Shellac and Lightning Bolt. this scene from Twister. — Matt Cohen

Qualms. “Psalms”.
EP.

Over the past few months, D.C. quintet Qualms have become more and more ubiquitous, popping up on seemingly every DIY bill. It’s not for nothing—the band plays sweet, catchy punk songs with a distinct power-pop quality. This is simple, power-chord worship, but with the fuzz and progressions of early Buzzcocks meets Matthew Sweet. — Matt Cohen

Cruzie Beaux. “You’re A Dog”
From Demo 1.

Kristina Reznikov sang lead for the moody (and on their last album, electro) post-rock of Drop Electric, but her new project, Cruzie Beaux, shifts gears loudly. She recently told The Vinyl District of her love for “dirty 1970s Joan Jett-style guitar,” and she channels exactly that on her demo’s scathing opener. “You’re A Dog” is fueled by monster chords that drive aggressive lyrics like, “When they called for your love / And you whored it around girl / You’re a dog.” Reznikov has a message for somebody, but it would be even stronger if she didn’t soak her voice in echo. I’d love to hear what Rick Rubin could make of this, but I bet it kills live. — Pat Padua

Edy Blu. “Planetary Sister”
Single.

If you frequent the lounges and bars found on U Street or Eighteenth Street Lounge on Wednesdays, chances are you’ve heard one of D.C.’s hottest homegrown talents, Edy Blu. The neo-soul vocalist had her first release last year with See-I, and follows that up with a two-track single “Planetary Sister” and “Delicious Moonshine.” While “Delicious Moonshine” is a folksy and sweet love song, “Planetary Sister” hits a vibe reminiscent of the Digable Planets while revealing Edy Blu’s cosmic inspiration. She carries the soulful grooves with ease and has assembled a funky band to complement her sweet vocal arrangements. Edy Blu is indeed the Planetary Sister. — Andy Cerutti

Live at Fat Tuesday’s in Fairfax, VA on 1/24/15. Recorded and mixed by Ryan at Da Vinci Sound and Vision