There is something decidedly "vintage"-sounding about Detroit-based punk act Protomartyr, and I'm not saying that in an American Apparel Does Grunge sort of way. These wiry post-punk sounds seem directly misplaced in time on their sophomore full-length, Under Color of Official Right. They look back to bands with a dirty, minimalist style like the Fall or proto-punks Crime for direction rather than lackluster spin-off contemporaries. A very natural addition to the current Hardly Art roster, Protomartyr's proto/post/post-post-punk lands in the modern cred-worthy realm of METZ and the Men. I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting, and am looking forward to seeing how they can expand on these pop-hook-infused, Mark E. Smith-indebted, ill-mannered punk lovefests. Garage-punk standbys Unnatural Helpers and cool ghouls Grave Babies also provide fitting local support for the night. Black Lodge, 9 pm. BRITTNIE FULLER
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(Barboza) Olympia trio Broken Water specialize in rainy indie rock. It’s dreary noise-gaze with a witchy vibe to it—the droning layers become hypnotic, and suddenly you’ve been listening to their three albums on repeat for who knows how long. Hours? Days? The band’s two singers trade off lead vocal duties; the guitars range from stretchy and melty to clamorous jabs—all under a Northwest grunge umbrella. Speaking of stretchy and melty, Naomi Punk’s stony, unraveling slow-magik pop is not to be missed. With the power-scuzz of Snuff Redux, and Stutter, whom I have not heard yet, but boast members from the fine bands Weed, M. Women, Stephanie, and Talbot Tagora. EMILY NOKES
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The chromosomally obsessed Orlando, Florida, producer XXYYXX is yet another young dude messing with R&B's DNA in order to make you say "WTF?" (Aaannnd I just reached my quota of acronyms for the week.) Thankfully, XXYYXX (aka Marcel Everett) is more inventive at this popular pastime than most in the field. He peddles chilled, acutely angled funk that wants to wine, dine, and 69 you... but very methodically and atmospherically. Portland duo Philip Grass also get busy with R&B's essential elements, subtly manipulating luxurious keyboard swells, seductive vocals, and boot-knocking beats into slow-motion whirlpools of audio sex. Seattle's DJAO—aka Alex Osuch—is nearing completion of his debut album (a future nightbus classic, I predict), and surely some gems from it will drop tonight. Neumos, 8 pm, $15 adv, 21+.: DAVE SEGAL
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(Meany Hall) Visiting gamelan master Heri Purwanto and his students are joined by Ki Midiyanto (shadow puppetry), Jessika Kenney (vocalist), Christina Sunardi (dancer), and Gamelan Pacifica in an evening of Javanese music, dance, and theater. JEN GRAVES
And here's all our recommended music events—tonight, tomorrow, this weekend, and beyond!
