Per usual, the ever prolific Connecticut underground music circuit has been teeming with a solid variety of releases that we here at CT Scramble do our best to cover and share with those willing to listen.  While we plan to feature more extensive coverage throughout the remainder of the year, here are seven releases from the past few weeks that have caught our collective ear.  Enjoy!

1. S.G. Carlson – Self-Titled

Why It’s Dope: Sam Carlson‘s solo debut is a cozy and confident record that chronicles the internal monologues and observations of disorganized urbanites over a cup of tea and mid-volume guitar pop.

2. Quiet Giant – You’re In Heaven EP

Why It’s Dope:  Quiet Giant‘s new You’re In Heaven EP trades some of the atmospheric dream pop of 2015’s Loom LP for slightly grittier territory.  EP closer “Knee of The Curve” is a band highlight that balances both sonic sensibilities.

3. Kindred Queer – Child EP

Why It’s Dope: Kindred Queer‘s long in the making Child EP is wonderfully organic chamber folk record that blends intricate baroque instrumentation and a strong vocal performance with a cryptic but compelling narrative.

4. Crag Mask – Loom

Why It’s Dope:  Crag Mask‘s turbulent art-grunge juxtaposes cutting angular guitar work with heavy hitting distortion that can be surprisingly melodic underneath its apparent darkness.

5. Reduction Plan – Somewhere

Why It’s Dope:  Reduction Plan‘s Somewhere LP expands upon its previous mechanical gloom with stronger production, more fully realized songwriting, and heady layers of dreamy guitarwork.

6. The Foresters – House Stories

Why It’s Dope:  The young brothers Nork of The Foresters follow up 2015’s Sun Songs with another promising collection of fuzzed out, Elephant 6 Collective inspired guitar pop.  Like its title suggests, each song comes off like a technicolor building block in a collection of short stories.

7. The Refectory – The Refectory EP

Why It’s Dope:  Despite it’s 35 minute running time, The Refectory‘s new self-titled EP covers a substantial amount more ground than some alternative rock groups’ full length records.  Now a power trio, the band does more with less, hitting harder and writing more complexly throughout its winding sonic narratives.