Blushing, Sour Widows, Alexalone

Dream-pop quartet Blushing returns to Austin after playing three Japan shows last month. Tinged with haunting melodies, Possessions swims in an ethereality reminiscent of Cocteau Twins. The two husband-and-wife pairs diffuse their wanderlust in a heap of sweeping, distorted guitars and beguiling vocals. Grainy wonder and introspection loom on the album: “You don’t wanna be struck down/ But you love to feel the ground/ … Can you turn the hate to the healing?” (“Weight”). The gentle discography of Sour Widows burns slow and heavy fretwork, while alexalone’s erupts into psychedelic flames and rapid percussion. – Angela Lim