96 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | SPORTS & RECREATION | CONTENTS | that week, making him the fi rst Colorado artist to appear on the platform’s curated playlist. If you’re going to have a meltdown in traffi c, you might as well really get the tears fl owing with TreVon’s dreamy vocals and bittersweet lyrics. Thanks to TreVon for the new unoffi cial soundtrack to our car crying sessions! Best EP to Listen to While Pondering Life Cities Dollpile Sometimes you fi nd yourself completely dissociating and staring out the window, overwhelmed by life in general. It’s way better to do that with a soundtrack. En- ter Cities, the latest EP from Dollpile that just released in January. Gentle, soft and delicate, the tunes seem to rock you like a lullaby, calming and soothing listeners until you feel a sense of hope beaming forth from the rhythms. Dipping into indie and shoegaze, the EP is replete with an almost Gothic sound evoked by anthemic guitar and deep lyricism. Best Dreamy Shoegaze, Grunge-Rock Band Bitstream Bleed A recent addition to the Denver music scene, Bitstream Bleed is a shoegaze and grunge project that has been steadily gain- ing momentum. Following the release of its latest EP, Solar Eclipse, the band delivers a blend of dreamy, heartfelt lyricism paired with heavy, driving guitar riffs. Fronted and produced by Sunny Sundstrom, the sound carries a sense of nostalgia that continues to draw listeners in. For those who have yet to attend a Bitstream Bleed show, ex- pect high-energy performances that often spark a mosh pit, alongside a genuine effort to build connection and community with their audience both on and off the stage. Best Indie Bedroom-Pop Tunes Keddjra Keddjra is a Denver-based indie project that blends elements of ethereal bedroom pop, folk, and grunge into a distinctive, genre- fl uid sound. Led by singer-songwriter Ked- djra Gallagher, the project is known for evocative and intimate live performances, often anchored by the unexpected use of distorted ukulele, which adds texture and edge to otherwise delicate compositions. Her latest single, “Love You More,” is a gritty, heartfelt anthem that makes her music undeniably easy to connect to. Best No-Wave Album Ponk Pink Lady Monster You’ve probably never seen a band like Pink Lady Monster, a six-member Denver group that likes to incorporate handmade papier-mâché character costumes into their performances. And you’ve prob- ably never heard an album like Ponk, the group’s energetic, surreal and playful third offering, including whimsical vocals, bass, guitar and synthesizer, as well as bongos, xylophone and saxophone. With bizarre lyrics like “tyrannical terrestrial lizard on Zoom call” and saxophone fl ourishes reminiscent of a honking clown nose, Ponk breaks free of genre expectations and be- comes a soundtrack for an alternate di- mension of its own. Best Album Carving a New Direction Lookout Mountain Charley Blankslate Blankslate, the duo of Tess Condron and Rylee Dunn, went through some changes in the past couple of years, which all led to a more punk and grungier sound on its highly anticipated sophomore album, Lookout Mountain Charley. The album sees Dunn taking on primary vocals for the fi rst time, which lends further authenticity to the raw and vulnerable lyrics, while Condron han- dles drums and keys. This dynamic duo is incredible live, always surprising new fans at how such a strong and powerful sound can come from just two performers. Look- out Mountain Charley has carved out a new sonic direction for the band, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Best Prog-Punk Album Or Sexy Coyote Denver band Sexy Coyote dropped a stellar sophomore album, or, last July, following up its 2022 debut, Dead. It’s a surprising play-through, with each song seeming to pop out at you like a Jack-in-the-box with different, unique sonics. The tag “Prog-Punk” really doesn’t even cover it. Take “Evil Everywhere,” which goes from spooky, trickling swing sounds to energetic, fast-paced breakdowns fl uttering with keys in the blink of an eye. Or the fi rst track, “(sinister sorcery),” which may or may not be the band casting a spell on you. Either way, we became inordinately obsessed with this album, and have had it on our playlists since it dropped. Best Prog-Frog-Psych- Goth-Punk-Funk-Doom- Rock Band Queen Frog Leave it to a band to tag its music in the most accurate way possible: Queen Frog calls its sound “prog-frog-psych-goth- punk-funk-doom-rock,” which certainly helps encapsulate the breadth of its sound. You can always anticipate pristine and soar- ing vocals, excellent guitar and punching basslines and drum riffs from this group, whose sound is uniquely its own. From songs like “Heart Stopper,” which details falling in love with a friend, to the doomy vibes of “No Such Thing as Sick,” this band makes an impression that sticks. Check out Queen Frog when it performs with fellow Best of Denver award winners May Be Fern and Sexy Coyote on April 3 at Globe Hall. Best Pop-infused Indie Rock Elektric Animals Elektric Animals has been a stalwart of indie rock in the Denver scene for years now, becoming known for its lively stage presence and addictive tunes that you’ll Music & Venues continued from page 94 THURSDAY MARCH 26 SHIFT FT. 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