Electronic jam band Lotus recently released their fourth self-titled album that delves even more into the realms of synthetic music.

Brooklyn-based noise-pop band Pterodactyl have a knack for reinventing their unique sound with each release. Their third full-length album, Spills Out (available on November 15th), brings a near-perfect balance of abrasive noise and crooning harmonies.

Chicago electro-funk duo Ghosthouse have been hitting some stride lately - performing at this year's North Coast Festival and having one of their songs featured on the Jersey Shore TV series.

Winston is the solo project of Hunter Husar (known to some as the front man of eclectic experimental band Mahjongg). Unlike Mahjongg's wild and dense polyrhythmic textures, in Winston, Hunter places more emphasis on melodies with distinct presence of vocals.The new EP is Day At The Shore.

Briar Rabbit is the solo project of Phillip-Michael Scales, a singer/songwriter now based in Chicago. His latest release is Briar Rabbit and The Company You Keep.

A conscious rapper with a boom-bap aesthetic, F.Stokes infuses his songs with autobiographical references - growing up in an impoverished neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, moving to Madison and trying to fit in and make it as an MC, experiencing homelessness, and leading a predominantly nomadic

Rapping since he was 12 years old, Chicago MC Phero is known for combining jazz samples and insightful lyricism into a smooth blend of hip hop and soul.Phero joins Jesse Menendez on Vocalo's MusicVox to talk about growing up in Chicago, his optimistic outlook on gentrification in his neighborhood -