The new album from Tune-Yards is a critical best bet.
1. Tune-Yards, ‘Sketchy’
The title of the latest album from Tune-Yards, the celebrated California duo of Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner, may be “Sketchy” but the contents are anything but. Their fractured, experimental but totally infectious avant-pop — brimming with a globe’s worth of influences and hooks aplenty, as in the R&B sway of “Hypnotized” — often deals with hot-button topics (“Homewrecker” is about gentrification, for instance) but it never feels like a lecture. Because you’re too busy digging the grooves.
Details: Available on streaming services and record stores.
Cary Darling
2. Oscar Nominated Short Films
You know it’s getting into Academy Awards season when the days start getting longer and the Oscar-nominated short subjects get their rare turn on the big screen. They are divided into three categories — animated, live-action and documentary — with the first two screening at AMC Willowbrook 24 and all three streaming through Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. And they are a varied lot, ranging from the dramatic stolen-bike story “White Eye,” (pictured) which has picked up a ton of filmfest honors, to the comedic “The Letter Room,” starring Oscar Isaac, and the documentary “Hunger Ward,” set in midst of the war in Yemen.
When/Where: Opens April 2 at AMC Willowbrook; streams April 2 to May 2 through the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Details: Streaming is $12 for each category or $30 for a bundle; mfah.org/virtualcinema.
Cary Darling
3. Ancient Cat Society
Houston’s Ancient Cat Society could get filed under folk for convenience and because some of their songs have folky underpinnings. But such is the problem with music and labels: Ancient Cat Society’s earthy music is also quite restless and progressive, with little moments of soul, rock, pop and electronic threaded through. Though the group features members of Buxton, Dolly Barnes and VODI, Ancient Cat Society emerged with a distinctive sound of its own and is anything but a side project.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk
Details: $120 for a table of four, $30 for virtual show; 713-5295999, mcgonigels.com
Andrew Dansby
4. Bonnie Bishop
Texas native Bonnie Bishop has enjoyed success on both sides of the singer and songwriter equation. She’s had songs covered by Bonnie Raitt, among others, and also enjoyed success on her own, with a fluid mix of country, soul and folk music. She likely would’ve passed back through Houston regularly last year to plug her 2019 album “The Walk,” but we all know how 2020 went for touring musicians. But better late than never, she’s headed back to her old stomping grounds.
Details: 8:15 p.m. Friday
Details: The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th
Details: $22; theheightstheater.com Andrew Dansby