‘Places’ is music to strut to

Local albums have already started rolling in during the first weeks of 2017, including one Milwaukee band’s first album in five years. Carlos Adames Group, “Places” (facebook.com/Carlos AdamesGroup)

There are some songs that instantly make you feel cooler. “Montate,” the standout track from Adames’ easygoing, admirable “Places,” is one of them.

The slinky bass, the hum of horns, the slight snap of hand drums, the sultry sax — if you’ve ever daydreamed about strutting through the swankiest Latin jazz club in Miami, the soundtrack in your head probably sounded a little bit like this.

Next gig: 8 p.m. March 4, Jazz Estate, 2423 N. Murray Ave. Price to be determined. Kyle Feerick, “Heart” (kylefeerick .com)

Folk-pop artist Feerick made an impression with his quietly lush fulllength debut, “The Sky It Moves,” in 2014.

“Heart” is even more subdued and, at times, a bit colder to the touch. But Feerick also shows higher ambition through the bittersweet symphonic sweep of “Break My Bones.” And “Help Me Out” is his most engaging song to date, a ’70s soul jam marked by fluttering flute and purring organ. Album release show: 8:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Red Dot, 6715 W. North Ave. $5.

Luxi, “Geometric Universe” (facebook .com/luximusic)

Give a listen to “Follow Me,” and you’ll become a follower of Luxi. “Cause when I feel you here I’m living in a dream,” she sings softly over chilly electronica. As the song glides on, slight distortions twist her voice, and eventually, bass-heavy warbles rip through the dream, as Luxi sings about being abandoned. That dynamic, disruptive spirit is found on every song on “Geometric Universe.”

Next gig: 10 p.m. Saturday, Quarters Rock ‘n Roll Palace, 900 E. Center St. $5.

Shoot Down the Moon, “Forever Sedated” (facebook.com/ ShootDowntheMoon)

It took half a decade for the psychedelic rock group to drop a follow-up to “Meetings and Greetings.”

In that time it’s become a more adventurous and better band, bringing bleak self-loathing to a country tune, “Hollowin’ My Lover’s Head,” and channeling New Order’s slow-burning epic “Elegia” with the mesmerizing instrumental rocker “Vibrant Meditation.” Well-Known Strangers, “Aligned” (facebook.com/ wkstrangers)

Well-Known Strangers’ polished ’90s soft rock sound becomes wellworn across debut fulllength “Aligned.” Nevertheless, it does the formula well, thanks to yearning vocalist Betsy Ade and Sacia Jerome’s dramatic cello.

And album closer “The Difference,” slower and softer than the previous 11 tracks, suggests more variety on the follow-up.