Hello Ocho/Bwak Dwagon/Ghostbread & Giant

Their self-titled album begins with lurching “oohs” and “aahs,” filling out the backing melody to an enticing little instrumental called “Mooah.” From there, Hello Ocho churns out an experimental take on folksy funk numbers, kicking up the energy and demanding listeners go from tapping their toes to full-on twisting and shouting on the dancefloor. The band’s first album (they’ve got a second one on the way) is riddled with catchy hooks and poetic lyrics that create a warm atmosphere -- something sonically distinct from their contemporaries. Call it stream-of-consciousness sound-making, if you will; while they hit on a number of traditional songwriting structures, the band often wades into unclassifiable waters. Fun stuff. (Sandy)