Tilly & the Wall/Nicky Da B/Nights

Despite being from Omaha, Nebraska – arguably one of the most boring places in the country – Tilly and the Wall are anything but that. They’re a lively and colorful act with a long history; a couple of members were in a band with Conor Oberst before he started Bright Eyes, and front-woman Kianna Alarid used to be in a hardcore band. With their cheery, positive songs and trademark “stomp-clap” beats, they’ve made appearances on Letterman, 90210 and Sesame Street (it’s remarkable that a front-woman with sleeve tattoos and a septum piercing would be invited on a kids’ show). After four years, the five-piece indie pop band has returned with Heavy Mood, an album that explores a wide range of sounds; from loud, in-your-face songs to less aggressive, electro-pop songs. Most of the songs have a poppy sheen and contain very positive messages. While a couple of tracks come off as a bit cheesy, highlights include the mellow-yet-trippy “I Believe in You,” the somber “Hey Rainbow,” and the Arcade Fire-like “Echo My Love.” (Mendez)