Indie rockers Commonwealth Choir have a new single, called "Palm Reader," which was produced by Dan Pawlovich (Valencia, Panic! At The Disco). The song is a description of the way you can change as you emerge from adolescence. Melodically marching forward with guitar runs as exclamation points and the balance of vocal harmonies, the recording is caught between the pull of memories and the drive of the future. Despite your best intentions, sometimes it’s best to cut ties, or alter expectations. (Photo by Abi Raymaker)

Know Hope Records recently issued a compilation to benefit the ACLU. Solidarity in Sounds features 22 songs from 22 bands, and "Dark Times" was contributed by Commonwealth Choir. The track serves as a gritty, bass-driven point of opposition, stepping forward when things aren't right. It captures the band’s omnipresent ability to find a good hook; however, this message is delivered with a show of force and some snarl. Give it a spin, and stick together in supporting the ACLU.

Commonwealth Choir has demonstrated a penchant for producing loose yearning songs that move in a tight but not restrictive musical space, blanketing listeners in infectious break-out-of-your-shell mentality and ushering in a get down and sing-along scenario. That bubbly crooning bounce steps up to the plate at Everybody Hits this evening debuting some new material to the repertoire. It will be the band's last Philly show before they head into the studio. The self-aware surf-punk of Roof Doctor comes with tapes of their album Mobile Home Freedom in hand. The band hits a personal chord with anecdotal lyrics accentuated with instrumentation that opens the windows and allows those tales to stretch. New Jersey trio Night Windows bring a pensive lyrical approach with a rock foundation, while emotively forward psych/folk/pop combo of Oklahoma’s Deerpeople completes a lineup that hits home. Everybody Hits, 529 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $10, All Ages - Michael Colavita

The Swollen Fox celebrates its fifth anniversary with an evening showcasing three of their local favorites. Led by Tess Emma’s gripping blend of smooth yet gut-tearing vocals, the quintet known as Lou opens the proceedings with their rousing, on-the-trail take of folk as one gets roped in by the traveling lyrical tales with close cutting personal ties. The casually contagious burst of power pop, otherwise known as Commonwealth Choir, reinforces strong vocals with that steady rolling instrumentation that quickly jumpstarts the process, and since they’re working on new material, it may be on display. Pulling from a pile of genres with a sound that’s part folky-Americana, with a bluesy bite and a soulful spirit, The Lawsuits, who recently announced that their next project will be released via Randm Records this fall, will culminate the night of celebration. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ - Michael Colavita

Indie rockers Commonwealth Choir has released a new single called “Palace.” The track takes a tri-fold instrumental start with melodic guitar power chords, joined by percussion that establishes a marker and synth as the song sets sail. With a unified energy and contagious lyrics, “Palace” makes an excellent addition to that springtime rotation. The group is slated to play this Thursday, April 23 at MilkBoy Philly for opening night of WXPN’s inaugural Key Fest.