North Highlands + Peachpit + Julia Easterlin + Will Stratton

CMJ. North Highlands offers sweet, sad folk-pop—driven by vocalist Brenda Malvini's subtly impassioned croon—that, thankfully, leaves room for the occasional dance breakdown. Also of note at this Guilford Sound showcase, Julia Easterlin makes arty jazz-pop songs based on her talent for looping à la Tune-Yards; she's a one-woman show, creating choruses, percussion, and basslines with just her voice and her little black box. Impressive stuff.