Metal Hearts/Headlights

Anar Badalov and Flora Wolpert-Checknoff form the core of Baltimore's Metal Hearts. On their debut album, Socialize, the teenage duo messes with an odd assortment of tricks: Wolpert's ethereal vocals contrast Badalov's hushed baritone, faded drum loops come in and out of focus, bass steps forward from time to time, shiny and muted passages of guitar weave together to form delicate pop melodies, and some jazzy horns even slide their way into the occasional song. It's a mellow form of bedroom pop coated in electric bliss, a gentler answer to Pinback with much less bounce. Up-and-coming indie poppers Headlights open.