Lone Star Sounds: New music from Madame Mims

The Florida-born and Dallas-based singer, DJ, MC and producer Madame Mims doesn’t need much time to make an impression on her Parasomnias EP.

All it takes is 21 minutes for Mims to pull you in with a bewitching mixture of electronic music, R&B, soul and hip-hop — Mims recorded these nine tracks at Arlington’s Banger Boy Studio — bound together by Mims’ arresting voice, which weaves in and out of the foreground.

A full-length version of Parasomnias, Mims’ overall sophomore album, is reportedly due out later this year. Mims moves easily between the spaced out (Wah Wah; the aptly titled Drifting Away), the more grounded (Turn It Loose, a little startling after more contemplative tracks) and the wonderfully odd (It’s a Nightmare evokes the left-field R&B conjured by Solange Knowles or Janelle Monae).

“What does it mean to be the center of the universe?” Mims asks on Can’t I Wake Up? If this EP is any indication, the talented multi-hyphenate and rising DFW star just might find out by year’s end.

Online: facebook.com/MadameMimsMusic

The Prof. Fuzz 63, ‘Chinese Folk Songs’

The Prof. Fuzz 63 — its very name evokes the likes of Strawberry Alarm Clock or Chocolate Watchband — describes its sound as “lo-fi, fuzzed-out, garage folk.” (The band also cites Sparklehorse, Tom Waits and the Velvet Underground as inspirations.)

Given such a colorful set-up, it comes as no surprise that Fort Worth’s premiere purveyor of the trippy, Dreamy Life Records, is responsible for the release of the Dallas trio’s debut album, Chinese Folk Songs.

Guitarist/vocalist Professor Fuzz, organist Sleepy Redhead and drummer Julie G worked with producer Britt Robisheaux at Fort Worth’s Cloudland Studio to craft these eight tracks, many of which sport some of the best titles I’ve seen in years: Minnie Pearl Watch Over Me; Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

Online: facebook.com/professorfuzz

Band Nerds, ‘Clarity’

Dallas quartet Band Nerds warns the unfamiliar on its ReverbNation page: “Not for the faint of heart.” While the five songs on its new EP, Clarity, are undoubtedly intense — the opener, Toasty Buns, has a goofy title, but a relentless quality — there is also a feeling of familiarity.

Band Nerds — vocalists Tony Lucas and Cross, DJ Sol Los and guitarist Scullie McClendon — nominally describes its sound as “rap-metal,” a style that faded from favor circa 2000. (I was often distracted by how much of Clarity reminded me of Rage Against the Machine or Linkin Park.)

There’s skill evident here, but Band Nerds would be better served exploring some as-yet-unrealized hybrid that not only feels fresh, but current.

Online: reverbnation.com/bandnerdsmusic

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Lone Star Sounds: New music from Madame Mims."