Apollo Sunshine

Diverse, surprising albums and an explosive, engaging live show are the hallmarks of Apollo Sunshine, a trio of friends — Sam Cohen, Jesse Gallagher and Jeremy Black — who met at the Berklee College of Music the better part of a decade ago. The group has drawn comparisons to artists such as Beck, Dr. Dog and the Flaming Lips, and as valid as those comparisons might be, the Sunshine boys have crafted a sound that is genuinely their own. The act's three albums have garnered critical acclaim for their artfully crafted pop tunes, unforgettable hooks and intricate, inventive arrangements. The latest, Shall Noise Upon, is the best yet — a deep, engaging release that pulls together elements of everything from '60s pop to grimy funk. Live, the band takes those songs to new levels, turning them inside out, extending them and improvising new elements. If you can take a little jam with your indie rock, you'll be glad you let the Sunshine in. (For an in-depth Q&A with the band, visit blogs.westword.com/backbeat.)