BENJAMIN GIBBARD
7 p.m. • The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St. • all ages • $32.50
When the adorkable queen of twee divorces a famously melancholy songwriter, you'd expect a suicidal-sounding musical reaction. But on "Former Lives," Benjamin Gibbard's recent solo debut, the post-Zooey era hardly sounds crestfallen (never mind song titles such as "Teardrop Windows" and "Oh, Woe"). Instead, "Lives" finds the Death Cab for Cutie/Postal Service leader unevenly navigating a cappella, mariachi and country-western songs. That's not to say it's an experimental or artistic benchmark for Gibbard, as most of the tracks default to his tuneful indie-pop core. Advance Base opens. JAY BOLLER
CRYSTAL CASTLES
8 p.m. • First Avenue • 18-plus • $32.50
With its forthcoming third album recorded in not-at-all-dreary Poland for an isolated feel, this violently spooky electronic duo that cites both New Order and black metal legends Emperor as influences looks to get even darker. Frontwoman Alice Glass has admitted that her loss of faith in humanity inspired the record's lyrics (see song titles such as "Wrath of God" and "Plague"). In a nutshell, expect more punky/glitchy dance music for scorched Earth survivors who are malnourished but never without eyeliner. Kontravoid opens. MICHAEL RIETMULDER
HALEY BONAR
8 p.m. • Varsity Theater • 18-plus • $14-$15
After laying low to become a mom and have fun with her new-wavey side band Gramma's Boyfriend, the Twin Cities singer-songwriter returns to form on her first new recording since last year's "Golder." Which is to say she sounds a bit lost, guilty and anxious in the gorgeous new song. Titled "Bad Reputation," and featuring local whiz Jacob Hanson's atmospheric guitar work, the track is being released as a 7-inch single this week to preview a full album in the works for next year. "I feel a little lame, like I'm kind of boring," Bonar sings over a rising tide of guitars. "I wish I could meet my former self / She'd be a fun girlfriend." Spoken like a true new parent. She's stepping back out with her band for this release party with fun openers Van Stee and Buffalo Moon. CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
