Music Forecast 10.1-10.7: Ghost, Of Monsters and Men, Kristin Chenowith, and Jr. Jr.

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Of Monsters and Men

The latest album from Icelandic electro-pop group Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin, is a sprawling, elegant set that evokes the ethereal splendor of the band’s native country. You can practically feel the wind whipping through the fjords on “Crystals” and “Hunger.” Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir’s singing rises and falls around lush electric guitar chords and progressive drumbeats. But Beneath the Skin feels desolate, too, in ways that the band’s 2011 debut, My Head Is an Animal, did not. Four years later, Of Monsters and Men is a little darker, a little more bruised; the most successful songs on this new album are the ones that turn introspective (“Organs” and “I of the Storm”). One theme remains: the band’s fascination with man-versus-wild-beast scenarios. It’s hard to tell which side wins. Maybe we’ll find out Friday.

Friday, October 2, the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)

Ghost
Even non-Catholics can mostly agree that Pope Francis is killing it right now, so it feels a little more wrong than usual to delight in Swedish metal band Ghost — led by pope-parodying Papa Emeritus III. But we have a feeling that even Pope Francis would find some humor in Emeritus’ cultish order of Nameless Ghouls (his bandmates) and their preference for skeletal, vaguely Day of the Dead face paint. The band’s latest album, Meliora, stays true to Ghost’s gloomy, satanic themes. It’s black metal with schtick, striking a balance between sharp-eyed mockery and malicious riffs. Worship or thrash — perhaps both — Monday at Liberty Hall.

Monday, October 5, Liberty Hall (644 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-1972)

Kristin Chenoweth
You likely know Kristin Chenoweth for her role as Glinda in the musical Wicked; from her Tony Award-winning performance in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; or perhaps from the television series Pushing Daisies, for which she won an Emmy. Or, you know, from any one of the dozens of other TV, film or Broadway shows in which she has starred or appeared. But Saturday, you have the opportunity to get familiar with another side of the multitalented Chenoweth when she performs at Helzberg Hall with the Kansas City Symphony. Bonus: A portion of the proceeds from this concert benefit local youth arts program, Kansas City Young Audiences. Have fun, do good, be entertained: not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.

Saturday, October 3, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (1601 Broadway, 816-994-7222)

Jr. Jr.

Formerly Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., the Detroit duo Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott announced that they had changed their band’s name to Jr. Jr. in July, for obvious reasons (the constant confusion caused by being named after a race-car driver with an identical name). The name change is accompanied by a new, self-titled album — JR JR — released last week on Warner Bros. Records (the first major-label release for the band). Longtime fans of the six-year-old act needn’t worry: The duo’s dedication to explosive, dance-floor-ready electro pop remains intact. Prepare to boogie Friday at the Bottleneck.

Friday, October 2, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence, 785-841-5483)