Music Forecast 9.10-9.16: Ratatat, Albert Hammond Jr., Prinze George, Diet Cig, Hozier, and Second Hand King

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Ratatat

Ratatat’s Mike Stroud and Evan Mast are two electro-rock peas in the same nerdy pod. The duo’s latest release, Magnifique, comes five years after its excellent — if slightly overwrought — LP4. This time around, the guys have simplified their cause. Gone are the excessive instruments that cluttered previous releases. Magnifique relies on squealing electric guitars, bone-rattling reverb and sugar-coated synths. Aside from the delightful surprise of a slide guitar here and there (see “Drift”), Magnifique doesn’t get too crazy, and the restraint makes for one of Ratatat’s most intriguing ventures yet. In a live setting, Ratatat doesn’t go easy on visual effects. Thursday at the Uptown, prepare to get down.

Thursday, September 10, Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)

Albert Hammond Jr., Prinze George

It’s interesting that the first single off Albert Hammond Jr.’s latest album, Momentary Masters, is a track called “Losing Touch.” In that song, Hammond resigns himself — over rolling, enigmatic riffs — to the fact that he’s just losing touch, among other sad real-life revelations. In fact, Momentary Masters suggests just the opposite about Hammond’s trajectory. The Strokes guitarist seems determined with this album — his third solo record — to continue pushing his songwriting abilities, and the result is a collection of his most personal songs to date. Though there are a few sonic missteps — Momentary Masters is far from a masterpiece — overall it’s still an enjoyable pop experience. Sunday at the Bottleneck, get to know the sensitive side of this Stroke. Bonus: Maryland synth-pop trio Prinze George, led by the megawatt voice of Naomi Almquist, opens. Don’t be late.

Sunday, September 13, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence, 785-841-5483)

Diet Cig

If you miss the ’90s, good news: New York’s Diet Cig — the brainchild of singer Alex Luciano and drummer Noah Bowman — is bringing back the flavors of that decade. We don’t mean the soulful R&B stylings of Boyz II Men or the long-awaited comeback of Dunkaroos. Diet Cig reminds you that while the general population was being beaten over the head with the Titanic soundtrack, there was a definitive ’90s culture of pop-punk subversion — and it was glorious. On the group’s debut EP, Over Easy, Luciano belts out lyrics bemoaning everything from the difficulties of love to the almost-adult moment of moving into a first apartment, and she does it over Bowman’s disjointed, antsy rhythm. This band is already garnering Internet buzz. Monday at RecordBar, see what the noise is about.

Monday, September 14, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Hozier

Andrew Hozier-Byrne — the Irish singer-songwriter known simply as Hozier — skyrocketed to the top of the charts with the hit single “Take Me to Church,” off last year’s self-titled album. If you don’t remember that swelling anthem, you must have been underground or dead for all of 2014. Hozier was in the area in February, when he played a sold-out show at Liberty Hall. That he is back so soon — and at a much larger venue — tells us that his star is still burning bright. Monday at Starlight, put aside your exhaustion with Hozier’s radio-worn success and enjoy a nice night with an artist whose arena-worthy baritone deserves the accolades.

Monday, September 14, Starlight Theatre (4600 Starlight Road, 816-363-7827)

Second Hand King

Before the Bomb Drops, the latest album from local rapper Joe Stanziola — who performs as Second Hand King — had some infectiously positive moments, not unlike the optimism of Brother Ali. Saturday on the Riot Room patio, Stanziola releases the B-sides to that album, and he’s bringing in a slew of talent to bolster the bill. Fellow KC rappers Pistol Pete, Quantum Supply and KB (leader of BluntRap) are on deck, as well as St. Louis’ J Bomb and Iowa hip-hop trio Prettygirlhatemachine.

Saturday, September 12, the Riot Room Patio (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)