Is it still beard-rock if it's performed by women? Matteah Baim first came to public attention as a member of Metallic Falcons, alongside Sierra Cassady of Cocorosie; not only were they beardy in spirit, they sometimes even sported long, fake beards onstage. All good things come to an end though, as did the Falcons' flight, and Baim released her debut solo album, Death of the Sun, on DiCristina Stairbuilders in 2007.

Now Baim is set to reemerge, with her second album for the label, Laughing Boy, due out in March. Recorded in Chicago and co-produced by Falcons/TV On The Radio engineer Jamie Carter, the album features guest appearances by Butchy Fuego, Robert A.A. Lowe, and others, and promises to deliver more of the bewitching, ambient psych-folk that Baim brought to the fore last time around.