The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 4

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Medium Build at DC9: The 2020 single “Good at Being Lonely” by Medium Build shouldn’t be judged by its somber title. Relaxed drums and a jazzy guitar playing while singer Nick Carpenter croons about the monotony of the pandemic and missing an ex makes for a groovy song. The band, based in Anchorage, makes pop music that isn’t fussy. On “Bigger Than We Were,” Carpenter ponders during the chorus, “Why do we have to be something bigger than we were yesterday? Why do we have to be always getting better in every way?” With lyrics like that, plus Carpenter’s layered vocals and exasperated delivery, the song encapsulates the dread of the hyper positivity on social media. The album surprises with moody, R&B inspired tracks such as “Give it Like You Used To,” where Carpenter is begging a lover for some consistency. Medium Build’s latest single, “Rabbit,” released in April 2021, features hypnotic strings, more unpretentious drums and soft notes from a flute and lyrics like, “waiting for something to happen, waiting for a beautiful human to crush me and send me away” — Carpenter’s stinging pen on display again. 8 p.m. $13-$15.

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