JENNY LEWIS WITH THE WATSON TWINS Since her acting role in “Growing Pains” as Judy Jones, the girl who gave Ben Seaver his very first kiss, Jenny Lewis has gone on to greener pastures, maturing into a competent singer-songwriter. The lead singer of Rilo Kiley cleaves closer to Graham Parsons territory on her solo debut, “Rabbit Fur Coat” (Team Love). Lewis visits themes of religion and faith in an areligious fashion, appropriating the lexicons of gospel and country while holding fast to an indie persona. But her secular take gets a bit preachy itself. When Lewis attempts to teach lessons about life and love, she starts by attacking plastic surgery and psychiatry, but when she takes on holier than thou types, she comes across as one herself. Musically, though, the album succeeds. Lewis’s angelically toned voice – along with the sweet vocal stylings of the Watson Twins – counterpoints her tart lyrics. Sunday at the Angel Orensanz Theatre (172 Norfolk Street, 212-529-7194).

– Kevin Lam

SOFT CIRCLE If you liked Black Dice’s first album, then you probably like Hisham Bharoocha, the percussionist responsible for its best aspects. Lately Bharoocha has been working on a solo project he calls Soft Circle, and a debut under this name is expected sometime soon. Thursday at Cake Shop (152 Ludlow Street, 212-253-0036).

LOW For more than a decade, this trio from Duluth, Minn., has defined the slow-core indie sound. Blending a folksy shyness with gothic sensibility, Low has earned a group of fans so loyal that its recent wanderings into indiepop have yet to shake them. Friday at Southpaw (125 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-230-0236); Monday at Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey Street, 212-533-2111).

M. WARD Professing nostalgia for the lost days of genuine musicianship, and revering the string work of old-timey bluegrass and blues, Portland, Ore.-based Matt Ward has crafted a song style and won the (collaborative) friendship of seemingly every serious indie rocker alive. He’ll appear with a “very special guest.” Friday at Warsaw (261 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-387-0505).

Also, Masada String Trio, Wednesday at the Stone (northwest corner of Avenue C and 2nd Street, www.thestonenyc.com); Dr. Israel, Thursday at Tonic (107 Norfolk Street, 212-358-7501); Isaac Hayes, Thursday at Irving Plaza (17 Irving Place, 212-777-6800); The Juan Maclean, Saturday at Bowery Ballroom; Calla, Saturday at Northsix (66 N. 6th Street, Brooklyn, 718-599-5103); Little Howlin’ Wolf, Sunday at Tonic.

– Kolby Yarnell