A new local indie rock scene has slowly emerged in the years since Katrina, and one of the more prominent bands in it is the City Life. With a sound that blends post-punk dance rock with pop melodies and unique song structures, the City Life has found a lean, hip rock ’n’ roll niche in a city dominated by funk and jazz. As the rock scene comes into its own, the City Life follows suit with its strong sophomore album, Gone is the World.

“There’s certainly a wider variety of music,” ...