There’s something very haunting about debut single "Bulletproof" by Me Not You, a mysterious Brooklyn band that doesn’t seem to exist beyond their Soundcloud and Twitter profiles. The single, which reached #10 on Hype Machine’s Popular Charts, sports a 90s alt-pop vibe reminiscent of uber-melodic, not so raw female fronted bands like Garbage or Sneaker Pimps. It shares with those bands’ repertoire a vague moodiness, expressed through its edgy synth textures that drone on and, later in the track, melt with a wall of distorted guitars flirting with shoegaze. Amidst this atmosphere is the lustrous bright female voice that breaks through the darkness with her angelic tone and reletable lyrics about humanity’s strength. Listen below and hope for a live show in the near future. -Ashley Muniz
THICK works on 2017 release + plays at The Footlight 12/9; Sunnyvale 12/14
This week, Brooklyn’s girlwave trio THICK take their sandpapery brand of surf rock to support two fellow bands’ album releases. On Friday 12/9, they will join Baby Acid at The Footlight in Ridgewood as the latter release their new LP Don’t Blush When I Rip You Open. "Trash jazz" rockers Parlor Walls and female-fronted five-piece Ex-Girlfriends will round up the bill. Then on Wednesday 12/14, THICK will perform with shoegaze group Lazyeyes and punk funk troupe Toyzanne in order to support post-punk quartet Journalism, who will release their brand-new single. THICK themselves have played a number of shows over the last few weeks in support of their new EP It’s Always Something (which you can stream below.) They have major plans going into 2017, but you can still catch them before the year’s up. Don’t miss out. – Will Sisskind
New Music Video: “Get A Yes” – Sad13
Sad13, a.k.a. Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz, created a new "tribute to ’90s-style group dance videos" with an 80’s workout aesthetic for her consent-pop anthem "Get A Yes". It was shot at the Silent Barn in Brooklyn, and directed by Isabel Farrington. Dupuis is currently on her first solo tour, which will be making a stop home in Philly this Monday, December 12 at Everybody Hits.
The War On Peace
The War On Peace recently released a new EP, Natural Causes, and below the the first single from the EP, “Waves”. The band also appeared on Sofar Sounds Chicago and you can watch the performance below.
You can catch The War On Peace at Schubas on December 8th with Saint Aubin.
Cuddle Magic signs with Northern Spy Records, releases LP ‘Ashes/Axis,’ plays Trans Pecos 12.15
A true NYC scene sleeper, avant-orchestral collective Cuddle Magic has been being impressive for a long time now, and our little top ten ‘NYC buzz" chart of this same page just reminded us of it – that’s what’s there for! The Deli booked them for a CMJ show back in 2012 (holy cow, that was an EPIC CMJ year for us!), and their live show left us in awe. 2012 was also the year of their latest release, LP ‘Info Nympho.’ But true musicians never quit, and we are glad to see the group back on their feet with a new record – and a new label, the experimental-minded, Brooklyn based Northern Spy. The new mateiral is at once edgier and angular in the production and more mellow and ethereal in the vocal department. Check out ‘Slow Rider’ below, the second single from upcoming LP ‘Ashes/Axis,’ scheduled for a January 27th release. Don’t miss the band’s upcoming show at Trans Pecos on December 15.
Electro-pop artist Von Sell revisits debut single “Ivan”
When Von Sell released "Ivan" back in 2015 at the request of some friends, the electro-pop artist developed a following seemingly out of nowhere. A few releases later and the Brooklyn-based artist decided to return to his debut single, giving it the finishing treatment that could only come from 2 years of experience and reflection. With cascading synthy layers, a strong pop sensibility and driving, gritty basslines, "Ivan (Revisted)" is a gem of a pop hit, and our favorite new earworm. Check out the new single from Von Sell streaming below. – Olivia Sisinni
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
NYC’s Good Looking Friends are unexpectedly thoughtful
Good Looking Friends is a three-piece indie emo, post rock influenced band hailing from Brooklyn, NY. Regardless of what their name may suggest, their music portrays people who feel like they just don’t quite belong, struggling with the anxiety to fit in in this gigantic, upside down world. Their lyrical complexity is paired with their ability to create energetic, yet atmospheric, almost ambient instrumentals that draw people in and just make them want to think. In June 2016, they released the EP, “You Won’t Die,” a collection of songs that delve into the life in New York City. The follow-up “You Won” was released in Novemember 2016 and shows a harder side to this band, with harsher and more emotional vocals. Elaborating on the themes from “You Won’t Die,” the last two tracks, “End of the World” and “Fallowfield” (streaming) lead into each other and immerse the listener in what really is a perfect soundtrack to the end of the world. Led by the intensity of vocalist/guitarist Zachary Fischer’s powerful lyrics and voice, the four minutes of ambient noise then bursts, full of color, in a dynamic finale. After touring and releasing two EPs in the span of six months, the band will be playing live in Brooklyn January 3rd at Bushwick Public House and January 21 st at Muchmore’s. – Kali Keish
PREMIERE: White Bear Polar Tundra – “Sifter”
Blaring through Portland with the incredible grunge meets post-rock power that landed them as one of the top Portland bands of last year, White Bear Polar Tundra are back at it again with their sophomore album Filter the Noise and a new music video to go with it, for the album’s first track "Sifter."
"Sifter" starts the album in a very expressive way, letting the force of Zein Hassanein’s vocals ascend off of Nate Stoll’s drumming while guitar riffs and bass lines from Patrick Beaulieu-Hardin and Ethan Bear act as the wings that carry this song to the next level. It’s heavy yet not abrasive; a beauty in a biting package that jolts the listener into paying attention. The video for "Sifter" is just as captivating, allowing colorful effects and desert scenes to add to regency of the song, not detracting any attention from it.
Watch the video for "Sifter" below.
Sinclair showcases tight electro-pop on latest EP
If hooks could kill Sinclair would have us all in serious trouble. With soaring choruses, beats built for the dancefloor, and upbeat lyricism, you can bank of getting any of the tracks off of the artist’s latest EP, CLRBLND, stuck in your brain. It’s feel good music with some serious heart (and some serious grooves). Check Sinclair out for yourself and listen to title track "CLR BLND" streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Time Columns provides proggy post-rock vibes on latest single
With winding, spacey instrumentals, ethereal, guitar-driven melodies, and a fair helping of chugging grit, MD’s Time Columns serves up progressive rock with a decidedly post-rock feel. The band’s latest single,"Body of Ash", is a much darker departure from the Chon-like, bouyant melodies of their previous releases, but the track hits hard in all the right places, and still manages to marry all of the elements that give the band their distincitve sound. Check out Time Columns streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Debut So Totally Album Available for Streaming & Download
So Totally instantly won our hearts over with their debut single, "Zoetrope". And after taking a listen to their first album, a cheap close-up of heaven, we can’t help but get excited about what the future holds for this fledgling shoegaze/indie-rock quartet. The band requested us to "play it loud and enjoy." Gladly!
In the Cut: Jeff Zeigler (Uniform Recording/Valley Exit/Soft Dystopia)
Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler has built an impressive reputation as one of the premier, go-to producers in Philly. His talents have assisted in sculpting critically acclaimed albums for lauded local artists such as The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, and Nothing just to name a few. Zeigler has also earned praise for his musicianship and collaborative work with indie harpist Mary Lattimore, and this Friday, he plans to release the self-titled debut LP for his latest project, Valley Exit, a solo effort that has expanded to a full band with the additions of Josh Meakim (A Sunny Day in Glasgow, The Fantastic Imagination) on guitar, April Harkanson (Myrrias, Downtown Club), and Steven Urgo (The War on Drugs, Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band). And what has been about a decade-long idea, knocking around in his head, has recently come to fruition. Jeff has started his very own independent record label Soft Dystopia, a name inspired by the works of writer/designer Richard Littler. The label released its first album, Spectra, from dream-pop outfit Myrrias last week, and Zeigler and his band will be holding a joint record release celebration with them tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s so you definitely want to hit that. We also have new single from Valley Exit to share with you, called “What Pulls Us Through,” off their forthcoming album, and check out our interview with the man himself, Jeff Zeigler, HERE!