The recent debut album release “Habit Shackles” by Brooklyn’s Desert Stars presents a fresh approach to the ever-expanding psych-rock genre. Years in the making, an unsettling emotional beauty runs throughout the twelve fully realized tracks. “One Good Ear” rides along shuffling snare drum propulsion paired with an undistorted guitar progression before exploding into full band mode. While the lead vocals remain clearly focused here, background voices approximate angels floating in from the heavens above. “Normal Man” quickly evolves from a treated piano undercurrent to ominous guitar textures and cascading vocal layers. In addition to the brand new material, previously released tracks “Boys I Like” and “Past in the Trash” (both having videos made for them) are also featured on the album. The former emphasizes spacious percussive movement under static piano chords, ambient guitar and cathedral voices. While the latter drives on bass guitar, buzzing synths, handclap percussion and dream-pop vocal textures. An unanticipated harmonica solo adds a western flair. You can catch them live on August 16 at The Cake Shop. – Dave Cromwell

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

J. Allen’s album “Wonder City “ is collection of urban folk songs that will easily grab the ear of any New Yorker. By incorporating ambient field recordings of the big apple, the flavor of the city is quite literally stirred into “Wonder City.” Even his lyrics, slice of life and observational poetry, are imbued with NYC. At the same time, they remind us the similarities of life from city to city, describing simple every day objects like traffic lights and how they affect everyone’s day to day life. A master of succinct observations on city life, and a tender intimate vocalist, J. Allen is a true urban singer songwriter. – Paul Jordan Talbot

After a long wait, Brooklyn’s Ski Lodge announced the release of its debut album, entitled "Big Heart" and scheduled for August 20 on Dovecote. From the preview single ‘Boy’ (streaming below, video here) it was worth the wait. The melodic ghost of Morrisey pops up in this track, but since summer always comes with that intense craving for beautifully melancholic uptempo pop songs, that’s totally a good thing.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

The recycling of 80s sounds in the current electronic scene often sends chills down our spines – we were there in the 80s, and THAT music was a big chunk of what we rebelled against (how naive of us…). While some of today’s artists perform a true, more or less ironic revival of that period by faithfully recreating its most cliche’ sonics, new Brooklyn based duo Cardiknox offers a more intriguing musical product, at least in the only single available so far, entitled "Hold Me Down" (streaming). First of all this track is a proper song, with well structured verse, chorus, chord changes AND a bridge (two elements that, respectively, electronic acts and pretty much all emerging bands tend to be allergic to). Secondly, the 80s influences are not exclusively referencing the usual suspects, offering a rather aggressive production that’s reminiscent of some Duran Duran stuff we were too young to rebel against (they were awesome up to "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" anyway). The result is a sound that feels much edgier and original than your average records by 80s inspired electro artists.

If this band’s future material is as good as this song – and if singer Lonnie Angle can deliver live as she does on record – this band could go places. See them live at The Knit on August 10.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Sean Tillmann doesn’t really have the physique du role to be hip in Brooklyn – and, at 35, not even the age for that matter. But since hip he is – with his project named Har Mar Superstar – he should be an example for all the late twenty somethings who are losing hope to make it in the indie band business. What’s his secret? Good songwriting, a great voice and – in particular – a live show that cannot be go unnoticed. 

The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas saw him live at Mercury many years ago and was impressed, which influenced his decision to release HMS’ new album under his label "Cult Records." If that wasn’t enough, none other than The Yeah Yeah Yeahs picked him as an opener for a series of shows this August – even though his music is not exactly super compatible with what Karen O & co. offer. So, when they say that talent is not enough, don’t buy it.

See Har Mar Superstar at Bowery Electric on August 15.

Sexes have equal rights and talent is shared evenly among them, but it’s undeniable that boys and girls tend to develop different interests. Musically speaking, ladies seem more attracted to acoustic guitars than electronic instruments, or even – for that matter – guitar pedals (we know something about that, since our stats say that 90% of the visitors of our Stompbox Exhibit Facebook page are male). This allows NYC songsmith Erin Barra to present herself like a rare example of female electro artist, and mighty manufacturers of electronic goods like Ableton and Moog have taken note by sponsoring her recent live performance at Tekserve.

Musically speaking, Erin plays what we call electronic alt-soul, and we like her edgier tunes like the streaming "Heartless Horsemen," full of tension and sonic experiments. You can see her live at Rockwood’s Stage 2 on July 31.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Alt-rockers Family Photos‘ sound mirrors somewhat what you’d get from a Husker Du/Jimmy Eat World mash and the band shows the ability to write and perform quality tracks. They just recently released a new EP last month titled “Evil is Evil,” for which you can hear the opening track "Can you be Cool" streaming below. The band is set to play at NYC’s Fontana’s on 7/26 to open for Eastbound Jesus – the Juicy Grapes will also support. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Perpetrators of dance-pop that – evidently – would be the perfect soundtrack for your average Junior Prom, NYC electronic duo Junior Prom will take their bouncy and cheerful tunes to Union Pool tonight (July 24). Dating tip: great opportunity for twenty or thirty somethings to ask that person you like out, for an impromptu invitation to… Junior Prom!

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

NYC scene mainstays ARMS (a band we love and booked several times, also at CMJ and SXSW) announced a new EP (called "EP2") for a September release, and unveiled single "Comfort" – streaming below. See the band live at Glasslands on 07.27.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

With cello reminiscent of T-Rex from the "Electric Warrior" era), and clean, dry vocals similar to those found on The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" and "SMiLE", there’s no denying that orchestral pop band Met City must be huge fans of Brian Wilson and Marc Bolan. Songs like "Chess Street" (streaming) and "Mother Goose" have heart warming lyrics and chord progressions. Verging on operatic at times, you can’t help but smile at the light-hearted yet earnest songs these nouveau-baroquer’s come up with. The recordings themselves are just as interesting as the arrangements, incorporating both lo fi and hi fidelity at the same time. Be sure to catch them on July 28th  at Spike Hill with… The Lighthearted (Boston), at 10pm. – Sam Kogon (@samkogon)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Gold Lake, a psych rock trio we highlighted in this blog a few weeks ago, is an emerging NYC band that deserves more attention. This single "We Already Exist," and in particular the "Hello Sequence" remix streaming below, is a powerful tune that showcases a group of mature musicians and an outstanding female vocalist. The remix, which is really more like an alternate vision in the production department, accentuates tension and dissonance, making the song so much more powerful and dramatic. They’ll be playing tonight at Bowery Electric, it will be interesting to hear the rest of their material. 

Fans of The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and everything that’s melody and noisy guitar at once, rejoice! Staple of the NYC shoegazer/noise rock scene The Vandelles are about to celebrate the release of their sophomore album "Strange Girls Don’t Cry," with a show at Pianos on July 25. The band recently unveiled the video of single ‘Miles Away’ – check it out below.