Since releasing debut EP Flowerama this past summer, Brooklyn art rockers HNRY FLWR have been on a roll. The brainchild of songwriter David Van Witt just unveiled a second video for single “Little Brother” (streaming below). While the sound comes across as atmospheric and almost eerily otherworldly, the video is comprised entirely of home movie footage from David’s childhood. The song’s lyrical content reveals an introspective look at the cycle of violence and bullying learned at an early age. “Beating little brothers out of love. There is still a violence that I’m feeding. Compensating for the fear that I’m not tough. Finding tiny little brothers within you.” The video presents a poignant look at childhood innocence juxtaposed against the songs foreboding subject matter.  HNRY FLWR will open for glam-rockers Uni and Blame Candy at the Knitting Factory on 1/19. –Dave Cromwell

NYC psychedelic glam-punk rockers Beechwood are set to release their latest record “Songs From the Land of Nod” on January 26^th via Alive Naturalsound. Building a reputation for reckless and disorderly behavior (which covers the punk label well), their sound draws equally from the psych and glam rock realms. Stylistic elements of both Marc Bolan and Daniel Ash (in particular his soft vocal style) can be heard in many of the tracks. Thickly layered background voices juxtapose sweetly against garage drums and guitars, leading to frequent psych-out jams. Current single “C F” (streaming below) makes full use of all these aspects while adding slide guitar and keyboards into the mix. This easy psychedelia and vintage sounding looseness puts Beechwood in a sonic world not too distant from the ones inhabited by modern classics like Foxygen and Tame Impala. The band will be opening for NY Dolls legend David Johansen at Elsewhere on 1/20, a show that also features Deli cover stars Baby Shakes and celebrated DJ Jonathan Toubin. –Dave Cromwell

Releasing music under the moniker Warm Body, psychedelic rocker Ryan Foster creates a lyrics heavy long-form pop that says true to the beat.  Recent single release “Cold Summer” is a plodding, mid-tempo track where layers of twangy, bended electric guitars move the progression forward, while the story of existential worry regarding interpersonal relationships unfolds.  “Do be kind my love – I’m just fine with silence – and aren’t we all just dreaming anyway? Waiting for a better situation.”  Multi-layered vocal harmonies create a swirling, trippy sensation, while still managing to evoke pop classics like The Turtles “Happy Together,” or the more arranged tracks by Elliott Smith.  Clocking in at a full five minutes, the track ultimately develops beyond simpler pop song boundaries, moving deeper into a psych-jam realm.  Warm Body plays Sunnyvale on 12/21. – Dave Cromwell

Gingerlys‘ self-titled debut album, out on November 17th, showcases a band delivering on the promise of their earlier work. When we last featured their 7" EP “Jumprope” here on The Deli, we were impressed enough with the group’s fast paced indie pop. The new work, however, takes everything a step further in both the songwriting and production departments.  Lead track and first video release “Turtledoves” (streaming below) captures that wistful sense of emotion felt on discovering something new and beautiful.  The pacing is quick, with drums clattering underneath an overall catchy melodiousness created by well orchestrated layers of vocals, guitars and keyboards.  Tasty guitar lines emerge into the mix as the dreamy female vocals pull you into a world where “you were never meant to wander.”  The rising pitch of the vocal melody on key lines “I knew you” and “you choose to” will appeal to big dream pop fans (like us). The full album is available for streaming here. – Dave Cromwell

NYC dream-rockers The Veldt’s latest EP Thanks to the Moth and Areanna Rose delivers seven new tracks that undoubtedly connect with their long-time followers, while potentially appealing to a new generation only recently discovering this sound. Opener “The Color of Love is Blue,” with its ethereal vocals and descending chord progression performed through tightly-coiled, clipped-chime guitar work, evokes Robin Guthrie and The Cocteau Twins, with an added, slight soul inflection. Streamlined percussive elements solidify the homage, reflecting the boldly struck accents so prevalent on classic albums “Heaven Or Las Vegas” and “Four Calendar Café.” Currently on tour supporting Modern English, the band will be playing Rough Trade in Brooklyn on 11/22. – Dave Cromwell

Earlier this year, Mark Crozer and The Rels released their Planting Seeds Records LP “Sunny Side Down” on vinyl. Although a Brooklyn resident, Mark recorded the tracks with his band at Mitch Easter’s North Carolina studios with an emphasis on live energy interplay. The intro to “Here Comes the Storm” (streaming below) adopts backing vocal stylings reminiscent of the Beach Boys, keeping the mood light and airy, as it attempts to hold off emotional thunderstorms, soon to be delivered through the chorus, where a melancholic chord selection backing lyrics “to put a smile, on my face again” evokes an aching romanticism. An ending coda repeats the title like a mantra, drums rumbling across toms and a white noise build-up creating the sonic equivalent of weather borne chaos. The band will support The Jesus & Mary Chain (whom Mark also plays bass in) on an east coast tour that arrives at PlayStation Theater in NYC on 11/17. – Dave Cromwell

It’s been two years since Brooklyn dreamgaze collective No Honeymoon released their excellent sophomore EP “Together Alone” (reviewed on The Deli here).  The long wait for new material is now over with two tracks currently available as a preview of their latest EP “It’s Whatever.”  Recent single release “Were Doing Fine” shows the band stepping back from their previous, heavier shoegazey guitars, opting instead for a cleaner sound that helps highlight an heart-tugging melody and emotive vocal performance.  Newer cut “Don’t Want To” (streaming below) brings that weightier force back, while introducing what sounds like an organ behind the verses, with the vocal performance of Cait Smith reminiscing, at times, of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan.  The unexpected tempo shift occurring a third of the way through slows things down to a more deliberate, buzzy and distorted sonic resolution.  You can preorder the EP now, with the band playing a show the night of its release at Trans Pecos on 11/10. Photo by Aya Sato  – Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn post-punk rockers The Fluids continue to share tracks leading up to the release of their debut album “No Kidding!”. While initial singles “Creatures and “Sign N’ Drive” provided early insight, more recent focus on deeper tracks point to a complete full length recording.  Utilizing an extended keyboard intro and siren-like effect, “Just Like Me” (streaming below) ultimately bursts out as a full-on guitar, bass and drums stomper.  While the vocal inflections have accurately drawn comparisons to Berlin-era Bowie, the band’s full, expansive sound is in part reminiscent of early aughts post-punk revivalists Interpol but also ’80s icons The Psychedelic Furs.  The album is available 10/27 on Axis Mundi Records, with the release party on Thursday October 26th at the Mercury Lounge. – Dave Cromwell

With the recent release of their sophomore album “New Moody Judy,” Brooklyn post punk rockers Honey deliver an aggressive collection of fuzz and wah-wah guitar-fueled songs.  Opener “Wage Agreement” is propelled by a furious power trio wall of sound featuring an ominously tense bending guitar part and half pleading/half shouting vocals, reminiscent of early Richard Hell.  Follow-up “Dream Come Now” amps up the groove to punk rock levels with a nod to the Ramones.  The album’s title track leans on a heavy psych guitar riff and Iggy Pop Detroit city drawl.  Deeper cuts like “Hungry,” “Bagman” and “Power” go for the high-speed velocity of an accelerated hyper-blues.  Album closer “Peggy Ray” rides fuzzy bass, slashing guitars and smack-down drumming for nearly eight full minutes.  The album is available on Wharf Cat Records and will be released with a party on Friday 10/13 at Alphaville. – Dave Cromwell

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

NYC rock duo QTY shares their latest single ‘Michael’ in advance of an October-November headline tour and releases of self-titled debut album on 11/3.  Produced by Bernard Butler of iconic 90’s Britpop band Suede, the album promises an excess-free listening experience full of hooks and charming character.  The single (streaming below) delivers that with a thoroughly catchy chorus “that’s how it goes.  You’re alright until you’re sweating chemicals.”  Clever lyrics are woven throughout, with one verse stating “I miss the stresses of being strung out a couple months – now all my stress is from what somebody else wants.”  Deep voiced and conversational, singer Dan Lardner channels Lou Reed’s style, while cohort Alex Niemetz adds female harmonies and essential guitar licks.  The band’s album will be released on Dirty Hit records, and will be supported by a tour starting on 10/11. The NYC stop will be on October 28 stop at Irving Plaza.  – Dave Cromwell

Ahead of the October 6th release of their new single “Shadow Side,” Brooklyn art rockers Veda Rays are premiering in our blog the video for the record’s titletrack (streaming below).  The single marks the band’s first recorded material since 2014, and serves up a mix of organs, open electric guitar chords, and percussive tour-de-force, pulsating under deep, dramatic vocals.  With images of faces crossfading with ominous looking trees, the video introduces a lugubrious, dreamlike atmosphere. While the song progresses to deliver an ample hook in the chorus, the mood remains dark and mysterious, with the video now showing dark, full body figures with covered faces and rabbit masks, and a shrouded female dancer, all in white.  Referring back to the track’s title, the band describes this symbolism as “a subliminal reaction to the projection of our collective shadow.”  “Shadow Side” will be released on their own Alleged Records imprint. – Dave Cromwell

With the release of two new singles while embarked on an extensive U.S. tour, Brooklyn’s High Waisted look to expand their reach.  Moving beyond the garage and surf rock beginnings, this newer material appears to take on a broader scope.  “Free Throw” is an anxious chugger that expresses internal self-doubt.  “Wish I couldn’t remember – the mistake I made.  I’ll be better on my own.”  Although recorded in NY, the Nashville touch on mixing and mastering adds a subtle level of country-pop sheen.  “Firebomb” stomps harder with more prominent drums, crunchy rock guitars and Jessica’s sassy snarl lead vocals matched against dreamier background voices.  Both tracks come paired with two others from current tour mates The Coax, available now on vinyl and digital from Little Dickman Records.  Their current US tour has them playing nearly every night until early November before the band returns home on November 4th at Rough Trade. – Dave Cromwell