Ora Cogan plays a unique blend of psychedelic folk, dark wave ambient and experimental dream pop.  Her new album Crickets is scheduled for a full release later this year, but is currently sharing two tracks to listen to now.  Title track “Crickets” presents a circular time signature via cascading guitar figure and bell chime percussion.  Ms. Cogan’s vocals emerge unexpectedly and float above the defined rhythm, adhering to a much looser structure.  A variety of keyboard synths are employed, creating pulsating textures underneath changing segments.  There are elements of Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny and Renaissance’s Annie Haslam in the sweetly powerful vocal phrasing and loose psych-folk performance.  Second track “The Light” builds off of a tambourine and snare percussion pattern with syncopated counter strikes.  Ora’s vocals feel more intimate here, leaning closer to the ethereal charm of Kate Bush.  Ms. Cogan will be appearing at Union Pool on 05/14. – Dave Cromwell

Naming your band Debbie Downer immediately suggests a thematic concept.  Comprised of members from other more established local bands amusingly masking their identities in Ramones-style unity (all copping to the surname “downer”), their just released track "I Did It All For You" (streaming below) comes in advance of debut EP ‘You Know You’re Wrong.’ Drawing from iconic 60’s girl group motifs, The Shangri-Las tough-but-sweet boldness is updated to reflect modern day issues.  That era’s call and response background vocals are grounded by a solid bass line and enhanced by free flowing surf guitar parts.  The track’s sweetest moment arrives in the chorus, where the lyrics “you know you’re never gonna be anything at all” confirm the "downer" tendencies that inspired the band’s moniker.  The group has a number of local shows coming up, including this Friday 5/5 at Monty Hall, 5/19 at Sunnyvale and appearances during The Northside Festival in June. – Dave Cromwell

Following up on their critically acclaimed 2014 debut album “Departure,” the NYC/Burlington duo Vacant Lots have released sophomore LP “Endless Night.”  Building off of a previously established psych-drone base, Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen introduce new sonic elements to their sound. Uncharacteristically, “Night Nurse” (streaming below) adds mechanized electronics and robotic vocals to twangy guitar lines, suggesting a digitized outlaw world portrayed in sci-fi dramas like HBO’s Westworld; the Krafter-esque experiment works.  “Pleasure & Pain” mimic Rolling Stones-style chords and sprinkle otherworldly keyboard elements around an attenuated vocal delivery, while  “Elevation” delves further into electro-dance patterns that skirt the appeal of a band like Depeche Mode.  Reaching the albums longest track at over five and a half minutes, “Empty Space” serves up a trance groove paired with spoken-word vocals.  Eight new tracks in all, the inclusion of nyc underground legend Alan Vega of Suicide’s posthumous scream-of-conscious poetic howl on closer “Suicide Note” delivers the desired validation.  The album can be heard in its entirety here on Spotify. – Dave Cromwell

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

“When that synth hits you just right” is the descriptive tagline Brooklyn duo Pleasure Prince displays on their Instagram account.  That is certainly a fitting description for a sound that weaves pulsating keys with an emotionally soulful pop vocal sensibility. On their slow groove track "You Look Good To Me" (streaming below) a mood of heightened sensual attraction pervades the soundscape, as hooky synth lines and electronic percussion take hold.  Other tracks like “Lines for George” feature reverberated female vocals that echo the sweetness and retro-futuristic sci-fi edge of the much beloved Broadcast.  However “Evening Queen” surprises by removing the synths, allowing the lushly produced alternating male and female vocals to take center stage.  Pleasure Prince play next on 4/22 at Don Pedro. – Dave Cromwell

Reverberated guitars, insightful lyrics and lush backing vocals come together on Simon Doom’s new release “I Feel Unloved” (streaming below).  Taken from the debut full-length “Babyman” due out this May, the production hand of MGMT duo Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden accounts for much of its sheen.  Opening lines “In the seminaries, in the shopping malls, think so eloquently, but I can’t speak at all,” depict a sense of confusion and loss.  Familiar routines involving “business centers” and “concert halls” provide no relief leading to the question “what did I do to earn this?”. Simon O’Connor delivers the creative force on this project, after spending time with like-minded artists in the bands Kuroma and Amazing Baby.  Using the experience of parenthood as a motivator to complete this record, its sentiment appears wrapped up in the album’s title.  Catch Simon Doom live at The Pyramid Club on 4/25, as well as significant support slots with Piebald on 5/24 and The Lemon Twigs on 6/1. – Dave Cromwell

Readying their follow-up release to 2014 debut record “Sighs,” Overlake share “Winter Is Why” (streaming below) from sophomore album “Fall” due out May 12th via Bar/None Records. The track emerges via a guitar figure delivered with orchestral sensibility, creating an immediate mood of majestic grandeur.  Forceful power trio drumming and counterpoint descending bass tones further punctuate unexpected rhythmic accents underneath this rising melody. Settling in to calmer patterns, dreamy vocals describe how the “summer sun hangs around” and “windswept cones on the sand” suggest the winter season.  This over five minute long track successfully blends the quieter passages of gazey icons My Bloody Valentine (think “Come In Alone”) with that band’s more explosive and pitch-bendy moments. While still finalizing dates for an April tour, the band has scheduled a record release show at Mercury Lounge on May 12th with support from local favorites Dead Stars and Heaven. – Dave Cromwell

In the spaces between world-wide tours as bassist for A Place To Bury Strangers, Dion Lunadon spends time writing and recording his own solo material.  The results of those efforts will culminate in an 11 track self-titled debut album he recorded over a three-month period in Brooklyn.  The album and preview track “Fire” (streaming below) features contributions from sometimes APTBS drummer Robi Gonzalez and guitarist Blaze Bateh from Bambara on select tracks.  With live unprocessed drumming, Farfisa organ, distorted guitar bursts and Dion’s descending bassline, a noisy hybrid of punk, 60’s garage and psychedelia come together on “Fire.”  The title line chorus shares a spiritual connection with Arthur Brown’s 1968 hit of the same name.  The mood here is much heavier though, with lyrics that go “So stressed out from the negative vibes, it sounds like the truth but you know it’s a lie.”  Melodic guitar lines appear in places, adding a more traditional rock structure. The self-titled debut album will be released on June 9th via Agitated Records and will be available via his Bandcamp page. – Dave Cromwell

In advance of the May 5 debut album release “Olden Goldies,” Argentinian-born Queens resident Tall Juan (profiled in the Summer 2016 Deli Print Issue 47) has released first single “Getting Cold” (streaming below).  Using his nylon-stringed classical guitar, deliberately strummed, unaccompanied chords introduce the track slowly at first, before building in speed. That intro serves as segue for the full stomping progression where Juan wails “I was all alone, I even wanted to try and kill myself.”  Channeling original punkers Joey Ramone and Richard Hell’s vocal stylings in tone and delivery, an instant connection is made with fans of early NYC punk and garage rock.  Despite the relative structural simplicity (something punk rock is celebrated for) there are enough chord changes and rhythmic turns to keep it all careening forward.  The upbeat progression lightens angst filled lyrics like “all I ever wanted was some love, but all I got was my body getting cold.”  Olden Goldies is available for pre-order via BUFU Records now. – Dave Cromwell

Experimental art punk trio Parlor Walls are set to release their debut full-length “Opposites” through Northern Spy records on March 10.  Recently released single “Birthday” (streaming below) initially presents a simple percussive pattern in disguised waltz tempo, underneath strummed trebly electric guitar, brass and reed woodwind pads and soft droney vocals.  All of that changes with an angular skronk cadence taking over to deliver vocals declaring “you wanted everything – everything, everything.”  Including saxophone as an integral sonic element suggests jazz influences, however the phrasing and jagged rhythms positions the instrument closer to John Zorn’s often dissonant avant-garde.  The percussion becomes more nuanced as instrumental segments progress up until vocals break in with the phrase “don’t you know I’m perfect!”  A fuller version of the opening progression returns before one final launch into an intensified stomp where the song’s meaning (and title) is ultimately revealed. The band will play a release show at Sunnyvale on 3/9 with The Dreebs & Arian Shafiee (of Guerilla Toss). – Dave Cromwell

Is it absolutely necessary to spend Valentine’s Day listening to "romantic" and mellow music? Brooklyn rockers NoPop answer "no’ to that question, by premiering their sophomore 7 track EP “Demons” exclusively here on The Deli. Describing their music as "pink punk, zoo-music, moxy-rock," the band combines driving rhythms and softer pop together in a hyper-crazed mix embracing unhinged wildness.  “Wear The Feeling” taps into Surfer Rosa era Pixies with similar distorted screaming vocals. The under two minutes “Holly” – one of our favorites – chugs along with perky energy as female vocals find the sweet spot between Kim Deal’s charmingly intoxicated sounding lines and bigger girl group background harmonies. “Huffers” is supported by a heavy fuzz bass, alternating chant vocals and shifting snare shot punctuation.  “Number One” pairs syncopated drumming and metal guitar phrasings with alternating hyper-angst vocals and softer passages. First single “Rules” builds off a steady bass guitar pulse before launching into a full cinematic explosion. The near 7 minute “Frederick Fleet” serves as an epic final track. Demons was mixed, engineered, and co-produced by Julian Cubillos of 77 Linden, and mastered by NY legend Kramer, whose work includes the Pulp Fiction’s soundtrack, Half-Japanese and Butthole Surfers. – Dave Cromwell

In 2016, Brooklyn’s indie psych rockers Psychic Selves released a quality 7 song mini-album entitled "Lucid Night.".  While the band continues working on new material and plays select live shows, these tracks provides ample opportunity for immersion into their sound. Opening track “Ratio” is dual guitar riff driven, as flange-effects pair against brighter tones, recreating surf/psychedelic vibes reminiscent of early Beach Fossils.  Featured single “Goodnight Luna” (streaming below) builds off that foundation, emphasizing melodic hooks via a note-for-note matched vocal phrasing and guitar figure. With the chorus transitioning into a smoother vocal phase, bass guitar and drums provide the driving force on its latter half double-time cadence.  Pitch-bended melancholia emerge on instrumentals “And the Truth Pt 1 + 2,”pop elements on vocal heavy “Masochist” and punk aggression on both “War Head” and “Crazy Tasty.” Psychic Selves play Shea Stadium on 2/15 with Wolf Diamond, The Rizzos and Lunch Ladies. – Dave Cromwell

Recently released single “It Just Hits You” from appealingly named Brooklyn rockers Journalism recently made the Spotify’s Garage Jams and Fresh Finds Six Strings playlists. Structured around an open chord arpeggio over throbbing bass and driving drum beat, the song is an honest rumination on sobriety.  “Here I stand without a drink in hand,” immediately establish clear-eyed reflection on familiar social practices – now reined in. By the time the chorus hits with “I’m getting sober, but I’m getting so burnt out, it’s hard to act my age, when I can’t see through the haze,” rising melodic guitar lines deliver cathartic tension, with a final realization that such decisions come down to self-control and personal choice, because “sometimes it just hits you like a ton of bricks, and sometimes it just hits you.”  Journalism plays Sunnyvale on Friday 2/17 with DEF.Girls, Dumb Wolves + Fraidycat. – Dave Cromwell