A gentle sweetness emerges within the deeply resonant female vocals on “Abalone,” the preview track (streaming below) from Brooklyn-based Softspot’s forthcoming album “Clearing.”  While open guitar chords provide counter-melody and the simple bass line drives its rhythmic center, a churning percussive track underneath parallels the same mysterious wonderment of penultimate Kate Bush/Hounds Of Love track “Running Up That Hill.”  Harmony vocals appear at crucial points within the emotional arc, dreamily elongating end of line words. At over five minutes in length, there is plenty of room for extended instrumental passages featuring bright guitar figures, deeper bass only transactions and swelling synths.  An extended outro features an angular time signature that ultimately gives way to a beat-less ambience. This is an outstanding track from a full album set for a February release on Arrowhawk Records.  The band will appear live at Union Pool on 1/22 as part of the (le) poisson rouge presents series with Alpenglow and Norwegian Arms. – Dave Cromwell

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

 Having a song included in Little Steven’s Underground Garage "Coolest Song in the World" poll is one of those “honor just to be nominated” moments.  Diane and The Gentle Men’s single “Motorcycle” (streaming below) earned a place among that weekly group with 51 other artists ranging from local stars to very big international names.  The song and video pay a playful homage to the late 50’s/early 60’s ideal of a youthful desire for rock n’ roll kicks.  While clean-cut teenagers watch bad boy motorcycle movies on TV, Diane sings about “riding on the back with her ray bans and leather jacket” over a chugging rock rhythm.  Soon the kids are up dancing as the chorus hooks with lyrics “blame it on summer heat, when the moon is high, and the air is clear, and the sky is wide.”  The track stands out with numerous unexpected sonic twists, like the slightly askew descending keyboard line in the second verse and the momentum shifting percussive breaks, scattered throughout the tune.  There’s a country-western warmth to the chorus, with its chord structure, big impassioned lead vocal and sweet background harmonies. – Dave Cromwell

Literary rockers Modern Diet, our fresh artist of the month, have released an imaginative animated video for their latest track “Red Eye” (streaming below).  Visual artist Jaron Lionel depicts dreamlike scenarios based on lyrics which juxtapose relationship struggles against a doomed airline flight.  Initially sparse and moody, the track develops on top of a dynamic bass guitar phrase, while sustained guitar atmospherics hold steady over softer shuffling percussion.  Reaching the central hook, lyrics detail being “on a nonstop with nowhere to go” as they’re “asleep in the eye of the storm,” leaving little doubt this is a troubled ride. The slow burn builds to a majestic coda of reverberated “ooooh wah” vocals, forceful guitar chord accents and jazz-styled drum fills. “Wake up in a cold sweat, Not coming back to bed, Plane crash and a wet dream, 747 under fitted sheets, Where she’s waiting for me, I will not go to sleep.”  It’s a powerful track and video that incorporates the grand storytelling of Arcade Fire with the jazzy touches of Steely Dan. – Dave Cromwell

Rising up over an eternally dreamy shoreline comes the latest single “In Between” (streaming below) from Brooklyn’s cleverly named Surf Rock Is Dead.  Over a forward driving quickly-paced beat, layered reverberated guitars create immediate blissful waves.  Those soaring guitar lines fill a number of instrumental passages while shimmering chords create lyrical space.  Vocals hark back to the style of early 90’s MTV stars like The Ocean Blue which conveyed a sentimental nostalgia via a clipped, conversational delivery.  “Go on, go on, back to where you used to be” ultimately emerges as the catchy dual voiced chorus hook, expressing that “in between” feeling of not knowing where you belong.  Having recently wrapped up a 10 date tour supporting Australia’s The Jezabels, the band now prepare to release an EP this Spring. –Dave Cromwell

Young Brooklyn-based rockers Active Bird Community capture the wearily resigned conversational style of early aughts pioneers The Strokes on recent single “QB Sneak” (streaming below).  The title’s casual football reference serves as metaphor on needing to break out from “two weeks of bad dreams,” and “feeling stuck behind the scenes.”  Avoiding heavy-handed studio enhancements, producer/engineer Christopher Daly allows the band to shine through in a Steve Albini less-is-more approach.  Channeling Julian Casablancas’ phrasing and tone the chugging rhythm and hooky riff guitar interplay wraps up in a tidy under two and a half minutes. Recorded at Salvation Recording in New Paltz with mastering by Jamal Ruhe at Newburgh’s West West Side Music, the full length album titled ‘Stick Around’ is set for release on 1/26.  You can catch them live this Tuesday 12/6 at Berlin NYC with Cosmonaut and Your Dog! and 1/26 at Shea Stadium with Bueno, Fits and PETITE LEAGUE for their record release show. – Dave Cromwell

With the recent release of their debut LP “Worst Way,” Brooklyn’s Rosebug showcase lead single “I Am The One” after a series of local shows.  Opening with the melody line figure presented in singular guitar notes, an ethereal vocal chorus emerges from reverberated halls.  “I am the one with all the answers,” sings frontwoman Becca Chodorkoff amid the slow burning groove and background vocal waves.  While accompanying guitar, bass and drums establish understated yet essential propulsion, chiming overtones emerge alongside the morphing voices.  Lyrics express one’s need to push forward with self-confidence, while keeping internal doubts that we may not be all that special at bay.  The overall mood feels similar to early 90’s pioneers Cocteau Twins, Sarah McLachlan as well as contemporary artists like Shana Falana.  The album can now be heard and acquired on Spotify, iTunes or Portland based cassette revival label Dazzleships Records. – Dave Cromwell