Following the debut EP To The Valley from 2015, PALMAS has released a new single called “Flowers”, featuring a beautiful and rather impressive arrangement clearly inspired to The Beach Boys’ "Pet Sounds": hammond organs, french horns and a luscious string section build on the lead choral vocals, which draw celestial melodies Mr. Brian Wilson himself would be proud of (if he only got around to listen!). We are looking forward to see how PALMAS develops their infatuation with the 60’s pop revival, and in the meantime don’t miss their upcoming live show at Rockwood Music Hall on November 1. – Ashley Muniz

DC’s infinity Crush has unleashed a whimsical, soul-searching LP entitled Warm Equation. Ready to tug at your heartstrings is the first song off the album, "Drowning Here With All My Friends", with a delicately fingerpicked guitar and the bright, wistful voice of Caroline White. Just as her voice finishes up establishing a spellbinding melody, it seamlessly melts away into a dream-like atmosphere, peaceful and full of bliss. Get a taste down below. Check out also the video for single ‘Wipe Down.’ –Ashley Muniz

Janelle Kroll dipped her pen in the wells of a few differnet genres for her new EP Outsider. On the project she mixes elements from synthpop, R&B and neosoul, that, when combined with her noteworthy vocal abilities, form a project that’s at once intense and intriguing. We are streaming below second single ’24 hrs.’ Check out also the EP’s closer "Looose," a duet with morgxn featuring a stripped down beat, consisting of just a distorted synth pattern and sleigh bells at first, that allows the pair’s vocals and striking lyrics to take center stage. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber, photo by Ennis Chung

Hailing from the cold lands of Cornell where she is getting a PHd, but no stranger to NYC"s hip-hop scene, Sammus possesses one of the most refreshing flows amongst emerging rappers today. While many emmcees have begun to incorporate more and more melodic RnB elements into their vocals and instrumentals, Sammus goes back to basics, equipped with a slow, lyrically dense style that through which she ensures she is heard loud and clear. On her latest music video for "100%", a track off her new album Pieces in Space, Sammus takes her peers back to school. Filmed on her stomping ground at Cornell, the emcee, alongside featured artist Latasha Alcindor, teach a bunch of college kids how to rap and have swagger in a class called "Hip-Hop 101." It’s a fun video, but what really stands out is the music portion. On a 90’s type soul flow, Sammus and LA go in with aggressive flows, filled to the brim with political messages and pop culture trivia. While Sammus’ music may feel a little out of place initially in today’s hip hop climate, on this track and others she demands her place at the table. Check out her music video below, and catch her at Alphaville tomorrow 10/28 where she’ll release her new LP. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber, photo by— CoolDad Music

Ro James’ music is cut from the cloth of a pristine vintage denim jacket. It’s the kind of neosoul music that would sound best on a record player in a candlelit room, or from a jukebox in a swanky room. On his recent debut album ELDORADO, James captures elements of the past, and immerses them with those of the present to create tracks and a project that’s even greater than the sum of its parts. At the center of his soul music, like all good soul music, are the vocals. All over the record James flexes his vocal range, elevating his suave, honey-whiskey vocals at will to devastating effect. His lyrics have a similiar conversational, casual quality to Frank Ocean’s.

The more contemporary elements of the album come in the instrumentals. James sings over arrangements that only take what they need, often featuring only percussion and distorted synth or acoustic guitar.  They provide the perfact backdrop for James to reach past speakers and touch hearts directly with his vocals. ELDORADO is overall a really strong effort, and should solidify James in the pantheon of his genre’s best along with the likes of Gallant and .Anderson Paak. You can catch him at MSG, of all places, on 11/10. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

If you still haven’t gotten up the nerve to talk to that special someone you’ve been eyeing for days, then this song’s for you. In his second single “Talk To Me” (following his debut track “Lean,” both streaming here) Brooklyn based synth-pop artist Blonder imagines what it would be like to finally have that interaction. “Talk To Me” brings out the flurry of emotion that would arise from such an experience—excitement, relief, wonder, and perhaps a touch of nausea?—through heaps of funky synths, jingling and jangling percussion, and soft, slurry vocals. Listen to the tracks down below and keep an eye out for more coming soon. – Ashley Muniz

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

Robot Princess (our NYC Record of the Month this past February) is getting ready to celebrate the release of their second full-length album ‘Tentacles.’ If you love gritty guitars, nonsensical poetry, releasing anxieties, and the sensation of endless freedom, stop by at Ridgewood’s Footlight on November 11th and join the celebration! Streaming below the record’s excellent opening track entitled ‘Claudia.’ And if Queens is too far for you, you can catch the band at Mercury Lounge on November 20th. – Ashley Muniz

Few things in the life of this little blog are more satisfying than putting the spotlight on musicians that actually deserve it. Jake Cheriff, Dan Hemerlein, Harry Terrell and Bernardo Ochoa, also known as NYC’s Modern Diet, have put together a cleverly crafted double single—"Karenina // Basement"—off their forthcoming album, ‘Sit Down and Dance.’ Two seconds into "Karenina", a honeyed, wistful vocal sings "leave me alone"—but it’s not that easy to comply, for we’ve already been given good reasons to stay. Shortly afterwards, an energy-driven montage of drums, guitars, and bass surges in and takes the lead. Throughout the song, the energy is strategically interrupted by a downtempo breakdown, which emphasizes the reprise. "Basement" plays this in reverse, interlacing a prominent laidback groove with heaps of energy. If you get tired of clicking the play buttons down below, word on the street is Modern Diet will be performing a secret gig December 3rd in NYC. Join SoFar Sounds to find out where. – Ashley Muniz

From the Hard Rock Cafe to the House of Blues, Stone Giant has been unleashing the downtrodden tales of their 2015 debut album. Underlying the harsh, raspy vocals of Sebastian Fernandez is an outcry of a despair, longing, and the strength to move on. Join them as they rock the Mercury Lounge on November 2nd, and check out their single "LDG" down below! – Ashley Muniz 

Following his 2014 R&B album Burn, Steven Mullan has released a new collaborative EP, What You Don’t Need, on October 10th under the name Mackinac. Mackinac’s album title track delivers a multiplex sonic mixture, assembling juicy synth pads, airy vocal harmonies, a rhythmic backdrop that adjusts in energy from section to section, and the crisp, and Steven’s clear vocals. Listen to "What You Don’t Need" down below, as well as the album title track for Burn, and catch Steven live at Acme Feed & Seed on October 21st. –Ashley Muniz

Alpenglow has stripped technology down to its dark essence with their new video for "Flicker Flutter," a song included in their debut full length, Callisto. The song/video combo tackles the fascinating topic of reality vs. perception, in a way that’s at least in part reminiscent of classic sci-fi movies like The Matrix and Strange Days, whose central question is: would our lives be happy and fulfilling if we simply perceived them that way, thanks to some kind of device that messes up with our brain? Both the video and the song seem to accept that possibility, stressing though the utter disconnect that kind of happiness would inevitably create between human beings.

After finishing up a tour across the states with Ages and Ages, promoting their debut album Excuses, Nashville’s uplifting folk-pop five-piece band Cereus Bright found their rehearsal room and home burnt down and destroyed. In the midst of this dreadfully dark circumstance, Cereus Bright filmed a video performing the track Silver Lining in their once beautiful space, thanking everyone for their support and showing us what hope, modesty, and courage really looks like. Listening to "Silver Lining", one can’t help but feel an overwhelming strength in the group’s sweet, soothing vocals, as well as a passionate perserverence in each delicate pluck of a string. Watch the heartfelt video down below and get a dose of inspiration. – Ashley Muniz