The most recent EP Familiar Villains by Boston-based alt-rocker Jason Ebbs is a nostalgic reminder of the aggressively emotion-driven lyricism, youthfully optimistic delivery, and polished guitars that made alt-rock great in the mid-oughts. The EP is filled with plenty of clever arrangements and catchy lines—like the chorus of “Brick Wall” (streaming below) which quips “She’s a brick wall / a flash of passion / but there’s nothing on the other side,” which shine a light on a strong new voice in the Boston indie rock scene. – Lilly Milman

“Big Train” (streaming below) is the third and final single to be released off San Francisco-based quartet Pllush’s (formerly known as Plush) forthcoming debut LP Stranger to the Pain. The guitar-driven track showcases an intense collision between shoegaze, indie and pop. Self-described as “sob rock,” Pllush’s sound is unique; overlaying fuzzy guitars with emotional lyrics creates a gut-wrenching chorus (“Who’s gonna love me more / when I’m crying in the middle of the night? / Maybe I’m feeling torn / because nothing ever comes out right”) with a power that grows with each repetition, until it eventually explodes in a surprising mix of pop harmonies and grungey lead vocals. The full album will be released on June 8 and Pllush will be celebrating the record release that night at Bottom of the Hill. – Lilly Milman

Every now and again, a special kind of artist falls onto our radar—one that is able to give nods to music history, while also successfully innovating and pushing boundaries. One such artist is Scott Alexander, whose new project Some Professional Help is ambitious to say the least. Backed by a rotating 16-person band, Alexander leads the eclectic soundscape with his knowledge of orchestral music (if you think that there isn’t enough bassoon in pop music, then you and Alexander may be cut from the same cloth.) The self-titled debut EP is a glittering, baroque take on orchestral pop. With vocals akin to that of Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and arrangements that whisper influences from Sufjan Stevens, this project shines as a standout singer-songwriter debut. Some Professional Help will be performing in Oakland at Uptown Nightclub on May 24. – Lilly Milman

Stream the full Some Professional Help EP below.

Connecticut-based americana singer-songwriter Kerri Powers has seen it all, and she intends to tell you about it on her debut album Starseeds. Her experience is obvious from her simple, yet earnest way of storytelling; her confident, yet not overzealous vocals; her subtle, yet astute reworking of age-old tales like that of Lady Godiva. Take lead single “Mine the River” (streaming below), where she is able to blend the seemingly overused combination of bluesy guitars, a soulful voice, and Americana storytelling to create something original. She is currently touring and will be playing her next show on May 18 at Washington DC’s The Hamilton. But fear not, she’ll be back in Connecticut in June to play a show at Bridge Street on June 24. – Lilly Milman

The debut video (streaming below) of Oakland stoner-pop group Saalt (fronted by Alisa Saario) follows a similar pattern to that of a strange dream. Saario is pictured singing while skiing down a mountain, maneuvering her way through the powerful chorus of the track “Wasted” while dressed in an all-white ski-suit. When combined with the clips of her skiing with her guitar, or emptying out pink dust around the mountain, the overall picture only becomes more ethereal. Despite her unquestionable recklessness, Saario’s vocals and her carefree smile coax you into her world — as if saying, don’t worry about me. She almost convinces you, even, but the last frame tells a different story. Check out the video below and keep an eye out for future releases from one of our favorite artists right now. – Lilly Milman 

The delicacy of Oakland-based Al Harper’s jangly, soft rock solo project is reminiscent of dreamy vocals of the indie pop duo Tennis, but with her own added edge. Her breezy falsetto carries the listeners through angsty lyrics with ease, like the school-girl sounding “The New You” (streaming below) where she sings about a person that’s changed but “it’s cool, I still want the new you.” There’s an empowerment behind her effortless sound as she embraces femininity in a way that brings her up to the ranks of other beloved female artists like Snail Mail and Evil Seagull. She will be celebrating the release of her tape About Power and to play a few unreleased tracks on June 2 at Abbey’s Tavern. – Lilly Milman, photo by Kelsey McClellan 

The new single, “Heartbreak In A Box” (streaming below), from Boston’s seven-piece group JUICE delivers the dose of sweet, upbeat neo-soul that—at this point—is to be expected from them. The septet met as freshmen at Boston College, and after winning a Battle of the Bands contest in 2014, have been bringing their funk-influenced play on pop to venues all over New England. Their sophomore LP Workin’ On Lovin’ will be released on June 15. They are currently on tour, with upcoming shows in Burlington, VT on June 9, Nantucket on June 12, and Boston on June 15. – Lilly Milman

San Francisco’s Bone Nest creates music for those disillusioned by the overwhelming prevalence of upbeat, pop-influenced tracks in the electronic scene. His single “Fkbyzantm” (streaming below), which is set to appear on a forthcoming debut LP, features experimental production in the form of a beat that is both warm and a bit abstract. With influences from neo-soul, new-wave, and breakbeat and a perfectly imperfect blend of two sets of vocals, the track keeps the listener guessing. We’re eagerly anticipating what’s to come. – Lilly Milman

Duncan Nielsen is the vocalist and guitarist behind DONCAT, the psychedelic bedroom-pop artist who is quickly rising up the ranks of the San Francisco scene. With a forthcoming LP, entitled Preservation of the Spirit, due out on May 18th and a list of shared bills that includes Ty Segall, it’s clear that Nielsen is on the brink of something big. That means his upcoming performance at Rickshaw Stop on May 31st should definitely be on your list.

The Deli SF is happy to be premiering “Cut it Out” (streaming below), a moody and memorable single that primarily revolves around the use of one minor chord — giving the track what Nielsen described as "a kind of desolte feel." Lyrically, he sees the song as “an impetus to back up your actions and feelings with true action.” Happy streaming! – Lilly Milman

If you are interested in politically-oriented rap, nostalgic for the fuzzy hip-hop climate of San Francisco in the ‘90s, inspired by passion projects—or experiencing a combination of all three of these feelings—then it may be time for you to check out the newest project by SF’s own Brycon & Star Bakery Records. A group project entitled Equipto & Brycon Present The Watershed, this eclectic album combines influences, visions old and new, in order to create a new classic. Stream their debut video for “Very Own” below, and check out the rest of the album, available on all streaming services. – Lilly Milman, photo by Gina Madrid

It’s been a little less than a year since The Deli New England last heard from People Like You, the eclectic and electric gypsy-folk-rockers hailing from Portsmouth, NH. And they haven’t wasted a second of that time. Their forthcoming third studio album, Dancing on the Dead, shows the band at their best—they’re tighter than ever before, and they haven’t given up on their rootsy experimental sound, either. People Like You is filling in the gap left by other, freak-folk greats—perhaps most specficially, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes. Of course, they don’t fit perfectly in the space left by the now-disbanded group, because the music of People Like You is entirely their own. There’s nothing derivative about it.

We’re happy to be premiering the single “Adieu” from Dancing on the Dead, which will be released on May 11th. The release of the album will kickstart a summer tour, beginning at Fury’s Publick House in Dover, NH. – Lilly Milman, photo by Lily Eye

On April 19th of 1943, Albert Hofman became the first person to take LSD (and also the first to do so while riding a bike.) 65 years later, Boston-based singer-songwriter Anthony Graziano released a song about it. The debut single “Bicycle Day” (streaming below) is a smooth and psychedelic lullaby, with lyrics that fluctuate between entrancing and eerie (“The roads were winding and the buildings seem tall / As if nothing was real at all / Paranoia has me question my health / Am I dying? Did I poison myself? I guess I’ll see.”) A debut EP by the artist is still forthcoming, but Graziano is definitely one to watch. – Lilly Milman