As many of our readers will have noticed, the music of New England and the area itself is home to me. That folk/Americana tradition that fills pubs and café’s from New Haven to Bangor may seem as dim today as the rest of the world, but it will brighten up once again as its acoustic guitar strings will ring, and voices shall chant merrily. I know this because there are artists out there like Maine’s Plague Dad who surface seemingly out of nowhere and carry on that tradition regardless of the times. Through his dual-single release, Sanitized For Your Protection, which includes the tracks “Plague Song” and “Rust,” this artist is embracing a folk spirit vibrant. Strummed strings seem to trot out a rhythm that accompanied by a relaxed vocal melody, evokes nature, humanity, and their complicated relationship—New England’s calling card. This post is my final one for Deli New England, but what a ride it has been and what a pleasure to discover artists from a place so dear to me. See you soon, New England! – René Cobar

The Sheila Divine pours heavy emotion into its new track titled “The Lighthouse,” and that is not surprising at all if you know the group. The band’s brand of indie rock is atmospheric: burbling basslines, sturdy drumbeats, and vocals distant that are glazed with emocore energy create a sonic world easy to live in and appreciate. The band allows its sound to carry and linger, offering the listener valuable time to soak in the message, the pain, or the realization of something liberating. The recent release by The Sheila Divine is something soothing and much welcomed; stream “The Lighthouse” below for music meant for reflection. – René Cobar

Idle Pilot soars above the rest, the Boston group’s eruptive sound is unapologetic and displays sharp edges that drip the same focused-aggressive emotions that bands like Foo Fighters fire off so well. Adding a touch of math rock to the mix, the group has us excited for the release of its upcoming record Balancing Act, set for September 9th. The first single for the new record is titled “Blind Initiation,” and its breakdowns contain twist and turns both jagged and infectious: the guitar riffs are sick, the drums explosive, and the vocals haunting and rich in post-hardcore devilishness. Stream the new single below for a real power-up. – René Cobar

Yavin is not letting the summer heat go to waste, pouring every last drop of it onto his new single “Hot.” Like molten chocolate on ice cream, each verse drops to sweeten and melt the listener’s heart, exploring the summer passion one feels for another, the desires that feel endless as the longest days of the year. Yavin is no stranger to intoxicating beats and sleek production, but “Hot” is a step-up in that department, showing pristine sound and execution that preserves Yavin’s trademark sound so soft. The Boston artist is working hard and enjoying himself, harder; stream “Hot” below for something to groove to this week, and the rest of the summer. – René Cobar

Few showers can match the splendor of those that wash over Portland, Maine, be it on a hot summer morning or a chilly fall evening. David Karl Roberts draws inspiration for his sinister folk single “Walking in the Rain” from such ambiances: whistles, ominous, bluesy guitar riffs, and the harmonious dance of Roberts’ experienced voice with musician Molly Ladd’s confident tone mimics the tranquility before the storm. “Walking in the Rain” carries the atmosphere of New England’s dark corners, bathed in its folk tradition, and timeless enough for all sorrows and passions; stream the new single below, pour a drink, the week is early. – René Cobar 

Roslindale, Massachusetts, can be proud of its artists when it is those like X-Ray that lead the way. The resident rapper takes a stand and bares his soul in his latest single “Live & Die In America,” which comes during a time when the message deployed hits hardest. X-Ray flows with conviction, to a beat by Urban Nerd Beats that is both melancholic but uplifting at the same time. X-Ray does call in its lyrics for unity, for recognition of broken systems, and ultimately for a rediscovering of the human spirit that seems so faded right now. For a weekend of reflection, stream “Live & Die In America” below. – René Cobar

Featuring a cast of talented musicians such as Joey Rosin, Art Baden, Pritesh Walia, Ron Cha, Masaaki Saito, and Aman Jagwani, the talents of composer Aakash Sridhar are evident in his latest single “Road to Oman.” The 6-minute piece is a riveting tale told with the class that only intricate instrumentation that includes graceful piano leads, complex basslines, and soft cymbal hits could provide. The sonic story is tailored for a unique listener experience: each individual can take from the music his or her own set of memories-sparked, wrapped in silky-smooth saxophone embellishments. For a Tuesday afternoon and beyond, “Road to Oman” fits; stream the single below for a taste of real class, and wait for that guitar majesty at the 5-minute mark. – René Cobar

Was it so long ago that the now infamous duct-taped banana at Art Basel made headlines around the world? When you listen to The Flower Pistils’ (Emma Gies and Micah Huang) art-pop single “Oooh Banana,” you feel you are eating it yourself. The song experiments with electronic influences and suggestive themes that defy the group’s usual indie-pop label; fuck labels. Mechanical but groovy, abstract yet profound, you can savor the single as you like. As the rhythm trots and intensifies its pace, you cannot help join it—what else would you like for a weekend treat? Stream “Oooh Banana” below for a taste of fantasies born out of exquisite sounds. – René Cobar

As if inside a cavern of delightful sounds and shimmering lights, Evelyn Cormier’s latest single “Little White Rabbit” is meant for exploration and admiration. The delicate acoustic guitar riffs of the song dance to resounding chords and piano notes that trickle towards the commanding vocals of Cormier, gentle and assertive all at once. The story “Little White Rabbit” tells is of separation and its accompanying heartache but also of the bravery that brews beneath the surface of that, the courage to let to go, the resolve to begin again. Cormier, the New Hampshire artist, delivers a brand of indie-folk that is immediately recognizable, and that continues to blossom; stream her latest single “Little White Rabbit” below. – Rene Cobar

To a sultry and dangerous blues crawl, Boston’s Abigail Ory enters, drenched in a hot and sticky passion few times encountered in music and elsewhere: the singer/songwriter’s latest single “Waves” is a milky sonic sea to bathe in. The heart-beat bass, the fuzzy electric guitar strums, and Ory’s velvety vocals all ignite the unison shifts that give life and edge to the track, fit for the most underground of clubs, for the best places to catch an evening-altering song. In “Waves,” Ory shows, at a young age, a maturity that separates her from the current crop of indie-pop artists, selecting with care influences beyond the available palette. Stream “Waves” below for a dramatic exit from the week, for a fiery entrance into the weekend. – Rene Cobar

Immediately smile-inducing, the brash, fisherman’s tone of Odd Fellows Way’s latest single “World’s Worst Liar” is as New England as music can get. Truly anthemic and furious-paced with drums that gallop and guitar chords that take flight, the song is bar-ready and so replayable. The lead vocal is a story told in a cheerful spirit, rough and ready to infect. Odd Fellows Way provides the type of happiness we all seek these days, and beyond that too. Listen to the butter-smooth sax that deliciously spreads itself all over the track below. – Rene Cobar, photo by Curtis Arnett

Boston’s Josh Knowles gives sound to a time filled with tragedies, abysmal confusion, and above all else, profound hope for a better world. In his new record, A Step Back from the Wrong Direction, Josh uses his skills with an electric violin to craft evocative string music that stimulates the heart and mind with each swell and beautiful cadence. “A Step Back from the Wrong Direction: II” is a prime example of the ambiances the music immerses the listener in, cautious, almost as if stepping stealthily, the song creates a sense of peril that is both grave and familiarly comfortable. “A Step Back from the Wrong Direction: IV” seems more cheery, almost like the calm after a raging storm, back and forth the sounds rise like sea spume so majestic. Overall, Josh Knowles offers New England the kind of music that makes the most sense today: a type of music meant for contemplation, discovery, and healing. We are thrilled to premiere the record for you below; your weekend will be the better for it. – Rene Cobar