Though New Yorkers have an eternal obligation to hurl mild-mannered disgust toward New Jersey Dwellers (I mean, have you been on those highways?) we still have to give credit where credit is due. Jersey’s emo/post-emo sound is where it’s at and it’s long legacy of churning out seminal emo bands is admittedly hard to challenge. Archie Alone happens to be one of those bands eager to assume the Garden State’s mantle. They produce emo  tunes with chomping choruses guaranteed to give you some serious mid-2000s nostalgia, while also managing to add heaps of atmospheric breaks in between, giving their songs a distinctly modern feel. Their latest single, "Heavy Hearts," does all this. It’s a track crafted with more nuance and subtlety than its early naughts counterparts, but its raw emotionality and killer hook will satisfy you inner middle-schooler. We’re stoked to premiere "Heavy Hearts" streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for the latest EP from the band hitting the shelves on. The band will be celebrating the release of their self titled EP at the Meatlocker on September 30th. – Olivia Sisinni

There is nothing small about God Tiny‘s sound: the Brooklyn-based psych/garage rockers serve up frenetic, down-and-dirty rock action, and their new video for single, "Awaken," perfectly deliver that action and that dirt on a visual level. The black-and-white work features a female protagonist, roaming the streets and taking names and is chocks full of the vintage vibes, visceral kicks and (literal) punches that we’ve come to love from the band. The clip is a real treat, and seeing such a gutsy, raw, and fun visual accompaniment to God Tiny’s music is something we never knew we needed, but we’re not sure if we could now live without. Check out "Awaken" streaming below, and catch the band live at The Mercury Lounge (where we’re sure they’ll be taking some names of their own) on 9/23. – Olivia Sisinni 

TRISTN is an alt rock songstress that provides all the might of your fave early 2000s power pop band, with dulcet vocals and hooks so infectious you’ll swear you’re coming down with something. The NYC-based, one-woman project specializes in anthems that are attractive in both their energetic arrangements and simple yet poignant lyricism. ​TRISTN co-produced her debut album "January" (out tomorrow, September 8th) with a high-powered team of producers, including the late Tom Coyne (Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele), on “Now You Know,” Ted Jensen (Norah Jones, Muse, Green Day) on “Nothing to Say (Nothin’),” and Christian Wright (Abbey Road Studios UK) and  Steve Kupillas (Oak and Ash, Brand New) on the remainder of the songs. You can stream it below. -Olivia Sisinni

NY-based PAWNS serves up harrowing post-punk that’s just itching to darken your day. Their latest release, Gallows, is 10 evil-sounding tracks that manage to navigate an aesthetic that’s at once grim yet infectiously danceable. With simple, bouncy melody lines, and reverberating vocals that sound as if they were recorded from beyond the grave, Gallows is the LP to reach for when you need something to jar you out of a cheery streak. Listen to "Cross" off the new album streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

If we’re going to be honest about it, 2017 has yet to produce a real summer banger. Sure, you can make arguments for a few radio hits, but you’d really have to argue that one of them fits that magical "song of the summer" moniker. However, NYC-based MICKY (aka Michael Persall), might have just delivered the ultimate track to save you from those summer blues. "He Won’t," the Motown-pop influenced singer’s newest song premiering exclusively with the Deli, is another perfect example of MICKY’s penchant for making vintage sounds feel fresh and modern. With smooth horns, soulful falsetto vocals and funky synths, "He Won’t" is easily your perfect top-down driving tune. Stream it below, and we dare you to not fall head over heels in love. – Olivia Sisinni

Though there’s certain things that are maybe better left in Australia (sharks, poisonous snakes, spiders the size of your face, for starters) Freya Wilcox, frontwoman for the blues-punk trio Freya Wilcox and the Howl is a decidedly welcome import who (probably) won’t shoot venom into your eyes. The New York-via-land-down-under singer and guitarist creates music that’s brazen, barefaced, gritty, and unapologetically catchy. The band’s latest release, Tooth & Nail features the group’s signature powerful, raspy vocals, and blistering guitar riffs, but explores a down-and-dirty look at love, loss, and whatever is supposed to come next. Check out "Nothing" off the new album streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Apogee, the point in a satellite’s orbit where it is positioned furthest away from Earth. It makes sense that TIIIDAL would choose to explore this concept in their latest music video: often, the Brooklyn-based indie-gazers’ music has a distinct, astral quality to it. Their new video features band members navigating their way through the soft, ethereal-sounding track while honey slowly oozes down the sides of their heads–a sticky visual that, however strangely, aesthetically compliments the song’s meditations on space and time. Watch the Deli’s premiere of "Apogees" streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for the band’s new EP .Wavz coming out later this year.-Olivia Sisinni

Approach with caution – the edges are sharp. Sheep Shifter is a mass of buzzsaw guitars and heart-pounding drums goaded into brutality by human cattle prod/vocalist Jonathan Nash’s depraved howls. Those familiar with Murfreesboro’s Sheep Shifter will confirm the caustic nature of their live show is nothing short of head-banging good time.-Sam Mattingly

Blending harmonious vocal passages, post-punk driving rhythms, and victorious choruses, Idle Bloom are a stand-out Nashville band who display some vulnerability and heart in a style of music often associated with the entirely cold and angular. Catch them winning over some loud rock/metal fans at The End in Nashville on July 8th with Husband Stitch, Pandemix, Anwar Sadat and Mutilation Rites.-Sam Mattingly

Next month, Wives will be performing at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade, but any facts beyond that are difficult to ascertain. According to the group’s Bandcamp page, they hail from Queens, but with no Facebook links, a dead Instagram URL and no other social presence, just who Wives is remains a mystery. What isn’t a mystery is that the band is writing some straight, kick-ass tunes that are good enough to share even though details are scarce. Wives deals in noisy indie rock, with an air of apathetic street cool. The band’s vocals radiate a Lou Reed-type swagger, talk-singing smart lyrics against simple yet potent instrumentals. "So Far Removed," their latest (only?) multi-track release is 4 songs worth of what the band has tagged as "grunge, noise, pop," which serve as unlikely but accurate descriptors. If you want to learn anything more than that, you may just have to check out the show on 6/6, when Wives will play alongside Jay Som, but in the meantime, you can start your own detective work by hitting that play button below. – Olivia Sisinni

Elisa‘s sound may be light and twinkly, but her voice carries an unexpected weight and wiseness. Her latest release, "Morning Again" begins with a minimalistic, ethereal soundscape but bleeds into an upbeat drum kit infused with differently textured samples. And then there’s that guttural feeling you get when Elisa belts, as if every word were breaking out of her chest. Elisa plays The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on May 16th.-Geena Kloeppel

Catcalling is one of the more frustrating aspects of living in the big apple, and being on the receiving end of incessant lines of creepy comments can be uncomfortable if not downright terrifying. What’s a girl to do? In the case of Lucy Marie Horton, one half of electro-pop duo, Eugene Marie, you turn it into music. The group’s newest track, “Nice Smell,” features lyrics exclusively culled from the mouths of her street harassers. Though transforming predatory phrases into a pointed pop hit is a feat, Eugene Marie pulls it off seamlessly; crafting a piece that is playful and melodic, but also thrusts the dialogue surrounding catcalling further into the public realm. Stream “Nice Smell” below.-Olivia Sisinni