The Boston Calling Block Party Series will be returning this summer, but this time to a new location. The after-work gatherings have been held in Downtown Crossing for the past 5 summers, but will be relocating to Dewey Sq. (near South Station) starting this Thursday, May 8. This week’s entertainment will be provided by The Swinging Johnsons. The events, presented by Shocktop and Radio BDC, feature a local musical act, food and affordable drink prices. The Business Improvement District (BID) originally started the events, but has recently partnered with Crashline Productions (the folks behind Boston Calling) and The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy to revamp the series. The Block Parties will take place every Thursday from 5-8PM and run from May 8 until September 25 (weather permitting). All Block Parties are free and 21+. Proper ID required. Visit the Block Party Facebook page for more information and updates about future events.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

They’re more than just an adorable name – the Coward Flowers have prepped their debut album, Satisfaction, for release tomorrow, May 6. The album is previewed by the spunky “More Than Cinders,” released last month, and between the classic rock twang of chorus’s riff and the indie rock lean of the verses, the song is a surprisingly cohesive hodgepodge of sounds. The single is accompanied by the gruff B-side “Judgment Day,” proving that the band tackle harder rocking styles as well. Look for Satisfaction tomorrow on Bandcamp, and if you like what you hear, join them at T.T. the Bear’s Place in Cambridge on May 7 to celebrate its release and hear “More Than Cinders” live. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

The Lowbred Watts is the solo project of Ryan Stapler, a Rhode Islander that’s made his way into the Boston music scene. The lo-fi folk artist released his first full-length, This American Hide, in April. On “Not Sleeping Outdoors,” Stapler sounds like Alex Turner playing a Nirvana cover on an 8-track recorder, while he gets more experimental and ambient on “Ectopic Vibrations.” The ambitious full-length takes on yet another style on the country-twanging ballad “Get Home,” its melody euphonic and its mix of guitar and layered vocals just the right amount of muddled. Download This American Hide on Bandcamp now. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

Boston punk/garage rockers The Dirty Looks released their latest EP, Line of Sight, on April 15. The set’s first single, “Catholic Radio,” explores the pains of a relationship that feels phoned-in, its high-intensity chorus kicking off with the line, “If you aren’t mine, I think it’s finally time that you say so.” “Skin/Bones” is yin to the single’s yang, proving that the band can still cut like a knife with an indie ballad. Get the band in your line of sight at Great Scott in Allston, MA, on May 29. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

You can’t replicate the rawness of recording an album in a garage. Released on April 15, The Okay Win’s Nothing’s Not Moving kicks off with the slow burning “Shift” before picking things up with the catchy number “In A Way.” The lazy, laid back vibe of “The Glass” is perfect for a beach barbeque, and the song switches things up with main vocalist Stephen MacDonald handing off vocal duties to percussionist Adam McElreath. Later, on “Legion (When Coming Home),” noodling guitars wrap themselves around MacDonald’s barebones vocal melody. Make sure to catch the Bostonites at the Arts Marathon at OnStage Dance Company in Somerville this Saturday, May 3, or celebrate the record’s release with the band at Cambridge’s T.T. the Bear’s on May 17. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

Boston-based punk outfit Rebuilder brings the classic punk sound we’ve always loved back into conversation. The fast-paced sound of Motion City Soundtrack clashes with the angst of modern post-emo bands to form Rebuilder’s unique energy. Running its own record label – Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records – the band attempts to “rebuild” the way the music world works by bringing new, innovative techniques to writing and recording.

Check out Rebuilder’s self-titled EP available now and don’t miss them at O’Briens in Allston, MA, on May 8 or at The Worthen House in Lowell, MA, on May 9. – Jake Dmochowski

Burlington’s The Vacant Lots recently unveiled “Mad Mary Jones,” the crunchy psych rock delight that previews their upcoming full-length debut Departure, due for release on July 1. The song kicks off with a persistent bass line before gritty guitars and sunny synths enter the mix, culminating with the song’s titular hook that falls somewhere between spoken and sung. Listen to the song below or check out its trippy video at The 405. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

 Fierce Bad Rabbit had a big 2013, scoring fans across the country and being named one of NPR’s 100 Artists to Discover at SXSW. Despite vocalist and guitarist Chris Anderson leaving the band’s Colorado roots for Boston, the band is moving forward with a new album Living Asleep this fall, led by the recently released “Do You Want Me Now?”

The Deli New England chatted with Chris to learn more about the band’s upcoming release and how they’re curtailing the challenges of building a fan base both on the East Coast and across the Midwest. To read the interview, click here.

After releasing the videos for "In The Ballroom" and "What’s That Racket," Ladyhips is ready to unleash its full Live at Farmtone EP on April 22 – but The Deli New England got a first listen of the four-song set. You’ve already heard the triumphant brass hook of "Ballroom" and the psychedelic crunch of "Racket." On "Westmoreland," the guys slow things down and turn off the wah-wah pedals, eventually culminating the ballad-of-sorts with a two-plus minute guitar solo. "Our Consience" ends things on a high note, opting for another washed-out guitar solo after lamenting "I’m sorry for your loss" on the song’s hook. 

The Deli New England chatted with Sean Rubin, the band’s bassist, to learn more about the band and what went into the making of Live at Farmtone. To read the interview, click here.

It’s hard to listen to Mal Devisa without falling at least a little bit in love. Devisa (aka Deja Carr) deconstructs modern music to its core. Instead of flashy instrumentals and high-cost production, she concentrates on simplifying the music, letting her stunning, soft vocals do the work.  With lo-fi recording, simple bass and guitar lines and dashes of garage-sounding drum tracks, Mal Devisa says she “makes music with whatever she can find.” She’s truly an innovator.

Nearly two months after the release of the For Daisy with Honey EP and following a month-long northeastern tour with Wydyde, Carr gears up for her final two shows before taking a break. Catch her at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA, on April 21 and at the Montague Bookmill in Montague, MA, on May 9. – Jake Dmochowski

After previously unveiling the video for “In the Ballroom,” Ladyhips is ready to release its next clip, “What’s That Racket” – and The Deli New England has its exclusive premiere. Both cuts are from the band’s upcoming Live at Farmtone EP, set for release on April 22. For the funky “Racket,” the band returns to the Connecticut farm where they shot their previous clip, and once again the result is cinematic beauty. Check out “What’s That Racket” below. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

What’s That Racket from Ladyhips on Vimeo.

Boston’s High Def falls somewhere between jazz, R&B and hip hop – and they proved they can captivate an audience at Emerson College’s Cabaret this past Tuesday, alongside other R&B up-and-comers like Raquel Rodriguez and Anthony Hall. The band is currently prepping its debut EP, Milk and Honey, but you can take a listen to its latest release below. “Definition” shows the band at its best; although vocalist Brandon Donick can croon, the track’s rap-along chorus was undeniably an audience favorite. And those keys! As an added bonus, you can check out a live cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” on the group’s SoundCloud page. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed