The few tracks that have been released by the newly formed Brooklyn quartet The Weird Years showcase a unique hybrid of folk music. Employing slowly strummed guitars and vocal harmonies, the group initially shroud their sound with simplicity, dwelling on themes revolving around the march of time and the paradoxical feelings that come with being alone. It’s only after prolonged listening that their DNA unravels, revealing a double helix that equally relishes in a slow-burning ambiance. It’s an arresting combination which makes their EP deserving to be unpacked patiently. -Tucker Pennington

The elegant hip-hop beats that dominated the tracks of 50 Cent’s 2003 breakout album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ feel like a relic of olden days. The splendor of those beats was in their concentration of funky bass lines, R&B buffs, and kickdrums that popped alongside the velvety verses that laid on the track. It is the smoothly-layered words of NYC’s Akinyemi—alongside his tribute to those beats—that make the artist a standout in the current crowded hip hop market. In his song "Fleece" (streaming) the young MC suggests protection from the elements: he references the frigidness of greed, the heat of competition, the winds of change. Akinyemi says, "the weather isn’t bigger," and the more you listen to his track, the more you feel inclined to believe him. The Queens Village rapper is ready to bring his message to Zone One, Elsewhere on May 25th, loud and clear. – Rene Cobar

Cha-ching! NYC’s Quarters of Change continues to score with some wickedly addictive songs. Since the release of their 2018 eponymous EP, the group has been keeping their work rate in high gear with a trio of singles. Each tune is more refined than the next and displays the band’s vibrant blues-rock style—bass lines slip and slide, guitar melodies cavort, snares crack, and crooning voices harmonize. The smooth players will be further affirming their entry into the NYC music scene by playing Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on May 24th. Check out the sleekness of “Feathers” below. – Rene Cobar

Noise Pop nailed another solid show next month at Cafe du Nord. A power trio of a line up: Red Steppes, Sis, and Range of Light Wilderness. Red Steppes presents a surreal folk with vocal stylings like a less high-pitched Joni Mitchell infused with just the right touch of gentle keys and synths (god bless you, Native Cat, another gem). To be quite frank, it’s beautiful. We’re proud to premier the video for “Madera” here. Stay tuned for much more on Sis and Range of Light Wilderness. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Playing punk music makes sense for folks hailing from the East Village, but what about blending it with good old blues rock? Well, The Sweet Things formed in 2015 with the intent to deliver precisely that sound. Drawing inspiration from ‘70s arena rock monsters like The Rolling Stones, the band compounds blues elements with each member’s previous punk rock backgrounds. Screaming guitars at the start of the group’s latest single “Almost Faded” blend excellently with deft keys that would make Chuck Leavell proud. The fuzzy bass and the powerful drums drive the song forward at full steam and give it the edge that makes it contemporary. The single announces their May 24th debut album In Borrowed Shoes, On Borrowed Time and the band is gearing up for a tour of the U.K. starting in June. The party is just getting started for this group of new yorkers, don’t miss the local leg at The Bowery Electric on May 24 – Rene Cobar

Abe Hollow just released his first single, “Golden Calf” off the forthcoming A Palace in Time and it’s a calm and lovely surrealist folk song reminiscent of Bon Iver’s compositions and Elliot Smith’s breathy sad vocals but with slightly trippier touches. A Palace in Time, recorded at Tiny Telephone and mastered by Jacob Winik, is a collection of collaborations with musicians from all over the Bay Area, including AH, Andrew Maguire, Doug Stuart, John Vanderslice, and many others. Check out this sweet taste and stayed tuned for his full release this July. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

The dance-inducing rhythms of NYC’s Cheap Synths reverberate the style and edge of alternative dance bands like Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem. The group could easily have been pulled from a DFA Records catalog, and yet their sonic varnish shines brightly and has landed them a publishing deal with Rough Trade. The electronic rock duo has released their first mixtape yes yes yes with its first single “Devastate” flaunting noteworthy grit and glamour. A heavy bassline accompanies a slick guitar riff while synth stabs and pads contribute to a complex aural texture. The accompanying video is the powdered sugar on top of this sweet dance-rock cookie. Check out the video below. – Rene Cobar

Sisters Catherine and Anna Wolk have played music together as Verdigrls for years now, and The Deli once again takes great pride in covering another new release from one of New York’s rising indie pop acts. Verdigrls’ new EP Small Moves comes out on May 17th; the title track, which we’ve featured below, has the Wolks’ voices echoing over a repeating synth, the squeaking of a cello, and a minimal drum track. The track’s detached feeling matches the subject matter of the lyrics, which go into the ennui of being at a party where everyone else is having fun but you. Verdigrls will mark the release of Small Moves at Trans-Pecos on May 18th; Anna Altman and Den-Mate will perform on the bill as well. – Will Sisskind

A big trebly sound with fuzzy edges greets the listener on “Landmine”, the opening track of Spooled Up’s Strange World EP. The name of the game is speed, and it feels like Spooled Up is throwing energy at the listener, providing just a single verse/buildup into a chorus before arriving at an instrumental breakdown. All of this a mere one minute into the track.

The dizzying, engaging twists and turns of the first track are replicated throughout the release, and always seems to be rooted in 90s sounds. Just as the frenetic energy of the first track moved into a heavy instrumental breakdown, the second track, “Scab”, goes from being a straight up Pavement indie lament to fuzzy Guided by Voices bounce pop.

The 90s is strong with this release, and every track is defined by vague emotional detachment and subdued lo-fi effects. In short, a recommended listen for any fans of 90s indie.

-Mike Dranove

At the core of Hangnail, the debut EP by New York multi instrumentalist Shanna Polley (known professionally as Snakeskin) is a feeling of modulation; the way Polley shifts between major and minor keys, how the vocals change from soft-spoken mumble to an explosive falsetto, and how the effort’s instrumentation goes from clean to discordant, all contribute to a feeling of unease throughout the release’s six tracks. In doing so, Snakeskin plays to its strengths in a dynamic quality, balancing tender lyrical attributes against crunchy, lofi production, creating a release that’s both hard and soft, tender and heavy. It’s a defiantly iconic effort that demonstrates Polley’s ability to find balance in the storm. Stream it below, and catch them live at Mercury Lounge on May 13th, performing alongside Hypoluxo and Nanami Ozone. –Connor Beckett McInerney

On June 8th the Fillmore is hosting a benefit concert for The Blue Rose Foundation, started by the Blue Rose Music label. The foundation offers scholarships to socially and economically disadvantaged youth. The night’s host and headliner, Jackie Greene, just released a new single that we’re proud to debut! Cris Jacobs & Bailey Ingle are opening up the night. Please join us, for a great evening and a great cause. – Lucille Faulkner