The second most important thing in rock or folk music, after the actual song, is the vocals’ character. There’s no need to be a great singer if you are blessed with a voice that carries that elusive quality. Nick Llobet, an upcoming solo act from the NYC area, has it, and also happens to write really good songs. With his latest EP, Where To?, released this June, he delivers four gritty but immensely charming tracks: one is purely acoustic dream-folk bliss – with not-so-dream lyrics ("Puke My Thoughts"), while others flirt with indie, lo-fi and psych influences. Title track, "Where To?" is a wandering psych-folk gem for laying on the grass, channeling Bob Dylan’s spoken singing and Mac DeMarco’s inventive but simple arrangements. "Ear to Ear" borrows the loud/quite/loud production trick of the grunge bands of the ’90s, but adapts it to a songwriting approach that’s poetic, rather than energetic. Closer track "River" is a simple a garage-pop song you will want to dance along to live, at Nick Llobet’s next show, scheduled for September 10th at Sunnyvale. Do not miss! – Allie Miller
We added "Where To?" song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!