THE DELI

New York and Philly-based indie trio Personal Trainer modulate between energies hushed and explosive on debut single “Backyard,” a standout first release that demonstrates the group’s aptitude for powerfully anthemic songwriting. This is in large part due to the immense restraint that separates the track’s verses from its immediately sing-alongable chorus; underpinning lead vocalist Melina Harris’ initially quiet performance are the soft palpitations of a muted percussive backbone and feedback-adjacent guitar arpeggios, both of which come to the precipice of burning it all down before artfully scaling back. Personal Trainer’s balancing act eventually leads to a rip-roaring, instantly memorable vamp (“Well I’m making the rules as I go”), accentuated by harmonies and scorching garage rock riffs, delivering a satisfying, triumphant listen. No NYC gigs on the horizon (though they are playing in New Haven on May 26th), so stream the track below in the meantime. —Connor Beckett McInerney

A healthy dose of synth and dream pop inform “Wundergurl,” the debut single by Jersey City indie trio June Pageant, a fitting introduction to their relaxed, lounge-friendly bops. Written by members Lauren Rosato and Oscar Suh-Rodriguez (the latter formerly of no-holds barred punk project NoPop), the track quickly hits its stride, transitioning from sparse keys and percussion to a brighter, fuller sound as bright, overdriven guitar riffing emerges in the tracks second-half. This instrumental interplay between colder and warmer elements underlines Rosato’s vocal calming vocal performance, which serves as the track’s centerpiece and keeps things delightfully cool, but never sleepy. Recommended for fans of RHYE and Parcels, we’re excited to hear what else June Pageant has to offer in the (hopefully) near future — until them, stream out premiere of “Wundergurl” below.

The lyricially insightful, thinking-persons rock of Brooklyn’s Modern Diet returns with their latest single “Post Grad” premiering here on the Deli in time for Valentine’s Day. However, the sentiment expressed here focuses on an existential crisis of being, rather than traditional romantic notions. Chiming open note guitar chords, soulful keyboards, bright tambourine percussion and a progression defining bassline immediately establish wistful sentimentality for the lyrics that follow. “Sticking to the script I used to know. Making plans and standing up to go. All my old tricks slip into places as we carry on. It’s a three piece suit made of stone and it weighs a ton. Take it off for me won’t you?” These vocals are delivered with clarity touched by just the right amount of contemporary studio enhancements. Open spaces are provided in the mix for click-clack percussion and celestial rising ambiance. While the title implies what is learned after basic formal schooling, the emphasis focuses on it’s struggle. “Meanwhile I keep getting older. Go uphill, pushing my boulder – to fall down, back to the bottom and up once more,” is how the defining chorus goes. The track is available now and can be had (along with their other work) via the band’s linktree here. – Dave Cromwell

Coming off their raucous first round win at Our Wicked Lady’s Winter Madness, it’s as good a time as ever to revisit Woodstock by-way-of NYC garage band the Bobby Lees and their energetic sound. 2018’s BEAUTY PAGEANT (rerecorded last year with new tracks in a REDUX format) rips and thrills, due in no small part to Sam Quartin’s frothy vocal delivery, an unhinged, at times drawling performance that well-complements the outfit’s grungy, melodic guitar rock. Listening to PAGEANT is a breathless experience with few downtempo pauses, the majority of its tracks a breakneck, white hot fury; rendered live, it’s an absolute barnburner. Give it a listen below ahead of their Winter Madness quarterfinals performance next weekend. 

Brooklyn-based indie rock quartet (and presumed tomato-enthusiasts) Marinara provide charismatic lofi indie rock on I Feel Like Dog, a fresh LP evocative of early-2010s college radio rock and their erstwhile 90s slacker compatriots. Tracks like “Desert Schtick” and “Ugly Sleeper” wouldn’t be out of place on a Double Double Whammy compilation, with Nick Cortezi’s plainspoken vocal performance interweaving between warm riffing and a progressive pace. This isn’t to say the entirety of the album is a sunny romp — the band leaves space for downtempo moments of respite on “Marie,” “The Orchid,” and “The Wasp,” the last of which characterized by an unpretentious, six-minute build to one of the record’s best instrumental performances; Cortezi’s season-spanning recollection and quiet vox leads to epic shreds and an energetic percussive breakdown. These various highs and lows help to make I Feel Like Dog the very, very good record that it is — listen to it below ahead of their show at the Footlight on February 16th. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Demo is a cursory, two-track offering by Brooklyn-based five piece Oil Bay, one that despite its short nine-minute run time firmly establishes the band’s ear for enchanting garage and tactile synths. A-Side “STRANGERdemo” builds mystery with its noir-inspired melodies and instrumentation, rife with lurid allusions to late night tales and heavy-compress guitars, opening with equal measures of disorienting keys and screaming strings, this downtempo energy fading with the introduction of “SpacesuitDEMO” and its accompanying breakbeat pace. With no shortage of reverb and a flexibility to incorporate experimental electronic accents into their lofi sound Oil Bay is tailor-made for listeners looking for gritty, noisy Indie rock — listen below, and catch them at C’Mon Everybody on April 7th.