THE DELI

Alternative pop artist Halima is currently residing in New York City, after previously living in Lagos and London. Her most popular and recent single is “Ford Cardinal,” a smooth and catchy tune, one that touches on a complicated relationship wherein she wants nothing but to be with someone who appears to have left her behind. Halima repeats that she found loose change in the backseat of her Ford Cardinal, reminding her of a distant memory with a lover. On top of the lyrics, the melody is also catchy, a minimalist groove carrying Halima’s polished vocals. The highlight of the song comes at 2 minutes and 16 seconds, as she begins to lightly rap her feelings and thoughts aimed at the unrepentant lover who doesn’t think they fit together. This powerful bridge is refreshing against the repetitive-yet-heartfelt lyrics. Jam it below. —Karigan Wright

Off-kilter indie connoisseurs Drug Couple lay down a homegrown bop on new single “Be In 2.” A track off the Brooklyn duo’s forthcoming debut EP Little Hits, “Be In 2” finds its pace in the disconcerting give-and-take of modulating, granular synths and an acoustic percussive backbone, occasionally finding space for shimmering guitar riffs and cheerful vocal accents, endowing the final output with a sound somewhere between Animal Collective and Yo La Tengo. This call and response dynamic radiates through the track’s lyrical components as well, with band members Miles and Becca sharing the song’s central melody. Given that Drug Couple’s mythos comes from its two members “falling in love, micro-dosing LSD [together], and considering getting a dog,” it’s clear that the chemistry between its two members isn’t just limited to their joint desire to “find someone special to share the end times with.” Jam it below, and catch them at the Broadway on November 18th for their record release show. -Connor Beckett McInerney, Photo by Ed-Rocha Goncalves

New York-based songwriter Gabriel Birnbaum (of Wilder Maker) describes his debut solo LP Not Alone as “classic American music, suitable for everyday use,” and he’s not wrong. There’s something quotidian about his tunes in the way that he recounts daily adventures and the minutia of the minutes passing between the hours, offset by the easygoing nature of his backing band laying down classic folk rock soundscapes. This isn’t to say there’s anything boring about Not Alone; rather, Gabriel Birnbaum’s ability to craft plainspoken-yet-engaging narratives of everyday life resonates as good, honest work—his view of the world is well-used when accompanied by stuttering roots rock electric guitars and rhythmic, acoustic strumming, providing a contemporary example of the hardworking American musician archetype. Stream the first three tracks of the record below, and catch Birnbaum at Turk’s Inn on December 4th. —Connor Beckett McInerney

How to describe Healing Potpourri? Sweet bossa beats with a real gentle vibe. Healing, indeed. It’s like what you wish elevator music was. The boys are coming to The Knockout tonight and we wanted to send out this late but proper invitation. So forth, be soothed. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Much like its namesake, “Kaleidoscope Garden” explodes in color over the course of its dramatic, three-minute build, endowing the listener with a colorfully accessible soundscape. The latest offering by Jersey alt rock outfit WYLAND, the track finds its bearings in the blue of cinematic piano and the sauntering drawl of vocalist Ryan Sloan before a bright explosion of guitars and an exciting percussive drive. WYLAND’s penchant for melody and rock showmanship is in full force on “Kaleidoscope;” listen below and be sure to see the Garden State four piece at Baby’s All Right on November 16th. -Connor Beckett McInerney, Photo by Kelsey Ayres