Brooklyn welcomes a singer-songwriter with a lilting but powerful soprano voice, Kaki King styled finger-picking on their guitar, and a light touch of electronica in her tracks. St. Vincent held up the mantle when she called the borough home, and local artists such as Belle-Skinner have come to the forefront of the borough’s scene in recent years. Nika Aila States comes to Brooklyn from Oakland. As red steppes, she’ll release her sophomore album Arcs on May 31st. We are premiering here "Trouble", a track from the album which displays what States has to offer: Graceful guitars dancing over a simple electro-tom beat have moments of disruption when they break into jazzy chords accompanied by a piano and her voice rising into her upper register. Take a listen to "Trouble" below; States will release it officially at a show at Pete’s Candy Store on April 12th. – Will Sisskind
Local Teen hones self expression on “Darf Yader”
Most of the tracks on Darf Yader clock in under three minutes, but from starting pistol “Greata The Sweata” Local Teen is off at breakneck speeds, driving white knuckled towards the beach – carried by the momentum of fuzzy melodic punk. Wont to avoid an easily cohesive product, however, Darf Yader sees the Portland-based project veering into other genre territories, from “Everything Is Shit’s” self-effacing slacker rock to shuffling folk on “Coward’s Way Out,” replete with an echoing melodica solo. This is to be expected by a band that indicates in their website’s manifesto that “music genres are fucking useless” and embraces “self expression” first and foremost. Appropriately so, Darf Yader a record that’s hard to pin down, but held together by an unending iconoclastic energy and an acid washed aesthetic. Check it out below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
New QThree LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Struggleman: The Struggle Continues is the second official full-length album from QThree, out now via his local imprint Baked Recordings. The LP finds a silky smooth, laid-back yet grimy aesthetic that hearkens to 90’s hip hop. A sneaky, soulful, drama-laced intensity captures an unwavering confidence, while acknowledging trials & tribulations. The Philly emcee threads the lyrical needle, sewing together knowledgeable life lessons.
Reptalien’s Shuggie II Video
Reptaliens have a new album, Valis, coming out on April 26th. So far they have a few pre-released songs, and they let the Deli take a peek at the full album. Valis emphasizes minimalism and clarity. It gives the audience plenty of room to breathe and enjoy the beats. The combination of airy vocals, 80’s synthesizer, and dreamy tempos sound like a relaxed version of snythwave artists like Night Tempo, or Desired. It’s pleasant to both dance and nap to, which is an enjoyable quality. "Shuggie II" is particularly sweet. The band just released a self-directed video for the song. The video is the perfect accompaniment to "Shuggie II" in both attitude and aesthetic. Each shot looks like the result of a sci-fi movie that was turned into an 80’s infomercial. It’s thoughtful and introspective, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It looks like it was a lot of fun to make, and it was definitely a lot of fun to watch.
Reptaliens will be playing the Wonder Ballroom on Thursday, April 25th. Turnover and Turnstile will also be playing sets.
-By Avril Carrillo
Sofia Wolfson faces changing times on “Nothing’s Real,” play The Love Song on 6/18
On "Nothing’s Real," Sofia Wolfson wishes that time stood still. "Going through the motions and spinning like a wheel," the singer-songwriter reflects, a genuine sentiment that comes from not having things figured out. It’s an emotion that hits on a personal level, presumably the result of juggling the challenges of a music career and her life as a student. Wolfson’s increased anxiety otherwise unfolds with patience and equanimity—she perfectly captures the excitement and ennui of entering young adulthood over some colorful guitar work.
"Nothing’s Real" is taken off of Wolfson’s latest EP, Adulting. Watch her perform at The Love Song on June 18. Juan Rodríguez
Ca$his The Art of Living
Chicago born Rapper Ca$his will be releasing his latest album, The Art of Living, on May 3rd via Cleopatra Records. He recently released a video for the LP lead single “What Ca$his Bout”.
The LP’s latest single is called “Pacen” and can also be streamed below.
Midnight Dice @ Reggie’s (5/3)
Metal band Midnight Dice recently released their self-titled debut EP digitally and on May 3rd it will be receiving a vinyl release via Chicago Metal label Hoove Child Records.
This is the traditional metal sounds of Mandy Martillo (Vocals), Steve "Lethal" Beaudette (Guitars), Patrick "Rusty" Glockle (Drums), and Jose Salazar (Bass).
You can catch Midnight Dice at Reggie’s on May 3rd with High Spirits, Savage Master, and Castle.
New Apt A Album Available for Streaming & Purchase
The trio of your most defiant neighbors in Apt A recently shared its second release, Apt B. Voicing an internalized monologue, the songs serve as an earnest, snarky look into the band’s daily observations. Speaking into a noisy and, at times, chaotic void, the recordings have a bluntness that hits the mark in humorous fashion. You definitely don’t want to fuck with Apt A. Or do you?
New Track: “Urgent Need to Leave” – Lightninging
Slick, far-reaching guitar lines, reinforced by splatterings of drums, create a sense of tension in motion on “Urgent Need to Leave,” courtesy of Philly four-piece Lightninging. The warmth of vocal harmony is countered by the sadness of a desire to depart. A controlled, combative, instrumental outpouring serves as scene-setting, mood-mimicking transitions. Channeling those feelings into fiery, doubled up, guitar bursts, the heaviness of the moment plays out in a melancholy manner.
Death Valley
The new local label Chicago Research has been putting out some quality music for several months now. On May 15th they will be releasing the debut single from Death Valley. This is the pinnacle of Synth Pop and one of the strongest debuts we’ve seen in awhile.
The single is called “Stuntwoman” b/w “Wavelengths” and will be available on 7” vinyl and digitally below.
Meernaa’s tour with John Vanderslice
Meernaa, the “beautiful, freaky dream” of Oakland’s own Carly Bond, is a fuckin beautiful freaky listening experience. Tiny Telephone production quality is full-on apparent: that room-encompassing, take-me-away-Calgon feeling is a pleasure. Last year’s EP, Strange Life, features an all-star collection of supporting musicians, with tracks ranging from bluesy synth rock to R&B post-rock and a vocal range that repeatedly surprises. Tracks like “Good Luck” are like if Bonnie Raitt, Angel Olson, Sharon Van Etten and that scene in the snow globe from the Labyrinth all got together and created an experience of a song. Meernaa is on tour with Mr. Vanderslice as we speak. See them at The Rickshaw Stop on April 28 to experience Meernaa’s newest work and to hear John Vanderslice’s new album, The Cedars. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Soul’d Out’s Tenth Anniversary
The Soul’d Out Music Festival is coming up again this April, and this year will mark its tenth anniversary. We wanted to make sure you’re properly prepared. Starting on April 16th and ending on April 21st, each day is packed full with artists performing all over town. There will be close to 50 artists performing this year, and each act is incredibly talented. Here at the Deli, we want to give a shout out to some of those artists. The legendary Buddy Guy will be playing at The Roseland on April 17th. DJ/MC team Eric B & Rakim will be taking the stage at the Roseland on the 18th. Coming all the way from Brooklyn, rapper Leikeli47 will be playing the Wonder Ballroom on April 18th.
If you want to find out more information, check out the Soul’d Out website. The full schedule is currently available.
-By Nick Hartman