THE DELI

There’s a rawness that permeates the entirety of Éyal Hai’s debut record Flowers On The Moon, a characteristic that’s immediately present in both his wavering vocal delivery and varied instrumental direction. Against modulating synths, equal parts jazz and aggressive electronica, Hai’s vox slides and rolls, steeped in a palpable frustration from album opener "I Need A Minute" to closer "The Way I Feel Inside." It’s an uncompromising approach from start to finish, one that’s indicative of Hai’s multidisciplinary approach and desire to “merge jazz with 90’s grunge and pop” on his freshmen release. Such a cross-genre effort might make for odd bedfellows, but Hai’s channeling of an alternative angst into a medium a lot more complex than your usual power trio strikes a fresh middle ground, crafting an LP that incorporates elements both polished and gritty, and culminating in our favorite track "Sober Dream (One by One) – a tense song reminiscent of another NYC band that, in the late ’90s, synthesized a similar blend of influences in spectacular fashion: Soul Coughing.

Éyal Hai will play a record release show for Flowers On The Moon at Zone One on November 17th, supported by Birch and Friend Roulette. You can stream the record in full below. – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

Peel Dream Magazine is the brainchild of NYC-based musician Joe Stevens. His debut album, Modern Meta Physic, has soft fuzzy charm with a mellow, psych core. It’s an exploration of retro sounds and new age-y philosophies wrapped up into 13 hazy tracks. The band’s name hearkens back to the legendary BBC DJ John Peel, and its sound is also beholden to the past; part Velvet Underground and part Stereolab, PDM captures the warmth of nostalgia with its samples of old-school late tv programs, while transporting you to an entirely new era through its psych rock and lo-fi musings. In the best shoegazer tradition, Stevens’ airy vocal melodies are often barely audible in the mix, buried under the fuzz of the group’s distorted guitars. Listen below, and drift off. You can catch Peel Dream Magazine at Secret Project Robot on 12/2. Sara Nuta

Punk rock has taken on a number of forms since it’s emergence in the late 70’s. While some artists have celebrated its more abrasive aspects, many others embraced the speed and energy while adding melodic elements to it. Brooklyn’s Fat Heaven‘s new two-minute-long single “Crybaby”, with its aggressive and punchy power trio sound, clearly falls within the genre, with the band’s penchant for catchy vocal melodies placing them closer to poppier acts like Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. That said, there’s certainly enough edge on “Crybaby” to fuel a mosh pit.  The band’s lyrics, included on each of the four videos linked to the EP’s tracks, indicate thought behind the rhymes. “Suburban Nightmare” doubles-down on that approach with a high-powered lament on the working life. “Never Needed You” provides the perfect break-up song for those who’ve been in (and then out of) a relationship. Final cut “Fashionista” adds a 50’s feel to the progression while calling out style appropriation when it’s merely a pose. The band is promoting a live show on 11/16 at a “secret location” (DM them for address). – Dave Cromwell