THE DELI

Úlfur, the post-rock project of Úlfur Hansson, readily reflects the artist’s native Iceland. At times, his songs are as desolate and expansive as the country’s central highlands, a trait shared in the music of some of his fellow Icelanders, like Sigur Rós or Ólöf Arnalds.

However, Úlfur’s blend of electronic and acoustic instruments (some of which are homemade like his SEGULHARPA, an electromagnetic harp) never feels alienatingly robotic or inhuman. Úlfur’s music is a nuanced reflection of the natural world. Since his move to NYC, his music has exchanged its wilderness sensibility for dreamier, folk-like soundscapes. Make sure to check out Úlfur’s new single "Fovea" from his upcoming album Arborescence, available next month. —Amanda Ogea

"Television Eyes" by Steady Sun (strreaming below) is one of those songs that only takes a few seconds to keep you hooked. It’s only one of many gently persuading psychedelic tracks on the NYC-based band’s June 2017 remarkable album "Indifferent World." Clearly inspired by the British psychedelia of the ’60s, the band’s paced acid guitars and Hammond organs open up space for Dylan Nowik’s familiarly "out there" melodies. Other surprising instruments appear throughout the album, including cello, accordion, what sounds like an oboe, and the unmissable sitar. Where this project departs from vintage psychedelia is in the controlled pop structure and flawless production, that never falls into the traps of self indulegence (so often triggered by the doping substances this kind of music is linked to!). If you are in the mood for some mildly mind altering music, don’t miss these guys’ show at The Knit on September 23rd. – Allie Miller 

Jess Best and her vision of jazz-inspired pop sparkle in rose-gold and are as cozy as broken-in denim. Her contribution to this summer’s albums, “Saturday,” showcases a mature songwriter gifted with an incredible voice (and the right producer, co-writer Connor Schultze). The album evolved from the more traditional jazz found in 2014’s “Gone Baby” and 2016’s more experimental “Kid Again,” which offered concurrent visions of youth: joyful pop or melancholic jazz.

However, with “Saturday," Jess Best is able to successfully synthesize both genres into a fresh examination of everyday life. You can see her at the Bowery Ballroom on 10.28. – Amanda Ogea

We have an interesting project to share with you guys, one that slipped through our coverage cracks several years ago. Humiliation is an EP from The Dreebs, a band that has recently performed with Guerilla Toss, and was even mentioned by their lead singer. The fellow experimental rockers create a dreary, unstable soundscape throughout through ambient, looming guitar chords backed by drawn-out vocals and hums, like on the track “Wanton Eye”. They even bring forth a more rock-oriented vibe later on the track “The Wall,” which at points sounds like a gloomier version of Radiohead’s Kid A. But as they hint at something recognizable, they lose all touch with reality in their closing track, “Godfather II”, easily the harshest song on the EP. The highlight of the track (and arguably the entire project) is the borderline dissonant guitar riff that continues for two straight minutes, until an eruption into noise rock closes out the EP. Check out the unique work below from The Dreebs. – Pearse Devlin

Cape Francis is the solo-project of Kevin Olken Henthorn and features music that neatly fits into a self-made nexus of indie folk/rock/pop and “post” iterations of each. Cape Francis is able to oscillate between slow, melancholic elegies for what is lost (“Iditarod”) and heart-felt indie anthems (“5 in the Morning”). Regardless of presentation, Cape Francis skillfully evokes Northeastern wistful angst. His debut album “Falling into Pieces” is out September 22^nd, and NYC’s Mercury Lounge will be hosting the release show on September 29th. – Amanda Ogea

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best rootsy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Boston band Teenender is a long missed dose of young heartbreak, just like their name suggests. Although their sound is definitely reminiscent of 80’s synth-pop groups as well as indie counterparts from this generation (The 1975, Bad Suns, Haim), they manage to sound quite like no one else. On their sweet four-track EP called Kissed, they deliver pop songs with sentiments that aren’t far from mainstream boy bands, but come across as completely honest. Maybe it’s because there are so few like them in the scene, but Teenender definitely has a certain charm that makes their fun pop sound a necessary summer throwback. – Allie Miller  

Listen to our favorite track "no head rush" streaming below.