THE DELI

The distortion is a little more raw in "These Days," Brooklyn indie surfer Aaron Taos’ freshest track, which debuted a little over a week ago on Soundcloud. While his sound remains upbeat and melodic, there is something loaded with more substance in the artist’s comeback single. "The aftertaste is bitter, but it gives you something to be glad for," he sings, almost seemingly describing the more rugged turn he has taken with the latest offering. Two years after undeground hit EP, "GUITS," the Connecticut native has crafted an alluring alternative rock jangle as catchy as ever. We’ll keep watching out for Taos’ upcoming releases and, hopefully, live gigs. – Valentina Rocha

Since the end of the 90s, electronic musicians have been experimenting with bleaker aesthetics to give voice to a society that lacks a social safety net and seems to be careening towards destruction. The work of artists like Burial in the early 2000s ushered in an era of dubstep that was defined by a deep sense of loss and loneliness. Groups like Crystal Castles and Boards of Canada brought new elements of eeriness to electronic music, and the rise of vaporwave in 2011 turned the techno-utopian pop jingles of the early 90s into anthems of despair.

In this tradition comes Richmond electronic musician’s Chino Amobi‘s debut album, sardonically titled PARADISO. Oscillating between an edgier version of the soundtrack to Stranger Things, chaotic noise collages, and experimental dub-step, Amobi’s PARADISO is ambitious and powerful.

-Written by Michael Dranove

One of the coolest emerging NYC bands in the latest wave of post punk inspired groups to invade the big apple, B Boys are looking forward to a busy summer of 2017. Their debut LP ‘Dada‘ will drop on June 16, and they are planning on building momentum towards that date with a month long US tour in support of Florida’s Merchandise. The kick off date is on May 20th at a little known Brooklyn space near Prospect Park called Murmrr Ballroom.

Check out the band’s latest video for ‘Energy’ below, and their new single ‘Walking’ at the bottom of this post.

In his freestyle track "Phone Down," BK rapper Jimi Tents asks the question, likely rhetorically, "Why every rapper fake deep, sell dope or got depression." Definitely a diss, this bar is also a signal of Tents’ intent to stand out in today’s hip-hop by returning to the genre’s roots, centering his music in clever lyricism delivered emphatically with 90’s golden-era swagger. And instead of offering something new on his newly released single, "Rick Rubin," he doubles down. An ode to the enigmatic producer/Def Jams mogul, Tents raps about the beginnings of his budding break-out. Aside from clever lyricism, Tents also puts all of his different styles on display, switching cadences fluidly and without hesitation. On this track, the rapper proves that he has the talent – and also that he is aware of it. You can catch him live at Rough Trade on 5/23 and listen to "Rick Rubin" below. – Henry Solotaroff-Webber