Words by Marisa Whitaker
Marisa here xoxo I’m gonna start doing this cute lil’ thing via the Deli (my OG team) at the end of every month, when I’ll round up my fav seven releases outta the NYC local music melting pot (my lucky number) and show ‘em some love, shining a stage light on my pick seven artists while helping all you readers who may be “out of the know” get “into the know” so to speak. I love that I can write silly on the Deli because that’s what it’s all about [editor’s note: do people think I’m silly? I’m good with it!] plus it’s always my strive to be simultaneously prolific and witty like the big boss Jason [editor’s note: flattery will get you everywhere], which I don’t think I’ll ever be, but music journalism should be just as fun as making music is (meaning in the most profound and awesome way possible).
1) “Made Up Sex” – Parents
Post-disco five-piece Parents indulge in MGMT flared-trouser party rocking with its fourth-ever single, “Made Up Sex.” The nearly four-minute track is reflective of what’s to come from the Whit Hemphill-led quartet (I hope!) as it’s the danciest number they’ve made so far; an explosion of glittering beats; tight, layered alt-rock guitars; and Whit’s maneuvering, distinct vocals.
Frontman Whit says the song “is an explosive and high-energy dance-rock number. We sought to create a song that blends our love of classic early 2000s garage and indie rock with our dance music influences to make something both grimy and infectious.”
2) Doom & Bloom – Dune Blue
Indie surf/beach/reggae rockers Dune Blue spent lots of time gigging locally, touring, and making singles before honing in on its recording chops with a full-length release, which means now we can finally splurge on listening to the band’s debut LP, Doom & Bloom. Standout tracks include: the blistering, guitar-laden, to-the-point catchy “Chevy,” the two acoustic, lyrically heart-wrenching tracks “Telephone” and “Daily J,” and the the psych-rock-tinged ode to Williamsburg-based dogs’ favorite bar, “Gentle Menace.” The concept as a whole is cohesive, tight, well-produced, and maintains the vibe–in all its Concrete Jungle-bred and toes-in-the-sand-dreams glory.
A statement, maybe or maybe not written by frontman Roland Mounier‘s even cooler girlfriend, Evie, was provided by the band for this roundup: “Dune Blue’s debut album, Doom & Bloom, is aptly titled: the collection of songs reflects songwriter Roland Mounier’s struggle to celebrate tender beginnings amidst a larger climate of futility. What began as Mounier’s reggae-rock-inspired solo project has blossomed into Dune Blue’s unique brand of surf punk thanks to bandmates Jensen Meeker, Connor Picascio, and Nick Dwyer. Influences of the city are felt throughout, seeping into what remains of the band’s beachy sensibilities. It’s surf punk with a sense of tragedy. Perfectly sentimental, like chasing your best memories.”
3) The Vessel – Bec Lauder & The Noise
Model-turned-rock ‘n’ roller Bec Lauder and her band The Noise, featuring the equally brilliant Soph Shreds on guitar and Maggie Bishop on drums, finally dropped an album, The Vessel. When Bec said all systems go, she really f***ing did it: The trio formed within the last year, as Bec was finding her musical footing, going from pop to rock and playing tons of solo gigs over the last couple of years in town. She fully committed to the bit by bringing the two into the mix, quickly establishing the band as a regular local scene fixture. The tried-and-true rock album shows off the band’s dedication, instant chemistry, and range of checking off rock subgenres: pop, punk, alt, and ballad, to name a few. (The fuzzy, near-techo “Mars” is really a whole other planet.) It’s an album about Bec’s musical exploration while living in NYC, and it’s young and fun and hot, just like the band.
4) “WORK” – 10xTANTRUM
Anyone who knows me knows I’m not really a club girly (sorry, Charli. I still love you, tho). Doesn’t mean I don’t have respect and admiration for Brat, The Frost Children, “Girls,” and whatever else. I’d just need a lot of m*lly to enjoy an occasional night at the Boiler Room. I was introduced to newbies 10xTANTRUM by my other boss, Scott Lipps of Lipps Service Podcast, with the “highly populated” band having performed at the concert series I book at Silver Lining Lounge. Anyway, the band brings such explosive energy and a true NYC-living, 20-something in the 2020s kinda spunk. It’s sick and wild, even for the non-raver listeners–I can vouch. Check out “WORK,” the band’s third-ever single, and while you’re at it, “BABYGIRL” and “MONEY!”
5) “The Girl Who Faded Away” – Promiseland, Emma Acs
Everyone’s favorite local Strokes ala Julian Casablancas protege and opener, Promiseland, the project of the born-to-be-a-rock-star Johann Rashid, provided the world another wonderfully crafted and produced track, “The Girl Who Faded Away,” featuring singer and DJ Emma Acs. The two vibes beautifully complement each other. It’s a nice, slower track to enjoy on your favorite sad and gloomy playlists for this fall (you know we all make and love ‘em, you dramatic lil music-loving f***s). [Editor’s note: “farts” or “fucks”?]
6) “Unravel, Together Again” – Taraneh
Taraneh was one of the first artists I ever listened to from the young NYC musician horde. She’s really cool–and no, not the “cool” that everyone strives and tries to be–but cool in her own unique, independent-thought kind of way, which makes her cooler than most people around town, IMO. I am still obsessed with her New Age Prayer LP, which just turned a year old, and she’s dropped “Taste Blood” and the latest “Unravel, Together Again,” so far this year. The latter sonically strides like Nine Inch Nails and lyrically gives Evanescence or a darker PJ Harvey. So, so sick. More people should listen to Taraneh.
7) Getting Killed – Geese
All I have to say about Geese:
- Perfection
- Only flaw: I don’t like or get the band name
- Getting Killed is the best album out of NYC so far this year (C Winter’s Heavy Metal was last year)
- The album reminded me why I love and listen to music
- Your average band (YAB) wishes they could be as weird and prolific and different
- Reinventing the wheel typa sh** here
- Stoked to watch the band’s most deserving world domination (thanks Kimmel and Cillian Murphy)
Honorable mention: Kill/Kill – MICHELLE
Indie-pop six-piece MICHELLE really dropped an EP on the last weekend of the month, announced an indefinite break after seven years together, and performed a final show at Webster Hall on October 2. That’s pretty f***ing hard. What a way to (not) Irish exit. Love the EP. [Editor’s note: MICHELLE, we eagerly await yr reunion tour!]