After last year’s debut “Night Night at First Landing,” we were curious what direction Madeline Kenney’s newest album would take. Mercy me, we were not disappointed. "Perfect Shapes" is a multi-genre, multi-layered album with touches of synth infusions partnered with melodic bass lines and touches of shoegazy guitar melodies all grounded by that strong, twang-touched voice. A beautiful key to the success of Kenney’s latest is her ability to keep us moving with her throughout each song’s journey. Empowering snappy songs transition into melodic dreamy driftings that are in a land far away from rock n roll–kudos to the spaceship that flies into “Your Art”–but let’s be clear: this electric pop album is centered around solid musicianship, fantastic compositions and lyrics we can relate to. Brava, lady. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor 

Singer/songwriter Rachel Stewart is bringing her dreams to life in a very literal sense with her new project, Sedona. The debut of her first single “Call Me Up” was paired with an accompanying video (below) that paints this artist’s music into a dreamlike world—one that apparently consists of ornate fairy tree houses and vast woodlands. And what would a dream world be without setting yourself in it as a hit television sensation? Suddenly, Stewart’s enchanted fairy den becomes surreal as her character watches Sedona’s flirty pop music video on an vintage TV screen. The whole approach is DIY and otherworldly, which basically encapsulates the heart of this artist’s songwriting. Stewart’s methodology walks the line of escapism, with the intention of her music being to take you somewhere else, or at least a bit further from the reality you’re in. And this was just Sedona’s debut. Since then, she’s released the soulful single, “Same Sky” and has made plans to put out an audiovisual EP titled Home Before Dawn by this summer. Check out the music video for Sedona’s “Call Me Up” below don’t miss her playing live at Elsewhere 01.25. – Rebecca Carroll

Industrial rock seems to be experiencing a timid reinassaince in NYC – and that’s better than nothing, considering how much of a niche genre it is. Brooklyn quartet Zoume is blending the genre’s clangy electronic sounds and apocalyptic atmospheres with post-hardcore, metalcore, and even hip hop influences, forging an imaginative hybrid bound to become the soundtrack of anybody’s favorite nightmares. Those interested in a radical break from Christmas music should not miss their show at The Knitting Factory on December 21st.

NYC has been orphan a live music festival dedicated to emerging bands since 2015, when the CMJ Music Marathon called it quits. Notwithstanding its flaws, CMJ was an important appointment for the NYC music industry, and here at The Deli we’ve been missing it real bad. Which is why we are curious and excited to see some mainstays NYC promoters trying to build something similar, even though – at least for now – restricted to six venues in the Lower East Side/East Village area.

The fest in question, called New Colossus Festival and scheduled for March 7-10, is presented as "a new annual event taking place the weekend before SXSW […] featuring 100 bands from all over the world," and it’s organized by longtime pals Mike Bell (Lorimer Beacon), Lio Kanine (Kanine Records) & Steven Matrick (Kepler Events/Pianos). Like all events of its kind, it can be accessed via badges on sale here.

We made a compilation of the NYC artists that are currently booked to play the New Colossus, including Nicole Yun of Eternal Summers (who recently moved to NYC and has a solo album coming out) and the new project by Kip of Pains of Being Pure at Heart called The Natvral – stream it below.

“Talk Talk,” the new single from NYC-based outfit Miss Grit, was devised in an empty dorm room as frontwoman Margaret Sohn pined over the fatal idealism of modern romances, and this mis-en-scene that informs the track’s creation is immediately apparent in her powerful-yet-restrained vocal delivery. While the track is bolstered by analog synth arpeggios that crescendo at the chorus, the strength of “Talk Talk” is built upon Sohn’s halted lyricism, a performance that carries a palpable, visceral frustration at “the unrealistic view of love that society and movies ingrain into girls’ minds.” Sohn’s quiet-storm vox against cataclysmic synthesizers creates a soundscape that is both emotionally raw and dynamically energizing, a perfect blend of introspection and catharsis; here’s hoping the rest of Miss Grit’s forthcoming Talk Talk EP maintains the same balancing act.
Miss Grit’s debut extended play drops January 11th. Until then, stream their new single below.

In the the beginning of 2018, Dream-pop five-piece Barrie put out shimmering singles, “Canyons,” and “Tal Uno,” before releasing a 12” in October aptly titled Singles. The Brooklyn-based band hail from all over the country (and world), but have recently converged in New York to collaborate and write songs together. Their dreamy sound puts an ambient spin on retro synth pop, which makes for ultra gorgeous tracks that swirl in a neon glow. In 2019, they’ll be hitting the road in support of Miya Frolick in a US and Canada tour. Listen to "Michigan" below. Sara Nuta

Noel Heroux and Jessica Zambri, active in the NYC scene since the mid aughts, released music separately through Hooray for Earth (Noel’s first breakout project, disbanded in 2014) and Zambri (the electronic band Jessica still plays in with sister Cristi Jo) and became the two creative forces behind Mass Gothic. The two musicians share an interest for dark atmospheres and edgy arrangements. They found themselves involved in a romantic relationship that soon developed in an involved artistic collaboration, which fully bloomed in Mass Gothic’s sophomore album, entitled "I’ve Tortured You Long Enough," released earlier this year through Sub Pop records. Our sister blog Delicious Audio asked Noel to share some thoughts about the creative experience and the gear behind it, read his answers here. – Photo by Sammy Goldfien

Yes yes yes! Poppy, punky and some solid rock n’ roll, The Six Sevens are working some justice on their new album, “Watch Your Head.” We’re glad to have snagged them from down in Santa Barbara, whose beachy skater vibes sneak into a couple tracks in just the right way. Influenced by groups like Joyce Manor, The Front Bottoms and The Districts, their songs have funny, youthful lyrics, a refreshing mix of old school harmonies and guitar ticklings that remind us of the Strokes with a touch of Weezer. Shout out to track “San Francisco” for obvious reasons and “Back to the Start” for those killer melodies. It’s an album that’s easy to fall for on the first listen and it was all written, mixed and produced in their garage. We’re glad to have these boys around to play the local scene. Stay tuned for details on their next show in Oakland this January. And ‘til then, crank it. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

A Brooklyn band that was born to be appreciated in the triangle of land enclosed between Manchester, Milan and Berlin, Tempers has been slowly finding recognition… exactly there. Proponents of a brand of coldwave (aka synth-post-punk) that most Americans will find unnecessarily depressing, the duo has released an excellent debut album in 2015 that – like all good records – has not stopped conquering hearts just yet (it’s called "Services"). After spending four years touring and promoting that release, the duo has finally come out with their sophomore full length, which takes their lugubrious electronic music to new levels of abstraction and intellectual exploration. Presented as "a concept album about the architecture of consumerism," the record features conversations with iconic dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and a more explorative sound that’s less influenced by the canons of the electronic new wave of the ’80s. Check out the video for single "Love at the Mall."

Northampton’s Sun Parade can do it all. Last year’s Shuggy Mtn Breakdown was the perfect blend of tender lyricism, fun pop-leaning harmonies, explosive guitar breakdowns, and playful melodies. Their September release, the upbeat single "WUNNANUTHR TIME" (streaming below), grooves in a different way. Built on a simple, danceable beat, the track incorporates a more psychedelic side, while also nodding towards some elements of disco. It sounds just as fresh as it did back in the spring when it was released, and it’s exactly what we need to look back on to get us through another New England winter. Sun Parade will be shipping off to NYC to accompany Blac Rabbit on their two-night New Year’s Eve run at the Mercury Lounge. Bring in the new year with Blac Rabbit, Sun Parade, and Huck (a Deli NYC favorite) on December 30. – Lilly Milman

This week, Wilder Maker’s Gabriel Birnbaum shared the first piece of his debut solo project with the new single, “Stack the Miles.” As a preview of his forthcoming record, “Stack the Miles” succeeds in doing justice to this artist’s distinct vocal style and cerebral Americana. The mid-tempo, acoustic feel of this new track calls to mind the folky disposition of Milky Chance’s “Stolen Dance,” with a raw composure that has been likened to early Bon Iver. Currently still involved with acclaimed Ethiopian pop ensemble Debo Band and indie rock group Wilder Maker, Birnbaum seems to have pulled his wide knowledge of genre into the DNA of this new material, forming a unique new spawn of mellow Americana. The Deli caught a glimpse of Birnbaum’s upcoming full-length LP, set for release in 2019, and, let me say, there are more smoldering, soothing sounds waiting for you. Check out Gabriel’s Birnbaum’s new “Stack the Miles” below, and don’t miss him debuting his new music at Mercury Lounge on 12.18, sharing the stage with Brooklyn band, Office Culture. – Rebecca Carroll

One of the most difficult tasks for a musical artist is to develop her project’s sound after a first, well-received album. Being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and a genetic joint disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, conditions that affect vocals and instrumental ability, certainly doesn’t make the challenge any easier. None of this prevented Brooklyn songwriter Thelma (aka Natasha Jacobs) from taking her music to the next level in less than two years. Her 2017 self titled debut LP was a collection of heartfelt and somewhat odd orchestral ballads. From the sound of the first single from sophomore LP "The Only Thing," Jacobs is upping the ante of her songwriting by amplifying the oddness and intensity of her chord progressions, lyrics, melodies and arrangements. A sparse and imaginative mid-tempo featuring acoustic drums, synths and harp, Take me to Orlando" is an ode to illusions, a poem dedicated to a yet-to-be-met lover to whom Thelma sings: "I love how you play with illusion / cause you know how badly we need them / But honey you’re so real / and you dance around fear […] and you don’t make me feel like I’m the woman I am not." Which sounds like a cleared-sighted expression of the healing power of art-making.

Don’t miss Thelma’s live show at Trans-Pecos on December 20th and look out for her new album, scheduled for a February 22 release.