NYC

A Deli Premiere: Milan to Minsk drop new video “Welcome to Hitler”

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Brooklyn-based art pop quartet, Milan to Minsk, is gearing up to release their latest EP, Welcome to Hitler (out 12/1, EP release on 12.06 at Trans-Pecos), but for fans interested in getting a glimpse of what’s to come, the Deli is excited to premiere the band’s new video for the album’s title track. As the title may have you guess, the album offers a timely observation on what forces elevate people in different positions of power, however the new video is unexpectedly entertaining in a fun way, and its bright colors and whimsical feel reads like a trippy Wes Anderson flick. With smooth lounge-style vocals, whirling instrumentals and a mind-melding saxophone solo, "Welcome to Hitler," is a strange and shimmering track, and easily our latest earworm. Stream the video below. – Olivia Sisinni 

NYC

Fovea release debut LP “pencil me in” on 12.8

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Four-piece Fovea release their debut LP pencil me in on December 8th under the boutique label Omad. The group – made up of Skidmore grads Steve Shaw, Max Weigel, Jake Denicola, and Halley Furlong-Mitchell – have a sound that they describe as "dancey dream pop", which falls somewhere between Ra Ra Riot and M83. You can hear that sound in motion on "Cost Of", one of the twelve tracks on pencil me in, as well as at their show with Woolly Mammals and Ritual Talk on November 25th at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. Check out "Cost Of" below. – Will Sisskind

NYC

Tall Juan premieres Ramones cover video, performs at Puerto Rico benefit 11.05

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Maybe you’ve been thinking “wow, there are a lot of bad things going on in the world right now—like the hurricane damage to Puerto Rico—I wish I could do something about it.” Or maybe you’ve been thinking “what my life needs is a band that sounds like The Ramones, but isn’t The Ramones, and maybe features acoustic guitar and occasional Spanish.” Either way you should probably be watching Tall Juan at the Que Lio! Fundraiser show for Puerto Rico on November 5th.

Sometimes it’s just hard to figure out how to do good and contribute to a cause, but being part of a benefit makes it easy. Sometimes it’s just hard to listen to The Ramones—actually, no it’s not, if you feel like it’s hard to listen to The Ramones I cannot offer sincere understanding… But that’s beside the point. Tall Juan’s Joey Ramone-esque vocal delivery and incessantly bopping rhythms clearly pay tribute to the early NYC rebels, but there’s also a garage rock, almost lo-fi sensibility to his taste and style (Mac DeMarco recorded his debut album). It’s a sound true to New York from The Ramones, to The Strokes, to that band you saw a couple weeks ago in Brooklyn that sounded way better live than on Bandcamp.

Below, you can watch his new video for “Time Bomb”—a Ramones cover that sounds even more Ramonesque than the original—featuring shirtless Tall Juan, skateboards, and hip little dance moves. And don’t forget to stop by the Que Lio! fundraiser at Baby’s All Right. It’s a donation-based daytime show (12-4 p.m.) on a Sunday, so no excuses. – Cameron Carr, photo by Audrey Del Piccolo.

NYC

Lillet Blanc brings Dream-Pop to Trans Pecos, 11.03

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Lillet Blanc’s music takes a hint from their namesake: both are intoxicatingly sweet, yet refreshing. The band’s execution of the dream-pop aesthetic showcases honeyed melodies, boasting Emily Rawlings’ vocals whirling through a backdrop of groovy pop stylings, and cutting through the sonic daydream with beautifully pure high notes. Thankfully, the band’s “moody songs with a lil’ sass” avoid falling into an excess of saccharine by featuring near-sinister lyrics that give them a unique edge. For a taste of something special, check out Lillet Blanc at Trans-Pecos, tonight (11.03). —Amanda Ogea

NYC

No Honeymoon release new EP and plays Trans Pecos on 11/10

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It’s been two years since Brooklyn dreamgaze collective No Honeymoon released their excellent sophomore EP “Together Alone” (reviewed on The Deli here).  The long wait for new material is now over with two tracks currently available as a preview of their latest EP “It’s Whatever.”  Recent single release “Were Doing Fine” shows the band stepping back from their previous, heavier shoegazey guitars, opting instead for a cleaner sound that helps highlight an heart-tugging melody and emotive vocal performance.  Newer cut “Don’t Want To” (streaming below) brings that weightier force back, while introducing what sounds like an organ behind the verses, with the vocal performance of Cait Smith reminiscing, at times, of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan.  The unexpected tempo shift occurring a third of the way through slows things down to a more deliberate, buzzy and distorted sonic resolution.  You can preorder the EP now, with the band playing a show the night of its release at Trans Pecos on 11/10. Photo by Aya Sato  – Dave Cromwell

NYC

New Myths bring blend of new wave and alt rock to Brooklyn Bazaar 11.16

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The thing that makes New Myths so hard to pin down is, paradoxically, how familiar their music feels. The synths and dance beats are recognizably new wave, but the guitar tones pay tribute to angsty alt-rock. To top it off there’s a mood of goth darkness veiling the vocal harmonies and instruments below it. Blended together, New Myths’ sound is relatable yet exciting calling to mind alternative classics without over-referencing any particular artist. You can experience it live next at Brooklyn Bazaar on November 16th. – Cameron Carr

NYC

Record of the Month: Blood Cultures, “Happy Birthday”

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Blood Cultures’ buoyantly catchy single “Indian Summer” dropped all the way back in 2013. “Indian Summer” was an electro-indie gem that gave a glimpse into Blood Cultures’ distinctive talent for poignancy and melody. It’s a style the producer/multi-instrumentalist has come to master on his debut LP, Happy Birthday.

In the four years since “Indian Summer” dropped to considerably positive reception, hype over Blood Cultures’ debut has ebbed and flowed. It’s rare for an artist not to capitalize on the type of momentum generated by a successful indie single like “Indian Summer.” And it’s even rarer for an artist to fulfill the promise of a well-received single in the way Blood Cultures does on Happy Birthday.

The album feels truly sonically coherent. Throughout, Blood Cultures riffs on the soundscape he painted in “Indian Summer” in varied ways. And they’re all wonderful and welcome experimentations: Drawing from a palette of synths, dreamy vocals, found sound-esque samples, and filtered guitar riffs, Blood Cultures creates a record chock full of standout tracks. “Phospholipid,” which feels like a musical cousin to “Indian Summer,” is one such standout. The lyrics echo the longing and pathos felt in the melody: “You ask yourself what am I to do? (You ask yourself, you ask yourself) Your mother says don’t let him get through (Your mother says, your mother says) You ask yourself, what am I to say? Don’t give me away Don’t keep me astray The way you play your games.” It’s simple, yet potent stuff. The best of Lykke Li and or a subtler M83 come to mind.

Elsewhere, “Coastal” is an expressionist dream that builds and strengthens with synths and sweeps reminiscent of Kool and the Gang’s legendary soul hit, “Summer Madness.” Album opener, “Scenes from a Midnight Movie” is a fitting declaration of Blood Cultures’ artistic vision: “Oh please, tell us about all the things you have seen About all your visions and all of your dreams It seems to me That you’re set free It seems to be The only possibility…” It’s a vision full of pathos, wonder, and joy. – juan leon

NYC

Xhosa, Babyteeth, Sunspeaker, Slurpee, Din Ra bring experimental electronica to Trans Pecos on 11.02

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Xhosa. Babyteeth. Sunspeaker. Slurpee. Din Ra. If the names of the artist playing at avant-garde venue Trans Pecos on November 2 don’t intrigue you enough, the music definitely will. Xhosa blends hip-hop, electronic, future, and smoky, piercing vocals. Slurpee’s tracks are wonderfully spastic bursts of bubblegum electronica. Babyteeth (formerly RIVKA) produces chill vibes with dark tendencies for a haunting effect. Downright beautiful, hypnotic electronica characterizes Din Ra’s music. With this eclectic roster, there’s something strange for everyone.

NYC

Fever High announces debut LP “FHNY” with Halloween inspired video for “Casting My Spell”

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Comprised by Reni Lane and Anna Nordeen (two NYC artists whose solo careers were covered in this blog) Fever High just announced the November 10th release of their debut album "FHNY." The duo plays a brand of retro-pop that seems to look for inspiration in all the sunny and melodic musical eras of the past. if the synthpop of the ’80s is a recurrent influence (hear 2015’s break out single "Tantalized" in this regard), the preview track from the upcoming full length, "Casting My Spell" (video streaming below), reinterprets the west coast’s pop sound from twenty years prior, when the Beach Boys had just broken into the scene. The other single "Good Advice," also included in the upcoming release, features more exotic influences conjuring up beach parties in the early aughts. Stay tuned for tour dates.

NYC

hunter & wolfe release “Dear Annie,” new single off upcoming EP

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hunter & wolfe has made their mark in the indie rock sphere with their uncanny ability to be at once tender and unquestionably vulnerable while maintaining a blithe sense of self-awareness that prevents their songs from crashing into overly emotional territory. Their soon to be released EP, the cleverly titled Late Then Never, seems to be shaping up to deliver more of their hallmark charm as the band just dropped their third single from the record, "Dear Annie." The acoustic track is stocked with smart lyricism and a heart-wrenching melodies that are sure to pierce anyone who’s ever become ensnared by the throes of love and loss. Check out "Dear Annie" streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for the album, coming out early November. – Olivia Sisinni

NYC

Pollens drop new EP “Mister Manufacture” at Secret Project Robot on 11.16

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Pollen can be invasive, and (as those with allergies know) it’s basically everywhere; but from out of the powdery, sneeze-inducing substance springs life. In a weird way, this almost parallels the overall vibe of NYC. It’s a cramped, noisy place infested with people and ideas, but every so often the seemingly aimless find their mark and creativity blossoms. It makes sense then that eccentric avant-pop act, Pollens, would call NYC their home. The band, who, to take a quote from their bio, specializes in " ecstatic readings of boring lists," takes a unique approach to songwriting that seems almost tailor-made for the Buzzfeed generation. But don’t let that fool you: though the band claims to want their music to be – to steal another quote – "dumb and immediate," their latest release, Mister Manufacture, packs a lot of heart into its celebration and dissection of the 2017 human condition, and the mundanity of modernity. With a decent amount of noise and a flair for the experimental, the album manages to be surprisingly catchy and well worth checking out, so be sure to stream Pollens below. The release party is scheduled for November 16th at Secret Project Robot. – Olivia Sisinni

NYC

A Shadow of Jaguar to drop new LP, RAW

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A Shadow of Jaguar plays hazy, 70s-inspired rock n roll sans pomp and/or circumstance. The Brooklyn-based-via-Colorado duo are gearing up to release their first ever LP, RAW, and if single "Veruca Bath Salts" is anything to judge by, the album’s title is more than apt. Blending bare-knuckle and gritty rock with tongue-in-cheek lyricism and old-school cool, A Shadow of a Jaguar is one feline-themed band you’re going to want to pounce on. Check them out streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni