The second most important thing in rock or folk music, after the actual song, is the vocals’ character. There’s no need to be a great singer if you are blessed with a voice that carries that elusive quality. Nick Llobet, an upcoming solo act from the NYC area, has it, and also happens to write really good songs. With his latest EP, Where To?, released this June, he delivers four gritty but immensely charming tracks: one is purely acoustic dream-folk bliss – with not-so-dream lyrics ("Puke My Thoughts"), while others flirt with indie, lo-fi and psych influences. Title track, "Where To?" is a wandering psych-folk gem for laying on the grass, channeling Bob Dylan’s spoken singing and Mac DeMarco’s inventive but simple arrangements.  "Ear to Ear" borrows the loud/quite/loud production trick of the grunge bands of the ’90s, but adapts it to a songwriting approach that’s poetic, rather than energetic. Closer track "River" is a simple a garage-pop song you will want to dance along to live, at Nick Llobet’s next show, scheduled for September 10th at Sunnyvale. Do not miss! – Allie Miller 

We added "Where To?" song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Nashville-via-Michigan performer D.L. Rossi is of the rare breed of songwriters that channels raw, unadulterated heartache through his music without eliciting any sort of pity or over-sentimentality. His 2015 release The Apartment EP catalogues a painful 2-year long marriage that ultimately ended in divorce, and he tells this story through gentle and honest lyricism. He is currently in the process of recording and releasing a follow-up EP called Crooked Love Vol. 1 & 2, a project that already has one released single: “First Time Around” (streaming below). This track offers more of the same subtle folk of his older releases. D.L. Rossi will be performing next at The Basement on September 6th at 9 pm. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Laura E. Partain

Watching LAPêCHE’s video for “Breaking Parts” (streaming below) is like traveling back in time to when there were still music videos on MTV and the lines between alt rock and mainstream were much more blurred. The single is a catchy chorus-driven ’90s flashback complete with intricate guitar lines, tight drums, and the slightly melancholic vocals of front-woman Krista Holly Diem (who is married to the bassist, Dave Diem, a last name to be… carped!) The Brooklyn four-piece is getting ready to play their record release show at the Footlight on September 8th. – Lilly Milman

When singer-songwriter Francesca Milazzo started her music career, she was leaving everything behind; she dropped out of college and abandoned a potential ROTC scholarship to begin writing and recording. Her sultry brand of blue-eyed soul draws inspiration from classic R&B and blues music, and finds its home comfortably in New York City, despite Southern musical influences. Her single “Little Boy” (streaming below) is just one example of this cool but classic folksy style. Catch her performing at the Rockwood Music Hall at Communion NYC on Stage 1 on September 5th. – Lilly Milman

For a band with only five released tracks, New York’s Obliques have certainly discovered a definitive sound. The genre-bending, groovy, alternative-pop takes cues from popular 80’s sophisti-pop, without getting overly saturated in nostalgia. Their newest track, “Are You Still Mine?” (streaming below), is a crescendo of supple harmonies, funky synth beats, and catchy, repetitive lyrics. The single is influenced by all of the best parts of the 80s, but there is one major difference between the two—Obliques exercise a restraint in their songwriting that strips it down from all the grandiose cheesiness that far too many 80s bands fell victim to. You can find Obliques playing their next live show at Baby’s All Right on September 5th at 8 pm. –Lilly Milman 

It’s hard to take your eyes off Sean McVerry’s new video for the track “Natalie” (streaming below)—but he can’t take his eyes off you, either. The singer maintains steady, deliberate eye contact with the viewer throughout the entire video. He doesn’t break the fourth wall; it just doesn’t exist. Between constant camera movement, sweeping color overlays, glitch effects, and sets, this video ushers the viewer into a space of alternate reality, all to the tune of McVerry’s unique, soulful voice, and a top notch semi-electronic production vaguely reminiscent of the glorious days of Peter Gabriel’s ‘So.’ Watch the premiere of the video below, and don’t miss his Sofar Sounds performance on September 20th. – Lilly Milman 

After releasing their debut full length album “Human Ceremony” in early 2016, Brooklyn psych rockers Sunflower Bean (who graced the cover of The Deli’s 40th issue back in 2014) dropped a four song EP towards the end of that same year. Featuring cover versions of four distinct artists, “From the Basement” serves as homage to the bands diverse influences. “Old World” finds Nick Kivlen impressively channeling Jonathan Richman’s vocal phrasing and attitude on that Modern Lovers classic. A keyboard part find its way into the band’s three-piece sound, a very necessary addition in this circumstance. The country waltz of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” (also featuring an organ part, streaming below) benefits from Julia Cummings sweet voice, the way Joni Mitchell might have interpreted it in the 1970’s. “Shine A Light” captures the floating in a dream vibe Spiritualized is known for, while T Rex’s “Life’s A Gas” is turned around by another Julia vocal. Sunflower Bean will play a number of key festivals soon and support the PIXIES on tour including local shows on 9/22 in Westbury and 9/23 in Asbury Park. – Dave Cromwell

Told Slant, an artist known for writing some of the saddest songs possible, has recently released a semi-happy song. 2016’s album "Going By" and celebrated 2012 release "Still Water" contained tracks that sounded like band leader Felix Walworth was having his emotions wrung out of him while playing. But his recent collaborative release with Chicago’s The JCW, entitled "Moonlight or Flashlight" (streaming below), sounds like a serene love song with a melancholic edge and an (almost) upbeat drum loop. "Moonlight" was part of Bandcamp’s 100-track collection "Our First 100 Days" (related to Trump’s presidency) which donated all proceeds to various charities. Told Slant recently completed a small, solo, east coast tour and will be playing live at Alphaville on September 23rd. -Allie Miller

¡Luchadora! is the female-fronted grunge duo from Nashville you didn’t know you were waiting for. Their self-titled debut EP is a nod towards classic garage outfits, with just a little bit of country twang mixed in for good measure. The opening track “Fish” (streaming below) is an electrifying introduction to a punchy project that is filled with uncompromising vocals, crunchy guitars, dynamic arrangements, and tight percussion. The songwriting is intricate, while the performance is emotional—the best of both worlds. Catch their next live show on September 1st at 8 pm at The Basement. – Lilly Milman 

You like chill grooves. You like New York City storefronts. You like those blow-up dancing men you find in front of car washes. If that sounds like you, take a look at the video for Sono Oto‘s "Now I Know", premiering here on The Deli NYC. The newest single from the artist’s March 2017 album Inheritance sounds like something John and Paul might have orchestrated. Retro comparisons don’t end there, either. Throughout the video, Sono Oto walks past time-tested storefronts of New York City, sometimes hopping through their doors to sample a pastry or mull over a ball of mozzarella cheese. By the way, does that groove sound familiar? If you listen to Serial or Homecoming, perhaps it does; Sono Oto is the pseudonym of Mark Henry Phillips, the composer for those podcasts. Watch the video for "Now I Know" below. – Will Sisskind

Not only do Primitive Hearts have the best band name of the whole SF scene, but they may be the next, great rockabilly power-pop group. Their latest LP, High & Tight, speaks to eternal teen angst but it’s done with an air of nostalgic, bad-boy cool. If it was possible to take take your 50’s greaser teen-crush and turn him into a sound, you may just get Primitive Hearts. And for all of you buzzkills that somehow get tired of the 12 endlessly fun songs on the album, listen to their split with other punk locals, Pookie & the Poodles. -Allie Miller

For Nashville-based four-piece The Middle Ground, holding back is not an option. Their 2016 LP Start Again is filled with anthemic, chorus-driven explosions of energy, like “The Edge” (streaming below) and “Lake Michigan,” among others. Their sound is like a cross between Neon Trees, Imagine Dragons, and something else that’s entirely their own (maybe it’s just something in the water in Music City.) They are currently in the middle of a long summer tour, with upcoming stops in NYC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and more. – Lilly Milman