If there’s anything more fitting to a late summer night in New York than some dark synth-pop, I’d like to hear it. Atmospheric duo Tempers‘ recent release Fundamental Fantasy is a suspenseful, yet shimmering LP that evokes that psychological world of obscure possibilities inspired by city like New York on a Friday night, when nothing seems forbidden. The band’s sound, a meeting of the moodiest Depeche Mode with both The XX and Beach House, is like a faded memory you shouldn’t have forgotten about. Stop whatever you are doing and let it transport you. Tempers will celebrate the end of their Euro-Mexico tour this Saturday, August 12th at Baby’s All Right, opening at Frankie Rose’s record release show. – Allie Miller
Celeste Krishna’s ‘Prelude Red’ is a foot-tapping, body pulsing breakthrough record
"Call up the devil / tell him I’m ready to make deal / meet me in downtown New York / I wanna be young again," proclaims Celeste Krishna on "Call up the Devil." The Brooklyn based artist has forged a intriguing atmospheric avant-indie-dance sound on her new album Prelude Red, that’s more sincere than anything else you might want to tap your feet and sway along to. But that doesn’t mean the music isn’t grounded- there are various field-recordings inserted at the end of each track, of personal conversations and the typical New York subway "stand clear of the closing doors please!" semi-robotic warning. Krishna is also releasing a digital record player for the album in November- "When you go to the player site, the starting point of the album will be random but it will retain its sequence – this way there isn’t a particular beginning or end to the album." –Geena Kloeppel
The Roofer’s Union hit Pianos 08.10
Tomorrow (August 10th), Brooklyn band The Roofer’s Union will be hitting the stage at Pianos. The band’s most recent track came out this past April; “Closer” is a fun number blending many different genres over a consistent alt-rock vibe. The track begins with a busy, groovy drum pattern, reminiscent of Lewis Del Mar’s beginning beat on “Painting (Masterpiece)” and develops through an inventive arrangement that exploits the rapid dynamics of the musical style known as "Staccato." Unpredictability is given priority in pretty much every part, drums excluded (unpredictable drums seldom work, anyway) – and The Deli will always dig that. Come check out the band’s performance at 10 PM at Pianos. – Pearse Devlin
No Men bring noise punk to Hideout 08.11
Chicago’s noise punk band No Men will be bringing their ferocious sound to The Hideout on August 11th. The band’s badass name is reflective of their daring style, especially on their track “Hell Is Real” off of Dear God, Bring The Doom from 2016. The track’s threatening lyrics are delivered in rant style over a quick punkish intro. Spoken female vocals kick into a surprisingly catchy chorus, but that doesn’t last long; the noise rock side erupts, as the guitars and drums lose complete control, a really cool blend of going from catchy to ballistic; check out their rowdy single below, as well as their upcoming performance. – Pearse Devlin
Get Serenaded by Eyes of Love’s bedroom folk-rock at The Glove on 08.09
From the beloved Greenpoint label that’s already crowded with talented groups like Macula Dog, Palberta, The Sediment Club, and Honey, comes Eyes of Love. The brainchild behind this solo, bedroom folk-rock project is NYC-based, LA-born musician Andrea Schiavelli, ex occasional member of now disbanded Nude Beach and ex-member of Punks on Mars. Andrea has been making music under that somewhat misleading moniker since 2011. His latest self-titled EP features simple song with witty lyrics, plenty of charm, and a rather casual performing attitude that screams "lo-fi!". Hopeful lyrics, rippling keyboard melodies, strolling bass lines and major key guitar parts (like in "If We Could Be Fools") showcase west coast influences that make this record more optimistic than his previous works. Songs like "I Know Everything" (although Lou Reed-esque to a fault) and opening track "Love Possession" (streaming) can restore your faith in the future of this guy’s microcosm, during the oppressive middle ages of politics affecting our macrocosm. Andrea also has a forthcoming split record with Lily Konigsberg, coming out later this month. Don’t miss his live performance at NYC’s The Glove tomorrow (08.09) – Allie Miller
NY rapper Crimdella drops new video “On Me.”
Crimdella (aka the Black Zeus) tightens up the frame in his new video. For a song where he throws shade on the shade throwers, it’s appropriate that the video paints the world in strange hues. We don’t always understand why people do what they do, and the conversations initiated to help extricate folks from their miasma of drama are seldom worth the trouble. Crimdella has no trouble conjuring the candor. He continues to tell it like it is, and that continues to prove to be what his audiences want to hear. – BrokeMc
Those Creatures bring dreamy drone rock to Bowery Electric tonight (08.08)
With only two released tracks under their belt, the Brooklyn-via-Atlanta shoegaze trio Those Creatures has already played more live shows than you can count. Their double single release Joseph’s War 7” features two dreamy tracks (“Jessie Baby” and “Joseph War’s Dream”) that melt beautifully together to create an emotive listening experience complete with fuzzy guitars, droning vocals, and fleshed-out harmonies. Catch them playing yet another live show at The Bowery Electric tonight (August 8th) at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman
Superchaos bring ’80s punk to El Rio on September 29th
Sometimes the friendliest faces can make the most vengeful pop punk music. Such is the case with Superchaos, the SF-based trio with a lot on their minds. Their breakout self-titled EP is a long list of grievances and complaints vocalized through power chord-guitars and perfectly chaotic drums. This group may have a subdued look to them in the selfies included on their bandcamp page, but they clearly have a lot on their minds. And with their well-performed classic early 80’s punk style (in part reminiscent of a heavier version of X), they make us want to keep listening. Vote for them See them play the El Rio on September 29th. – Allie Miller
Hellbirds deliver colorful rock to Bowery Electric on 08.08
Alt-rock trio Hellbirds showcases a springy mood in their newest album, 12 Songs on Film, a cheerful record that swings between classic ’90s, radio friendly alt-rock (we hear Cake here and there) and elegant pop a la’ Elvis Costello. As suggested by its title, the record is accompanied by a "full length album video" (streaming below), an interesting concept realized through the good ol’ green-screen trick. The idea is to visualize all the overdubs that went into the recordings through over-imposed images of the musicians while they are playing each part in the track. The trio will be bringing their fun tunes to Bowery Electric 08.08 – will they multiply on stage? –Tafari Lemma
Weeping Icon releases debut EP, plays Alphaville 07.15
Brooklyn noise punk band Weeping Icon (featuring ex members of Advaeta) released its debut EP, Eyeball Under, on July 14th on Kanine / Fire Talk Records. Their first single, "Jail Billz," is alight with menace and confidence, blending elements of post punk and hardcore, with nasal sounding fuzz guitars, drums proceeding at breakneck speed, and manic vocals referencing vintage ’77 punk. Weeping Icon will bring this madness to Alphaville in Brooklyn on July 15th. Listen to "Jail Billz" below! – Ethan Ames
Autodrone bring their ethereal shoegaze to Bowery Electric tonight 8/7
Having spent a two year period recording, mixing and finally mastering 10 fully realized tracks (while performing much of the material out at live shows) gothic rockers Autodrone released their album “This Sea Is Killing Me” at the end of 2016. That long journey produced a number of engaging results touching on a range exploring psych, darkwave, drone- and dream-pop. Opening track “49:51” is an edgy just over 2 minute ambient instrumental that leads into more structured follow-up track “Corvus” (streaming below). Making full use of classic buzzing synths, vintage organ sounds, and shimmering tremolo guitar chords, the stage is set for dreamy ethereal vocals. Even with the full band effect in motion via a solid drum track, the vocals remain angelic and unintelligible, in perfect shoegazer style. Epic closing track “Thunderbolt” mysteriously unfolds through synth pulses, cymbal rushes and passionate reverberated vocals. Autodrone plays tonight August 7th at The Bowery Electric with Mama Bear and Mélissa. – Dave Cromwell
NYC artist on the rise: Blood Cultures celebrates debut LP at Rough Trade 08.09
Mysterious electro-pop prpject Blood Cultures released their debut album this past month, titled Happy Birthday. It features four tracks previously released on Soundcloud, ranging from their successful 2013 single “Indian Summer”, a track we highlighted on this very blog at the time and which has now accumulated nearly 2 million plays, to their most recent single, "Detroit" (streaming below), a track that keeps faith with the signature calm, soothing falsetto vocals over sparse electronic arrangements. The New Jersey based artist will be performing at Rough Trade on August 9th, opening up for Australian rapper Allday at 9PM. – Pearse Devlin
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!