With new single “Easy To Lose,” electro-pop artist Ryan Egan has further sculpted his personal and sophisticated fusion of mellow and dancey tunes. The song follows his self-produced single “Finest Hour” and debut EP "Postures," which introduced us to his signature harmonizing vocal lines on top of entrancing electronic arrangements. The track captures the dark-pop and layered synth elements of his previous releases, while also crystallizing Egan’s melancholic voice and its ability to sustain emotional lyrics. The New York based artist will be playing Berlin NYC on June 19 along with Quiet Luke. – Tafari Lemma

From the moment the beat drops on the opening track, it’s clear that the style of Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on’s Chapel Road is influenced more by pathos, anger, and crunchy weed than the plush leather sounds of blemish free top 40.  With a voice that seems uncannily similar to that of Brooklyn rapper AZ, Fly Anakin gives the opener a straight ahead, circa 1994 flow that dwells more on mental instability and a desperate need for catharsis than an auto-tuned worship of yachts and Bentleys.

Carrying the flow of Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on are the strong use of lo-fi backing tracks and minor harmonies on songs like “”03 steve harvey remix” and “swanton bomb”. Although there are some tracks which seem superfluous, in general this album is superb, start to finish.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Bandits on the Run! is not Wings’ new millennial side-project, but it might as well be. This indie-folk trio is just as much fun as the song it references in their name, but with an updated twist, especially in their refined March 2017 release, The Criminal Record. NYC locals Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Torin Shepherd, and Regina Marie Strayhorn, incorporate cello, violin, and even a banjo supported by melancholic harmonies that bring the fun-folk spirit of bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or Noah and the Whale. The Criminal Record is must-listen full of campfire songs for the modern cowboy, or your local bolo-tie wearing barista. They play American Beauty NYC on June 10th and Pete’s Candy Store on June 11th. – Allie Miller

To kick off the month of June, Roya have released their debut self-titled LP via Burger Records; to celebrate, they’ll play Brooklyn Bazaar on June 16th. The post/psych-punk quintet includes guitarist Jay Heiselmann of Grooms, former Jay Reatard bassist Alix Brown, and frontwoman Rahill Jamalifard, who brings her signature dreamy and slightly atonal vocals from her band Habibi. Together with guitarist Tyler Love and drummer Lyla Vander, they’ve already put out a few singles from the new album, including the infectious "A Sickness", which you can stream below. Roya’s release show will also feature performances from Blush, Scully, and Breanna Barbara. – Will Sisskind

Opening the 2017 Governor’s Ball Music Festival was 25 year-old NYC DJ/ producer Jenaux, whose self-produced and self-released dance record, "Get It On," has gone viral on Spotify since its 2016 release. Having previously produced music for the Chainsmokers, Cher Lloyd, and the Grizfolk, Jenaux is now finding his place both on festival rosters (he also recently played the Lightning in a Bottle Arts & Music Festival in California) and the international dance scene. Charismatic and gracious behind the booth, at Governor’s Ball Jenaux created a vibrant and positive atmosphere. The quirkiness in his tunes, combined with funk influences, creates an instantly fun and refreshing atmosphere that separates his tunes from darker-toned EDM. – Simone Gabrielli

Born and raised on the South Shore of Massachusetts, folksy songwriter Terence Ryan strives to capture the beauty in the melancholy of his daily life in his lyrics and his videos. His job at an industrial warehouse is a sharp contrast to his drive home along the ethereal beachy coastline where he grew up, informing his songwriting in a way that may resonate to many of those who experienced life in small town. While his older videos (“Stranger than Fiction”) strive to showcase the latter, his newest creation "Mean it" (which Ryan wrote, recorded, produced, and directed) is set in his workplace. In the video, streaming below, he marries his creativity with his position in working class America using his soulful voice and a production that blends rock and R’n’B. 

"I can’t be everything you need / but maybe I could be a piece / if you just try with me," sings Katie Buchanan on her newest single "Stand with Me." The singer-songwriter is confident in her words and in her self-produced indie-pop arrangement. A reflective, yet upholding piano line accompanies the track and the percussive elements, dark bass and synths create a gorgeous, soothing alternative reality where the losing and the fighting and the picking-yourself-up is accepted and encouraged. "It’s the record’s thesis statement," says Buchanan, "and, in some ways, it’s mine." Buchanan’s new record Who We Are When We’re Standing is out June 9th, with a release show at Mercury Lounge on June 11th. – Geena Kloeppel

Austin’s garage-rock four-piece Leather Girls has dropped single "Arabian Daze," ahead of the June 2nd release of its self-titled album on on Yippee Ki Yay Records. "Arabian Daze" is awash in the influence of ’60s and ’70s rock ‘n roll. Hints of The Kinks and The Goo Goo Dolls emanate from its uptempo standard blues structure, reverb-drenched harmonies and a wah-wah-driven guitar solo. Leather Girls will embark on a U.S. tour June 2nd through the 17th. See poster for details/dates, and check out the new single below! – Ethan Ames

New York based artist and drummer Jon Epcar has crafted a memorable project in his record Morning Drone, which was released this January as his solo debut. The album exemplifes Epcar’s wide variety of drumming styles and the melodic and atmospheric compositions of his band, as heard in the jazz-driven track, “Northern Exposure”. Including guest appearences by other prominent local artists such as fellow Broadway guitarist Zane Carney, and jazz pianist Isamu McGregor, the instrumental album also marks his first production effort. With his vast history of drumming with artists like Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and numerous shows on Broadway, Epcar emerges in this record as a multi-faceted talent. – Tafari Lemma

In their newest LP, ‘Bethel, ME,’ Connecticut-based four-piece Young Lincoln capture the essence of a New England upbringing (sweet, with a bit of obligatory angst)—their lyrics aren’t overly sentimental, maintaining a roughness around the edges in songs like “three years” (“Ten beers in I always think I’ve had enough / to have one more… / I miss the way my parents sang at night.”) Lead singer Andy King’s vocals also add a grungey tone that fits them more comfortably in pop punk than anything else, giving an edge to even the most vulnerable lines (“I still watch you sleep sometimes.”) – Lilly Milman

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

Being the first to blog about a talented emerging artist is the single most fulfilling thing for any music critic (only second to seeing that artist become huge!), and that’s what The Deli is all about. Buzzbands.la does a lot of breaking new bands too, and we are more than happy to point you in their direction for what is, in all likelihood, the first review for bicostal synth-pop band Drinker, the recording project of singer / songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer/composer Ariel Loh. The fact that reputable NYC show organizers Pop Gun booked them for a show at Cape House in Brooklyn on June 30th comes as a further proof that this act has potential. Check out below the only single currently available for streaming, the melancholic synthetic ballad ‘Which Way Is South.’

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Brooklyn’s avant-pop band Friend Roulette has released a lead single, "Joan," ahead of its forthcoming EP, The Matt Sheffer Songbook, Vol. 1. In a departure from the band’s previous releases, Songbook is a series of covers originally written a decade ago by a friend of the band, songwriter Matt Sheffer. "Joan" is a strong indication of the band’s ability to create something that’s greater than the sum of its parts – Friend Roulette’s proclivity toward lush textures perfectly compliments Sheffer’s Brian Wilson-esque compositional prowess. Listen to the single below, and keep an eye out for The Matt Sheffer Songbook Vol. 1, out June 16th. – Ethan Ames