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

Brooklyn rockers Rips made a name for themselves in the local scene with the sheer number of shows they’ve played since forming in 2013, and a sound that blends rawness and melody. Their debut, self-titled LP took a while to take shape but is finally being released this summer. In their preview single “Malibu Entropy” (streaming below,) they maintain the fuzzy, punhcy sound and casual attitude of garage rock, while adopting dreamy melodies and guitar progressions reminiscent of fellow Brooklynites Real Estate. The record release party will be hosted at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on July 1st at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman

The Oddbodies are an alternative punk band from Connecticut that makes dirty, distorted, guitar-heavy punk songs with an indie rock twist. At their highest intensity, they sound similar to ’90s grunge classics like Soundgarden, while their more relaxed numbers prove reminiscent of alternative rock staples like Wavves. Hailing from New Haven, the outfit has found a way to stay inspired and active in relatively quiet surroundings. The Deli sat down with this underdog group to chat and get their full scoop. Read the Q&A here!

New York’s "bubblegrunge" sensation Charly Bliss are climbing our local charts for emerging artists and will soon embark in a small New England/Upstate NY tour. Their new LP, Guppy, is a series of tightly-composed indie-pop romps that are at once lyrically gruesome and disarmingly sensitive. In addition to their impasssioned musicianship, the band’s sense of humor shines brilliantly through in the video for "Ruby," an absurdist take on public access/infomercial television that will appeal to fans of Tim and Eric. Check it out below, together with their latest one for single ‘Percolator’! – Ethan Ames

If you understand music from a technical and creative angle, Brooklyn/Long Island duo Bangladeafy will, in all likelihood, blow your mind. We praised them enough already in this very blog blog (they placed 2nd in our Best of NYC 2017 Yearly Poll for emerging artists, and their 2016 album ‘Narcopaloma’ was our NYC Record of the Month in September of 2016). 

If you don’t know them yet, enjoy this little example of their instrumental prowess, and if you are into pedals, don’t miss this piece on Delicious Audio.

Amherst-based Humble Digs describe themselves as “a non-stop feel-good machine.” This is definitely true for their EP A Love Song, where they marry folk rock with psychedelic undertones. The band is unapologetically easy-listening, crafting songs with soft vocals and often jazzy instrumentals (especially in songs like “Better Game,” which has a substantial intro before any vocals come in). After a brief stay at Disc Jam Music Festival in Stephentown, NY, they will be returning to New England to play at the Radio Bean in VT on July 22nd.-Lily Milman

Those talented rockers from Baltimore are back with a couple demo tracks in advance of an unannounced EP. The Milestones released "City of Soul" and "Have It All," working to hone the in-studio sound and tame the oft-wild and varied live versions. It’s definitely working: the quartet’s signature is to shift abruptly yet seamlessly from spacey, soothing melodies into hard licks that get audiences everywhere dancing. Both songs are richly layered with well-produced vocals, energetic drumming, and consistently dynamic guitar riffs, mind-blowing when taken holistically for the variety. Get excited for that EP to come out in the hopefully near future and catch them headlining at the 8×10 on 7/1, $12, with Luna June, Pocket Bells, The Fun Boys, and Far Future. -Jonathan Goodwin

Queens rapper Deem Spencer conveys a vibe both rare and compelling. Though the beats sometimes feel under-produced, his approach feels honest and similarly candid. Deem doesn’t rap so much as tell it how it is. He’s melodic and raw; in the single “soap” from his sunflower EP, he croons “If I cared about some money I’d be in college wasting it. Hate itself a sin and I hate sinnin.” It is juxtapositions like this that crack open truths only discernible through poetry. Deem Spencer is the freshest laureate. We first blogged about Deem in October 2016, promoting an upcoming show at dive bar Don Pedro. In just over six months, the man worked his way to playing at The Knit on a Northside Fest Friday night, which rightfully earns him a Deli NYC "Buzz Alert!" – BrokeMc

Brooklyn indie-pop band The City and Horses makes music that’s both sensitive and urgent. Their records sound like a proverbial melting pot of influences, ranging from ’60s Britpop and disco to contemporary alt-rock. On "Shades," the opening track from their newest album, Ruins, verses comprised of ethereal, swelling synthesizers seamlessly merge into romping, major-key disco-esque choruses. On "Drag" (streaming below) the influence of Modest Mouse and Silver Jews can be heard in the song’s aura of twangy melancholy. The Deli recently spoke with lead songwriter Marc Cantone about the new album. You can catch TCAH on July 19th at the Gateway in Brooklyn. Listen to "Shades" here, and check out the Q&A they won thanks to The Music Building‘s Expose Yourself campaign, by following the link below! – Ethan Ames

Interview with The City and Horses.

Honors, the enigmatic electronic/R&B four-piece from Toronto, has released a new song, "Say Yes," following the recent viral success of their video, "Over." A slow and heavy groove, "Say Yes" is saturated with autotune and electronic percussive flourishes reminiscent of Diplo and Skrillex. Honors will be headlining at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on June 12th and The Echo in Los Angeles June 14th, as well as appearing at Bumbershoot in Seattle and Bonanza Music Festival in Heber, UT. Check out "Say Yes" below. – Ethan Ames

Poppies have managed to gain a generous following with their introspective, melodic sound and singer May’s childlike, delicate vocals. After debuting their very first "Double Single" featuring the tracks "Egghead" and "Mistakes," and the release of the subsequent "Told," the band is ready to finally debut lengthier work. On June 9th, they will be joined by BRNDA, Dougie Poole and Vas Deferens, for an exciting release party at The Glove, hosted by comedienne Gina Ginsberg. This gig will also be the kickoff of the band’s upcoming tour, which will see them take their emotionally-charged, languid ballads all across the North East. Catch their latest release below, the video for "Mistakes," a soulful, nostalgic explosion into the New York transit nightlife. – Valentina Roja

Local funk-rock band Cosmonaut Radio along with the up and coming Clinton Hill venue, C’mon Everybody, has organized the first annual M.I.N.I (Music in Nine Installments) Festival, set for 6/24. The festival will feature a diverse lineup of nine New-York based indie artists including the hip-hop band Track Seven Band and the acid punk artist The U.S. Americans. The festival is intended to become a yearly appointment with local emerging artists – and, as such, it has The Deli’s blessings! Check out all the bands involved in the playlist crafted for the event, streaming below. – Tafari Lemma