The liner notes to Poppy Patica‘s debut release, Tripping None, claim that the music is a blend of modern experimental pop and 80’s pop/punk. However, listening to this EP for the first time I was overwhelmed by memories not of listening to 80’s music for the first time, but rather of listening to of Montreal’s first album Cherry Peel, released in 1997. What came across to me on this album was the sound of 90s- indie legends like of Montreal, The Unicorns, and Deerhoof/hunter.

From the heart twinging chord changes on “Sink” to the lo-fi buzz of “Top”, this release modernizes some of the best elements of 90’s indie pop, and the result is truly wonderful.

A great debut from DC’s Poppy Patica.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Savage, Maryland based (seriously) power metal outfit Burning Shadows returns with their third full length release, Truth in Legend. True to the power metal penchant for symphonic tales of medieval era non-fiction and fantasy, Truth in Legend features songs about Norse mythology, the execution of the Knights Templar, and a song inspired by the game Skyrim. Whether power metal is your thing or not, the musicianship on this album is impressive. There is nary a guitar riff that doesn’t line up perfectly with the tight, driving drum/bass beats; and the lead singer moves through upper and lower registers with ease.

Here is “Day of Darkness” from Burning Shadow’s latest release, Truth in Legend.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Who would have thought that a Latvia-born band would get American rock so right? Brooklyn-based via the Baltics, Astra the 22s is a classic, dirty, rock ’n’ roll duo that smacks of 80’s glam without surrendering fully to it. Their latest banger of a song, “Stranger,” is a boom-click, percussive-led track with some serious teeth. Hazy synths, and fuzzy guitars frame singer Kerija Kaleja’s  vocals as she flexes her chops through high-register choruses and low, breathy verses. You can check out "Stranger" streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for a new release, coming to you April 28th. – Olivia Sisinni

We often reward musical madness here at The Deli, because this is a city inextricably tied to psychosis and the overactive imagination that often goes with it. Brooklyn’s Home Blitz is a band that fit this description, and that’s certainly why they were our NYC Record of the Month in May 2016. You’ll be able to catch them live at Union Pool on April 29, do not miss!

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

Big Thief dropped a stunning debut full length last year (it earned them the cover of The Deli’s winter issue), and since the date of its release they toured like there was no tomorrow. So we are not really sure how they managed to find the time to write a new record AND shoot a video (for single ‘Mythological Beauty,’ streaming below), but the simple fact that they were able to pull this off means the band is in a state of grace, as far as inspiration is concerned. The sophomore record, entitled "Capacity " will be released in June on Saddle Creek, and this is what singer and guitarist Adrienne Lineker has to say about it:

“There is a darker darkness and a lighter light on this album. The songs search for a deeper level of self-acceptance, to embrace the world within and without. I think Masterpiece began that process, as a first reaction from inside the pain, and Capacity continues that examination with a wider perspective.”

Big Thief in 2017 won’t lose the habit of touring (more info here, followed by EU dates!) , New Yorkers should mark their calendars for Fri. June 9 @ Rough Trade.

A Deer A Horse has a penchant for tearing through the tidy lines separating genres with reckless abandon, and on their latest EP release, Backswimmer, the Brooklyn-based threepiece fuses together styles and feels with the might of an atom smasher.  Sludgy, doom metal riffs, meet angular, dissonant melody lines, and are paired with deep, bewitching female-led vocals, that are set against a rotation of primative tom-toms, and indie-rock beats. Take all of this and consider that–somehow–the band manages to showcase strong hook-writing chops and pop sensibility. A Deer A Horse is schizo-rock at its absolute finest and their EP is an aggresive, blistering mind-meld that we can’t get enough of. Check out the band’s title track streaming below, and see them live at St. Vitus 5/1 alongside Dad, Darkwing, My Heart and the Real World, and Samantha Noise. – Olivia Sisinni

The music of watergh0st (a.k.a. Rachel Roth) sounds much different live and unleashed than it does when contained in any physical or digital medium. As you might realize on April 9th at Brooklyn Bazaar, her songs contain an energy both rebellious and compassionate. The spectral sound of watergh0st’s material stretches up into the heavens and digs deep into the grit of the earth, which makes the exact genre hard to identify. You might find similarities to Crystal Castles, as her rich and moving voice soars over mysterious looping sound waves layered with bells, echoing industrial percussion, and guitars. You’ll find these layers prevalent — especially in the vocals — on her latest release, "Take The Time You Need". We are streaming below her newest release, the haunting "dusk".

At the April 9th Brooklyn Bazaar show, watergh0st will perform with prog-metal philosophers TVRKMENISTAN, "mad-sad" post-rock outfit Tiny Gun, groove metal alchemists KTHRTK, and the once-and-forever experimental math pop wizards NO SHOES. All NO SHOES fans weep, for this is their final show. – Will Sisskind

We caught Las Rosas at an afternoon CMJ party on the (apparently) final edition of the Music Marathon in 2015, and it was obvious the guys didn’t lack good songwriting chops and the character necessary to make them shine. Since then, they’ve been extremely active in the NYC scene and beyond and even ventured to Europe earlier this year for a few dates. They are now releasing their debut album, wishful thinking-ly titled "Everyone Gets Exactly What They Want," and it confirms our early positive impressions. It’s a very enjoyable psych garage record with traces of ’50/60s pop revival, bolstered up by Jose Boyer’s raspy tenor, full of charisma and melodic ideas that are the foundation of this band’s DNA. Las Rosas will celebrate the release of the album at Baby’s All Right on April 8th with other noteworthy locals Breanna Barbara and Juan Wauters. Check out their new video for "Boys," below.

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

The new video for "Dreams," by Brooklynites Isabelle Burnet and Jacob Rosse (aka Retail Space) was filmed lakeside in the hauntingly beautiful fading winter. First, the duo is captured performing in a bedroom, but then the bed and window are displaced to the banks of the lake. Dressed in furs and feathered hats, the duo looks ethereal and eye-catching. The song itself, off of their debut record "In The Lotia,"  is just as appealing, with fuzzy synths and clean electric guitars, accentuated by a driving drum kit and hollowed, harrowing harmonies. “Dreams” shows craft and attention to detail, portraying a sense of utopia and a pureness of heart. Retail Space recently completed a west coast tour and will be performing at Brooklyn’s Muchmore’s on June 2nd. – Geena Kloeppel

Reverberated guitars, insightful lyrics and lush backing vocals come together on Simon Doom’s new release “I Feel Unloved” (streaming below).  Taken from the debut full-length “Babyman” due out this May, the production hand of MGMT duo Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden accounts for much of its sheen.  Opening lines “In the seminaries, in the shopping malls, think so eloquently, but I can’t speak at all,” depict a sense of confusion and loss.  Familiar routines involving “business centers” and “concert halls” provide no relief leading to the question “what did I do to earn this?”. Simon O’Connor delivers the creative force on this project, after spending time with like-minded artists in the bands Kuroma and Amazing Baby.  Using the experience of parenthood as a motivator to complete this record, its sentiment appears wrapped up in the album’s title.  Catch Simon Doom live at The Pyramid Club on 4/25, as well as significant support slots with Piebald on 5/24 and The Lemon Twigs on 6/1. – Dave Cromwell

On their new single "Big Ol," premiering below, 4-piece band Dakota Jones are at their best. Though the track is just under four minutes in length, each member of the Brooklyn band packs a lot into it, seamlessly blending the groove of soul, the emotional impact of blues and the enegy of alt-rock. Powerful vocals, soloing guitars and slick drums seem to compete for attention before ultimately deciding to compromise and just jam out. You can check out "Big Ol" below, and catch their new EP live at the release party on April 8 at the Bitter End. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

An exclusive premiere for Deli readers! The Duskwhales have released the first video from their forthcoming album, Sorrowful Mysteries. The single, Friday The 13th, heralds forward momentum for the DC-based trio. Recorded in a professional-grade studio, the song is mature, relative to the band’s previous efforts. Where once the energy was unbridled, it now feels tamed – almost simmering and ready to burst forth like a stalking panther. Stirring lyrics and keys reminiscents of The Animals’ Alan Price, the band masterfully builds and releases the musical tension, revealing the honed craft of their melodies. Capping the mood is somber video art by Outlet Mall Brain Asylum. Catch The Duskwhales’ album release show at Jammin’ Java in Vienna on 4/8! -Jonathan Goodwin