Most people (not just musicians) come to the Big Apple full of dreams, to leave it within a few years, when its frantic pace, crazy costs, and tight spaces have become unbearable. Pharmakon, the experimental, insane sounding industrial project of producer Margaret Chardiet, is the product of a human being who’s never given up to NYC: that’s where she was born and raised, currently calling Far Rockaway, Queens, home. Listening to her new track "Transmission" (streaming), from upcoming new album "Contact," make us wonder whether the track’s sound represents the sublimination of a psyche brought to the edge of insanity by a city that notoriously provides shrinks with lots of work. Is this what people escape from, when they leave NYC? Is Transmission the big apple’s own sonic version of Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream? We’ll have a chance to experience, and exorcize, its primal desperation live, at Brooklyn Bazaar, on April 14th.

Readying their follow-up release to 2014 debut record “Sighs,” Overlake share “Winter Is Why” (streaming below) from sophomore album “Fall” due out May 12th via Bar/None Records. The track emerges via a guitar figure delivered with orchestral sensibility, creating an immediate mood of majestic grandeur.  Forceful power trio drumming and counterpoint descending bass tones further punctuate unexpected rhythmic accents underneath this rising melody. Settling in to calmer patterns, dreamy vocals describe how the “summer sun hangs around” and “windswept cones on the sand” suggest the winter season.  This over five minute long track successfully blends the quieter passages of gazey icons My Bloody Valentine (think “Come In Alone”) with that band’s more explosive and pitch-bendy moments. While still finalizing dates for an April tour, the band has scheduled a record release show at Mercury Lounge on May 12th with support from local favorites Dead Stars and Heaven. – Dave Cromwell

The first thing that pops out in DC rapper Airøspace‘s music are the vocals; the listener knows exactly what the rapper is saying at all times.  With this in mind, Airøspace tries to lyrically ramp up the intensity with each verse, his rising voice reaching towards a climax that doesn’t always arrive. Lines like, "bloody sickle like a sinkhole in my chest i feel a little take my soul up out my ribs inject my thoughts into the fickle" set to the gloomy minor backing tracks gives the music a real Marshall Mathers sound.

In less skilled hands, songs like these could easily come across as overly maudlin. However, rather than being trite, Airøspace’s tracks come across as wholly original, and some of the verses are really stunning.

Great production values makes this album a must listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Andre Salvador and the Von Kings, aka Brooklyn-based Tim Cheplick (and friends), are crafting tasty psych/indie tunes that feel modern and foward thinking rather than reflective. The project just released two new tracks that showcase the group’s strong songwriting sensibilities and pop prowess. The A-side to the release, a bouyant tune called "Quarter Century Girl," features strident, driving piano chords and delicious slide guitar playing paired with Cheplick’s silvery vocals–a decidely radio ready track with a hook primed to be your next earworm. Listen to the band streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Brooklyn-based Evolfo plays garage rock with the sort of heart, grit, and flourishes you’d expect from a group of vinyl store junkies with a massive b-side collection. The band, an ensemble of music school students who orginally united–to much acclaim–in Boston, plays like a well-currated list of late 60s-70s cult hits. Their songs are dynamic, visceral, infectious, and immediately compelling. Take a listen to their recent release, "Vision of Sin," streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Texas transplants, Pueblo, moved to Brooklyn last year, taking with them the ease and warmth of the southern state. These characteristics define the band’s sound, especially in the new video for their song “Dictating Directions.” In footage depicting a road trip adventure, the tempered beats of the percussion glide alongside a smooth electric guitar and soft, laid-back vocals. The slowed motion of the video is trance-like, and the whole thing feels like a dream. Perhaps it is. Pueblo’s new EP Boring The Camera is out March 31 and catch them live tonight, 3/17 at Trans Pecos. -Geena Kloeppel

Can you listen to  Tinica Rose and not have goosebumps run up and down your arms? The Bronx-based songwriter’s unique acoustic blend of R&B marries her buttery vocals with understated guitar tracks to produce songs that feel honest, earnest, and effortless. The intimate performance style also acts as the perfect vessel for Tinica’s lyricism as she offers songs that feel at once deeply personal but also instantly relatable. Check out "WHHW," off of the artist’s latest EP, The Girl Behind the Sarcasm, streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Jersey-based The Off White‘s self titled EP may clock in at under 12 minutes, but don’t be duped–the four tracks pack a wallop of punchy, surfy garage rock goodness that won’t waste your time with any of the fat. The four-piece deals in psych-tinged garage with a punk-rock attitude that is rearing and ready to be your soundtrack for nights of old-school rock ‘n’ roll depravity. Take a listen to The Off White streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Party music that you can enjoy with a pair of headphones, Baltimore, MD based SOOHAN‘s fourth full length album is a joyride. A virtuoso sampler, SOOHAN draws on Jewish folk music and Indian pop songs to craft infectiously melodic, trap heavy grooves. Every track on this album is a real treat: well crafted, smooth as butter, and an invitation to dance like a deranged banshee.

Check out SOOHAN at Rock & Roll Hotel April 22nd.

-Written by Michael Dranove

There’s something instantly captivating about Cassandra Jenkin’s songwriting presence. The Brooklyn-based songstress wraps her music in a tender yet ethereal aura, while masterfully spinning new slants on classic imagery. On her latest single, "Red Lips," Jenkins combines her breathy vocals with driving electronic pulses resulting in a track that feels soft but strong–accesible alt pop, enshrined with deeper lyricism. Take a listen to the new single streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

We here at the Deli are excited to announce that our absolute favorite schizo-prog/math-metal-freakout band, Bangladeafy, has not only swept the best NYC metal/punk act category for our yearly polls, but have also garnered the top pick in our NYC reader’s poll! Offering up facemelting riffage at it’s absolute finest, the mindbending duo of Jon Ehlers and Atif Haq make highly virtuosic tunes that push not only the bounds of genres, but of technical playing ability. Bangladeafy is undoubtedly a band to watch, but if you don’t believe me, go ahead and smack that play button below. We would also like to thank all of the bands for participating, and the readers and jurors who make these polls possible every year.-Olivia Sisinni

Avant-pop artist Miles Francis has released his debut single "You’re A Star", along with a fresh music video for the track. To mark the release, Francis will perform at Union Pool on Thursday, March 16th with The Jack Moves and Kendra Morris. Francis not only wrote and produced the song himself, but performed all of the instruments on it as well, while recording in his basement studio. The track touches on balancing the search for popularity with happiness, which Francis experienced himself while touring with acts such as Will Butler of Arcade Fire. His video, directed by filmmaker Charles Billot, shows Francis in a white-clad suit as dancers in colorful costumes symbolize hunger for validation. The video features cameos by Katherine and Lizzie Lieberson of TEEN, both of whom will perform with Francis at Union Pool as members of his live band. Watch the video for "You’re A Star" below. – Will Sisskind