It’s never been quite clear if future funk is supposed to be an ironic criticism of capitalism in the 21st century, or serious straight ahead funk made in someone’s bedroom. Certainly, future funk legends like Saint Pepsi originally intended their music to build upon the social and economic criticisms so central to vaporwave music. However, there has always been an element of unironic enjoyment in the music, something which the most recent crop of future funkers seem to be focusing on.

Perhaps to highlight exactly what the appeal of future funk is, future funk artist Cero Rio, published through the Baltimore future funk collective Sunrise Collective, has titled their latest release "Towards the Future". The sparkling clean songs on this album embrace the sound of artificiality as the sound of the future, something exciting and fresh.  That takes care of the future, but what about the funk?  Groovy basslines and snippy horn melodies make sure to fully deliver on the promise of "future funk".

My recommendation, if you want to hear something new, give it a listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove

With Spring on the horizon, singer/songwriter James A.M. Downes’ new EP, ‘Prison Font’ is perfect for thawing those winter-frozen hearts. Due out 3/17, the project consist in rich folk pop songs where Downes convey a wide variety of emotions. Tracks like “Bait My Soul” are full of sweet melodies, charming twang and upbeat cheerfulness, whereas “Feel My Love,” is a stripped down folk ballad where the songwriters’ powerful vocals take center stage. With ‘Prison Font,’ James has boldly displayed his talent as a songwriter, and solidified himself as someone to watch. You can check him out live at Berlin on 3/25. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Based out of both Toronto and Brooklyn, Ginla plays low key electronic music ranging from the poppy to the experimental, although it must be noted that the poppier material is the most recent one, showing a classic evolution emerging artists go through when they mature artistically. 2014’s debut single ‘Almost Plastic’ features two (or three? Bandcamp and Soundcloud seem to disagree on that matter) intriguing tracks where electronic ambient pop meets Radiohead-style experimentation. Recent single ‘Apophenia’ (strreaming) tames the angularity for an approach that follows a more linear and dreamy approach. The band will travel to Austin this week to play SXSW.

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

In the spaces between world-wide tours as bassist for A Place To Bury Strangers, Dion Lunadon spends time writing and recording his own solo material.  The results of those efforts will culminate in an 11 track self-titled debut album he recorded over a three-month period in Brooklyn.  The album and preview track “Fire” (streaming below) features contributions from sometimes APTBS drummer Robi Gonzalez and guitarist Blaze Bateh from Bambara on select tracks.  With live unprocessed drumming, Farfisa organ, distorted guitar bursts and Dion’s descending bassline, a noisy hybrid of punk, 60’s garage and psychedelia come together on “Fire.”  The title line chorus shares a spiritual connection with Arthur Brown’s 1968 hit of the same name.  The mood here is much heavier though, with lyrics that go “So stressed out from the negative vibes, it sounds like the truth but you know it’s a lie.”  Melodic guitar lines appear in places, adding a more traditional rock structure. The self-titled debut album will be released on June 9th via Agitated Records and will be available via his Bandcamp page. – Dave Cromwell

Deli Readers,

We’ve been publishing the yearly Austin issue of The Deli (coinciding with SXSW) since 2011, and it’s our only print issue that’s not exclusively focused on just NYC artists. 

After last year’s fun, "PsycheDelic" approach, we decided to dedicate this year’s issue almost entirely to synth and pedals (and bands of course!), in an effort to promote our Austin Stompbox Exhibit and Synth Expo – which, if you are a gear geek heading to Austin next week, should not miss!

However, the highlight of this issue is an article about women and technology. Hope you enjoy it!

LISTEN TO A PLAYLIST OF THIS ISSUE HERE (or below)!

The Deli’s Staff

P.S. You’ll see the printed issue in Austin next week and in NYC the week after.

Revival pop and rock require, more than any other genres, a selection of wardrobe and colors that are appropriate to the era referenced in the band’s music, but possibly with some elements of "new" in it. Brooklyn’s new project Fascinations Grand Chorus excels at that, sporting a look that’s very late ’50s/early ’60s, but choosing to push the classic pastel tones of those years in a more vibrant direction, with slightly psychedelic results. Is that also how their music sounds like? To a certain extent. Overall, it’s very anchored to those pre-Beatles years in the UK, with Stephanie’s vocals disciplinately singing vintage pop melodies between bee bop and Rock’n’Roll; however, some psychedelic edge is introduced by guitar parts that – like in single "Welcome" (streaming) – are at times reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s early records. The duo released their debut, self titled EP last year and a follow up ‘Actor/Actress EP‘ early in 2017.

One of the most exciting resurgences in music lately, and the most important, has been artists’ eagerness to politicize their work. With his newest music video for “Make You,” Fusilier boldly doubles down on the messages of self-love and acceptance he’s expressed on his previous works. In the video, streaming below, we see Fusilier in three versions, whited out, normal, and blackfaced. In his own words, this division represents how he is seen by others as “themselves and the other, friend and enemy, lust and aversion” all at the same time. The song itself conveys the anguish this gaze causes him, but the video ultimately ends with Fusilier, his normal self, triumphing out his other, false, versions. We already knew that Fusilier had talent, but projects like these prove him to be an artist with the rare ability to instill compelling political issues in his original avant-soul productions. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

The thought of Austin during SXSW (read: sonic chaos with loud music coming from every direction) is inherently discordant with the music played by Kayo Dot‘s Toby Driver in his new solo project. If his original band was not exactly one to shatter eardrums (not a bad thing), the songwriter’s new tracks available for streaming take things a couple of notches in a quieter and sparser direction, with an added mystical aura. Check out single Craven’s Dawn, streaming below, and don’t miss the opportunity to take a break from SXSW’s madness when Toby plays the Hideout on March 16th.

We’ve been following NYC’s Jasmine Golestaneh for a while now, and always found her music compelling – maybe because we grew up listening to tense and dark post punk music. Her current project, Tempers, offers a dark brand of electronic pop that suits her deep and intense soprano. The duo just released a new five track EP entitled ‘Fundamental Fantasy,’ which develops their sound in a more melodic direction, without necessarily embracing the sunny side of life. The band will be playing several shows next week in Austin, including one at Hotel Vegas on March 16. Check out single ‘Tail in My Mouth’ (streaming below), and last year’s video for ‘Undoing’ – from their debut album ‘Services‘, which we missed to highlight.

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

Physical media fans, rejoice: After releasing Million $$$ Dream online last October, Brooklyn’s alt-pop quartet Twiga are about to drop that album in tape format via the label Effortless Crush. The glittering gold cassette comes with a digital download code for the album, so that regular people (i.e. those who don’t own a cassette player) can actually listen to it. To celebrate the release of Million $$$ Dream on cassette, Twiga will play a show at The Gateway on March 17th. The event, called "Write Your Reps!" also features fellow Brooklyn bands Fat Heaven, Narc Twain, Medium Mystic, and Debbie Downer. – Will Sisskind

EDIT: A previous version of this article noted the location of this show as Shea Stadium. Due to the recent closure of Shea Stadium, this show has changed its location to The Gateway. – WS

Brooklyn’s Adiós Ghost just unveiled the first single off of their upcoming debut LP, Fade Out With Your Phantoms, which is set to come out in April. While Adiós Ghost continues to embrace the West African-inspired sounds of their past, they’ve introduced influences of new wave and funk into "Uncanny Valley", referencing the groove-centered rock of early-80s art-rock legends such as Peter Gabriel. Those familiar with the band’s 2016 release Endless Return will hear more of the signature driven vocals from Ben Sigerson, as well as other familiar voices through featured guests C.F. Watkins and Half Waif‘s Nandi Plunkett. The track itself was recorded at the studio of Drew Vandenberg, who’s done production work for Of Montreal and Futurebirds, among others.

To celebrate the release of "Uncanny Valley", Adiós Ghost will perform at the Knockdown Center in Queens on March 9th with Shy Layers and Faten Kanaan. Stay tuned for details of Adiós Ghost’s Eastern U.S. tour, which will happen this spring after the release of Fade Out With Your Phantoms. – Will Sisskind

Kensington, MD is definitely not known for hip-hop, and yet, in a city defined by office buildings and a quaint, elderly feel, rapper Seez Mics has been slowly honing his craft for more than twenty years. The result of his steady musical output is his latest release, WITH, and it is pretty sweet. WITH two other rappers featured on every song (hence the title of the album), and the help of producer Scott Kuzner, Nicholas Policy (Seez Mics) and Co. have brought some serious poetic flow to this albm. On top of the pleasing beats and rhythm, clever rhymes and personal touches give this album a real sense of honesty.

Here’s "Won’t You" from Steez’s new album WITH.

-Written by Michael Dranove