If you still haven’t gotten up the nerve to talk to that special someone you’ve been eyeing for days, then this song’s for you. In his second single “Talk To Me” (following his debut track “Lean,” both streaming here) Brooklyn based synth-pop artist Blonder imagines what it would be like to finally have that interaction. “Talk To Me” brings out the flurry of emotion that would arise from such an experience—excitement, relief, wonder, and perhaps a touch of nausea?—through heaps of funky synths, jingling and jangling percussion, and soft, slurry vocals. Listen to the tracks down below and keep an eye out for more coming soon. – Ashley Muniz

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

Sneaks, the one-woman project of Eva Moolchan, produces music that seems mezmirzingly simple, but is wildly potent. Gymnastics, the latest LP from the artist, is a bass-driven/drum machine-backed work that could probably be loosely filed under "avant-punk." But while the album feels like it encapsulates part of the DIY aesthetic, Moolchan’s polished vocals–that alternate between conversational talk-singing and hushed whispers–add an eloquence to the tracks. While the instrumentation remains minimalist, her voice fills in the cracks, making you question why people even add guitars to things anyway. Listen to Sneaks streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
 

Inter Arma might just be the sludgy saviors of doom metal. The VA-based band serves up tracks that are not just heavy, plodding metal licks, but instead offers dynamic, quaking aural-scapes that reveal a world of more merciless gods. "Transfiguration," a 9-minute stand-out track off the band’s latest release, Paradise Gallows, is operatic in scope–utilizing guitar sweeps that echo the glissandos Mussgorsky used on "Night On Bald Mountain" to conjure demons–and threatens to place the listener into the desperate throes depicted on the album cover. The sonic imagery is so trenchant that it’s easy to feel gripped by the terror of being ensnared by a mighty, black sea. For metalheads, Inter Arma is a band to watch, and Paradise Gallows is a staggering juggernaut of an introduction. Check them out streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

The only thing that I’m truly apologetic about is that I’m having a really difficult time jamming Boston-based We Can All Be Sorry neatly into the lines of any clear genre. The band’s latest release, Weekend Sorry, is arguably their most acessible album, and one where they really seem to have gelled comfortably into (mostly) coherent grooves (think the power pop vibes of old-school Weezer), but throwing adjectives out there like punky, poppy, jazzy, or post-whatever really does the band a disservice. Sure, there are muscular melody lines and a powerful sense of song structure, but there’s also something delightfully off-kilter about the band’s sound. There’s the almost-reckless display of atonal play, unexpected chord progressions, and clever use of dynamics that manages to be salient on the recording, but never overtly so. It’s a delicate balance that screams classical training, but is so totally devoid of pretension or obvious eye-roll-inducing technique-flexing that would cloud the real meat of the songs. The result is a refreshing display of talent that never edges toward tipping its own hand. It’s also 10 tracks of kick-ass tunes you’ll find hard to not be humming the hooks of. Check out We Can All Be Sorry streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

After gracing (two thirds of) The Deli’s 2016 SXSW issue‘s cover, Rockaway Beach, NY’s avant-soul-pop duo Lewis Del Mar had a pretty exciting year, which culminated in the recent release of their self titled debut album, and the following US and EU tour. The band started turning ears in 2015 with a series of memorable singles that blended an overall acoustic sound with electronic experimentation. The new single "Painting" (video streaming below) confirms their edgy sound and souldful songwriting. 

Check out this interview on our sister blog Delicious Audio: Lewis Del Mar talks about gear and the creative process.

The Boston-based trio of "sarah, jake and derek" have given themselves one of those classic band names that I’m a little bothered I didn’t think of first: Fucko. Their latest release, Dealing with the Weird, is a fun punk LP–catchy as all hell, tongue-in-cheek at times, but not to be confused for an album without a ton of heart. Singer/guitarist Sarah, whether belting out hooks or delivering her lyrics dryly, sings with a relatable earnestness that is instantly translatable–even on a first-blush listen. But then again, who out there isn’t dealing with their own weird? Check out Fucko streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Having created an early buzz via their raucous live show, New York City’s Navy Gangs self-titled debut EP captures a similar raw appeal. Piercing extended vibrato guitar melody lines and sludgy bass-drums accompaniment create a feel comparable to Dinosaur Jr.’s (very) early days. While “Special Glands” (video streaming) may exhibit requisite “slacker rock” attitude, its central hook depicts a surprisingly direct vocal refrain. “Instant Play” bounces along in that J. Masic covering The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” way where it straddles the line between serious and ironic. A guest female vocalist provides tandem vocals, smoothing out the rough edges. “Mondays” stomps with Americana inflected group chorus vocals while their instruments capture The Replacements ragged attitude. EP closer “That Party Sucked” alternates between Mascis-level burning guitar figures and softly sung verses, creating a heavy-light atmosphere enhancing the impact of both. The band play this Friday the 28th at Warsaw on a bill with Cold Fronts and Hinds. – Dave Cromwell

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

2016 was a busy year for this Julie Kathryn (aka I Am Snow Angel), who released an EP, four singles, and a short remix set, in particular if you keep in mind that she is her own producer as well as singer/songwriter (and multi-instrumentalist). At the same time, she’s been actively working on an all-female musical collective called Female Frequency, founded in 2015. Her sound is completely digital, though this never undercuts her humanity. Newest single, “Factory,” is a dead ringer for eighties rare bird Jane Siberry. Since it’s not available for embedding, we are streamiing below our favorite track from her most recent repertoire, entitled "Fever." I am Snow Angel will be performing a Sofar Sound Show at a secret location tomorrow, Tuesday 10.25. – Brian Chidester

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

Brooklyn lo-fiers Flower Girl, whose debut album ‘Okie Dokie Howdy Doody‘ was named NYC Record of the Month late last year in this very blog, just unveiled single ‘Wading Online’ (streaming below) from their upcoming LP ‘Tuck In Your Tie-Dye’ scheduled to drop on November 11 on BUFU Records. With this new song the band take us for a ride back to the three chord songs or early Velvet Underground, adapted to the "nu slacking" tendencies adopted by many young Brooklyn musicians. Keep an eye out for a release party date, as of now not announced.

People say 2016 is the year women will decide the American elections. DC Native Ari Lennox has the right frame set for this kind of epochal event: “Sometimes women are put in this box where we’re only supposed to talk about certain things,” the 25-year-old singer-songwriter explains. “I want to be braver and riskier. I think people want to hear that kind of honesty and frankness.” Her brand new debut EP marries this lyrical courage with perfectly produced Nu Soul tracks, dominated by her expressive and pliable alto, with influences ranging from R’nB to Hip Hop, Trip Hop and Jazz. Check out our favorite track ‘Night Drive,’ streaming below. 

Brooklyn-based rockers Twiga bring their jangle-pop sound to Gold Sounds on October 28th to celebrate two things: The sugar-coated cacophonous holiday of Halloween, and their brand new EP. Twiga has kept themselves busy over the last couple of months, having just played a Steely Dan tribute concert at Shea Stadium and a show with Mal Blum & The Blums, Hiccup, and Sat. Night Duets at Sunnyvale. By releasing their new EP, Twiga shows that they’ve got no interest in slowing down for the winter. Head over to Gold Sounds this coming Saturday night to hear what they’re all about. Also, enjoy performances from Queens fuzz-pop trio The Front Doors and Vermont’s very own indie popper Blahvocado. Dress up to get down. – Will Sisskind

Lots and lots of NYC artists we covered abundantly in the past are announcing new releases these days. Quirky NYC Rapper Cake Da Killa is one of them. He is releasing today his debut LP ‘Hedonism,’ via Ruffians / Thirty Tigers. Check out the video for single ‘New Phone,’ which made quite a splash since it was released just over a week ago. Check out the video for ‘Talking Greezy’ here.