We always enjoy quirky pop songs, but Pool Cosby, a Brooklyn sample-based electronic trio that popped up in our NYC homepage ‘NYC New Bands With Buzz’ chart, have pulled off something quite rare in single/video ‘Little Do They Know:’ they married quirkness and emotion. A warm, loungy atmosphere introduces a beautifully delicate melody sung by… a Micky Mouse relative of sorts, singing semi-unintelligible lyrics. As counter-intuitive as that sound, the song is so perfectly produced that we soon found ourselves sincerely captivated by this mysterious creature and his/her emotional depth. The video makes this process even easier, for those enjoying the ladies… and we’ll leave it at that. The group is no one hit wonder – their single ‘Lookin’ Up ft. Valentein" recently charted at #12 on Spotify’s United States Viral 50. The band is active live but currently has no shows scheduled.

Doesn’t it suck that summer is over? For many it means returning to the daily grind, and for others who couldn’t afford a vacation… continuing it, but with no sunny days, warmth or beach getaways as consolations. It’s enough to drive someone crazy, or at least induce crazy dreams. That’s exactly what neofunk Nuf Said’s new video for "Rise" seems to narrate. Vividly animated by Miguel Rueda, the video tells a trippy story of a woman, lead singer Ioanna Vintu, dreaming of herself and others, including members of the band, going insane over the repetitive absurdity of their daily lives. The video culminates with Vintu and a friend playing cards in a cafe with an alien they previously hit with their car  The trippy visuals are perfectly accompanied by the track, whose syncopated drum pattern, eerie vocals and disjointed instrumental parts fit right in, and re-emphasize the themes of the video. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

If songs had a psychological profile, Brooklyn No Nets‘ new single Dark Matter, from their upcoming album ‘Bright Light,’ to be released on October 21, could be described as a bi- (or even tri-) polar song. Disparate influences, from post punk, pop, glam and grunge, amalgamate and juxtapose, building a rather unpredictable track, made even more so by Sal Mastrocola’s intentionally deranged vocal delivery. We like crazy vocals here at The Deli NYC (Frank Black got that concept ingrained in our brains), and the guy pulls it off admirably well. The band will celebrate the release at American Beauty on October 23rd.

Brittany Campbell continues her electric pop diva reign of NYC with her new single and video “Buzz.” Just in time for cuddle weather, this sex-infused ode to altered states of consciousness seems designed to bring you closer to someone either on the dancefloor or between the sheets. Don’t get it twisted, though, Brittany is a fan of wordplay and the double entendres run wild in this song. From the diamonds in her eyes to the “buzz” of love/drugs/fame, we’ve all got a need to fulfill. Let Brittany Campbell bring you closer. – BrokeMc

The Nirvana comparisons for Brooklyn’s own Big Cheese are really easy – and definitely there – but complemented by other unexpected influences – for example, in Adam Patten’s vocals we hear a little of Soul Coughing, a criminally underrated Brooklyn band from the late ’90s. Supersonic Nothing, the Big Cheese’s latest LP, is a lo-fi whirlwind combining sludgy, sledge hammer riffs with vocals that always seem to be teetering on the brink of a nervous collapse. If grunge isn’t dead, Big Cheese are the ones who are here to prove it. Check out their new music video "Thank You" below. – Olivia Sisinni

In her debut EP (to be released soon, but most tracks are available for streaming on her Soundcloud page) Batya passes an important litmus test for any emerging songwriter: being able to convincingly convey emotion. A self-described dream pop artist, the 19 year old New York artist introduces herself with "What’s my name," a track that walks the line between folk and pop ballad. Batya’s best asset is her haunting, ringing yet expressive voice, which drips with sadness in a way that resonates well with the song’s somber tone. Her lyrics too do a good job of conveying the track’s emotional qualities, as she asks herself a series of existential questions that remain unanswered. It’s a promising start for a young artist, and its hopefully one she’ll be able to capitalize on for future efforts. You can check out her track below, and catch Batya live at Rockwood on 11/12. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Brooklyn-based trio, The Royal They serve up chunky punk rhythms with some serious melody writing chops. On their latest release, a self-titled EP, indie rock vibes are paired with deceptively heavy garage rock licks. It’s control and chaos, nice and nasty. Check out the Royal They streaming below. – Olivia Sisinni

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

There’s definitely a visceral gut-kick reaction when you listen to NY-based band Ornaments, but what makes the group stand out is the impassioned, poignant vibes pumping through their music. The band manages to craft aggressive soundscapes with luscious depth and delicate layering, however they cast them against an emotional rawness and stomach-wrenching hardcore vocals. The sound is something that dares you to contend with feelings you thought you forgot about. Listen to Ornaments streaming below, and catch them live at Cake Shop 10/19 with Only Sibling, Sparrows, and Safety.-Olivia Sisinni

Returning for its fourth installment, Hypnocraft presents The Hum, a Deli NYC sponsored, once a week, month-long residency happening at Greenpoint’s Manhattan Inn. The series, which will feature over 40 artists collaborating for the first time, aims to not only spotlight female musicians across genres, but also gives them the space to connect creatively with one another. The shows kick off this Monday, October 3rd, with an Audiofemme curated set, and features artists from groups like TEEN, Body Language and many more. Check out Monday’s full line up below, and check out Hypnocraft’s site here for more information. 

The Hum Line Up: Mon, October 3 | 8pm
Boshra AlSaadi (TEEN, Janka Nabay) + Lindsay Powell (Fielded) + Felicia Douglass (Ava Luna, Gemma) + Nasimiyu (Baeb Rxxth) //
AudioFemme curated set feat. Angelica Bess (Body Language) + Emily Fehler (Gold Child) //
The Artist’s Circle w/ Wendy Parr curated set feat. Tanis Chalopin + Jessica Carvo + Michelle & Sarah Cagianese (Frances Rose) //
Rachel Angel + Rachel Housle (Invisible Familiars) + Caitlin Frame (FRAME)

There’s a trope about the city that it’s miserable to find love, so it makes sense that a few out-of-state-ers who wound up living in NYC would be nervous about dating. Fortunately for us, four-piece group, Nervous Dater, is anything but shy about their music abilities. The band combines a fun, driving, pop-punk aesthetic with windy, math-rock tinged guitar licks, and sets it against singer/guitarist Rachel Lightner’s clear, laid-back vocals. There’s also something delightfully relatable and real about the band’s lyricism, and their anthemic approach to songwriting gives the band an instant draw. Nervous Dater was kind enough to talk to the Deli about their origins, their latest EP, and of course, what gear they’re currently going crazy over – see links below. Nervous Dater plays the Cake Shop on October 2nd! – Olivia Sisinni

Read The Deli’s Interview with Nervous Dater

NYC soul artist Teddy Sinclair seems to have found her voice in new project Cruel Youth, which marries her expressive and confident alto with an edgy and trippy electronic production. New single/video "Diamond Days" is a soaring ballad that manages to reference at once the Beach Boys’ orchestral Pet Sounds arrangements and the mellotron in The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever, while gradually transporting the listener towards a lofty pop chorus. Don’t miss the lady’s live show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 21, part of her upcoming US tour to promote debut album ‘+30mg.’

From the sound of it, psych-pop band Kuroma’s latest release, "Perfect Girl," might have been written under the influence of a serious summer crush. Starting simply with a strumming acoustic guitar, the track slowly builds, erupting into rich layers of orchestral instrumentation – is that the sound of soaring love? Though the arrangement gets more complex as the tune progresses, "Perfect Girl" manages to remain grounded, courtesy of Hank Sullivant’s dulcet vocals hovering over the mix. The result is a tune that sounds as if it was plucked from a mid-60’s summer top 40 chart. Stream "Perfect Girl" below and catch Kuroma playing with the Acrylics at Union Pool on 10/5. – Olivia Sisinni, photo by Ansely West