The brainchild of musician Nicole Mercedes (who released this album under her own name in 2012), Flocke is feel-good chamber pop for the soul. Amidst a gentle orchestration involving acoustic guitars, droney orchestral elements, light percussions, ukuleles and xylophones, in her only single currently available online entitled “Venice” (streaming below) Nicole adopts stream of consciousness lyrics, taking us along with her on this mental journey, and occasionally declaring “Venice is a state of mind.” You can catch her at Union Pool with Gingerlys, Wilder Maker, and Friend Roulette tonight (August 31st) where she’ll be sure to play more than just one single. – Madeleine Grossman

Richmond’s Camp Howard was formed through Virginia Commonwealth University’s art community in 2014, and released their debut self-titled album in March of 2016. Their breezy rock ‘n’ roll pairs frontman Nic Perea’s laid back vocals over melodic, distorted guitars and sluggish drums. While the album draws heavily on relaxed vibes of indie rock acts like Mac Demarco, it features darker, grungier moments that take influence from acts such as Alice in Chains. The record’s lead single “Veins” creates a dreamy atmosphere driven by its fuzzed out guitars and washed out vocals. The haziness from these moodier tracks is carried over onto tracks like “You’ve Been Misled” and “Anybody”, which have a more upbeat tone. Camp Howard will be playing Strange Matter on September 1st! – John Honan

Capturing the excitable nature of live performances on recordings can be a difficult task, but Brooklyn’s ¡Vamanos! have nailed this, letting their undeniable energy radiate throughout their recorded material. Their latest, release ¡Vamanos! Presents…A Ten Inch at 45 RMPs captures the duo’s raucous fuzzy punk that blends elements from psych rock to blues. The brief instrumental track “Chicken & Waffles” puts Tyler Bower’s clamorous drumming, while Alex Knoche’s guitar wails with psychedelic swirls and bluesy stabs. However, the song “Necktie” (streaming) is pure garage rock soaked with lo-fi buzzing and yelping vocals. ¡Vamanos! will be playing Shea Stadium on September 1st! – John Honan

In his past efforts, Warwick’s Gus Dapperton has mostly paired his RnB vocals with standard instrumental arrangements, whether it be the guitar-driven "Moodna, One With Grace" or jazzy "These Foolish Things." Synths have been present on previous tracks, but usually only to provide textures or atmospheric effects. On his latest "Ditch" however, retro ’80s synths, the kind you might find on a SNES game, are the driving force of the track. Providing a nice touch of nostalgia, the synths are woozy, cerebral but ultimately rendered stable by GD’s smooth vocals and a nice snare beat. It’s great to see Gus change up his sound, and in a way that’s imaginative and effective. You can check out his new vid below, and catch him at Baby’s All Right on 9/15. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Save Ends have been playing their energetic brand of pop punk and emo since 2010, and earlier this year the band signed with Black Numbers to release their latest EP Hug Your Friends. The album takes a more melodic approach to their songwriting than their previous efforts, while guitarist Christine Atturio and keyboardist Brendan Cahill maintain their dual vocal style reminiscent of The Anniversary. While the tracks are not as rowdy as their earlier work, they maintain an upbeat and poppy sound. Check them out live at the Middle East in support of The Ataris on August 30th! – John Honan

NYC’s quartet The YeahTones are here to remind us that Blues Rock can still be the coolest (old) kid on the block, if only flawlessly executed and – at once – approached with the creative edge it too often lacks. Listening to ‘What Could I Do’ – whose perfectly gritty video is streaming below – we couldn’t help but being reminded how The Beatles, in tracks like Come Together, I Want You and Helter Skelter, were able to make that genre sound entirely fresh again. With this single, The YeahTones’ accomplish that same goal through subtle variations to the original 12 bar Blues "script," and an arrangement that delivers unexpected turns without lacking in the power department. The guys must be seen live for full approeciation – their next show is at Brooklyn Bowl on September 12th.

Dear Deli Readers,

Issue #47 of The Deli NYC is now available online, you can read it here!

It’s the Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit issue! See section about pedals in the second half of the magazine, in part curated by Gearphoria.com.

Enjoy!

The Folks at The Deli NYC

Some retro-ish music has the power to trigger in us the appreciation for “vintage” styles we didn’t think we missed – until now. This is the case with New York band, Supersmall, whose most recent album, Silent Moon, evokes some of some of the well tempered pop of the ’80s (think early Everything But the Girl with a male singer or a folkier version of The Style Council), with accompanying lyrics that tackle topics such as finding a better life and – but of course! – romance. For a night of emotionally stable music, catch them live at Rockwood Music Hall on August 27th. – Madeleine Grossman

Brooklyn-based band, Sanctuary Sound – the project of Cade Sadler – likes to play with expectations – and contrasts.  Single One Clear Thought (streaming) opens the band’s EP, Brass Ring, with electronic noises that sound like the start of something rather cerebral.  However, what follows is a muted and soulful synth pop track that’s actually very emotional, and complimented by Sadler’s semi-whispered, fuzzy and reverbed voice.  Sanctuary Sound is playing at Rockwood Music Hall tonight (August 26th). – Madeleine Grossman 

Deeply spiritual and tortured at once, NYC’s electronic one man band project Varick is back with a new track that combines goth influences with EDM, synth pop and industrial. A song about "surrendering your ego in order to find a deeper meaning within yourself." Surrender (streaming below) well exemplifies Varick’s interpretation of music and creativity as mediums towards the search for a deeper life balance, where catharses – here in the form of occasional explosions of distorted guitars – can be as enlightening as the contemplation expressed in the thoughtful lyrics. The single will be part of Varick debut full length album, entitled Veda I, to be released on September 9th.

After two years, Brooklyn-based artist FRAME is back with a new track entitled “Love Wasted”, which serves as a sampling of her upcoming full length debut. In the single, Caitlin Frame, the creative force behind the project, writes about her now finished eight year open-marriage, and the complex emotions and regrets attached to this unconventional experience (that many fantasize about!). The track plays with contrasts as Frame confidently sings about her vulnerability and emotional confusion over a decidedly pop production. As of now, there is no fixed date for her upcoming release, but you can see FRAME live tonight (8.25) at Baby’s All Right with Cayetena and Weaves! – John Honan