Brooklyn-based band Hiccup signed to Father/Daughter Records in the fall of 2015, and is comprised of Hallie Bulleit (The Unlovables & The Chris Gethard Show House Band), Alex Clute (The Chris Gethard Show House Band), and Piyal Basu (New Oldies). The three-piece blends together male/female vocal harmonies with a mature pop punk and garage rock sound. Their track “Fuckup” features a laid back vocal delivery from Clute and self-deprecating lyrics that examine the comfort found in solitude. “Whatev, It’s Cool” (streaming below) is less focuses instead on putting a negative relationship in the past while singing the lines, “cuz he loves me more than you ever could.” The track features the band’s signature buzzing garage rock fuzz, combined with charming two way harmonies. The band will be playing Aviv on July 17th in support of Winter Break. – John Honan

Adding to his many creative outlets, Brooklyn artist Adrian Galvin dropped his debut EP Far Shore under his new solo project Yoke Lore on May 6th. The EP bares some resemblance to Galvin’s previous work with his band Yellerkin, with some notable departures from it as well. Both groups feature Galvin’s distinct, Panda Bear-esque voice, but where Yellerkin’s sound could be described as electronic folk-pop, in his solo project Galvin dials down the busy arrangements, acoustic instruments in particular, opting instead for a sparser atmosphere, which allows his sparkling voice to take a more prominent role in the song. After debuting his live show under Yoke Lore at the Northside Fest on June 8th, Galvin will be performing at LA’s The Echo tonight (07.13) and then at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade on Friday 07.15. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

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

Brooklyn Indie rockers Looms premier their brand new song "Beach Day" exclusively on The Deli Mag today. Despite the track’s lively pace, there is a contemplative, melancholy vibe running throughout it. Liberal use of jazzy minor and seventh chords create a breezy atmosphere for lyrical content that suggests discontent. “But I know – I’ll get over this one. In time – I might not care” sings vocalist Sharif Mekawy in the airy chorus. A surprisingly tasty ten second guitar solo emerges during the songs zenith, underscoring Looms admitted admiration for bands like Wilco, Muse and Radiohead. The two song EP “Sleeping Days” (which includes also track “Sunday Blues”) was recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn, mixed at Gearbox Recording Studio in Paramus, NJ and mastered at Turtletone Studio in NYC. The official release date is 8/5 via Portland Oregon’s Dazzleships Records, with the band scheduled to tour the Pacific Northwest in August. The quartet will also be playing a Live To Tape session at Chemistry Creative this Saturday night.  – Dave Cromwell – photo by Thomas Ignatius

Throughout Masterpiece, the humbly sublime debut album from Brooklyn folk-rock quartet Big Thief, love braves through woe. As sung by the ever welcoming Adrienne Lenker, these painful yet vital songs near a height of beauty that reminds one of music’s transcendent power.

Following the nimble opener “Little Arrow,” the album starts its raw power with “Masterpiece” (streaming below), the rollicking single that deservedly drew attention a few months back with its panoramic view of searching souls. Like Bob Dylan’s generation-defining “Like a Rolling Stone” from the 1960s, this guitar-trickled song is both addicting and elegant, rough and pretty and, ultimately, lasting in its sheer soulfulness.

A series of lyrically vivid tracks named after potential lovers (“Paul” and “Randy,” for example) follows next, alongside guitar-winded cuts that briskly tackle such elusive motifs as romance and the transience of time, emitting an overall beatific aura in the process.

The type of record that has the possibility of transporting the listener to a calmer, perhaps better plain of existence, Masterpiece is not just the first offering from an intriguing new band but a preciously passionate work in and of itself. – Zach Weg

Three incredibly talented locals sharing a rootsy but dreamy sound will be performing at Manhattan Inn on Monday July 25th. Check out past Deli coverage: Wilsen (who graced the cover of The Deli’s issue 36 back in 2013), Belle Mare, Keenan O’Meara.

Chromaparagon, the first full length release from Long Island prog metal band Moon Tooth, features 12 high energy tracks that grip the listener with talons, and never pauses to let go. A rollicking album that never indulges for too long in any one particular (sub)genre, Chromaparagon is a powerful tour de force that not once feels tired or over-explored. Fans of stoner, doom, math rock, thrash, and prog metal will all be able to find something in this record, whose controlled chaos borders dangerously on virtuosic. The band’s raw talent on the recording is only matched by their live performances, so check them out opening for Intronaut at St. Vitus on 7/24 and Amityville Music Hall on July 25th. – Olivia Sisinni

After over a year without new releases, New York soul artist NAKAYA is finally back, and with something quite different than the folk leaning songs of her debut EP, Out of Breath.  Her new single, “Lose It Too,” is an electronic prduction that starts off slowly and subtly and evocatively builds up, highlighting the singer’s wide vocal range and expressiveness. A passionate alt R&B track,  “Lose It Too” tackles the all time classic theme of the fine line that separates friendship from love (in this circumstance with a LGBT twist), well illustrated by director Joshua Davy in the video streaming below. – Madeleine Grossman

With her latest project, Half Waif‘s Nandi Rose Plunkett has successfully bridged the ever-growing chasm between "avant" and pop, taking Radiohead’s lesson to a more intimate and less pretentious place. The band’s sophomore album ‘Probable Depths" is an intriguing blend of synth and orchestral pop full of texture and otherworldly melodies. Half Waif will be back in Brooklyn performing as a trio on June 6th at the Market Hotel, to the end of their ongoing tour throughout the US. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Read Half Waif’s Q&A about gear and the creative process on Delicious Audio.

The Virginia based band Avers has been making waves recently since their performance at SXSW which got the attention from listeners and critics alike. Their roots are ingrained in psych rock but have recently been delving deeper into indie rock territory. Their recent release, OMEGA/WHATEVER, boasts an amalgam of tracks ranging from quiet, droney tunes exploring the loss of innocence as we grow to more bluesy garage rock tunes with powerhouse guitar riffs and tender vocals. With reverb laden guitars, cackling feedback and plenty of distortion to spare, texture and depth are abundant creating a sense of grandness in their music. Catch them performing at DC Nine on August 3. – Adriana S. Ballester

Following the one year anniversary of their EP, Jackie Zealous is set to release a debut album titled “Psychic Data”. The band based in Santa Cruz gave us a taste of the California beach experience with warm Indie pop/rock vibes in June 2015. The highlights of the one year old project are “Lucky Girls Lucky Boys” and “I Feel It”. Both tracks exude warm and laid back vocals interlaced with catchy guitar riffs. You can find Jackie Zealous EP on soundcloud, spotify or bandcamp. – Garrett Yee

Despite having released quality material, Allston’s Beeef is a band that’s gone under most radars, including ours until now. Their 2015 release A BEEEF EP was notable for its textbook indie rock sound that at times verged into surf, alt and folk rock territories as well. No individual component stands out about Beeef’s music, but rather it’s their chemistry, tightness and the crisp nature of their sound that allows them to create catchy songs that sound familiar and fresh at the same time. Beeef have an upcoming show at Great Scott on 7/13, and this post on their Facebook page suggests they may have new music on the way. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Despite having 10 members whose ages range from 16 to 23, Teenage Halloween knows exactly the kind of music they want to play. The Asbury Park-based band takes cues from artists like Jeff Rosenstock, Elvis Costello, Defiance Ohio, and blink-182 to stir up an energetic blend of power-pop, folk, and punk . Although featuring a unique combination of instruments for a punk album like banjo, trombone, and saxophone, their latest EP It Was Weird, But It Worked never feels forced or gimmicky. Opening track “Waitress” is a brief song that calls to mind modern punk acts like Joyce Manor, while “Tiki Party” references the folk punk sound of fellow Jersey natives The Gaslight Anthem and Philly punk act The Menzingers. This summer Teenage Halloween will be playing several shows in New Jersey, the first one of which will be at Long Branch’s Brighton Bar. – John Honan