On her latest track "BUMP!," Brooklyn emcee Sandflower wants to see people do just as the song title suggests, bump and grind all night long. Considering the quality of her rapping and the Latin-inspired beat backing her, it’s likely she’ll see her wishes come true whenever this track is played.  The production is devilishly simple, comprised solely of staccato drum grooves, grimy synth patterns, and alarm-clock-like samples that are sure to tap into adrenaline reserves and get bodies in motion. Sandflower’s monotone vocals, reminscent of Atlanta’s rapper Father, make for a nice contrast with the raucousness of the beat, getting a boost when Migs Migster joins her own the track’s simple hook. This now makes two quality tracks for the young Brooklyn emcee, the other being "Do Whatchu Wanna." You can see her live when she performs at Piano’s on 7/18. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Combining traditional grindcore with math rock shredding and a strong death metal sensibility, Mary Todd delivers explosive tracks that never leave the listener in one place for long. Climbing bass lines are pitted against complex guitar riffs, often threatening to drop off into total musical mayhem, but in a single swift motion, seamlessly return to navigating tightly through the tracks. Check them out for what can only be a face-melting set at St. Vitus on 7/17/16 opening for Old Lines and Prisoner. – Olivia Sisinni

On their latest EP Silver Sounds: Hallucinations,  Elison Jackson, a band split between Philly and New Haven, CT, added an extra layer to their already (very) psychedlic sound, by dropping a record that resembles a psychedlic experience in of itself. Each track on the EP is distinct in genre, thus providing a true "trip’ through different kinds of music.  On "Ghost Fucker," they kick-off with a forebodingly minimalist psych-rock song, but then immediately shift to loud guitar-rock on "Thru the Trees." From there they go from folk-pop to psych pop moments, to finish off with a sludgy folk rock song entitled Wal-Mart. Elison Jackson recently released trippy visuals for "Ghost Fucker," and you can catch them at The Press Room with People Like You on July 16.  —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Whoever said Queens isn’t cool (hey! it’s the new Brooklyn!) surely must not have heard of the Out In The Streets Festival coming to the Onderdonk House in Ridgewood for its fourth year on July 16-17.  Filled with some of our favorite local artists, such as The So So Glos and Frankie Rose, the festival is primarily a rock’n’roll fest. Bands will be playing with a backdrop of art, food and the Ridgewood market.  We’ve prepared a playlist to give a taste of the artists playing this weekend, but be sure to head over to the Out In The Streets festival to hear them for yourself. – Madeleine Grossman

After a complete reshuffling of the original lineup, and a trio of dudes replacing three ladies, Jessica Numsuwankijkul’s The Heliotropes is set to drop sophomore LP Over There That Way – perhaps the band’s most consistent release, and a clear departure from 2013’s (much) heavier sounding A Constant Sea. With its feet firmly planted in a mellow psych rock aesthetic, the album expertly blends fuzzy and distorted guitar driven riffs, with Jessica’s ethereal vocals floating its way through the tracks. Over There That Way debuts July 15, and you can catch the band live at Trans-Pecos on August 13th with Palehound and The Lemon Twigs. – Olivia Sisinni

Like they sing, "I got new blisters on old fingertips" on recently released single "Old Reasons," Boston band These Wild Plains offers new cuts on the tried-and-true country-rock genre. Their sound is at times reminiscent of bands like Wilco, but never feels derivative or cliché.  Their ability to stand out in this way is likely due to their three piece guitar section, featuring lead electric, rhythm, and the ever under-appreciated dobro. This allows their music to have a satisfying feeling of layeredness while still making for some good, easy listenin’. These Wild Plains’ debut full-length Distant Ways is due out on July 21, and you can check them out at Maine’s Bullwheel Music Festival on the 23rd. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

Punk rock has gone through many different trends throughout its relatively short life span, each trend giving birth to new sub genres that follow the same (angry) DIY attitude of its originators. Brooklyn-based act Habits fuse the more melodic sound of folk-punk and pop punk, with the (angry) sophistication of post hardcore, to forge what they call “whiskey soaked anthems”. Their latest EP The Defeatist draws on the sounds of Against Me! and Hot Water Music with lyrics that reflect on past regrets, unrequited love, and sleeping away tendencies – something slack rockers obviously inherited from punks! Its galloping riffs and powerful drumming, mixed  with the catchy choruses and gigantic hooks, keep the listener engaged and singing along even when the lyrics are at their darkest. Habits will be playing a free show on July 16th at The Knitting Factory. – John Honan

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.