Probably because they only recently relocated to NYC (they originally hail from Florida), we somehow missed BLONDS‘ rise to semi-notoriety. The duo, comprised of dating, non-blonde couple Cari Rae and Jordy Asher, is partial to slow tempos and intense, almost Lynchian dreamy atmoshperes. A rather sexy video of the Portishead-ish single "206" raised their profile in the past winter, and to take things to the next level the band is now releasing this single "RUN" from the upcoming full length album "The Bad Ones". We can’t help but notice spaghetti Western references both in the record’s title and in the single, which sounds very much like a revisitation of Morricone’s dramatic approach to Country’n’Western music. This band seems to have a rather big music vocabulary at their disposal, and this is a very good sign – looking forward to the summer release.

Mike Higbee is the ghost of Roy Orbison riding on Hank Williams’ horse over to the saloon for a cold, hard drink. A man who most likely grew up listening to the King from his hometown of Paris, and dreaming of the ‘Donna’ of Ritche Valens’ genius, Higbee has resurrected the spirit of Nashville for New York in his latest LP ‘Secret Life.’

From accordion-backed love songs (Love of My Life) to raucous barnburners like the eponymous ‘Secret Life,’ and even covering a song by Parisian singer Manu Chao (‘La Primavera’), Higbee proves he’s up to the task of carving out a complete statement by re-shaping the forgotten ghosts of rustic Americana to his liking.

Perhaps it took someone born in Paris to reinvent our own history for us. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – This music was submitted digitally to The Deli here.

I personally abhor the words "highly anticipated" – which are almost always used pointlessly by press people in particular – but in this circumstance those words are perfectly justified. Friends was the most buzzed about emerging NYC band of 2011, mostly because of the beautiful take on psych-soul of their single/video "I’m His Girl" (The band placed 3rd in our Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists, and was featured on the cover of our latest NYC print issue.  "Manifest!" is the title of Friends’… highly anticipated debut full length, out today on Fat Possum Records and available for streaming on Spin.com. The question everybody is wondering about is, of course, if there is another single as good as "I’m His Girl" in the album… From a quick listen, our feeling is that that single is still the peak of this young band’s repertoire, but we have been wrong before… the new tracks in the album however sound solid and we are happy to report that the recording team decided to keet the "mid-fi" approach of the early singles, avoiding to fall into the often corrupting temptations of "over-production".

P.S. We were hoping for some new press pictures for this release… BIG disappointment (we’ve been using the same 2-3 pics of this band a dozen times already!

If Brian Eno produced a slightly more Americana version of TV on the Radio, you might get a band sounding something like Sewing Machines. The group has a penchant for sculpting beautiful and natural soundscapes out of the most synthetic of sources. Keyboards and drum machines overlay functionally tweaked vocal energy… and still, all of it is catchy as hell. But if there’s one thing to separate the band from the legions of loop machine tinkerers surrounding Brooklyn, it’s the unexpected humanity and simple fun the band always make sure to include in their experiments.

If this duo is halfway serious about their band name, they could not have done any better. Between the inspired, and heavily looped banjo and violin work of Sam Moss, and the well positioned vocals (and drum machine madness) of co-conspirator Max Horwich, this band is more than apt to cut and purl their way to an entirely new means of utilizing sonic materials. Check out their new album ‘February’ on their Bandcamp profile. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Cosmolingo might have some misgivings about New York’s modern trappings in their single ‘Breathe,’ but their sound escapes this dread entirely, by filling spaces like SOB’s and RBar to the brim with joy. Cosmolingo is a 7-piece filled with equal parts sax, synths, Adele-like backing vocals, and lead vocals from songwriter Les DuMouchel amp’ed straight from a telephone. It’s NY’s urban sprawl manifest through what might be the best jazzy-rockin-soulful-skankin-funkin-blues band around. Go party with Cosmolingo at Drom in the East Village on June 13. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Cosmolingo submit their music digitally to The Deli here.

In its records inspired by the American Civil War, Jus Post Bellum has an old time feel accented by melancholy and refinement. Minnesota native Geoffrey Wilson heads the band, crooning with lyrics about Stonewall Jackson and the judgment of God. Jus Post Bellum, which is Latin for “justice after war,” could be described as the Historical Fiction version of Fleet Foxes or Southeast Engine, coming alive with the rich, country-tinged harmonies of Wilson and bandmate Hannah Jensen, a fellow Minnesotan. The Brooklyn-based group released “Devil Winter” in April, and we be appearing at The Living Room on June 21. – Devon Antonetti, photo by CJ Richter

Man, these aloof Widowspeak hipster guys are making us GREEN! We love their music but they wouldn’t play our shows (or even make a Facebook post about our coverage) to save their own lives. We must have tried to dat… ahem, book them half a dozen times by now and we are afraid it ain’t gonna happen at this point… Their record came out about a year ago – cool beijey cover, mellow sounds, a beauty – but we met them way before then. It was The Deli NYC’s Album of the Month in August 2011, and it still finds its way into our ears. The guys also placed 3rd in our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll, but they never really seemed to care much about this stuff… But wait! Fashion magazine "Interview" interviewed them the other day! They wrote a post on Facebook about it! Same thing with Noisevox, Wow Magazine, Vice Germany… what the heck Widowspeak?! You flirt with huge publications owned by even bigger corporations behind our back? INDIGNATION! BETRAYAL OF BROOKLYN DIY ETHICS! – Or maybe just jealousy of a small, unloved (but cute) local rag…
P.S.You were on the cover of our latest issue, did you even notice? – Read Ed Guardaro’s feature on Widowspeak here.

Illuminator recently dropped some vowels because there were other bands out there with a similar name. It’s almost certain, however, that these bands sound nothing like Illumntr. In fact, it’s arguable that most bands sound nothing like Illumntr, for they exist, mentally and audibly, on a different planet. Like a tripped out sonic loom, their combination of sounds and ideas produce a multicolored patchwork. Vocals weave in and out, mingling with echoes, bells, and jangles, timpani and synths. These are not songs with hooks, meant to be easily digested and spat back out. Instead they are carefully constructed suites, pieces melding into one another with orchestral grace. – Read Alison Levin’s interview with the band here.

NYC Thee Mast recently released the new single "UpUpUp" which showcases a partial switch in the band’s sound: Haale Gafori dreamy guitar parts have completely disappeared from this track, replaced by buzzy synths lines, which gently integrate with her ethereal vocals and Matt Kilmer’s signature inventive drum style. The duo has enrolled LA professional dancer Pandora Marie for the shooting of the single’s video, streaming below.

Gritty NYC trio Element demonstrate what a well-oiled rock ‘n roll machine should sound like as audible on the group’s four-track sojourn "SOUNDTRACK TO THE END OF THE WORLD." Meshing a freewheeling hard rock bravado with a potpourri of pop-rock sensibilities, Element’s winning songwriting showcases an aptitude for creating grandiose atmospheres that never lose a pounding backbeat (“Tin Man”) as well as wealth of left of center heaviness straight out of Dave Grohl’s playbook (“Beautiful”). Bolstered by a rash of massive hooks with luxurious harmonies akin to King’s X meeting Muse, Element’s attentive musicianship and versatile rock chops allow their songs to span the rock continuum with an exhilarating sense of swagger where hitting the repeat button constantly is encouraged. See them live at Trash Bar on June 22. -Mike SOS

Zoe Sundra, an artist hailing directly from Natalie Merchant’s school of wistful storytelling, takes a playful look at some of romance’s endless games in her sophomore record, ‘The Hunt.’

In her quieter moments, like the forceful ballad ‘Born to Please’ and the genealogical reveal of ‘Force of Love,’ Zoe reveals a country tinge to her contralto that puts her enormous range on display. But she’s at her strongest in larger anthems like album opener ‘Scarlett,’ where Sundra pours her heart out on top of brassy fanfare and glissando winds unafraid to fly the piece up to the heavens. See her when she plays the New Music Seminar show at Cake Shop on June 19 on May 27th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Zoe Sundra submitted her music for review to The Deli here.

A new KC music compilation has been released by Kill Your TV, a new local music and art blog. Features artists including The ACBs, Deco Auto, Molly Picture Club, Dolls on Fire, and Vitae and the Pale Horse. Check it out here!