You do not want to be on the bad side of Christine Hoberg. Her romantic reflections often turn to rage and revenge, and her lyrics rarely miss their mark. While ‘J’Aime’ off its eponymous record brings out an honest yearning to find love, Hoberg more often than not revels in love’s less saintly modes, like the wrenching ‘White Ass’ and ‘Nutcase.’

For her latest record, Hoberg challenges herself not in changing what worked so well over the past couple years, but in finding a space where her feelings can elevate amidst layers of haunting echoes that shimmer from her piano stretches and knife-cutting vocal delivery. ‘Moonlight Never Shined So Bright’ is both haunting and cutting at once, revealing depths to Hoberg that challenge any simple explanation for her wicked streak. Christine’s can be a voice full of pain, but this weight gains a breathtaking outlet when expressed through the elevated tension of her music.- Mike Levine

This record was submitted digitally to The Deli here.

Playful pop with a lo-fi edge by way of two minute songs is the domain of Brooklyn’s The Hairs. “I Remember Alien Gonzales” serves up word play though a song title and chorus that cleverly references a headline grabbing story from a decade ago. “Duh” (streaming below, video here) is happy, foot tappin’ garage-punk, with traces of Robert Smith guitar interplay. “Ghetto Control” continues the lo-fi sonics, with lyrical references to cops and social disobedience. “Houseplant Songgg” is a compact 1:39 in length while still fulfilling the requirements one expects from a song, while the amusing (if redundantly) titled “Feeling a lot of Feelings” keeps the loose good times going. The band plays Glasslands on Friday with Big Troubles and Punks on Mars. – Dave Cromwell

After years of performing together (originally under the moniker Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head), Brite Futures announced today that they will no longer be writing and touring with one another. The announcement comes along with the confirmation that the band will play their final hometown show on June 16 at the Vera Project. Brite Futures posted this note on their Facebook page earlier in the day

Friends, BFFs, everyone,

It is with many bittersweet feelings that we announce that as of next month Brite Futures will cease to be an active band, and we will no longer be creating or playing music together. After almost seven years as a band (more than a quarter of our lives) we’ve unanimously reached the decision that it’s time to move on to other adventures-the irony of which, for a band with our name, is not lost on us. This separation is not due to a falling out or any ill feelings between us personally, but with the band’s momentum dying down and other aspirations beckoning, we’ve begun to look toward the next stage in our lives. And that’s exciting at the same time as it’s sad to leave behind a pursuit that saw us grow up together, from awkward high school spazzes singing about our first beards to more confident young adults.

James Levy and the Blood Red Rose (aka the guy from Levy – the band – and Allison from The Pierces) just released this video for the song "Hung to Dry". The duo is splitting their time between NYC and London, and just announced a string of UK shows. James also debuted his new project with a show at Cameo on May 13.

We covered NYC indie-pop outfit Jump Into The Gospel a bunch of times in the past and today we found out that the band has decided to change their name to HITS after the recording of their new EP, which reportedly triggered "major changes and commitments." The band will debut the new name with a show at The Mercury Lounge tonight May 15. Check out the new electronic single "Madness" streaming below.

Hear Kodacrome scream and chill out at the same time. This isn’t a combination that comes naturally to most of us, but in channeling rage through rhythm, singer Elissa Pociask has carved out a unique space that’ll make you wonder why no one has thought of pairing an acoustic guitar with casiotones before (‘Modern Man’).

When there’s a limit to frustration, San Fran and Brooklyn based Kodacrome provides the perfect outlet. Tracks like the winding ‘All the Ama’ off their new EP ‘Perla,’ gives and takes in equal measure, pushing the listener through an unexpected series of events from big beat dancefloor to solo piano interlude. But whether quiet or loud, it’s proportions are always epic. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Kodacrome submitted their music to The Deli for review digitally here.

With his soul-infused folk, Matt Cranstoun’s music has a possessive mixture of character and earnestness. The Brooklyn-based singer released his sophomore album “The Last Drop of Color” last fall and has spent the past few months on stage set to an energetic “big band” supporting group. Complete with choral-like gospel singers and horn section, the album comes alive with the energetic backing band, showing the vulnerable but spirited singer at his best and charging his up already electric indie rock. Cranstoun and company will be performing their final show in the series at Rockwood Music Hall on May 15. – Devon Antonetti

Songwriter Rachael Sage makes no secret of her scars. Her open attitude in discussing life’s myriad frustrations and pains makes her music all the more real and personal: like an old friend lending a sympathetic ear. Tracks like the rootsy ‘Delancey Street’ discuss the hardships of the struggling artist’s life, while new song cycle ‘Haunted by You’ finds the singer in and out of relationships and heartache.

Along with her band The Sequins, Sage takes her candid personality to the kind of roots jams only a city like New York could produce, and that’s the best place to see her live too. See her when she officially releases her latest record on May 19 at Joe’s Pub. – Mike Levine, photo by Laura Crosta

A quintessential expression of the recently deceased Manhattan label/studio Olive Juice Music, Kung Fu Crimewave is a band of brothers (and sister) featuring the Kelly family of Brooklyn — “Kung Fu” Luke, “Tae Kwon” Jo, and Neil Kelly. Rounding out the five piece is Deenah Vollmer on electric mandolin and Preston Spurlock on keys. Charming male and female vocals twinkle on Kung Fu Crimewave’s 2011 effort “Capitol Punishment,” a record filled with unpretentious melodies, crooked guitars lines and imaginative lyrics, in the best lo-fi pop tradition. The band, who recently released this DIY video of the song "Forgot about Rock’n’Roll, will be opening The Deli’s B.E.A.F. Indie Rock Stage at Spike Hill on Friday May 25 – more info here. – Corinne Bagish

Vocalist Hannah Amdahl and guitarist Robert Kemp are living proof that road trips can lead to great things. The duo played music together in Florida under the name of Hannah and the Halfway House, when they decided to pack it up and make the trek to Seattle, listening to “Highway to Hell” upon crossing each state line. Once in Seattle, the pair connected with percussionist Alex Noble, bassist Michael Plotke, and engineer David Miner, forming a new indie pop sound in The Last Temptations.
There is something very sassy about the group’s six track Penny Dreadfuls. The record, heavy with witty lyrics, kicks off with “Trigger Finger”. The track immediately sucks the listener in with its straightforward rifts, addictive beat, and satisfying breakdowns. Hannah’s voice is sultry as she sings “I don’t want to possess you I just want to caress you sometimes.  I don’t want to control you, I just want to own you sometimes.”  The delicate strumming of guitar gives way to the clear and clever lyrics “I’m not a social butterfly, I’m barely a social sly”  in the moody “Police State”.  The tune features a few different change ups which makes for a tantalizing ride.  “Southern Charm” is also, well, charming. The drum intro grabs the audience’s attention and creates a build up as each instrument is layered on. The disc also features the somewhat beachy “Big Ben Butcher”, the gritty “Share Your Opinions” and the chill “Predatory Glances”.
The Last Tempations have created a brassy and enticing debut album in Penny Dreadfuls and will be following it up with a new single this July. Besides creating more tantalizing tracks, the group has the goal of rockin’ out to “Highway to Hell” in all 48 continental states.

– Kristen Ferreira