As you know, here at The Deli we aim our focus mostly on emerging, promising local artists rather than "established" ones, but today I’d like to spend a few words for a band signed to a major, which was featured on the cover of The Deli back in 2008, and whose second full length, notwithstanding the departure of a band member, successfully developed in new exciting directions. We finally found some time to listen to Chairlift‘s the new album "Something" and we were very impressed with it, but mostly with the band’s loyalty to their signature sensual quirkiness. I don’t think many people in the industry would have bet their money on the duo after Aaron Pfenning left, and I won’t deny that – as much as I loved the debut "Does You Inspire You" – I was amongst the sceptics too. It is indeed easy for a pop band to buy into the temptation of getting even poppier after signing a deal with Columbia Records. But Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly obviously stood up to the challenge.
A video like this one for the single "Amanaemonesia" perfectly exemplifies how the duo not only put themselves out there, but doubled the stakes, with Caroline showcasing that in these 3 years not only she’s become a better singer, but she’s obviously improved her performing skills in the dancing department. Our favorite single from the album, "Sidewalk Safari" (streaming below) it’s just a great pop song that works on all levels. Emerging bands out there, there’s lots to learn from these guys.

Superheroes are consistently more awesome when they team up. When super-villians team up, there is a guarantee of bigger explosions and mass hysteria. When Brooklyn’s Ryan-O’Neil and 100dBs join forces, DJs’ fingers start to twitch in anticipation, MCs tighten their headphones, and fans invest in sound systems with greater bass response. In the four years that these cats have been working together, they have remained consistently dope. Ryan’s flow is effortless and insightful, and 100dBs’ production infuses the booms and baps with a soul reminiscent of DJ Premier. Together they strike a careful balance between fidelity to hip hop’s roots and an investment in the evolution of the art form. This is the type of album people ask the bartender about when it’s playing; the type of album friends won’t leave your apartment until you burn it for them. Don’t sleep on this one. – BrokeMC

Total Slacker is a name we stumbled upon many times but for some reason never covered. This is actually a super-fun Brooklyn band which seems very committed to doing thing the DIY way, but unlike too many other similar groups from that NYC borough, these guys have crafted a very personal lo-fi style that blends garage influences with psych-pop melodies – definitely a good match for Night Manager, our January 2012 Record of the Month band with whom they’ll share the stage at The Mercury Lounge tonight (on the bill also habibi). Their recordings are gritty but not grating, and rather tight for that scene’s standards. But the real highlight here is their videos, which ,considering the very limited resources, are very well made. This one for "Secret VHS collection" (ATTENTION, you may NOT want to watch it at work!) successfully combines 3 hot hipsterland’s topics: DIY live parties in tiny Bushwick apartments, craigslist sex listings and… masturbation.

Sweden has given music some of the best voices in pop, and singer Anna Ternheim – currently a NYC resident – can be added to that growing list. Ternheim is more Lykke Li than Robyn, an inevitable comparison given their backgrounds and similar melancholic tones, and is already topping charts in native Europe with “The Night Visitor,” her fifth full-length release. The album combines more folk elements than some of her previous work, and is ornamented with her echoing vocals of solitude and contentment. Songs like “Walking Aimlessly” featuring Will Oldman on backing vocals (streaming below) and “The Longer the Waiting,” sung with Nashville engineer and “Night Visitor” producer Dave Ferguson, show that Ternheim has earned a place among Sweden’s most talented imports. You can catch her live at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC on May 26. – Devon Antonetti

Brooklyn’s Cameo Gallery is hosting a garage-rock lover’s wet dream on Saturday, May 5th. Headliners, Wild Yaks bring their cheerfully haphazard, loud rock and unified choruses to the stage. Once already lovingly referred to as "Brooklyn’s drunk folk-punk icons" by The Deli, their live performances are a guaranteed good time regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with their tunes – check out a recent video here.
Raccoon Fighter pave the way for the Yaks, with their rockin’, seductive garage jams. their big, raw sound and powerful guitars are soulful and even bluesy when combined with their emotive vocals – here‘s a video from last year.
Self-proclaimed "American dance-punk band", The Toothaches will open the night with a lively set including multi-part harmonies and undeniably fun, catchy pop songs. Members often perform in costume and/or without face paint. Also on the bill Boston’s Girlfriends. Since we covered Wild Yaks and Raccoon Fighter quite a bit in the past, we are giving picture and streaming tune to The Toothaches. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.

We’ve always been big fans of Luke Temple, and it’s good to see that, together with the Here We Go Magic crew, the man is keeping at it with increasingly beautiful records and videos. The band’s new album "A Different Ship" (stream it here) will be out on May 8, and betrays at least a partial return to Luke Temple’s more intimate and melodic sound from his solo repertoire – in this regard, lend a ear to "Hard to Be Close," "Alone but Moving" and "Over the Ocean". This is welcome news for fans like us who always thought that in most HWGM material Luke’s noteworthy songwriting skills seemed a little sacrificed on the altar of textural experimentation. This doesn’t mean that the band’s signature hypnotic, impressionistic sound is lost – it’s just that these two elements work together better than they did in past records, and this is what makes this album one of the NYC highlights of the year so far. Indeed, this collection also features songs more in line with the band’s past releases ("Make Up your Mind", "I Believe in Action"), which follow on the steps of brainy-pop icons like Brian Eno and The Feelies, but there’s definitely a balance here, also betrayed by the almost perfect alternation of melodic songs and less traditional ones.The just released video of "How Do I Know," telling the story of a rejected dancing robot that ends up revitalizing an older man’s appreciation for life, seems to reflect on this brain/heart, mechanic/organic dichotomies and somehow bring them to unity. – PDG

Now that Jack White is going solo, the crown for the "best male/female dirty blues-rock duo" is vacant. San Diego’s Little Hurricane could be a serious contender for this title, propelled by the fresh release of their debut album "Homewrecker," and also by above average photogenicity – the guys here at The Deli’s headquarters have already unanimously elected CC (the girl in the band) "Deli Drumer of the Year" – a title they made up today, which we guess might NOT be based entirely on musical skills.

Many blogs and publications already anticpiated us in proclaiming the somewhat cliche` statements "Little Hurricane might be a duo, but they have a big sound" and "it’s hard to believe that a musical duo can pack as big of a punch" – we should find new ways to say that, dunno… like: "this band is basically a sextet minus a quartet, but they pack the punch of 2 evil quintets!" – Anyway, punchy or not, the music is what counts and we are digging this tune streaming below. Check them out live at the Detroit Bar at Costa Mesa on May 05

I think it’s possible that Backwords recorded their latest EP while serving burgers at a barbeque. Their latest EP, ‘By the Neck,’ captures a particular moment of sunshine in their campfire-ready anthems where the beers are still cold and the sun is still warm, and this is all thanks to how intimate and close-knit this bunch of friends is.
Even when the group misses a note or two (as happens on occasion), it’s all in the family. This is music for anyone to sing along to. Let’s just see you try and stop your foot from moving to acoustic guitar charmers like ‘Break My Spine’ and ‘Hey Kid!’ (streaming below). See them when they play The Rock Shop on May 10 or at Union Hall on May 19. – Backwords submitted their music for review here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Hollands music is packed full of twists and turns. Unexpected lyrical declarations and sideways turns suddenly give way to bent harmonies and surprising acoustic inventions… and somehow it all comes together in the simplest of manners. With lyrics like ‘glory to god, i’d like to meet your mom,’ Hollands is a band with the wit of Stephen Malkmus, and penchant for pop gold that might make Randy Newman envious. There’s quite a bit going on here, but there’s also an honest delivery to it all that keeps you in expectation the whole time. Make no mistake, Hollands may very well be that band to keep track of this year. See them when they host a Tuesday residency in June, upstairs at Pianos. – Mike Levine

Though Skaters (#30 in our latest year end Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll) may be the new kids in town they’re hardly giving off the newbie-vibe. In fact, members of Skaters have already been around the block a few times, just in different bands. Their debut EP "Schemers" is a lot of fun — good old-fashioned leather jacket sporting, skinny jean wearing, punk-tinged garage pop-rock. Punchy, power chord-laden romps with sing-along choruses are elevated to anthems with generous reverb. If you weren’t already drinking a 40-ounce, you will be once you give them a listen. – AL

Ms Mr is a NYC based duo that plays moody and rather sensual electro pop, with an interestingly dark soul component, and a female lead singer with a voice to kill for – by the way, we’ll have to write a feature about the resurgence of soul in NYC… Although the band is very new (so new that we can’t find images of them – ah, these clever promotion tactics!), they seem to have everything in place to build some serious promotion in the upcoming months. They already have a summer tour booked opening for Marina and the Diamonds, plus 3 east coast shows in August – one of them at Webster Hall. This song streaming here called "Bones" is very intriguing, and we heard some unreleased material which sounded even more promising. You may want to keep an eye and a couple of ears on these guys.

Any fan of The Swell Season will find themselves at home with DeKoven Street’s deeply felt stories of love’s simultaneous frustrations and catharsis. Singer Nick Dragisic might recall the breathiness of crooners like John Mayer in his approach, but in songs off the band’s newest acoustic EP, ‘Varick Sessions,’ like the nostalgic ‘The Town,’ or the driving ‘Letters,’ the band showcases a charm and songwriting sensibility you don’t hear enough out of NYC. It’s a good thing this band’s moved here from their native Chicago. See the band when they play The Living Room May 12. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Thi artist submitted his music for review here.