Working under the name Bird of Youth, music journalist Beth Wawerna earlier this year has released “Defender,” an album that combines the guitar-driven pop sounds of 90s rock with Wawerna’s clever lyrics and authoritative delivery. Assembling a quality cast of friends and collaborators, Bird of Youth showcase the process in which the critic becomes the performer, with satisfying results. – See Bird of Youth live at Union Hall on September 29, read Jason Bertone’s Q&A with Beth here.

Mp3: Bird of Youth: "Bombs Away, She’s Here to Stay"

NJ and NYC based Psych Rockers The New Lines – who dropped their fourth single, History of Love/Off Axis at the beginning of August – have a sound that recreates the atmospheres of the psychedelia of the 60s adding to it a modern, mellow flavor – sounding like an even more out there version of Broadcast with male vocals. With the right amalgamation of Wurlitzer and Hammond keys, spacey samples, sparse drums and deep but gentle vocals drenched in reverb, this trio creates compositions bound to send you for a trip back to a time you only dreamed of. In "Off Axis" – on of our favorite songs – the notes from each instrument seem to playfully bounce off each other holding the listener’s attention until 1:47 when Hewson Chen’s hushed, relaxed vocals join the mix, conjuring up some kind of early Pink Floyd ballad. I think the ghost of Syd Barret sang the higher harmony there actually… The New Lines just finished mastering their first full-length album entitled "All That We See and Seem", which will be released in the early fall. The three-piece outfit shares the bill with four other bands at Goodbye Blue Monday on September 9.

We’ve been following NYC ex-blonde Lana Del Rey for quite some time, and witnessed her evolution from rootsy singer songwriter to pop diva – or "Hollywood Pop" diva, since that’s the genre indicated on her Facebook profile. After releasing an EP a few years ago, Lana is back with a new single – out in October on Stranger Records – paired with this video.

The Young Evils are on tour parading their dimple-sweet pop charm around the East Coast before they venture homewards to Seattleville.  The duo, who’ve thrown out the dating-a-band-member faux pas in favor of . . . well, dating a band member, released their debut LP Enchanted Chapel in 2010 to positive critical acclaim.  The album was produced by Barrett Jones, who also worked with Nirvana, The Melvins, and Pussy Galore.  Their songs are savory two minute pop constructions that drip enchantment, with straightforward instrumentation and singalong hooks genuinely intoned over gently strummed acoustic guitar.  Nice.

-Sep 08
The Red Room @ Cafe 939
Boston, MA
-Sep 09
Truck America Festival
Big Indian, NY
-Sep 09
Lizard Lounge
Lancaster, PA
-Sep 09
Chameleon Club
Lancaster, PA
-Sep 10
Susquehanna Bank Center
Camden, NJ
-Sep 13
NightCat
Easton, MD
-Sep 14
Black Cat Backstage
Washington, DC
-Sep 15
Rockwood Music Hall
New York, NY
-Sep 15
Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2
New York, NY
-Oct 01
The Tractor Tavern
Seattle, WA
-Oct 02
Doug Fir Lounge
Portland, OR

It seems almost unreal that a band as successful as NYC’s Escort is just about to release their debut full length. The 17 piece "disco-orchestra" has been around since 2006, and since then their music has been a constant presence in the country’s dancefloors through a seemingly endless stream of remixed versions of their songs. Escort’s long-awaited debut LP is finally set for release this November, and here’s a taste of it – the single "Cocaine Blues".

We featured Brooklyn based Robin Bacior‘s pretty video/song combo in this blog back in February, and since then the 24 year old singer songwriter has obviously been busy recording new material and making plans. Robin has just released as a free download the single "Ohio" (streaming here) from the upcoming album "Rest Our Wings" – to be released in November – and is kicking off a west coast tour tonight at Hotel Cafe` in LA. Definitely a talented young artist to keep an ear on. 

Emerging NYC rockers Wyldlife‘s first LP is out. The self-titled release contains 10 songs of late 70s-style rock and roll, and it will be available on CD and limited run vinyl. The first single, "City of Inbreds" is available for stream here and for download (in exchange for your email address) on their website. The band will be playing a high profile show with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Twin Sister @ Bowery Ballroom on September 19. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here. The Deli’s open blog is powered by The Music Building and APS Mastering).

Comprised of Boreta of LA’s The Glitch Mob and San Francisco-based Comma, Slidecamp worked on their instrumental electronic debut for over five years, recording it in cars, bedrooms, re-purposed office buildings, and back-alley studios spanning from Los Angeles to remote Washington State. Subtle field recordings, 4-track sessions, synthesizer experiments and found sounds are combined to form songs that take on a life of their own. Their self-titled album is out now.

Proof that Oakland’s ‘Pill Hill‘ has produced more than crime and addiction, Christopher Owens and Chet "JR" White of Girls found the perfect mixture to create new album Father, Son, Holy Ghost, out Sept. 13 and available here for streaming.

Fans who fell in love with the stoned California pop of Girls’ 2009 debut Album will immediately recognize the duo’s maturity and range in Father, Son, Holy Ghost. 

It’s not about one song or a singular theme, although the album successfully tackles love in all its forms, but truly this is an album. Listen to it start-to-finish and drown in Owen’s sorrowful gospel voice, memorize lyrics that rival a Raymond Carver short story and delight in the fact that someone is still making albums this interesting.

–Whitney Phaneuf

After releasing her recent single “Great Big Plans” and while gearing up for an upcoming unveiling of her next album, which she says “will be grittier, have an emphasis on dirty percussion, and explore some darker themes,” singer/songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs gears up for a Fall, 2011 tour, which will include dates with Motion City Soundtrack (starting on September 9th and 10th at Irving Plaza). Her upcoming album was entirely financed through a Kickstarter campaing met with immense support from her fan base – to the tune of $38,000. – Gina Alioto

Here’s Battles new video fof the new sinlge "My Machines" from the album "Glossdrop", featuring synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan. The single is available as a colored 12" vinyl.