THE DELI

Brooklyn post-punk trio Patio’s debut LP Essentials is an engaging, introspective, and darkly humorous listen. From the sinister bass and spoken-word vocals of opener “Split,” to the self-effacing lyrics of “Boy Scout,” and concluding with an evenhanded examination of the present (and future) on “Legacy Continued,” Patio demonstrate a penchant for idiosyncratic songwriting and energetic, guitar-driven instrumentality. The band’s ability to reconcile the often-discordant nature of their playing with the intensely honest (but hopefully optimistic) lyricism makes Essentials a good album for those craving a down-to-earth, no bullshit rock record. Listen below, and see Patio live on December 13th at Le Poisson Rouge alongside Pile and Gabby’s World.

“Pop-adjacent” artist Blush FM’s newest EP Project A is a sparse, at times haunting affair, replete with moody, minimalistic synths and a powerful central vocal performance. It’s the type of release that exudes confidence, one that highlights Blush’s dramatic vox against quietly brooding synthetic swells; the most high-key element of the Project A’s five songs would be a tactile-but-understated 808 that propels the tracks forward, and the occasional hair-raising resonance-heavy synth, which lend additional drama and intrigue the project’s overall sound. Fans of artists like FKA Twigs and SHAED will feel right at home with this extended play; stream single "Move" below, and catch Blush FM at Mercury Lounge on December 5th.

New York indie rock duo Dog Petter bill their new video “Sucktitutde” as “what Lord of the Rings would look like if it cost $20 to make,” although one could argue it looks a bit like a poor man’s Skyrim. Soundtracked by noodling guitar lines and predominantly soft vocals, band members Emmitt and Brian embark on an epic voyage through Middle Earth (or the woods of New Jersey), leveling up their stats and befriending a God-like dog along the way. Humorous visuals aside, Dog Petter’s sound is somewhere between the muted repose of bands like Duster and The Antlers and the emotionally explosive elements of northeast emo outfits like Snowing, finding a happy medium between the quiet and cacophonous; watch the video below, and stream their most recent effort Asleep in the Heat here. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Despite my aversion to driving, pollution, and traffic inherent to owning a car, New York rhythm-and-blues quartet the Jay Vons create music that makes me wish I had a set of wheels of my own. Their recently release LP The Word is immediately evocative of yesteryear’s Mo-Town sound, a grooving collection of songs that would perfectly soundtrack a Sunday drive on the BQE. From the record’s opening organ, to the horn-hits on misty-eyed love song “Changing Seasons,” to the spring box percussive churn of “Keep On Moving,” the Jay Vons bring the heat, laying down soulful call-and-response vocals and solid gold brass lines amidst warmly vintage guitar tones. And despite the band being beholden to the tropes of classic RnB, The Word never feels kitschy or forced, resonating instead as a contemporary take on an old-yet-still-kicking musical tradition, a record that excels with many of the instruments and sonic textures listeners are are already well acquainted with. Listen below, and catch the band at Union Pool on December 1st, alongside Holy Hive and Masino. —Connor Beckett McInerney