If you ask us "how's the NYC scene doing these days?" we'll respond with a mixed feelings kind of answer. But even though the local scene is undoubtedly going through some rough times (mostly caused by the excessive cost of the city and the extreme gentrification of Williamsburg), it has still managed to express some very fine music in 2017. Or at least that's what Rough Trade believes, since they just released a list of the Best 20 Records of 2017 that features four albums released by NYC based artists:

- Big Thief's Capacity (on the cover of our Winter 2016 issue of The Deli) placed in 4th position. 

- Cigarettes After Sex's self titled debut LP placed in 6th position. 

- The National's Sleep Well Beast placed in 14th position

- Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts' Milano placed in 16th position.

Four out of twenty, that's A LOT, congrats NYC scene!

Here's a YouTube playlist of these artists' most popular songs from their 2017 releases.

Big Thief dropped a stunning debut full length last year (it earned them the cover of The Deli's winter issue), and since the date of its release they toured like there was no tomorrow. So we are not really sure how they managed to find the time to write a new record AND shoot a video (for single 'Mythological Beauty,' streaming below), but the simple fact that they were able to pull this off means the band is in a state of grace, as far as inspiration is concerned. The sophomore record, entitled "Capacity " will be released in June on Saddle Creek, and this is what singer and guitarist Adrienne Lineker has to say about it:

“There is a darker darkness and a lighter light on this album. The songs search for a deeper level of self-acceptance, to embrace the world within and without. I think Masterpiece began that process, as a first reaction from inside the pain, and Capacity continues that examination with a wider perspective.”

Big Thief in 2017 won't lose the habit of touring (more info here, followed by EU dates!) , New Yorkers should mark their calendars for Fri. June 9 @ Rough Trade.

The Indie Rock Year End Poll Results are finally in!

Overall Poll Winner (Combined Juror + Reader Poll Votes): Big Thief

This indie rock quartet graced the cover of our winter 2017 issue of The Deli, and offers catchy and melancholic indie rock that sticks to the soul. They hone a fuzzy, distorted rock sound with folky overtones and production that cleans it up enough to be endlessly listenable. 

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Overall Poll 2nd Place: Cut Worms

Cut Worms offers 60s pop revival reminiscent of anything from The Beach Boys to Gerry and the Pacemakers. With catchy, simple, and relatable tunes that satisfyingly dabble in the retro, Cut Worms knows how to catch an ear. 

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Reader Poll Second Place: Baby Acid 

Baby Acid is self-described as "grunge-gaze" and it's easy to understand why on a first listen. They blend the fuzzier, harder, heavier elements of grunge with the the reverb-soaked, sound walls and atmospheres of shoegaze to create an entire sonic space. 

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Here's the list of all the finalists with their Readers' Poll scores. As always, we'd like to thank all of our artists, jurors, and readers for participating in this year's polls.  Stay tuned and vote for all of our remaining genre polls! 

	Active Bird Community		1%	14 votes
	ArthurMoon		1%	21 votes
	Baby Acid		46%	637 votes
	Big Thief		1%	16 votes
	Citris		0%	5 votes
	Cloud Becomes Your Head		0%	6 votes
	Cut Worms		0%	1 vote
	Deal Casino		0%	1 vote
	Haybaby		0%	11 votes
	New Tarot		0%	3 votes
	Not Blood Paint		0%	5 votes
	Paris Monster		6%	87 votes
	Patio		1%	19 votes
	Prima		2%	31 votes
	Public Access TV		0%	6 votes
	Rachel Angel		35%	481 votes
	Wall		0%	3 votes
	Zula		0%	13 votes

This Saturday January 9th 2017, Big Thief and issue 49 of The Deli (which features them on the cover) will meet in occasion of the band's first headlining performance at the Bowery Ballroom - the show is sold out!

Check out the band's latest video for single "Human."

'Tis the season of the 'Best ofs' and this year we've got a pretty sweet one for you, directly from out 49th print issue of The Deli NYC - yes, in case you weren't aware of it, we exist in the tangible world too!

If you didn't stumble upon a copy of our magazine (we put it in all the alternatively musical places we know in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, LI and NJ) check out the full article digitally here. And DO NOT DARE to miss the playlist of said article, streaming below, because it's not available in print!

P.S. The tracks are organized in order of Soundcloud popularity.