Sam Owens a.k.a. Sam Evian released his latest album “You, Forever” on Saddle Creek Records over the summer.  In 2017, The NYC-based producer and songwriter also co-produced the solo album for Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead). Now, the two have joined forces in a re-imagined track entitled “Next To You.” This version is just as billowy and mellow as you might expect coming from the minds of these two musicians. But with help from Kazu’s haunting vocals and a sweeping instrumental section (metronome, violin, and bass), “Next To You” blooms into something more celestial and otherworldly. The song’s central message is short and sweet but tinted with a dreary cynicism about how the world sucks right now.  Makino murmurs, “I can't fight the world’s battles/I just wanna be next to you.” It’s a truly gorgeous track, and you can listen below. - Sara Nuta

Here's a recap of our Best of NYC Indie Pop Poll, which ended last Friday and highlighted some truly talented emerging locals.

We already celebrated Zuli, winner of the Readers' Poll, here. 

Ex Reyes, the project of New Orleans songwriter Mikey Freedom Hart, was the winner of the overall chart (and therefore of the "Best of NYC" title for this category - this chart adds to the readers' votes the points cast by our scene "experts," who nominated all the artists in the list). Rather impressively, this band has been consistently churning out quality, extremely sophisticated, soulful and somewhat loungy tracks that reveal the rich musical background of its singer/songwriter and the city he hails from. Check out the video for their break out single "Bad Timing" below.

Other artists who did really well in the poll are Sam Evian (same juror score as Ex Reyes, less readers votes), Surf Rock is Dead (3rd place overall and 2nd in the Readers' Poll), and Plastic Picnic (3rd in the Readers' Poll) - check out their tracks, streaming below.

Find the full list of the Indie Pop Category finalist at the bottom of this post.

	Crying		2%	7 votes
	Cigarettes After Sex		2%	8 votes
	Ex Reyes		1%	6 votes
	Forth Wanderers		1%	6 votes
	Gates		0%	3 votes
	The Lemon Twigs		2%	9 votes
	Pavo Pavo		1%	4 votes
	Plastic Picnic		13%	47 votes
	Sam Evian		1%	5 votes
	Soccer Mommy		11%	41 votes
	Surf Rock Is Dead		17%	61 votes
	Yoke Lore		10%	36 votes
	Zuli		33%	116 votes

'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.

Check out the artists that made our "Fresh Buzz section in the 48th issue of The Deli NYC!

The solo project of (Deli celebrated) Celestial Shore’s Sam Owens, Sam Evian showcases the transformation of a quirky, talented songwriter into a more mature, original artist. Latest single “Sleep Easy” (streaming) features a more linear sound, without giving up the songwriter's beloved odd tempo changes, which are almost randomly - but very organically - disseminated throughout the song. Sam's experimental urges, though, don't distract from the song, a mid tempo ballad venturing into dreamy territories not entirely foreign to the sound of Celestial Shore, although folkier and twangier than anything ever released by the Brooklyn band.  Check out the video here. The track is off debut album, 'Premium,' which will be released soon by Saddle Creek Records.