-By Avril Carrillo

Most of the tracks on Darf Yader clock in under three minutes, but from starting pistol “Greata The Sweata” Local Teen is off at breakneck speeds, driving white knuckled towards the beach - carried by the momentum of fuzzy melodic punk. Wont to avoid an easily cohesive product, however, Darf Yader sees the Portland-based project veering into other genre territories, from “Everything Is Shit’s” self-effacing slacker rock to shuffling folk on “Coward’s Way Out,” replete with an echoing melodica solo. This is to be expected by a band that indicates in their website’s manifesto that “music genres are fucking useless” and embraces “self expression” first and foremost. Appropriately so, Darf Yader a record that’s hard to pin down, but held together by an unending iconoclastic energy and an acid washed aesthetic. Check it out below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)

Reptaliens have a new album, Valis, coming out on April 26th. So far they have a few pre-released songs, and they let the Deli take a peek at the full album. Valis emphasizes minimalism and clarity. It gives the audience plenty of room to breathe and enjoy the beats. The combination of airy vocals, 80’s synthesizer, and dreamy tempos sound like a relaxed version of snythwave artists like Night Tempo, or Desired. It’s pleasant to both dance and nap to, which is an enjoyable quality. "Shuggie II" is particularly sweet. The band just released a self-directed video for the song. The video is the perfect accompaniment to "Shuggie II" in both attitude and aesthetic. Each shot looks like the result of a sci-fi movie that was turned into an 80’s infomercial. It’s thoughtful and introspective, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It looks like it was a lot of fun to make, and it was definitely a lot of fun to watch.

Reptaliens will be playing the Wonder Ballroom on Thursday, April 25th. Turnover and Turnstile will also be playing sets. 

-By Avril Carrillo