pictured: 79.5

CLICK HERE to hear the brand new Deli playlist Bans Off Our Bodies and read on for more deets…

Over the past 1-3/4 years you may’ve noticed that yr humble musical servant and scribe, who happens to possess one Y chromosome. has been oft inclined to write about music featuring strong, uncompromising female voices (caveat: some of whom may not identify as female)…

…which is less by design and more b/c of all of the kickass indie/underground music routinely produced by those who are “marginalized” by entrenched power brokers due to whatever set of factors one of which of course being gender…

…factors such as the SCOTUS ruling on abortion which stripped roughly half the populace of bodily autonomy, a right to privacy, and a good measure of human dignity or at least attempted to do so…

…which is beyond infuriating and beyond this writer's ability to fully comprehend in terms of the sheer horror show this must be for those most directly affected…

…and so as always I turn to music, which isn’t going to directly fix any of this but which at least is one of the best salves for trauma out there, not to mention a potent source of inspiration, a motivator for action, a path to understanding, a means to express fury and grief and all the feelings…

…ergo the 73-song playlist (over 40 of which have associated music videos, keep scrolling below!) which isn’t made up of “protest songs” per se (not mostly, anyway) but rather songs that could be helpful in the aforementioned ways. Or hell maybe you just need to rock out for 4 hours solid so please enjoy and thanks to all the brilliant musicians. (Jason Lee)

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When it comes to the local NYC scene, Bryant Park’s Emerging Music Festival (EMF) is the place to be. Returning for its third year, the festival is a hotbed for community and creativity. As the city’s only exclusively local festival, EMF is a can’t miss opportunity for everyone interested in keeping up to date with the scene. And the best part is that entrance is completely free of charge (and there isn’t even a line to get in!) The two day event will take place on August 18th and 19th, and will feature bands like Landlady, 79.5, Rips, and more. Until then, listen to The Deli’s playlist of all the performers streaming below. - Lilly Milman 

NYC's buzzworthy soul ensemble, 79.5, channels a legendary girl-group energy in their new single "Boy Don't Be Afraid". The second single off of their upcoming album Predictions, the group combines impeccable vocal harmonies, subtly smooth grooves, and their unique modern flavor, to create a sound that embodies the musical culture of New York City.  They'll be playing live 3/31 at the Bowery Ballroom alongside Chicano Batman, and The Shacks, but in the meantime, stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni