Already proven adept at hook-heavy alt-pop, in their new EP Isadora Deal Casino progresses their sound into more nuanced approaches to pop. New single “Soft Machine” showcases this clearly. While still working in the alt-pop realm, the tempos drop considerably, opening up space for a more atmospheric production where synthesizers challenge the edgy guitar parts, while vocals double up in intensity, for a more mature and powerful listening experience. THe arrangement accentuates melodies with bell-like glockenspiel, and peaks with a chorus practically inverted by echoing distorted guitar and a slowed down melody. “Soft Machine” is a strong step for the band toward a more matured sound. Isadora Duncan is out May 18, you can listen to “Soft Machine” below and see the band live at the Asbury Park Brewery on May 20th. – Cameron Carr

Asbury Park's Deal Casino, a promising new indie-rock quartet that made our recent list of Best of NYC Emerging Artists, has released their first single, entitled "Red Balloon," from their upcoming debut album. The track, inspired by the Oscar winning, 1956 French comedy-drama going under the same name, is an uptempo, punchy romp that will tickle the ears of fans of The Black Keys and Dr. Dog. Like the movie, it's a playful song, but also features an underlying feeling of sadness, which the band says will be a recurring theme in their full length. Deal Casino is celebrating the record's release at The Stony Pony in Asbury Park on July 21st with Born Cages and The Cold Seas. Listen to the new single below! - Ethan Ames

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

It's the end of January, and if you're like most people, the enthusiasm behind those New Year's resolutions are slowy starting to melt away. Though we can't help you with that new gym membership losing its initial allure, if "seeing more live music" happened to chart on your New Year to-do list, you're in luck. Deal Casino, a hard-working, indie rock four-piece from industrious Asbury Park, is coming to a venue near you, and we totally recommend catching them live. The band utilizies a mixture of minimalist sounds and hard-hitting riffs to create grooves that are as infectious as they are instantlly compelling. Their latest release, The Cannonball EP, features tunes like "Panama Papers," a timely state of the nation track, and "Purple," a wistful song that seems to capture the general, 20-something maliase. Catch the band live at theire Arlene's Grocery residency (playing alongside Gillian on 01.31) and stream single 'Panama Papers below. - Olivia Sisinni