Following up on their critically acclaimed 2014 debut album “Departure,” the NYC/Burlington duo Vacant Lots have released sophomore LP “Endless Night.”  Building off of a previously established psych-drone base, Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen introduce new sonic elements to their sound. Uncharacteristically, “Night Nurse” (streaming below) adds mechanized electronics and robotic vocals to twangy guitar lines, suggesting a digitized outlaw world portrayed in sci-fi dramas like HBO’s Westworld; the Krafter-esque experiment works.  “Pleasure & Pain” mimic Rolling Stones-style chords and sprinkle otherworldly keyboard elements around an attenuated vocal delivery, while  “Elevation” delves further into electro-dance patterns that skirt the appeal of a band like Depeche Mode.  Reaching the albums longest track at over five and a half minutes, “Empty Space” serves up a trance groove paired with spoken-word vocals.  Eight new tracks in all, the inclusion of nyc underground legend Alan Vega of Suicide’s posthumous scream-of-conscious poetic howl on closer “Suicide Note” delivers the desired validation.  The album can be heard in its entirety here on Spotify. - Dave Cromwell

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

Burlington’s The Vacant Lots recently unveiled “Mad Mary Jones,” the crunchy psych rock delight that previews their upcoming full-length debut Departure, due for release on July 1. The song kicks off with a persistent bass line before gritty guitars and sunny synths enter the mix, culminating with the song’s titular hook that falls somewhere between spoken and sung. Listen to the song below or check out its trippy video at The 405. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed