If you ask us "how's the NYC scene doing these days?" we'll respond with a mixed feelings kind of answer. But even though the local scene is undoubtedly going through some rough times (mostly caused by the excessive cost of the city and the extreme gentrification of Williamsburg), it has still managed to express some very fine music in 2017. Or at least that's what Rough Trade believes, since they just released a list of the Best 20 Records of 2017 that features four albums released by NYC based artists:

- Big Thief's Capacity (on the cover of our Winter 2016 issue of The Deli) placed in 4th position. 

- Cigarettes After Sex's self titled debut LP placed in 6th position. 

- The National's Sleep Well Beast placed in 14th position

- Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts' Milano placed in 16th position.

Four out of twenty, that's A LOT, congrats NYC scene!

Here's a YouTube playlist of these artists' most popular songs from their 2017 releases.

Despite heavy rain pausing Saturday's festivities, this year's second Boston Calling Music Festival – and the fourth overall – was once again a success. What sets the live showcase apart from other festivals, aside from its unique array of talents, is its location: instead of an open field, Boston Calling takes place on City Hall Plaza, in the heart of downtown and dwarfed by the taller buildings surrounding it.

While Saturday’s storm led to the cancellation of sets by Volcano Choir (the latest project of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon) and mash-up artist Girl Talk, Lorde and Childish Gambino ended the night on a triumphant note. Each given a 50-minute set, the two boasted the most energetic performances and youngest crowds of the weekend. “What you’ve done here tonight … is pretty special,” the 17-year-old songstress told the audience after they stuck it out to see her perform.

Luckily, the inclement weather steered clear of the festival on Friday and Sunday, with Neutral Milk Hotel and The National closing Friday night each with its own brass section, while Nas and The Roots finished off the festival on Sunday. Sunday’s lineup also included punk legends The Replacements and psychedelic newcomers White Denim.

Check out The Deli New England’s photo album from the weekend over on Flickr and make sure to keep posted at the Boston Calling website so you can be amongst the first to swipe tickets for the festival’s May edition.

-Jake Reed (@jakejreed)

Photos by Monica Kwan