One of our favorite soul sisters is back with a hot new track. Goapele’s been in the game for a minute, she’s prob most famously remembered for her feature on the classic Hiero track “Make Your Move”, but “Play” might be her strongest song yet. Here the Bay Area songstress embraces small bits of varying pieces of contemporary r&b and electronic music. Goapele’s “update” to her sound is seemless. (AV)
Goapele – PlayRating 8.2
Wow. Mindblown. “Lucky Woman” which has been around for a few months was picked up by Jamie xx as part of his Essential Mix for Radio 1. We’ve had it on repeat ever since. Wow.
Phanes – Lucky WomanPhanes 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 9.0
Our brother Kay Be is back with the Obscene LP, his second dope release in as many months. The clattering, soul-infused “All That Sound” is our choice track. Preview it below.
Kay Be – All That SoundKay Be 
(Bandcamp)
Rating 8.2
Here comes something fresh from b3sci fav Joker. New track “Here Come the Lights” a/k/a “Slaughterhouse” is single #2 from the UK producer’s upcoming debut LP The Vision. Turn this one way up.
Joker – Here Come the Lights (Feat. Silas of Turboweekend)Rating 7.9
We lift the b3sci OFWGKTA embargo just this once as the first lady of Odd Future DJ Syd the Kyd puts a dreamy languid spin on an LD b-side. Special shout to the b3sci grown and sexy crowd.
Little Dragon – Seconds (Syd the Kyd Remix)
Little Dragon 
(Official) (Twitter)
Rating 8.0
The Prince of Brostep ?returns with one of his best tracks yet. Haters take notice, Skrillex bro has stepped his game up.
Skrillex – Right HereSkrillex 
(Official) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
We love James Vincent McMorrow! Here JVM takes on renaissance man Steve Winwood’s 80’s hit “Higher Love”, restyling the tune as a planative piano ballad. Singing over just a few spare chord jabs, McMorrow’s ghostly beautiful voice shines on this top shelf cover.
James Vincent McMorrow – Higher Love (Steve Winwood)James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Michael Kiwanuka’s music is really impressive. The Withers, Otis references are there. The melodic hat tips to Dylan, etc are there too. That aside, there’s something about this artist and these songs (“I Need You By My Side” is one of many gems thusfar from MK), that feels really special. The voice, the writing, the melodies, it’s all very moving. Kiwanuka, much like Withers and Redding and other great soul artists, has this ability to pluck/pinpoint/pull at very specific emotions all while securing the listener in something broader something comforting, something reassuring. (like I’ve been there too, I’ve felt these emotions.) Let me use my pain, my love, my struggle, whatever. Let me help communicate clarity into what your feeling. Michael Kiwanuka’s “I’m Getting Ready” EP is available now.
Michael Kiwanuka – I Need You By My SideMichael Kiwanuka (Facebook) (Official)
Rating 9.4
Our NE Ohio bro Stalley is re-releasing his dope Lincoln Way Nights proj Nov. 1 via MMMMMaybach Music. And in anticipation of that release the chilled “Sound of Silence” gets a vid. The mellow, vibin’ Stalley is our favorite Stalley. Here’s to Rawse (wherever he’s getting that shit!) sharing some of those sick slow grind mafioso beats with MMG’s latest signee in the not so distant future. We’d love to hear Stalley on that shit.
Stalley – Sound of SilenceRating 8.0
The stunning “Water People” is new from Grouper a.k.a. Portland artist Liz Harris.
Rating 8.2
For their upcoming EP “Bruxism”, Oxford UK band Trophy Wife use a practice more common to the hip-hop/pop genres, enlisting a different producer for each of the EP’s 5 tracks. On the awesome “Canopy Shade” Trophy Wife hook up with legendary duo Plaid. (If you’re not already, get familiar ASAP.) The track plays with a sound that might remind of Two Door Cinema Club or other likeminded UK/Ireland acts but “Canopy Shade” definitely has a mood and depth that makes the track stand out viz those other bands.
Trophy Wife (Soundcloud)
Rating 7.9
Here’s the second track to surface from the Dum Dum Girls’ Only In Dreams, and so far so good. Producer Richard Gottehrer worked with people like Blondie and The Go-Gos, and this track will take you back to some of the finer 80’s tunes. After a promising EP earlier this year, this album drops September 26. It was produced by Richard and Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes.
Dum Dum Girls – Bedroom Eyes
