Fresh reggae-tinged vibes from CHICAGO via new duo Wild Belle. The massive “Keep You”, Wild Belle’s first release as a groupf, is a BIG hit here at b3sci HQ. We’re talking had-on-repeat-all-day big. You will want this track in your weekend rotation.
Wild Belle – Keep YouWild Belle 
(Facebook) (Bandcamp)
Rating 8.3
Yorkshire artist Padraig Whelan’s elegaic “Off & On” is our favorite pop track of the week. “Off & On”‘s sweet melody, and gentle instrumentals remind almost of standards or 50’s/60’s country and western ballads. One of Whelan’s favorite influences (and of our favorites too) is Nina Simone, and you can definitely hear Ms. Simone’s influence both aesthetically and melodically in this track. Padraig Whelan is one to watch.
Padraig Whelan – Off & OnPadraig Whelan 
(Official)
Rating 8.0
Colin Munroe comes through with a strong return on new joint “The Fight of My Life”. The song, which features Pusha Ton, has a sharp, stomping 1-2 verse and an oceansize chorus hook. We’re expecting big things from Mr. Munroe’s upcoming new material.
Colin Munroe – The Fight Of My Life (Feat. Pusha T)Colin Munroe 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
If you like a little soul and blues in your rock and roll (we do) then you’re gonna be into The Foreign Tides. With that said, there’s no “influence wanking” or distasteful superfluous type shit that often comes with the territory of the self consciously soul/blues influenced. “Smile” has great feel, great guitar tones (love those tinges of reverb) but it’s also a really solid tune. The Tides definitely have the melodic chops (in addition to the great musicianship, etc) to be a breakout band in not only this genre but beyond. Get in on the ground floor with this awesome young band.
The Foreign Tides 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.07
This is how it’s done, kids. You want to “start a band”? This is how good you’ve got to be for anyone to actually give a shit. Jagjaguwar delivers the goods once again with this new Black Mountain “Mary Lou” release. “Mary Lou” is basically an 8 minute long rock and roll mindbender. You’re probably gonna want to strap yourself in first before you let this baby melt your face off.
Black Mountain (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
By Trevor Meyer
Here’s an upbeat, driven track from the LA-based four piece, So Many Wizards. The origins of the group are with founding member Nima Kazerouni, who has composed music across Europe, The Middle East, South America, and presently, The United States. The transcontinental instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer has joined up with prominent LA musicians, Erik Felix, Geoff Geis, and Frank Maston, morphing the fearsome foursome into a powerhouse of musical bliss. “Lose Your Mind” is off their upcoming 2012 LP Warm Nothing. We’re excited to hear more from these guys.
So Many Wizards – Lose Your MindSo Many Wizards 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
By Bruce Rave
One of my fave bands of the past decade. The Cribs return and are again the original threesome (minus Johnny Marr). I like what they did with JM, but I think their best stuff came earlier. That extra rawness returns and they sing about my native city of Chicago. An ideal taste from their album, which arrives in May. An official single will be emerging soon.
The Cribs – Chi-TownThe Cribs (Official)
Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
Trentemoller comes through with an excellent clicks and claps remix of The Drums’ “Days” track from last year. Using a soulful synth bed and some smartly arranged rhythmic loops, Trentemoller delivers some his best remix work here. Turn it up!
The Drums – Days (Trentemoller Remix)Trentemoller 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
For fans the reunion of Liverpool’s Cast has been more than a decade in the making. The band’s new single “Time Bomb” offers a glimpse at their new forthcoming Troubled Times LP and can be previewed below. Expect your favorite Union-Jack-rock fan to pump this out the stereo come early March.
Cast (Official)
Rating 8
“Rack City” is a pretty ace track. At least it was the first 100 or so times we heard it. Now as the Rack jam reaches its point of total saturation, new joint “King & Queens” emerges. Probably the most anticipated track from T-Raw’s Careless World project; if for nothing else for the quality of features (not every radio rap mark gets a Nasty Nas 16 on his track). “King & Queens” is a more cooled out look from the Young Money MC that you’re gonna want to get more familiar with ASAP. Hit that play button.
Tyga – King & Queens (Feat. Wale & Nas)Tyga (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Check out this A-level in studio performance of “Heartbreaker” by London newcomers The Jude. “Heartbreaker” is packed with all of the urgency and energy of that great early blues-based British rock sound dialed into a more modern palette a la The Arctic Monkeys. (These blokes totally eat The 2012 Arctics for lunch live). Give it a spin.
The Jude – Heartbreaker (Studio Session)The Jude (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
By Chris Gedos
Theme Park’s new single, “Two Hours”, premiered on Huw Stephen’s Radio 1 show late Wednesday night. A unanimous hit here @b3science HQ, the track features a rollicking beat with a little less Sting / Orange Juice / Reggae tinge, in contrast to their previous release, “Ghosts”. The lush, Ian Broudie style production on “Two Hours” is the sort of pop rock sound which toes the threshold without going overboard. The single is set for official release on 2 April, so I would expect the LP sometime this summer. These cats are one timeless hook away from dropping the “Pumped Up Kicks” of 2k12.
Theme Park – Two Hours
Theme Park 
(Facebook) (Official)
Rating 8.2
