Mr. “Suffering From Success” DJ Khaled calls on a diverse cast (Scarface! Anthony Hamilton!) for new (& awesome) “pour one out for my homies” single “Never Surrender”. To all those who’ve lost someone out in the struggle, DJ Khaled’s got you.
DJ Khaled 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“Cavalier” is fabulous return single from Irish songwriter and favorite of the site James Vincent McMorrow. On “Cavalier”, McMorrow updates and broadens the folk as hymnal sound palette of his debut Early in the Morning LP with more brilliant/vibrant vocal textures and instrumental voicings that while relevant to the new wave R&B trend that’s swept the UK Isles certainly feels more of a natural progression and extension of style rather than style chasing. We’re absolutely loving “Cavalier”. James Vincent McMorrow’s sophomore album Post Tropical is due in January.
James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook) (iTunes)
Rating 9.0
German-based songstress Magic Island releases the excellent wistful 60’s-lean modern nostalgia pop of “Baby Blu”. On the track, tinkling guitars and electronics frame an otherwise minimally arranged track that shines on Magic Island’s sunny potent but barely there vocal. “Baby Blu” is sampled here from Magic Island’s upcoming “Wasted Dawn” EP.
Magic Island 
(Soundcloud(/a>)
Rating 8.8
The Gallant/Felix Snow train continues to its roll forward w/ the singer/producer duo’s latest R&B crusher. Again, Snow’s nicely tipped production incl. deep in the aether synths and swirling electronics do very well to complement singer Gallant’s lighter than air falsetto and impassioned vocal stylings. Don’t sleep/miss out.
Gallant 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.8
Beat champ Flume is on a (well-deserved) victory lap releasing a “Deluxe Edition” of his excellent self-titled debut that features bars from Freddie Gibbs, Ghostface, Killer Mike & more. Here the Australian producer/songwriter/magician grabs our man in the 330 Milq City Stalley for a re-up of “Intro”
Stalley 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Yes, Darlia (a newish band out of Blackpool UK) sound like Nirvana so lets get that out of the way at the start. Darlia are also very very good, “Napalm” (the standout track from the band’s upcoming “Knock Knock” EP) is bolstered with the energy, attitude and realness that lesser bands (many and most of the band’s genre peers) can only pretend to possess.
Darlia 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
An old favorite L.A.-based Ghost Loft links up w/ new fave RÁJ for this glass of wine at the edge of the world new mive for the naturally and aptly titled “Ghost”.
Ghost Loft 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
ILLLS, a band from Mississippi 2013 who’s sound suggests they’re actually from Manchester 1992, release the awesome “Coma” from their forthcoming Hideout from the Feeders LP, due Nov 12.
ILLLS 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
New Melbourne band COVERS release debut single “The Automation”. Musically somewhere between the blissed-out disto guitar textures of Blonde Redhead and the rhythm-driven melodic quality of a Caribou, COVERS win on their A+ tuneful sensibilities, wherein the quality of the band’s writing sets them apart from others in their crowded bliss rock w/ melodies genre. Get with “The Automation” below.
COVERS 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
“Drivin Me Crazy” is the new one from UK rising space soul artist Astronomyy. If you’re into the newish wave of R&B-leaning UK indie artists like Bondax Banks, etc Astronomyy is likely straight down your street.
As†ronomyy 
(Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.3
The gloomy skillfully-fashioned minor tones of “Children of the Sun” is the debut release from London band Gentlemen. The psych pop of “Children of the Sun” is nicely galvanized by a neat set of hooks that buoy each of the song’s major sections (incl. an intensely catchy refrain that’s next to impossible not to get caught in your head “We are not the dreamers, we are not the dream that turns you on.., etc etc”. “Children of the Sun” is included on Gentlemen’s upcoming debut EP “Night Reels I” due Nov. 11 on Week of Wonders.
Gentlemen (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
