Image

Jazmine Sullivan – Dumb (Feat. Meek Mill)

jazminesullivan

Jazmine Sullivan, who’s biggest entry in the urban charts is probably that Missy-assisted reggae-tinged “Need You Bad” track from a few years ago, makes an emphatic return with the Meek Mill featuring R&B sortee “Dumb”. The minimalist kick drum/vocal sample-driven track is big on energy and charisma while working stylistically in a different/refresing/no Ty Dolla Sign palette of sounds. Give “Dumb” your attention below

Jazmine Sullivan newyork Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-12-14

Solomon Grey – Electric Baby

solomongrey

“Electric Baby” is the new one from Brit/Aus indie pop duo Solomon Grey. “Electric Baby” is buoyed by dark buzzing electronics and creatively wound and arranged vocal harmonies and then boosted up by clattering bits of 808 percussion. “EB” will be released as a single next month and is slated to appear Solomon Grey’s debut LP due later this year.

Solomon Grey (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-12-14

Mixtape: Taste of Weewuu – May 2014

sanders

Longtime reader/friend of the blog Weewuu debuts his new monthly mixtape wrap series featuring tracks from Jhene Aiko, Shura, Ghost Loft & SteLouse.

reviewed by
05-09-14

Madi Diaz – Stay Together

madidiaz

L.A.-based songstress Madi Diaz releases bright single “Stay Together”. Instantly catchy and super upbeat, the song has that special warm seasonality to surely be a fixture on many summer playlists. With big things forthcoming from her full length Phantoms (Nettwerk Music Group), Madi will hit the road with Wolf Gang and Fitz & The Tantrums this June. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

Madi Diaz tennessee (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
05-09-14

SLAVVE – Pity Party

slavve1

New label, new band. Hailing from West Palm Beach but now calling Brooklyn home, gritty and daring punk outfit SLAVVE throw down on first single “Pity Party”. SLAVVE’s debut EP is due June 24th on the new Portland, OR label Bloodmoss Records – and if “Pity Party” is even the tiniest window into the whole of the EP, we are stoked. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

SLAVVE newyork Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-09-14

Zella Day – Sweet Ophelia (Gold Fields Remix)

zella4

The esteemable Aussies Gold Fields outfit Zella Day’s “SO” with a breezy summertime house sheen custom-tailored for soaring temperatures.

Gold Fields australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
05-08-14

FYFE – For You

fyfe

The latest stylistic iteration from Paul Dixon a/k/a FYFE is the more consciously urban in style “For You”. Contrasting w/ last year’s buzz singles “St. Tropez” and “Solace”, “For You”s hooks are immediate; the magnetism and infectiousness that was more subtle/obscured in those earlier tracks has with success been arranged much further to the track’s front. We’re digging it.

FYFE england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
05-07-14

TCTS – You (Feat. Sam Sure)

tcts

“You” is the lead single from UK artist TCTS‘ sophomore EP outing “Games”. Featuring songwriter Sam Sure (of duo Sam Sure & Giacomo), “You” is a minimalist midtempo house-influenced number with just enough pulse and syncopation to be dance floor relevant as it is headphones relevant. “Games” is forthcoming on MTA Records.

TCTS (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-14

Lapalux – Without You (Favulous Remix)

lapalux

Italian producer Favulous tries on a vibe-y, molasses-bathed stylistic update for Lapalux’s “Without You” with standout results. A++++

Favulous italy (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-07-14

Say Lou Lou – Peppermint

sayloulou

Swedish buzz twosome Say Lou Lou, who broke out on blogs last year with the great “Julian”, release today with “Peppermint” a spacious and cinematic synth-pop paean that is the b-side to current single “Everything We Touch”.

Say Lou Lou sweden (brown8

reviewed by
05-07-14

Premiere: The Landing – Pale Blue

thelanding

New York bliss pop band The Landing who broke-out at the end of last year with the Hype Machine-topping “Anxieties” debut today the immediately infectious “Pale Blue”. Styled around a warm summery synth-driven instrumental, “Pale Blue” picks up straight away where “Anxieties” left off in terms of both caliber and accuracy of pop construction. Sample below the B3 Premiere of “Pale Blue” and look for the “We Are” EP out digitally on May 13th. P.S. If you’re in New York, The Landing play Littlefield in Brooklyn on the 22nd.

The Landing newyork (Soundcloud) (Facebook)

Rating 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
05-05-14

J. Tropic – Love Up

jtropic

The newest signee to Duly Noted Records (IYES, The Night IV) is Brighton UK’s J. Tropic and their sooth & b dance-y “Love Up”.

J. Tropic england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown93

reviewed by
05-05-14