We’ve been B.Lewis backers for about as long as B3SCI has been around. Here, the San Jose-based producer laces world-beater K.Flay (the owner of a Billboard Rap Albums Top 20 and a successful stint on the Warped Tour) with his signature synth-heavy vibed-down tones and layered easy feeling beats. K.Flay’s Life Is A Dog LP is out now.
“Stevie Wonder” is the new Chicago-centric collaboration between FKA Twigs affiliate Lucki Eck$, Chance The Rapper, and producer Young Chop (Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like”, etc). “Stevie Wonder” ebbs on a soporific wave of hazy production, whisper tracks and overall weightlessness of atmosphere that is rather powerful.
Lucki Eck$ 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
The spare and plaintive “Echo” is the title track from a new EP by Nathan Ball. On “Echo”, Ball focuses turns of stunning melody through a frame of a minimal but flawlessly set instrumental creating for an outstanding example of modern dark pop.
Nathan Ball 
(Soundcloud)
VÉRITÉ and her “Echo” EP is one of indie music in 2014’s biggest success stories. Near universal acclaim from all corners of the tastemaker-sphere and numerous trips to the top of the hypem charts have defined VÉRITÉ’s breakout year. To cap 2014, the New York-based singer enlists for new remix EP power hitters Penguin Prison, NICITA, Lightwaves, backstroke. and here (and another major 2014 story of success), Carousel. Stream the B3SCI Premiere of Carousel’s starlight in neon mix for VÉRITÉ’s hit “Strange Enough” below.
VÉRITÉ 
(Soundcloud)
Carousel 
(Facebook)
Rating: 8.2
“Sugah Daddy” marks the return to recorded music, after a fourteen year (!) hiatus, of the enormously talented D’Angelo. The clattering and very funky “Sugah Daddy” exists in the more pop eschewing “Chicken Grease” side of D’s sound but contains all the feel and harmonic innovation (and more!) that made D’Angelo a singular talent and artist. “Sugah Daddy” is really really good. D’Angelo’s third LP Black Messiah is out this week.
D’Angelo 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Two of our favorite remixers anywhere right now; Denver-based genre jumper Stélouse and the Chicago duo behind hypem-toppping remixes for Oh Wonder and Magic Man Louis the Child collaborate on a head-nodding and soulful new mix for Chiefs and vocalist Nick Acquroff.
StéLouse 
(Soundcloud)
Louis The Child (Facebook)
Osca released in November one of the year’s best debut EP’s in “Blood”. Here, the EP’s title track is reshaped by DC duo GEMS’ into an inventively dark melange of layered percussion and a perfectly prescribed cinematic instrumental. Osca’s “Blood” EP is available now from Duly Noted Records.
Osca (Soundcloud)
GEMS 
(Official)
Overlooking a cloudy Los Angeles, COACH Backstage hosted a grand re-introduction rooftop party along with new Creative Director Stuart Vevers, this past Thursday night midst the rain. Sound poured onto famous Rodeo Drive for the reopening of the COACH store, while tastemakers where entertained by performances from the likes of Skylar Grey and Kid Cudi. Appropriately some of LA’s most famous music (Lo-Fang, Ionna Gika, Kilo Kish) and celebrity (Chloe Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Bosworth) where in attendance. Drinks where plentiful and food from all walks of life where available for tasting. Check out some images from the performances below. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Diplo turns to indie music’s A-List, namely Grizzly Bear’s Edward Droste and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmangilj, to remix his production for Ty Dolla $ign’s “Stand For”. Feels good man.
Diplo (Twitter)
Rating 8.4
AOSOON is the South London duo of Marisa Hylton and Manny Folorunso. “Same Difference” is of the thematically high-aiming and tunefully gripping and precise style of melody and arrangement that major pop break-outs are birthed from. Listen.
AOSOON (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
