Opia are the duo of producer Jacob Reske and guitarist Cole Citrenbaum. The pair met as math and physics majors at Yale and now ply their trade in R&B-driven modern pop. “Falling” excels on Mr. Citrenbaum’s blues/jazz-informed guitar playing which adds a cool texture/layer to a very current sound. Sample “Falling” below.
Check out the sensational new dreamy-whimsical airy-ambient synth-infused house track appropriately named “Clouds” from Newcastle UK male-female duo Monday Morning. A superbly calming combination of dynamic instrumentals, “Clouds”, is a picture perfect introduction to the pair’s debut “Clouds” EP (out now on Medium Rare Recordings). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
B3 Alaskan beat-maker fave .eets follows up his recent terrific melodic hip-hop tune “Flying High” (covered here) with new gem “Blue Lights”, a beautiful beat-laden vocals-led number which samples DJ Shadow’s Little Dragon-vocals-led tune “Scale it Back”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Young multi-genre producer, guitarist and solo artist Atolla gives a shout out to Nas and samples “Life’s A Bitch” on his latest bass-heavy hip-hop production called “Life”. We like how Atolla (who’s new to B3) mixes up the classic tune with a timeless meld of syrupy beats, snappy technicolor chord-heavy instrumentals, and velvety vocal flow. Great track. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
LA-artist SNBRN (never featured on B3) takes an unreleased a cappella sample from late West Coast hip-hop pioneer Nate Dogg and transforms it into a dazzling Rudimental-vibe-vocals-tinged dance jam “Gangsta Walk”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
B3-lauded SoCal singer/emcee Anderson Paak just released his latest r&b-genre-rep’n Malibu LP, which sports a talent-filled mix of diverse genre featuring artists (including the Game and Schoolboy Q). We’re checking out the LP and totally recommend its exquisitely understated slick vibe-y vocals-led beauty called “Lite Weight” (for its nifty synthesis of beats and bright r&b sugar-coated vocal melodies from Paak and the Free Nationals United Fellowship Choir). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The Melbourne AU duo return with their unique blend of visceral R&B melody and cool modern pop grooves on new single “Kintsugi”. The band’s March 2014 song “Old Friend” was one of our favorite songs of the year and “Kintsugi” lives in a comparable zone of quality and neatness of arrangement. “Kintsugi” is excerpted from Hoodlem’s forthcoming debut EP, out in March.
