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Premiere: Saint Raymond – Everything She Wants (Star Slinger Remix)

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Fresh off the debut of his iTunes UK Top 5 EP “Ghosts” earlier this week, Nottinghamshire indie mega-tracks merchant Saint Raymond announces new remix with Prince Jet Jam Star Slinger for single “Everything She Wants”. After touring Europe with heavyweights HAIM and releasing his also excellent “Young Blood” EP in the last run of months, the 19-year old songwriter’s arrow continues to point clearly up. Star Slinger’s outta space refix combines many of the trop-house elements and breezy but juiced up breaks that have seeped into Slinger’s latter days modern sound.

Saint Raymond (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
05-14-14

Orchid Mantis – Late Summer Sun

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Orchid Mantis is the project of Atlanta-based songwriter/found sound collector Thomas Howard. The Crosby, Stills and Nash as recorded on the bridge of a wooden sailing ship sonics of “Late Summer Sun” create an engaging/magnetic dynamic against Howard’s adventurous and great melodic swerves. One of our favorite tracks of the year so far.

Orchid Mantis (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4938

reviewed by
05-13-14

SALES – Vow

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Orlando FL duo SALES invoke the ghost of Broken Social Scene on the soulfully spare and excellent indie pop of “Vow”.

SALES (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
05-13-14

Olivver – Attica ’71

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Former Neighbourhood drummer Bryan Sammis makes his solo B3 debut as Olivver with single “Attica ’71”. Focused around a similar in quality and composition to first wave-NBHD rhythm track, “Attica ’71” is propelled forward by Sammis’ A+ melodic construction and early Phoenix-esque (“Everything Is Everything”, “Run Run Run”, etc) modern funk-injected sensibilities in song’s immediate web of catchiness and hooks.

Olivver california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-13-14

Jazmine Sullivan – Dumb (Feat. Meek Mill)

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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

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reviewed by
05-12-14

Solomon Grey – Electric Baby

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“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

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reviewed by
05-12-14

Mixtape: Taste of Weewuu – May 2014

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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

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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

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reviewed by
05-09-14

SLAVVE – Pity Party

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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

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reviewed by
05-09-14

Zella Day – Sweet Ophelia (Gold Fields Remix)

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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

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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)

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“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

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reviewed by
05-07-14