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Skrillex – Right Here

skrillex

The Prince of Brostep ?returns with one of his best tracks yet. Haters take notice, Skrillex bro has stepped his game up.

Skrillex – Right Here

Skrillex california (Official) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
09-02-11

James Vincent McMorrow – Higher Love (Steve Winwood)

jvm

We love James Vincent McMorrow! Here JVM takes on renaissance man Steve Winwood’s 80’s hit “Higher Love”, restyling the tune as a planative piano ballad. Singing over just a few spare chord jabs, McMorrow’s ghostly beautiful voice shines on this top shelf cover.

James Vincent McMorrow – Higher Love (Steve Winwood)

James Vincent McMorrow ireland (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
09-02-11

Michael Kiwanuka – I Need You By My Side

kiwanuka

Michael Kiwanuka’s music is really impressive. The Withers, Otis references are there. The melodic hat tips to Dylan, etc are there too. That aside, there’s something about this artist and these songs (“I Need You By My Side” is one of many gems thusfar from MK), that feels really special. The voice, the writing, the melodies, it’s all very moving. Kiwanuka, much like Withers and Redding and other great soul artists, has this ability to pluck/pinpoint/pull at very specific emotions all while securing the listener in something broader something comforting, something reassuring. (like I’ve been there too, I’ve felt these emotions.) Let me use my pain, my love, my struggle, whatever. Let me help communicate clarity into what your feeling. Michael Kiwanuka’s “I’m Getting Ready” EP is available now.

Michael Kiwanuka – I Need You By My Side

Michael Kiwanuka england (Facebook) (Official)

Rating 9.4

brown93

reviewed by
09-01-11

Stalley – Sound of Silence

stalley

Our NE Ohio bro Stalley is re-releasing his dope Lincoln Way Nights proj Nov. 1 via MMMMMaybach Music. And in anticipation of that release the chilled “Sound of Silence” gets a vid. The mellow, vibin’ Stalley is our favorite Stalley. Here’s to Rawse (wherever he’s getting that shit!) sharing some of those sick slow grind mafioso beats with MMG’s latest signee in the not so distant future. We’d love to hear Stalley on that shit.

Stalley – Sound of Silence

Stalley ohio (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
09-01-11

Grouper – Water People

grouper

The stunning “Water People” is new from Grouper a.k.a. Portland artist Liz Harris.

Grouper oregon (Myspace) (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
09-01-11

Trophy Wife – Canopy Shade (Prod. Trophy Wife and Plaid)

trophywife

For their upcoming EP “Bruxism”, Oxford UK band Trophy Wife use a practice more common to the hip-hop/pop genres, enlisting a different producer for each of the EP’s 5 tracks. On the awesome “Canopy Shade” Trophy Wife hook up with legendary duo Plaid. (If you’re not already, get familiar ASAP.) The track plays with a sound that might remind of Two Door Cinema Club or other likeminded UK/Ireland acts but “Canopy Shade” definitely has a mood and depth that makes the track stand out viz those other bands.

Trophy Wife england (Soundcloud)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
09-01-11

RAVE’S FAVES: Dum Dum Girls – Bedroom Eyes

dumdumgirls

Here’s the second track to surface from the Dum Dum Girls’ Only In Dreams, and so far so good. Producer Richard Gottehrer worked with people like Blondie and The Go-Gos, and this track will take you back to some of the finer 80’s tunes. After a promising EP earlier this year, this album drops September 26. It was produced by Richard and Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes.

Dum Dum Girls – Bedroom Eyes

Dum Dum Girls california (Official) (Twitter)

reviewed by
09-01-11

Theo Martins – For Helena

theomartins

Our man Theo jumps on a sample by KISS-FM playlist staple Foster the People on “For Helena”, track #1 of an upcoming mixtape. We’re big fans of Theo and we think “For Helena” will most definitely help him continue to expand his audience. It’s a great track. (DoML)

Theo Martins rhodeisland (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-01-11

HEALTH – Goth Star (Pictureplane)

health

We usually don’t trip over shit like this but…HEALTH’s floaty cover of Pictureplane’s track “Goth Star” is pretty good. Even these instagramwave haters couldn’t help tap our toes to the crunchy beats. Let me see dem hands.

HEALTH california (Myspace)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
09-01-11

The Jackson 5 – ABC (A.Skillz Remix)

askillz

One of the few blokes we would trust with such a classic. A.Skillz does it again with a fresh remix of the iconic J5 track.


The Jackson 5 – ABC (A.Skillz Remix)

A.Skillz england (Soundcloud) (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
08-31-11

Scuba – Adrenaline

scuba

b3sci fav Scuba takes a bit of a more house turn on new track “Adrenaline”. Into it.

Scuba england (Label)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
08-31-11

Weekend Wolves – Karma

weekendwolves1

“Karma” is your daily dose of instagramwave. The track by Germans Weekend Wolves is the same sort of hazy electro bounce that’s become 2011 de rigueur; but although WW sound like over 9000 other similar acts “Karma”, the track, is great and will draw you into its dreamy synth jives in a snap. Snap!

Weekend Wolves – Karma

Weekend Wolves germany (Soundcloud) (Facebook)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
08-31-11