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Still Corners – All I Know

London band Still Corners announced second LP Strange Pleasures last month. First single “Berlin Lovers” indicated perhaps a more synth-laden, compact direction for LP #2. New track “All I Know”, while in structure follows on from that first indication, takes a even darker and decidedly more nocturnal direction. Built on the simple mechanic of a spare drum figure & hushed percussive guitar; “All I Know” is primed for car stereo listening; late night, streets of the empty city cruising. That we can definitely dig and we can definitely get into Still Corners new sound. Strange Pleasures is due May 7th on Sub Pop.

Still Corners england (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

reviewed by
04-01-13

Tokyo Denmark Sweden – When It Breaks

tokyodenmarksweden

Australian trio Tokyo Denmark Sweden make electro-dance-pop that will spur an 80’s movie buff to yearn for a new John Hughes film. While Hollywood can’t seem to create the same magic Mr. Hughes did, Tokyo Denmark Sweden have no problem translating the classic synth era into modern nostalgia. Packed with rich bass and beats, bright vocals and synthesizers, ‘When It Breaks’ is about 3 minutes and 40 seconds worth of danceable escapism; magic we all can use. By Desiree Autobee

Tokyo Denmark Sweden australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
04-01-13

Carousel – Another Day

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Summertime in March; sounds wild and crazy, right? Well, you’re just one play button push away from realizing your very own summer in the bleak later winter with Boston duo Carousel’s sunny new joint for “Another Day”.

Carousel massachusetts (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-13

Tom Odell Performs “Another Love” (Live Session)

Tom Odell at Elias Arts LA_kdrphnc

We recently caught up with 22 year old UK singer-songwriter Tom Odell to capture an intimate and exclusive performance of his breakthrough track, “Another Love”. The session was filmed at Elias Studios in Los Angeles and features a guest interview appearance by KCRW DJ Jason Kramer. Keep an eye out for Tom in 2013 and his debut album Long Way Down, being released later this spring.

Tom Odell england (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-25-13

Say Lou Lou – Julian

say lou lou

The dreamy cinematic (& very good) “Julian” is new from London-based sister dudo Say Lou Lou (a/k/a Saint Lou Lou). Look out for a digital release for “Julian” coming soon with remixes from Dan Lissvik, Monsieur Adi & more!

Say Lou Lou sweden (brown8

reviewed by
03-25-13

Misun – Promise Me (produced by Nacey)

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D.C. collective Misun trade in the retro tinged guitars for arpeggiated synths (of the analog sort) with their latest electro pop gem “Promise Me”, produced by none other than trusty, local boardsmith Nacey. Get familiar below.

Misun – Promise Me (Produced by Nacey)

Misun maryland (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-25-13

Chloe Howl – I Wish I Could Tell You

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Our one Chloe does not miss. Three tracks in, “I Wish I Could Tell You” is the latest and final release from Chloe’s debut “Rumour” EP, and the young English songstress has credited to her name three gems. The pulled-back “I Wish I Could Tell You” exhibits the same freshness and visceral transparency of Ms. Howl’s first two tracks “Rumour” and “No Strings” albeit in a slightly more accessible and certainly more vulnerable package. We’re loving it.

Chloe Howl – I Wish I Could Tell You

Chloe Howl (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
03-20-13

In The Valley Below – Hymnal

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In The Valley Below, whom we featured on a B3SCI Presents gig in L.A. back in July, announce their debut EP “Hymnal”. The somber, Los Angeles at nightfall with the Santa Ana winds rolling in, title track is our pick from the set. You can stream the rest of the (also great EP) on the band’s Soundcloud here.

In The Valley Below (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-20-13

Radiation City – Fly Me To The Moon (Astrud Gilberto Version)

radiationcity

Portland band Radiation City drop off a playfully soulful new cover of the Astrud Gilberto bossa nova-pop version of “Fly Me To The Moon”. Adding washes of both reverbed organ and beautiful female-voiced harmonies, Radiation City’s version is not only transportive (close your eyes and it’s early Sunday morning in Belém) but it’s also fresh and unique and well justified in its continued existence as a “Fly Me To The Moon Cover”.

Radiation City oregon (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
03-19-13

IYES – Glow

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IYES, a duo out of Brighton UK, impress again with newest track “Glow”. The electronic-informed pop song is 100% fire from track start to stop, including a chorus hook so strong, you (or I, the world at large) may be altogether powerless to resist it.

IYES england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-19-13

Rhye – 3 Days (Saux Remix)

Rhye

Rising Dutch producer and freshly minted b3 fave Saux turns in an easy breezy new _____wave remix of Rhye’s track “3 Days”. We are loving it.

SAUX (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-19-13