The gorgeousness that is Canadian artist Sundays new track for “Delicate” is not to be taken lightly. Do not take this beauty lightly. “Delicate” which Sundays also self-produced features among other very cool/strong qualities a vocal performance that while hushed and almost hypnotic in its simple easy repetition is among the most affecting set of melodies (and their execution) maybe of the year. This is the sort of music we want to play everyday at any hour. Sundays’ debut EP Of Eros and I is out in September.
“Rich Girl” an oft-covered topic in popular song. Hall & Oates (naturally) commented that a rich girl can be capricious being able to “rely on the old man’s money” absolved her from responsibility for her actions (incl. ones of the heart). Gwen Stefani made it a point in her track w/ Ruff Ryders First Lady Eve to declare that no man’s financial assets would hold sway over her affections if she were one (a rich girl). (TOTEM) a new American R&B artist takes a bit different viewpoint, proclaiming in that the wealthy girl in his song’s question by virtue of having it (wealth) and knowing what to do with it, or how to use it, makes her that much more attractive and above the vagaries of your basic ham and egger sort of gal.
“Rich Girl” is a great song. There’s a spontaneous, visceral, immediacy-of-the-moment quality to the track that really enhances its believability and its power; you really believe (TOTEM) and you believe his “Rich Girl” character is real; like someone you know. It’s that emotional intimacy that makes “Rich Girl” particularly special. The comparison both melodically and thematically to Frank Ocean is an obvious one but whereas Frank is maybe a more cautious cooler narrator, (TOTEM) seems (within the context of each note, each vocal line) to crave, demand, want the listener’s attention and that pull and magnetism makes “Rich Girl” (for the listener) singularly rewarding.
The velvet-voiced favorite of the site Jesse Boykins III drops off a new recording in the form of a cover of Coldplay’s “Sparks” from 2000. Yes, that is Coldplay and yes, it’s Jesse Boykins covering it. The Brooklyn-based Boykins does a right on very good job of the Chris Martin-penned tune; if Stevie Wonder was into Coldplay (he probably is) and sounded vocally like Jesse, his version would probably sound a bit like this (one of the highest compliments we can give). Parachutes swag.
Timberlake is back (again) w/ the lead single from his upcoming 20/20 Experience sequel and this time he’s brought along Michael Jackson. “Take Back the Night” is an Off the Wall-era Michael pastiche for sure but it is a very good pastiche and if it means it’ll grab away any playlist slots from that awful new Bruno Mars “Treasure” song, all the better.
Who doesn’t wanna have a go at people that think their ‘being bigger than the world’? Newcomer and Auckland-native Cavell slick R&B vocal chops and vibrant chiller beats breathe life into that story and more in “Supernova”. Song is dope. Have a sample at the track and new video for “Supernova” below.
Already a success in France (Her Together Alone LP went to #1 there), the vocal power that is Alex Hepburn gears up to release her first single in the UK, the b3sci rec’d “Pain Is”. To mark that single release, Ms. Hepburn lets loose a stunning vocally-leaves-it-all-out-there cover of Neneh Cherry’s mid 90’s track “Woman”.
National Anthem artist (CHVRCHES, Haim) Josh Record releases “The War” the title track from his upcoming follow-up EP to his brilliant “Bones” EP. Already anointed a “Hottest Record in the World” by Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, “The War” is stunning in its sparkling simplicity & beauty. Spare slightly-reverbed guitar arpeggios and Josh’s 100% committed vocal (& fine falsetto) highlight here a track that is clearly the work of an artist, writer & arranger of the highest ability and order. “The War” EP is out August 12th.
Really this review could begin and end with a “Fuck yes.” but here are a few details about “Drops”, new from UK artist(s) Jungle. Space beats, space soul, soul w/ panache, pop w/ panache, pop that moves you; “Drops” is that soulful beats-driven modern pop that will absolutely move you at your most basic and most complex and will grab at you, addict you, make you feel a part of it. That is (roughly) how strong/powerful a track “Drops” is. “Drops” is a double-A w/ previously b3 rec’d “Platoon” and will be released on the very cool Chess Club Records, July 15th
The very very talented UK up and comer Elli Ingram releases her debut “Sober” EP. A tantalizing (and we don’t use that word lightly) mix of current R&B and pop sensibilities w/ the powerhouse vocal quality and performance of the best and most well-lauded of the current wave female British singers; and, oh yeah, there’s this absolutely crazy re-work of Kendrick’s “Poetic Justice” that closes the EP and is our pick from the set.
Elli Ingram – Poetic Justice (Retrial) (Prod. Felix Joseph & Rudi Redz)
To mark their summer tour with The Neighbourhood, favorites JMSN release a new 7-incher “Fool”. The dreamy, a bit more far off in sound “Fool” further shows the BK band’s versatility and ability to move between style with skill and ease.
We love Jody Brock. The South West London soul man definitely evocates the power and visceral quality of the best vocalists of that genre’s golden era (e.g. Donny Hathaway, of whom we are certainly picking up a vocal influence) while channeling an immediacy and right-now-ness that pulls at you straight through headphones and grabs at you, demanding, pleading that you need to listen. Check Jody’s excellent brand new “Stormy Weather” single below.
This week marks the release of “Hustler”, the new (and just) second single from internet and UK based pop sensation Josef Salvat. B3SCI writer Erin Feathers recently caught up with Salvat for a quick Q&A about his rise to notoriety, knack for brooding lyrics and other messy cerebral stuff. Have a peek at their conversation below.
B3SCI: You are quite the internet sensation this year. Congratulations. Do you find yourself constantly smiling or are you overwhelmed by all the attention?
Josef Salvat: I haven’t really had time to think about it all, which is probably a good thing! But when I do it’s a little bit of column A and a little bit of column B.
B3SCI: Earlier this year your beautifully understated ballad “This Life” premiered with a bang. Your catchy maudlin lyrics and vocal cadence have people comparing you to Lana del Rey. Do you feel like you can relate in any way? What sort of an opening statement is “This Life” for you as an artist?
Josef Salvat: The comparisons are really flattering, I think she’s excellent. I think “This Life” is probably more a part of an opening statement than ‘the’ opening statement and hopefully that will become clearer as I release more stuff.
B3SCI: While we are on the subject, what are you most grateful for in this life?
Josef Salvat: The people in it – my parents, my friends, people I’ve worked with – I’ve been amazingly lucky in that department.
B3SCI: How is it finding your sound and image as an artist in light of becoming such an ‘overnight’ success?
Josef Salvat: I think the term ‘overnight success’ might be a bit premature. But essentially I’m still just doing what I want, to my own standards, which is what I’ve always done. The one difference is, now that people are watching, I have to learn from my mistakes faster than I used to.
B3SCI: Can you picture yourself crossing over from Pop to another music genre? If so, what genre(s) entice(s) you?
Josef Salvat: ‘Pop’, as I conceive it, is a pretty broad genre and one that allows you to dip into a whole bunch of different styles at the same time – so whilst my influences might shift around I don’t think I’d stray so far as to leave it altogether. But you never know. At this point I’m not sure where I’d go.
B3SCI: Your latest track “Hustler” is an immense hit amongst the blogosphere. The video is beautiful as well. Can you tell us a little about the song and how the video concept relates with your vision?
Josef Salvat: I guess “Hustler” was me trying to voice the psychology behind certain self-destructive behaviours. I tried to reflect that in the video and draw that distinction between the process of thought and all the messy cerebral stuff that goes on inside.
B3SCI: We noticed you have a gift for brooding lyrics. Is it difficult ever to translate seemingly real life struggles into your music?
Josef Salvat: It’s not something I can consciously do very well – if lyrics come about something then they come. If I sit down and go ‘I’m going to write a song about this’ I’m rarely happy with the end product.
B3SCI: Now that you are based in London, have you taken into the live music scene?
Josef Salvat: Absolutely – there’s no place like it.
B3SCI: As an artist what basic message do you hope to convey for posterity?
Josef Salvat: I don’t really have a basic message – I think I’d find that kind of limiting. And if one appears, it probably won’t have been dictated by me but inferred by others, which I think is usually what happens.
(Soundcloud)
