The latest exercise in Drake’s relationship rap hit the internet over the weekend. The Jodeci-sampling (and possibly unauthorized leak) “How About Now” is a strong version of a familiar Drake trope of love lost/gone bad. Views From The Six is Drake’s upcoming fourth studio LP.
Drake 
(Twitter)
Rating 8.4
UK bass music survivor James Jacob a/k/a Jakwob makes a surprise return today on the visceral, tightly-hewed and very very good drum and bass of “No Place Like Home” featuring Rationale.
Jakwob 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Nothing But Thieves do the UK yearn pop/dream pop/inventive pop style to a very high level on “Tempt You”. We expect a A-list rotation slot for “Tempt You” on Radio 1 can not be far in the future; the track/band is that good. Listen.
Nothing But Thieves (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.0234
Winehouse/Lana-inspired nostalgia pop merchant CHLØË BLACK makes a strong B3 debut with a wistful paean to Janis, Jimi, and Kurt on the exquisite pop construction “27 Club”.
CHLØË BLACK (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
It’s Pretty easy for labels now a days to decide who should lead off a remix album/EP, especially when your decision includes in its calculus, the king of hype machine, RAC. On the remix, RAC paints another beautiful masterpiece around an already lovely electronic pop piece by NY-based Young & Sick. “Ghost of a Chance” evokes a sense of cool and strut that would assuredly leave the queens and kings of disco smiling and finishes with a bass line that is one of the smoothest around. Review by Brian Litwin
RAC 
(Facebook)
L.A. songwriter Miki Rose pens a breezy early 00’s R&B-inspired set of top-lines over production from IAMNOBODI on “When You Know” excerpted here for new compilation on Soulection.
Miki Rose 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Lake District UK duo Aquilo return today with “I Gave It All”. The follow-up to break-out track from earlier this year “You There”, “I Gave It All” will feature on an upcoming EP from the band.
Aquilo (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Marika Hackman announces debut LP We Slept At Last with lead single “Drown”. The Charlie Andrew-produced “Drown”, the Alt-J producer helms the whole of We Slept At Last, adeptly blends Marika’s folk-leaning sensibilities with her head for psychedelic turns of melody and phrasing. We Slept At Last is out February 16th on Dirty Hit.
Marika Hackman (Facebook)
Rating 8.0234
Shura, currently one of the buzziest of buzz acts, streams latest single “Indecision”. The track, bathed in a coat 80’s luster and breaks finds the 23-year old London-residing singer traversing as of yet unheard sections of her sound including the more open, melodically more fluid fidelity on “Indecision”. Sample “Indecision” below.
Shura (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.8
Tragedy unfortunately struck Boy + Kite last year when their lead singer Darvin Jones fell and fractured both hemispheres of his brain, forcing the band into a temporarily hiatus. They are back with a new 3 song EP, which is sure to reinvigorate their fan base and assert their position as shoegaze royalty. Their single “Touching the Sun” exits the gate in a blistering haze of riff and rhythm, accented by the hushed vocals of Darvin and female counterpart Beth Puorro. The introverted wordplay gives us some insight into Jones’ recovery process, a healing that eventually led to his most profound output to date. The Blueprint EP is out October 21st, and though light on material, is sure to satisfy with its hardy doses of brooding dream pop. Reviewed by Mike Olinger
Boy + Kite 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.5
Marian Hill are the Philadelphia-based duo of vocalist Samantha Gongol and producer Jeremy Lloyd. The twosome make broad palette hip hop-influenced pop. We’re very pleased to announce the “Got It” 7″ b/w “Lips” as the latest release on our B3SCI Records. Stream “Got It” below and watch for the 7″ on December 2nd.
Marian Hill
: (Facebook) (Pre-Order “Got It”)
Rating 8.3
Soft Touch is the BK duo of Stones Throw artist Chrome Canyon and ex-VHS or Beta Feel Saarid. The funky “Get On Up” takes cues from a varied melange of rhythm music including disco, R&B, and Nu Shooz (I Can’t Wait). If that sounds up your street (it’s most definitely up ours) and then you’ll want to give “Get On Up” your attention below.
Soft Touch 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
