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Track Reviews

George Maple – Talk Talk

georgemaple2

The new Future Classic single for the month, and possibly one of their best releases to date, comes from a familiar face in Aussie songstress George Maple. “Talk Talk” is everything you’d want from this newest Future Classic signing. With what sounds like a little help from label-mate Flume (unconfirmed) on the beat, the pulsing bass over mesmerizing synths of “Talk Talk” really catches the ear. George Maple’s EP “Vacant Space” is due out in October. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

George Maple australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
09-03-14

Premiere: Rökkurró – Blue Skies

Blue Skies

Icelandic band Rökkurró strike a majestic and cinematic-styled bit of dark orchestral pop on brand new single “Blue Skies”. Taken from the band’s forthcoming album – the follow-up to 2010’s Í Annan Heim which spent over 100 weeks in the Top 30 of Iceland’s album charts, the wistful and emotionally precise “Blue Skies” was recently explained thematically by singer Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir, “The lyrics talk about fulfilling your dreams and the fact that these dreams can die, if you don’t nurture them. I was having a bad day and had this feeling of when things are slipping out of your hands. I noticed that the dress I was wearing had a blue skies pattern on it and it straight away inspired me to write this line: “Blue skies, all your dreams are dying, blue skies, come and bring them back to life.” It was an instant reminder of how you sometimes just need to snap out of it and remember that blue skies are always there.” We’re very pleased to premiere “Blue Skies” below.

Rökkurró iceland (Official)

Pre-order “Blue Skies” HERE

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-03-14

She Keeps Bees – Radiance

shekeepsbees

“Radiance” is single #2 from She Keeps Bees (following-up the great Sharon Van Etten-featuring “Is What It Is”) upcoming Eight Houses LP for Future Gods Records. Vocalist Jessica Larrabee’s many-textured alto is again standout; as each melodic ache and twist on “Radiance” is believably and dynamically phrased. September 16th is the street date for Eight Houses.

She Keeps Bees (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
08-29-14

Fiance – Ivy

fiance

The modern ‘gaze of “Ivy” is the single from Delaware band Fiance’s aptly-titled debut EP “EP1”. The EP is out October 7th on SQE Music and you can stream the very good “Ivy” below.

Fiance (Facebook)

reviewed by
08-28-14

Laura Welsh x Ang Low – Lifeline

laurawelsh

The excellent Laura Welsh teams up with equally excellent Brooklyn artist artist Ang Low for “Lifeline”, an infectious and soulful collaboration that we love.

Laura Welsh england (Soundcloud)
Ang Low newyork (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
08-27-14

Nick Hakim – Lift Me Up

nickhakim

“Lift Me Up” is the latest example of Nick Hakim’s stunning D’Angelo-influenced indie pop. Taken from Hakim’s just announced second EP of 2014 “Where Will We Go Pt. 2” (pt. 1 is one of our favorite debuts of the year), “Lift Me Up” is outfitted excellently within the Brooklyn-based songwriter’s vast and varied palette.

Nick Hakim newyork (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
08-27-14

Phlo Deli – B.Y.O.U. (Prod. Mr. Carmack & Kaytranada)

phlodeli

Phlo Deli from High Point, NC speaks through an A+ set of complex bars on top of production smoothed down from Carmack and Kaytranada for new one “B.Y.O.U.”. Like it.

Phlo Deli (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
08-27-14

Premiere: Osca – Illume

osca

“Illume” is the second track to originate from UK newcomers Osca. The follow-up to the Zane Lowe-approved “Blood”, “Illume” is a rather huge song; blending anthemic melodic hooks with artful arranging, poignant lyricism and that je nai se quoi of British-styled yearning that on which major chart crossover success is constructed. Stream our U.S. premiere of “Illume” below and if you’re in London look for the band supporting Walking on Cars at Electrowerkz on September 10.

Osca (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
08-27-14

MORLY – Seraphese

morly

“Seraphese” which we’re guessing, especially by judging from the quality and feel of this track, is some sort of angelic lingua franca. The artist is MORLY, an unknown musician from the Twin Cities and “Seraphese” is her stellar introduction to the world/blogosphere.

MORLY minnesota (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
08-26-14

Oslo Parks – The Night

osloparks

“The Night” is the sophomore single from Brighton UK’s Oslo Parks. The new track is dark modern rhythm pop in the style of Metronomy or “Golden Skans”-vintage Klaxons. The X Novo band will be making their live debut in their Brighton home hood October 2nd at the Green Door Store.

Oslo Parks (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
08-26-14

MISUN – Goodbye Summer

misun

“Goodbye Summer” is new from L.A. via D.C. pop band MISUN. The very good surf ballad-flavored farewell is yet another genre swerve from the stylistically-varied band.

Misun maryland (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
08-25-14

Cambio Sun – Weight of the World

cambio

Less than 100 likes on facebook, 20 followers on twitter – including the dope Bad Panda Records – with one tweet and one other release in 2013 is Cambio Sun. Either way “Weight of the World” seems appropriate of a title due the heaviness of this song. Pulsing bass, swooning guitar lines and haunting vocals make “Weight of the World” a very cool underground creepier. Listen below. Reviewed by Brian Litwin.

Cambio Sun (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
08-25-14