Chi artist Jean Deaux gets a production assist from THEMPEOPLE on the vibe-y new R&B of “Into The Water”. Previewed from Deaux’s upcoming Soular System project, “Into the Water” is akin in sound to the deeper end of mainstream R&B radio playlists and fits neatly in style between artists like Jhene Aiko and Tinashe.
Jean Deaux 
(Info)
Rating 8.1
Buzzing UK dream balladeers Aquilo spin a majestic cinematic melange of easy synth textures and wonder-filled beats around Sivu’s latest “My Oh My” single. Well done.
Sivu 
(Facebook)
Aquilo (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Aussie crew La Mar make their B3 debut on the minimal minor-keyed R&B of “Anchor”. On the track, soft-touch rhodes and a layered melodic beat frame a spare but quite hypnotic vocal that we absolutely love. Give “Anchor” your attention below.
La Mar 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
TDE principal Ab-Soul grabs Action Bronson and Asaad for the chakra rap of “Stigmata”. Interpolating Nas on the hook “I carry the cross…”, the trio of in form emcees trade styles and pace (Ab’s pointed, Bronson’s beefin, and Asaad is easy) to create an excellent dynamic track.
Ab-Soul 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Production hot hand Snakehips is the facilitator for Disclosure, Rudimental and Ryan Hemsworth collaborator and vocalist Sinead Harnett and new single “No Other Way”. Similar in its float-y vapor atmosphere to previous Snakehips production “Warm Water” from Banks, the 2014 R&Beats of “No Other Way” is like in its quality and infectiousness. “No Other Way” is the first track from Sinead Harnett’s upcoming “N.O.W.” EP
Sinead Harnett (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Our girl Banks debuts another single via BBC Radio 1; this time with Zane Lowe. “Drowning” is right up Banks’ fans alley and introduces the intriguing pairing of Jill with UK producer Al Shux (“Empire State of Mind”). Right now, it’s impossible to deny the speeding buzz train is Banks and we are looking to her debut full length Goddess due out on Sept. 9 via Harvest Records. Reviewed by Brian Litwin.
Banks (Facebook)
Rating 8.6
If Aaliyah could produce trap records from the grave (we don’t immediately discredit the possibility of it), the 90’s R&B as trap of Lido’s “Money” would be a close approximation of Trap Aaliyah’s sound. The electronic pyrotechnics are all over “Money” (your “When Will The Bass Drop” mind’s eye will not be let down in that area) but the guts of the track are firmly R&B. Love it.
Lido 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Our friends in MISUN score an impressive placement on the brand new Kitsune America compilation for track “Eli Eli”. Further exploring the C&W riffing of “Hills & Trails”, the summery “Eli Eli” easily reaches the Misun-level of caliber of the D.C.-bred band’s extraordinarily consistent and varied catalogue. Strains of first generation rock and roll, surf, hip hop weave seamlessly on the track and rudder the track’s neatly rhythmic melodic choices. We are loving it. The Kitsune America compilation is due June 2nd.
Misun 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
We’re very pleased to premiere “Broken Arrow” the latest track from San Francisco band City Tribe. Excerpted from the band’s new LP Undertow, “Broken Arrow” blends the West Coast easy harmonies of a Fleet Foxes with the chaotic beauty/tempest in a tea-cup quality of Neil Young’s noisier records. Undertow, the LP recorded by former Manchester Orchestra drummer Andy Freeman is out July 29. Sample the B3 Premiere of “Broken Arrow” below.
Olivver (Soundcloud) (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
T.O. producer 4AM who scored a recent Hypem Top 3 with his energy electro mix for Zella Day lends his big room sound to the unlikely oeuvre of the Pacific NW’s defending heavyweight champs of big rhythm rock Rare Monk’s “Splice” single.
Rare Monk 
(Soundcloud) (Purchase)
4AM 
: (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Chicago emcee Saba who featured on Chance the Rapper’s blogger rap fave Acid Rap debuts the R&B-laced “Burnout”. Buoyed by a strong vocal from Detroit singer Eryn Allen Kane that would not be out of place on ’97 Total record, “Burnout’s” roughly 3:30 glide by excellently with Saba’s multi-gear flow neatly complemented by the track’s densely-layered piano-driven instrumental. Saba’s COMFORTzone is out July 15.
Saba (Twitter)
Rating 8.4
Sean O’Neill is a Perth AU-bred songwriter dabbling in the dark art of cinematic, emotionally bear, instrumentally majestic balladry. Previewing first single “Vienna” (aside from it being a great song), names like Bon Iver, Sufjan, Volcano Choir, etc. come to mind but maybe most interestingly is a name-check in the now UK-based O’Neill’s bio of the great 20th C. composer (and author to some of the century’s most stunning compositions) Arvo Part. The wholeness and vast almost cosmic type of quality to Sean’s music certainly reflects that Part influence. Listen to “Vienna” below.
Sean O’Neill (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
