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Track Reviews

Moses Sumney – Mid-City Island

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Moses Sumney, who’s spare loop machine-aided vocal sermon at Central Presbyterian was probably our favorite performance of all of SXSW, releases today “Mid-City Island” his debut EP. The five songs, which were recorded by Moses on a 1980’s-era four track recorder, are dotted with cascading loops of voice and deeply soulful and effective harmony which create the center on which Moses’ singular, boundless in its capabilities, lead vocal orbits about in a romantic ethereal whirl. The number of stunning moments “Mid-City Island” contains are numerous (that outro on “San Fran”, the harmonic voicings around “Plastic’s” instrumental) and we give the EP our highest recommendation.

Moses Sumney california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown93

reviewed by
04-07-14

Mom Tudie & Tom Misch – Waiting On You

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Today’s dose of romantic Eurobeats-influenced late night pop takes the form of lauded UK producers Mom Tudie & Tom Misch’s stunning new collaboration “Waiting On You”.

Mom Tudie england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
04-03-14

She’s So Rad – Levels

shessorad

“Levels” is the new track from NZ boy-girl duo She’s So Rad. The song, composed and produced under the duress of band member Jeremy Toy’s recovery from serious injuries resulting from an unprovoked physical attack, succeeds on its immediacy of melody and intense visceral emotive quality. A++

She’s So Rad newzealand (Soundcloudk)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
04-03-14

Wolf Alice – Moaning Lisa Smile

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The impressive Wolf Alice announce today second EP “Creature Songs” out May 23rd on Dirty Hit Records. The driving (but a thoughtfully composed sort of drive) “Moaning Lisa Smile” is the EP’s lead single and knocks it clear out in the big chorus, face melting, and must listen categories.

Wolf Alice england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
04-03-14

Klo – Make Me Wonder

klo

Little to no information is out and available about new Aussie duo Klo consisting of cousins Simon Lam and Chole Kaul, “Make Me Wonder” is silky smooth; built around a minimalist beat and on point production choices the track has been on a constant repeat for a day or so now. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

Klo australia (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
04-03-14

Party Next Door – Persian Rugs (Rainer + Grimm Remix)

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“Oh do our neighbors up north know how to to party. Grimm, a Toronto native and maestro of the DnB scene has paired up with fellow DJ/producer Rainer to create a new project. Their first offering is the is chilled house flip of PartyNextDoor’s “Persian Rugs”. With some more remixes and EP on the way, we will patiently for the next track from the duo. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

Rainer + Grimm canada: (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
04-02-14

Arkon Fly – Through the Fire (Kyogi Remix)

kyogi

We interviewed Kyogi a handful of months ago and he has been pretty quiet up until recently. Putting a nice spin on London based Arkon Fly, the now 16 y/o wiz does this funky track justice. The single originally got a bit of love from BBC Radio 1 and Zane Lowe and now this remix should help its trajectory. Looking forward to more from both. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

Kyogi (Facebook)

Rating 8.3857

brown8

reviewed by
04-02-14

London Grammar – Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me (LCAW Remix)

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Munich-based LCAW re-styles “Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me” from London Grammar into 7 minutes 12 seconds of fresh and clear Balearic-infused night-time nu-disco.

LCAW germany (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
04-01-14

Nick Mulvey – Meet Me There

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“Meet Me There” is the new single from ex-Portico Quartet artist Nick Mulvey. We loved the Brazilian/W. Hemisphere-influenced Cucurucu (Nick is actually an ethnomusicology graduate); While “Meet Me There” is rhythmically more straightforward – it shares the commonality of worldly soulful qualities in its melodies and sound. First Mind, which “Meet Me There” as well as “Cucurucu” are both excerpted from, is out May 12th.

Nick Mulvey (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
04-01-14

Tinashe – 2 On (TOKiMONSTA Remix)

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Longtime favorite of B3 TOKiMONSTA completes a slinky vibes-down new mix of Tinashe’s radio breakout “2 On”.

TOKiMONSTA california (Official) (Blog) (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
03-31-14

LAYLA – Smokestacks

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“Smokestacks”, new from UK singer LAYLA, succeeds on its perfectly paced dynamics and huge headspace-filling sounds; that and it’s terrific melodically and vocally and in just about every other quality that you can judge a tune. Listen.

LAYLA Glass Animals (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-14

Gallant – Jupiter Grayscale (Prod. Maths Time Joy)

gallant

“Jupiter Grayscale” is the brand new collaboration between fave R&B singer Gallant and fave instrumentalist Maths Time Joy. Wow. The low-touch vibe-heavy production/instrumental from MTJ is a near perfect match for Gallant’s subtle and melodic airy croon and the two have as evidenced on “Jupiter Greyscale” have both pushed each other creatively to a new level as this is the best track yet from Gallant. (and the credit yet in the production field for Maths Time Joy). “Jupiter Greyscale” is a standout moment for both artists. P.S. Don’t miss our show with Gallant this Sunday (3/30) at the Bootleg in L.A.; details here.

Gallant (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-14