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Track Reviews

The Acid – Creeper

theacid

So I heard you like Radiohead? Outside of his lordship Thom Yorke, the Earl of Oxford, we’re maybe the most pumped bros on planet Earth right now for The Acid. “featuring dark hand-to-chest pulsating electronics and the sort of muscular rhythmic fits and starts that could sit comfortably on a later days Portishead track. As well as being very good, “Creeper” adeptly hits that critic-baiting nexus of darkness, mysteriousness, and UK beats band-ness. “Creeper” is excerpted here from The Acid’s just announced debut Liminial, out June 2 on Infectious.

The Acid (Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
03-20-14

The Knocks – Comfortable (Lightwaves Remix)

lightwaves

DC’s Lightwaves fix-up The X-Ambassadors featuring single from The Knocks “Comfortable” with a spotless new yacht disco sheen perfect for cruising. Get your sophisticated deckside sample below.

Lightwaves (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
03-20-14

Josh Record – For You Love (Dot Major Remix)

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London Grammar producer bro Dominic “Dot” Major marks a rare tally in the remix column on this UK beats remix of Josh Record‘s excellent “For Your Love”. For the mix, Dot selects for a blend of very current new wave-y R&B percussion (half one) morphing it mid-song into dark neo-D&B.

Josh Record england (Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
03-19-14

All We Are – Feel Safe

allweare

Domino imprint Double Six Records newest signing is Liverpool-based All We Are who impress with the slow motion rhythmic pop of “Feel Safe”. A+++

All We Are (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
03-19-14

Waldo – Kobe’s Room (Revision) (Prod. Sango)

sango2

Maybe our favorite producer out right now Sango collab’s w/ resident Soulection emcee Waldo for this jazz piano-driven vibes-down rework of “Kobe’s Room”. Waldo makes his L.A. and S.F. debuts on 3/28 and 3/29 at The Echo and F8.

Waldo (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-19-14

Ben Khan – Youth

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Stylistic chameleon Ben Khan moves toward a more synth-pop driven sound on new one “Youth”. While perhaps more accessible to Indie 2014 w/ its easy electronics and warm textures, Khan’s latest genre jump on “Youth” is ruddered by the strong sense for pop/r&b hooks and soulfulness that has driven Ben Khan’s rise thusfar. We’re loving it. Ben Khan’s debut “1992” EP will be released May 5.

Ben Khan (Tumblr)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
03-19-14

Vök – Tension

Vök - Before

Margrét Rán’s sultry yet simple vocal is the star of “Tension”, Iceandic dream & b duo Vök’s slow burner new single. The sticky and seductive “Tension” is perhaps (and we mean this in the most complimentary way) a bit of an approximation of what another noted Scandinavian R&B duo Quadron might sound like in 2014 had they continued to pursue an artier more obtuse sound. The visceral, earthy, human qualities of “Tension” are highly highly palpable, they almost bleed off the record which is pretty indicative of a track that not only demands your attention but is also a great piece of art.

Vök iceland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-18-14

Zella Day – 1965

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Following an impressive attention-turning run last week at SX, the L.A.-based (via Arizona) songstress Zella Day now drops “1965”, the b-side to the dark pop/big hooks of “Sweet Ophelia”. The dusty, nostalgic, almost whimsical “1965” is “Ophelia’s” soaring, cinematic, light-footed perfect counterpoint. The “Sweet Ophelia/1965″ 7″ is out April 7 on limited edition clear 7” vinyl via B3SCI Records. Get one here.

Zella Day arizona (Facebook) (Purchase 7-inch Vinyl)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-18-14

Amtrac – Don’t Know (Feat. Posso)

PR Kit for Amtrac

The Louisville-based OWSLA Records producer Amtrac introduces considerable crossover appeal into new uptempo house track “Don’t Know”. While currently a quite crowded sound and genre, the bigness and quality of house on “Don’t Know” is not only exceptional enough to more than standout from its trend, the track possesses an immediacy and instant magnetism that should certainly give “Don’t Know” and Amtrac run outside the indie dance community. Very well done.

Amtrac kentucky (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-17-14

Sia – Chandelier

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One of pop’s greatest constructors Sia is back today with a propulsive new single, “Chandelier”. Complete with pop radio-ready drums and mountain-sized chart-relevant vocal hooks, the new track introduces much of the writing acumen Ms. Furler has acquired in the last couple years writing Hot 100 staples for artists like Rihanna and Britney. Look for a new LP from Sia coming this summer on RCA.

Sia australia (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.8

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reviewed by
03-17-14

Cubby – Cold (Feat. Kwane and Current)

cubby

BK-based vocalist Cubby makes his formal debut with warm electronics-soaked R&B of “Cold” featuring emcees Kwane and Current. A+

Cubby newyork Soundcloud)

Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
03-10-14

BASECAMP – ATSW

BASECAMP ATSW

If you like jams — you know, good ones. Like the sort of jams that you have to play over and over. Then have a listen. Tennessee indie electro-R&b crew B A S E C A M P have put a fresh spin on “All That She Wants,” the ’98 smash hit from Ace Of Base. It’s no surprise that (20+ years later) we still can’t get this melody out of our head. Pick up the track on limited edition A/B side 7″ vinyl coming soon via Turntable Kitchen. And for more BASECAMP, have a read at our interview with the band last summer.

B A S E C A M P @ SXSW

Wednesday March 12th – 3:00 – 3:30 – Secret Sounds – Holy Mountain
Wednesday March 12th – 11:10 -11:45PM -ASCAP – Red Eyed Fly
Friday March 14th – 2:00 -2:30PM – Dickies & Amazon – Bangers
Friday March 14th – 6:15 – 6:45PM – Vitalic Noise – Krave
Saturday March 15th – 4:00 – 4:30PM – The Green Room – The Brew Exchange
Saturday March 15h – 9:45 – 10:15PM – It’s A School Night – The Parish

BASECAMP (Official)

reviewed by
03-08-14