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Track Reviews

Rave’s Fave: Hard-Fi – Move Over

hard fi

It was 2005 when Hard-Fi released their successful Stars of CCTV album, featuring songs such as “Cash Machine”, “Tied Up Too Hight”, and “Hard to Beat”. The UK band will soon release a new “best of” compilation. One fresh track will be added to the compilation, and it’s their best song since their debut offering. Hard-Fi typically makes music that resonates well for working class people. “Move Over” is almost like a message to the government about income inequality prevailing while white collar crooks avoid penalty. The groove is smooth, dark, jazzy, and retro. Singer Richard Archer sounds a bit like The Clash’s Joe Strummer on the verses, and it’s a song The Clash could have probably come up with themselves. Hard-Fi are currently working on their fourth studio album. Reviewed by Bruce Rave

Hard-Fi – Move Over

Hard-Fi england (Official)

Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
02-05-14

Gallant – Forfeit (prod. Felix Snow)

Gallant

The all-star squad of SoCal-based singer Gallant and producer Felix Snow knock out another lesson in how this neo-neo-R&B thang is to be done with latest track “Forfeit”. A neat blend of the Prince palette with contemporary production sounds that may remind of Oceaán or Shlohmo, “Forfeit” is a beautiful, accomplished track by two artists at the top of their respective games. Don’t sleep.

Gallant (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
02-04-14

Broken Hands – My Orbit Changes Everyday [demo]

broken hands

YES! We need more noisy, loud, melodic rock and roll in 2014. Broken Hands, out of Canterbury UK, channel the groove-driven distorted guitar drama of early Verve on new demo “My Orbit Changes Everyday”. The band, who headline The Miller in London next Tuesday and Wednesday (11th & 12th) will also be in the U.S. for SXSW in March (F yes).

Broken Hands (Official)

Rating: 8.8

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reviewed by
02-04-14

Miguel – Simplethings

miguel2

Miguel is back today with new track “Simplethings”. Excerpted from the soundtrack to the third season of HBO’s Girls, “Simplethings” continues stylistically on a similar lane to the Kaleidoscope Dream sound that led to Miguel’s breakout. <3 U Miguel.

Miguel (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-14

Lists – Autumn

lists

The stunning “Autumn” is the debut track from 22-year old Edinburgh songwriter Lists. “Autumn” buoyed by its strong melodic rudder is neatly framed by twinkling bells, romantic acoustic guitar strums and a sense of harmony and arrangement that exceeds well beyond Lists’ 22 years. Gem.

Lists (Official)

Rating: 8.8

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reviewed by
02-04-14

Jamie Isaac – She Dried

Jamie Isaac She Dried

“She Dried” is the latest bit of brilliance from UK singer Jamie Isaac. A simple but heart-wringing melody wrapped around a winding piano figure; “She Dried” stands out, additionally, on the sophistication of its arrangement – rises of vocal harmony and electronics build and ebb w/ excellent pacing and a highly talented sense of theatrics. “Blue Break” is the new EP from Jamie Isaac and it’s out March 24th.

Jamie Isaac england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
02-03-14

Ellie Goulding – Life Round Here (Feat. Angel Haze) (James Blake Cover)

Ellie Goulding Life Round Here (Feat. Angel Haze)

Birthed straight from the head of the indie zeitgeist, megastar Ellie Goulding and mega-twitter user Angel Haze team for a visceral, spaced-down very good cover of James Blake’s “Life Round Here”.

Ellie Goulding (Official)

Rating: 8.8

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reviewed by
02-03-14

Tinashe – Vulnerable (Gold Fields Remix)

Tinashe - Vulnerable (Gold Fields Remix)

B3 faves Gold Fields spin more remix magic (the GF crew has become one of our favorite remixers) on one of the best tracks of 2013, “Vulnerable” from breakout candidate Tinashe. On the mix, Gold Fields select for a soft-touch vocal house approach merging feel good vibes with beach side beats.

Gold Fields australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
02-03-14

Premiere: Sons & Lovers – The Only One [Video]

Pip_S&L_Wimbledon_001

London newcomers Sons & Lovers are hitting the road for the first-ever Satellite Tour with Eliza & The Bear and Fred Page. Having already shared stages with the likes of Ellie Goulding and Naked & Famous, the band is celebrating this tour with the release of a new video for their track “The Only One”. What makes “The Only One” particularly special is that the song was actually written around the video. As S&L frontman Tom puts it, “This is something we made with our friend Pip – a ridiculously talented photographer/director. We wanted to think of a story, film it, then write the track after the video was finished. Putting music to a video rather than the other way around was a cool and new fun thing for us.”

Have a first look at the cinematic “The Only One” from Sons & Lovers below.

Sons & Lovers (Facebook) (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
02-03-14

Beaty Heart – Kanute’s Comin’ Round

beaty heart

Lots to dig about Beaty Heart’s latest, “Kanute’s Comin’ Round”. The dark tropical textures of ‘Kanute’ are as inviting as they are full of intrigue and it continues to be exciting to learn of the unsuspecting pop explorations of Beaty Heart. The track is previewed here from the band’s forthcoming Mixed Blessings debut album expected this spring.

Beaty Heart (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
02-02-14

Review: Blondfire – Young Heart [LP]

blondfire youngheart lp

Starting out like a lullaby, and then turning into a slice of dreamy alt-pop heaven, summates LA band Blondfire’s anticipated forthcoming album, Young Heart — due out February 11th. The album is painted throughout with light-hearted guitars and bass lines that any indie pop/rock enthusiast can get lost in. Add body moving rhythms and delectable vocals, and you’ve got your next favorite daydream.

Young Heart has a little something for everyone and is bound to be a summer favorite. The album’s title track kicks-off the album with a gentle, smooth, euphoric tune that can soundtrack even your best day. “Where The Kids Are”, from their 2012 EP release of the same name, is a proven anthem. Other standouts include the incredibly catchy “Walking With The Giants”, which bursts with positivity and is bound to put a smile on your face and some pep in your step. With love songs, tracks for best friends, theme songs for your next crush, and party anthems, Young Heart has the potential to be a standout release in 2014.

At the end of the day, if you like upbeat, positive music that will make you dance, then this album is definitely for you. So go ahead, grab your boom box and chase the Polar Vortex away this winter with the audible a burst of sunshine that is Young Heart.

Young Heart from Blondfire is Available everywhere February 11th.

Reviewed By Cher Dunn

Blondfire california (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-02-14

Curtis Harding – Keep On Shining

curtisharding

Burger Records got soul! The venerable L.A. label links up w/ Atlanta singer (& former back-up vocals for Cee-Lo Green) Curtis Harding to release his debut LP, Soul Power. “Keep On Shining”, the album’s lead single is an excellent blend of classic soul sounds like The Four Tops & The Dramatics with the more contemporary tones of an artist like Anthony Hamilton. It’s a really good record, don’t sleep. Soul Power is due April 22.

Curtis Harding georgia (Facebook)

Rating: 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
01-31-14