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Track Reviews

Freeze-Tag – You Do

Freeze-Tag

The lush “You Do” is the latest from Cleveland(!) R&B artist Freeze-Tag. Sophisticated in sound without being tired or hokey, “You Do” reveals more and more of its many facets with its each successive listen (you will be hooked like that, believe it.), as sprawling electronics give way to Isley Brothers-esque riffing and genre jumping beats swirl into unexpected but compositionally on the mark chord voicings. F-T’s Last Night I Grew Tentacles is out soon via Long Division Records.

Freeze-Tag ohio (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-15-14

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Peace Sign

we were promised jetpacks

The Jetpacks crew are readying a live album E Rey (Live in Philadelphia) (which will be out Feb. 25 on FatCat) and to mark its release, the band debuted today a live version (ostensibly from said Philly set) of a brand new track “Peace Sign”. The turning, high drama “Peace Sign” is the band’s first new material in two years.

We Were Promised Jetpacks scotland (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Marissa Nadler – Was It A Dream

marissa nadler

The haunting windswept “Was It A Dream” is new from Marissa Nadler. Previewed from her upcoming July LP, due Feb. 4 on Sacred Bones (US) and Feb. 10 on Bella Union (Int’l), “Was It A Dream” ethereal harmonies and dusty guitar atmospheres evoke a compelling, very special, skillfully crafted mood. Weltanschauung.

Marissa Nadler massachusetts (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Isaiah Rashad – RIP Kevin Miller (Prod. by Black Metaphor)

isaiahrashaddd

Producer Black Metaphor links up TDE’s latest signee Isaiah Rashad with a vibey jazz-laced instrumental for new track “RIP Kevin Miller”. The track shows off Rashad’s inventive flows and skilled lyricism and indicative that Top Dawg Ent. is the right stylistic home for the Chattanooga-based rapper. Isaiah Rashad’s anticipated “Cilvia” EP is out soon.

Isaiah Rashad (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Tinashe – 2 On feat. ScHoolBoy Q

tinashe

Tinashe’s our B. The L.A.-based R&B songstress is joined on new track “2 On” by Black Hippy bro ScHoolBoy Q and producer DJ Mustard (Mustard on the beat ho, fyi). “2 On” is, with the proper push, R&B radio hit single material; so (looking up Tinashe’s label now) RCA get that promo sorted and get “2 On” in rotation. Thx, <3 B3SCI.

Tinashe kentucky (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-13-14

GDNA x Beat Attic – Home (The Colour Purple REwurk)

GDNA

GDNA, who is joined here by fellow SoCal artist Beat Attic to release as The Colour Purple, is one of the most consistent newcomers (in any genre really) to emerge in recent months. This jazzy re-spin of “Home” ably continues GDNA’s momentum (as well as introduces Beat Attic and The Colour Purple collab to B3), and we have the L.A. artist firmly planted on our list of ones to watch this year.

GDNA california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

boreta - honey heart

reviewed by
01-13-14

Rare Monk – Splice

Rare Monk Single Art

“Splice”, the debut single track (b/w “Sleep/Attack”), blends Portland band Rare Monk’s cinematic Minus the Bear/As Tall As Lions-styled guitar atmospheres and excellently pitched dynamics w/ a major step forward in the band’s skill and maturity as songwriters. The “Splice/Sleep Attack” single is due February 18th on our very own B3SCI Records label as a limited edition AA side 7″ vinyl. Pre-order a copy here.

Rare Monk oregon (Soundcloud) (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
01-13-14

Chlöe Howl – This Song’s Not About You (demo)

chloe howl

Tipped for a big 2014 is Chloe Howl, the flame-haired UK popstress behind several of our favorite tracks of last year debuts a brand new demo in the form of belter “This Song’s Not About You”. Ms. Howl’s set closer when she plays out live, the kinetic stomper is buoyed by Chloe’s punches first lyrics and vocal. Chloe Howl’s “Rumor” single is out soon on Sony.

Chloe Howl (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-13-14

Jean Deaux – Find U (produced by Sampha)

Jean+Deaux

Sampha, producer and featured vocalist on Chicago artist Jean Deaux’s latest “Find U”, continues to exhibit the “hot hand” w/ this soulfully constructed punchy new collaboration. “Find U” features clattering modern beats and a cinematographic brand of atmosphere (think the music production equivalent of perfect cinematography) and the quick stride of Jean Deaux and Sampha’s vocal exchanges. Jean Deaux Soular System project is on the way soon.

Jean Deaux (Info)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by
01-10-14

Daniela Andrade – Crazy (Gnarls Barkley Cover)

Daniela Andrade

A stunning perfectly paced vocal highlights Canadian singer Daniela Andrade’s pensive & spare cover of Gnarls Barkley’s greatest song of the last decade candidate “Crazy”. A++

Daniela Andrade (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-10-14

Rave’s Fave: East India Youth – Dripping Down

East India Youth

East India Youth is England’s William Doyle. His Total Strife Forever album drops next week in both the UK and the US. Doyle cites Shostakovich and Brian Eno among his influences. Imagine that unpredictable blend and you have what NME Magazine lists as one of their most eagerly anticipated releases thus far in 2014. And I couldn’t agree more. Doyle doesn’t sing on all the album tracks but when he does, such as on “Dripping Down”, he brings a mellow and confident presence to his music. The song builds with synths that surprise. It’s savory backing vocals evolve to the point where they take on a Beach Boys feel near the song’s end. “Dripping Down” is the album’s first single, and it’s got a shot to catch on quickly. He will be at SXSW this year and I hope he’s got some quality venues lined up. Reviewed By Bruce Review

East India Youth – Dripping Down

East India Youth england (Facebook)

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
01-09-14

Angel Olsen – HI-FIVE

angel olsen

Primed to crush 2014, one of our favorite new voices (maybe THE favorite), Angel Olsen debuts the second single from her upcoming Burn Your Fire for No Witness LP, “Hi-Five”. Olsen’s natural not-posed vocal, deep in the disto box guitars and a laid back rhythm track blend well into one never still crash of earthy semi-psychedelic tones. Burn Your Fire for No Witness is out Feb 18th on Jagjaguwar.

Angel Olsen (Purchase)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by
01-09-14