Track Reviews Archives - Page 261 of 562

Society – 14 Hours

Society are (and we mean this in a totally complimentary way) in the tradition of many great UK bands (anywhere on a spectrum between The Verve on one side to Portishead on the other) that follow a basic formula of a rhythm section rooted in soul & R&B + elements borrowed from the production of hip hop & rap + vibed-out love lorn vocal lines. “14 Hours” marries a dusty 60’s soul backbeat w/ a perfectly pitched female-sung gospel/R&B sample and singer Jamie Girdler’s gritty deep in the mix vocal. “14 Hours” is out September 9th on Angular Recordings.

Society (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

reviewed by b3

08-01-13

Blaenavon – Prague

Rock Track Reviews

UK teenagers Blaenavon (all members of the band are 17) impress again with new track “Prague”. Previewed here from the Hampshire trio’s up coming “KOSO” EP, “Prague” is as potent as it is emotionally grinding. There’s a reality to “Prague” that for rock music of any geography (UK or otherwise) that is especially refreshing and in 2013 increasingly rare.

Blaenavon (Facebook)

Rating 9.1

reviewed by b3

08-01-13

RAVE’S FAVE: Pet Shop Boys – Love Is A Bourgeois Construct

Electronic In the Mix Rave's Faves

Electro tastemakers are calling Electric the most impressive Pet Shop Boys album in decades and I’d agree. Their #3 debut on the UK album charts might not surprise you, but their #26 US debut was their best in twenty years. “Love Is A Bourgeois Construct” shows the guys still capable of a hooky dance romp that could have come during their prime in the 80’s, with deep lyrics to boot. By Bruce Rave

Pet Shop Boys – Love Is A Bourgeois Construct

Pet Shop Boys (Facebook)

* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by b3

08-01-13

Bipolar Sunshine – Fire (FTSE FUCKED IT MIX)

Electronic Track Reviews

UK artist Bipolar Sunshine’s great “Fire” gets blessed w/ the “hand of FTSE” on this latest remix winner from the fast rising artist/producer.

FTSE (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

reviewed by b3

07-31-13

Sailor & I – Tough Love (Pablo Nouvelle Remix)

Electronic Track Reviews

We can’t get enough of this (and we’re going to go with “godlike” for the genre) new edit of one of 2012’s best track’s Sailor & I’s “Tough Love” by Swiss-based producer Pablo Nouvelle. We’ve not been able to get this mix off repeat all day.

Pablo Nouvelle (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.6

reviewed by b3

07-31-13

Kadija Kamara – Loving From The Past

Pop Soul Track Reviews

Check out the sweet as sugar vocal stylings of UK soulstress Kadija Kamara and the crisp nostalgia of the 60’s/70’s R&B-informed yet still modern (and aptly titled) “Loving From the Past”. Hat tip SoulBounce

Kadija Kamara (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by b3

07-31-13

Erlend Øye – La Prima Estate

Pop Songwriter Track Reviews

Mr. Kings of Convenience a/k/a The Whitest Boy Alive a/k/a Ya Boy Erlend’s back w/ a new track and it’s….in Italian! The Norwegian Mr. Øye moved to Italia last year and as perhaps a postcard from his new place of residence is the Whitest Boy Alive meets Romano’s Macaroni Grill sound of “La Prima Estate”. Give the track yr ears below.

Erlend Øye (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

07-31-13

DIANA – Perpetual Surrender (Four Tet Remix)

Electronic Track Reviews

…And the internet lost its mind. DIANA’s already great track for “Perpetual Surrender” gets a spectacular brilliantly and wonderfully percussive new mix from UK electronic old hand Four Tet.

Four Tet (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

reviewed by b3

07-31-13

RAVE’S FAVE: The Jim Jones Revue — Where da Money Go

In the Mix Rave's Faves Rock

You know that you will always get 110% from The Jim Jones Revue, whether it’s live or in studio. Even the one-note piano intro on this song will stop you in your tracks, and that’s only the beginning. Check it out, but not right before bedtime because it will probably keep you up. “Where da Money Go” comes from their new album This Savage Heart. By Bruce Rave

The Jim Jones Revue — Where da Money Go

Jim Jones Revue (Facebook)

* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by b3

07-30-13

Blitz The Ambassador – African In New York

Hip Hop Track Reviews

Ghanaian-born New York MC offers up the nicely layered/100% bombs/aptly titled “African in New York”. Do not sleep.

Blitz The Ambassador (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

reviewed by b3

07-29-13

The Red Lights – Chaperone

Rock Track Reviews

Wow. Australian band The Red Lights new single “Chaperone” is very very good. Though (in a very good way) “Chaperone” almost feels 3 minutes 28 of non-stop choruses (the track’s actual chorus is one of our favorites of the year), “Chaperone” doesn’t lack for variation and dynamics; ably maneuvering between the quieter bits to the song’s more hectic chorus with ease. The Red Lights as they make their introductions to America are definitely a band to keep ears on.

The Red Lights (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

07-29-13

Rick Ross – I Wonder Why

Hip Hop Track Reviews

The MMG Bawse snarls through an intense commentary of the Trayvon Martin trial/decision on latest Mastermind release “I Wonder Why”. Ross, who is one of the best pickers of beats in rap, selects for a cold high-drama rumbler for “I Wonder Why” that is as equally intimidating as it is impactful. We love “Aston Martin Music” but Rozay is at his best on these grimier, socially current sort of records. A++

Rick Ross (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

07-29-13