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Track Reviews

Bronze Whale – Warm

Looking for an upbeat springtime single? Bronze Whale’s “Warm” is a golden little number skating in on warm pop-y synths, expertly mixed and mashed vocals, and some groovy drum and bass. Time to add this to your good vibes playlist and picture yourself in that special tropical getaway you’re always dreaming of.

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reviewed by
03-26-18

Agency – I Can’t Think of Anything But You

Agency’s “I Can’t Think Of Anything But You” is a new track off their recently released LP, Philosophies. With satiny acoustic guitar, wonderfully raw neo-soul vocals, and laidback percussion, I can’t help but compare it to early Frank Ocean and his whimsically enticing R&B atmospheres. The song ends with a masterfully arranged web of flutes. The polyphony is heaven and I’m melting.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-21-18

Kainalu – Folds Like Origami

Kainalu’s consistent production shines through on his latest track, “Folds Like Origami.” After hitting number one on Hype Machine with his last track, “Finding Peace Of Mind,” my expectations were pretty high for his next single. Luckily, they were greatly exceeded. This track is bouncey, dancey, and perfect for chilling with friends.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-16-18

Simon Jefferis – Easy (Feat. Benedict Cork)

Simon Jefferis has put out the silkiest single of the last few weeks. Collaborating with friend and fellow musician Benedict Cork, the South London artist has brought us some mellow indie pop on “Easy”. The track surfaces effortlessly with ambling piano, cloudy static, and jazzy fingerpicking that takes me back to some old George Benson.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-13-18

Denton Thrift – Confessional

Excerpted here from forthcoming “Sight” EP for Majestic Records is “Confessional”, the latest stream from Leeds Uk-based Denton Thrift. The twosome (one from Northern Ireland, one from Devon UK) met up while studying music at school in Leeds and began writing together during a stint abroad in Denton, Texas.

About the track Denton Thrift explain, “Confessional is a song written from the perspective of someone struggling with mental illness while trying to keep a relationship together. Having the realisation that they might not ever recover from the illness, their only choice is to confess to their partner that they may not ever be capable of change, hoping that the truth will solidify them. In a bittersweetness they know their partner will not leave, however, they cannot reconcile with their decision to stay.”

Stream the B3-approved “Confessional” below.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-08-18

Guess Genes – Lilly Vine

Houston-based artist Guess Genes has put out “Lilly Vine,” a soft and soporific hybrid between folk and indietronica. Sweet layered harmonies compliment jangly guitar dunked in reverb. Cozy synths and a looped sample delivers us gently down onto our pillow, sedated and grinning.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-08-18

Beach House – Lemon Glow

“Lemon Glow” by Beach House came out of nowhere. I’m a pretty big fan of these guys but I seriously had no idea a release was on their radar. But this isn’t the fist time Beach House has surprised us with music out of the blue, like that time they released Thank Your Lucky Stars at basically the same time as Depression Cherry. But this only adds to Beach House’s ethereal and authentic nature. What I love most about Beach House is that they stay true to their sound. “Lemon Glow” fits in nicely with the collection of tracks they’ve previously released, and I can’t wait to add it to my nighttime playlist.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-08-18

Akurei – Photophobia

Akurei, an indietronica artist from Brisbane, has put out “Photophobia.” The single is a glittery house track with fast paced lyrics, a sea of subtle percussion, and ethereal backing synths. It’s a glitchy ode to the artist’s journey with chronic migraines, and the personal hurdles that have followed.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-08-18

Chromonicci – Into Me

On “Into Me” Chromonicci skates across tinkling electric pianos and a jazz/house-influenced bit of future R&B rhythm/instrumental with the plea “Are you into me baby?”. We’re into it.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-05-18

Launder – Annie Blue

“Annie Blue” is the latest track previewed from Launder forthcoming “Pink Cloud”. Produced by Jackson Philips (Day Wave), “Annie Blue” wins on its really strong melodic writing (it’s awesome melodic hook, after awesome melodic hook, etc) souped up quite nicely in a sheen on reverb-y guitar c/o DIIV’s Zachary Cole Smith.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-05-18

Benji Lewis – Deep Blue

Australian artist Benji Lewis has released “DEEP BLUE,” a bubbly pop track verging on neo-soul with warm drums and scintillating synths. While the melody meanders and never quite seems to find its grounding, the sunny instrumentation remains a captivating hook. Look forward to the artist’s upcoming EP, which will feature this track along with several more colorful tunes.

Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist

reviewed by
03-05-18

Optimystical – June

Optimystical has released “June,” a new tune that’s come out just a few weeks after their debut single. The group is continuing down a road of electronic hip-hop and R&B with the new song, busting out a web of melodic guitar, dreamy vocals, and experimental layering. Close your eyes and take a listen for some smooth, summery genre-bending.

reviewed by
03-05-18