C Y G N. (featured here most recently for his quiet thriller “Place of Peace” an exquisitely-composed jazz-tinged experimental-beats-punctuated TheeReal joint collaboration) pays a simple-vibe tribute to J Dilla on his latest potently-creative synth-chord-drenched horn-tempered dub-enhanced beat-scape “For Dilla”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The A+ dark pop of “Run” is Eliza Shaddad’s new follow-up to her online breakthrough track “Wars”. The title track of a forthcoming EP, “Run” continues “Wars” immediate edge with Shaddad saying the song “has a life of its own, and I think half our total studio time was probably spent just trying to tame it.”, continuing, “It’s merciless in parts, musically, and lyrically, and a total beast to play live; getting to the end in one piece can actually be kind of cathartic.” Eliza Shaddad’s “Run” EP is out March 18 on Beatnik Creative.
New to the blog, Inland Empire (So Cal) producer Nick Pacoli remixes Joyce Wrice track “Take It Easy” to highly listenable results (we last covered Joyce Wrice for her Jay Prince “Beautiful Mercy” EP collaboration “Afrofunk”). We love how he maintains the focus on the original vocals (beautiful) while embellishing Joyce’s distinct vocal flair with a slightly more upbeat up-tempo dance sentiment (ie. subtle-vitality beats, classic symbol percussion and mellow minimalist synth accents). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
French artist Alma Elste stuns on new track for “Limitless”. Born and raised in Paris and musically trained at Berklee in Boston, Alma’s music explores a neat intersection of classical music’s broad and immense artistic weight with a melodic sensibility forged around modern hook writing masters like Phoenix. Listen below.
Sirenida-ceous Melbourne AU producer Dugong Jr. suits up a slick R&B-tinged new dance track featuring vocalist Tashka on new one “Secrets”. The stunner sounds of Galimatias and Alina Baraz are a good reference point for “Secrets”, the track’s deviation from the G & AB style comes from it’s more direct hook writing and more beefed up beats. Give “Secrets” a spin below.
We’re enjoying the piano-driven glittery atmospheric French-flavored disco dance spin on B3 featured Roman Kouder/ Patawawa track “Fly” from Glasgow Bebop Cowboy Disco artist Go Go Bizkitt (or Tom Nelson). We like how Go Go Bizkitt (new to B3) uses various layers of synth (including robust dramatic chords) to frame up the song and we also dig how he keeps the pace up-tempo (in the vein of the original) with a fun selection of disco beats and vivid accompanying metallic percussion (in our opinion “Fly” is meant to be a dance jam). Fantastic! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We’re revisiting “Matter” from B3 all-time fave electronic duo Kenton Slash Demon (rock stars!!!), who created two of the best tracks and compilations of 2015 “Harpe” and “Psyco” (absolutely goregous). Although the timeless subtle-vibe techno song is from 5 years ago it still resonates at a high frequency and captivates us immeasurably. A stellar blend of stacatto metallic atmospherics, enchanting vibe-y vocal clips, and quietly driven techno rhythms, “Matter” has us listening on repeat. Five years on, we’re amazed at the strength of “Matter”. Vibe out with it here. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Tsar B, who wow’d us back in November with the very cool dark pop sound of “Escalate” is back today with a follow-up track in the form of “Myth”. “Myth” cuts a similar all-black-everything feel as “Escalate” but has works with wider and emptier spaces which allow the track’s decidedly Middle East-tinged quality be its prime aesthetic mover.
The punchy “Rectifier” will be Manchester band Spring King’s first release for Island Records. Out digitally now and physically on March 25, “Rectifier” succeeds on its well-sculpted sense of melody and it’s cool juxtaposition between that more poppy sense of melody and a barrage of full on distorted guitars and crashing drums. March 25 is the date to know for “Rectifier” 7″ vinyl release.
B3 recently covered Jerusalem-based producer SwuM. for his uniquely-creative dreamy beat-punctuated atmospheric hip-hop beauty “Lucid”. We are psyched to recommend to you his stupendously catchy hip-hop jam “Finesse”; a xylophone melody driven beat track that features a dynamic set of melodic tones and playful, terrifically blunt lyrics. We’re enjoying this song (almost) too much and its cover art is fabulous! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Previewed below is “The Sheboygan Left”, the lead single from RJD2 upcoming new LP Dame Fortune. Dame Fortune will be the Philly-based RJ’s first album in three years and “Sheboygan” sets a best/soulful foot forward with its feel good classic soul samples and an airtight rhythmic production. Give it a listen below.
Disco-bented (synth pop) gem “Yeah!” is a highly recommendable song to get you up and moving onto the dance floor. Created by Sydney (Australia) artist LIF, “Yeah!” is an extremely likable dance track with a technicolor melange of synth-y vibrance and straightforward minimalist pop vocals (with a catchy hook). If this song won’t get you out on the dance floor shaking your thing (lyrics are classic disco) nothing will! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
