We like the sweetly dynamic progressive soul vocals of St. Louis singer-songwriter Brandyn Burnett (new to B3) on his seductively exquisite vocals-led gem “Down” which is the first track off his recently released “Made of Dreams” EP. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Brandyn Burnette (Soundcloud)
After enjoying a number of style-setting dance-oriented dynamics-loaded dancehall-heavy bootlegs from Toronto-based producer and Film Noir: Sound founder Krs, we are thrilled to discuss the launch of his long-awaited debut album S.I.W.A.H. (no clue what the name stands for or how to pronounce). The man Krs. sets off his own debut’s momentum like a charm with a potent first single called “Fakin” which is flawlessly produced by Krs. along with his pals SF-bred LA-based vocalist/producer Mars Today and Toronto producer Bnjmn.. New one “Fakin” features an artfully juxtaposed line-up of radiant-sublime odd-match songwriting chemistry and a clever-opposite combo of smash-hit vocals (from Mars Today, Canadian r&b songwriter/vocalist/producer Maurice Moore and Providence-based hip-hop artist Khary). We particularly recommend “Fakin” for its fine-tuned meld of impeccably catchy and hypnotic knockout-seductive (c’est la vie-vibe) catchy-refrain-driven vocals from Mars Today, Maurice Moore’s superbly sexy-sensitive songwriter swoon and Khary’s contrasting on-point quiet calamity of poetic-romantic hip-hop vocals (which have a slightly-gritty love-lamenting perspective that we can appreciate). Great collaboration! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The Commodores “I Feel Sanctified” is the source material for Irish musician in London Hubie Davison’s feel good disco jam “Sanctified”. A modernization of The Commodores track galvanized with a more muscular rhythm structures and looped up vocals and instrumental bits, “Sanctified” sounds as fresh as the Fresh Step + Fresh and Easy + Fresh Prince of Bel Air (and that’s really really fresh). “Sanctified” is out on November 27th on Midland’s ReGraded label.
Hubie Davison (Soundcloud)
Press play on this new one from L.A.-based Mereki and shit gets immediately rowdy. The SoCal singer brings a charming raucousness of industrial and punk noise to her well-informed and balanced pop songwriting craft. It’s been too long since we’ve from heard from Mereki, and it seems now between collaboration and live stints with the likes of Goldroom, she’s also been hard at work on more original material, and if “Dth Buny” serves an indication – those upcoming tracks are poised to impress. Be sure to check her out live before the New Year if you’ll be in L.A. area.
November 20th – Upstairs at Ace Hotel / Flood Magazine/ ASCAP
December 17th – The Satellite / ‘A Very Merry Christmas Benefit Show
Mereki (Soundcloud)
B3-lauded Brooklyn musician/producer duo and electronic-brass-hybrid style mavericks Brasstracks amaze us (yet again) with their quintessential collage of exquisitely robust-brassy-horn-laced instrumentals and energetic soulfully-expressed complimentary beats on their new swanky trumpet-saturated lounge-dynamo original named “Say U Won’t” (which is seemingly the slightly-more-polished and showy anthesis to a previous melody on Brasstracks’ quite-excellent recent production “Say U Will”). We think its safe to assume the brilliant transformation in style on the latest track is a toe-tapping bright-quality indication of what fans can expect on the duo’s upcoming buzz-worthy yet-to-be-titled album that is set to release sometime early next year. With such incredible style there is a good chance of the NY-duo gracing our December year-end lists! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Brasstracks (Soundcloud)
Yes! The new marching orders in new wave-R&B have been emphatically called out by Belgian newcomer Tsar B. “Escalate”, Tsar B’s debut track, is brimming over with cool new ideas, creative turns of arrangement and some seriously strong melodic sensibility. “Escalate” isn’t so much a debut as a proclamation and it needs to be heard.
Tsar B (Soundcloud)
We’re pleasantly perplexed by the deeply expressive montage of uniquely creative beats, quiet subtle-touch guitar riffs and divinely-inspired picture-perfect seductive-expansive ambient background vocals on new dreamy fave “Lucid”, an outstanding hip-hop-influenced beauty created by Jerusalem-based producer Swum Beats. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
SWUM (Soundcloud)
We’re psyched on the brilliantly vibe-y indie dance triumph “Not Afraid” from French-electro duo Basic Tape (a.k.a Sav and Ben) who we think bring a cool magnetic minimalist style worth keeping an ear on. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Basic Tape (Soundcloud)
Get acquainted with the distinctly catchy pop songwriting talents and dazzling velvety vocals of new-find London-based singer-songwriter Neil Thomas on his excellent new radio-ready guitar groove layered pop gem “Home”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Neil Thomas (Soundcloud)
We like the starry-eyed cheery-sensed melody-driven instrumentals and creative-touch warm-ebullient cosmic-vibe undercurrents of “Madly” a vocally-picturesque ambient beauty from a mysterious new producer named Luna. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Luna (Soundcloud)
French producer Kultur, also know as Ismaël Dabo, creates a vividly-effervescent vibrant-pause-inflected potpourri of dreamy ambient beats, syrupy hazy atmospheric vocals, and perfect-touch melodic piano tone accents on his new electro delight “Jeux d’Enfants”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Kultur (Soundcloud)
r e l, the L.A.-based artist who in May released a very good self-titled EP, posses an extra affecting voice. Particularly special here on this new cover of Glass Animals’ “Gooey” (one of this indie decade’s best songs) is r e l’s skill at threading/weaving her vocal phrasing in an almost symbiotic way with the instrumental’s flow and pacing; listening to the track is akin to feeling the sensation (at least what I imagine this sensation to be like!) of being gently wound through a melodic whirlwind (think Pythagoras’ “Musica universalis”). We’re very impressed. r e l’s debut LP is in the works for early 2016.
r e l (Official) (Soundcloud)
