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Dom Kennedy – 96 Cris

“Bobby Womack, save a place for me.” L.A. rapper Dom Kennedy returns with first new track in over a year, the cooled out Jake One-Produced “96 Cris”. Dom’s Los Angeles Is Not For Sale Vol 1 is coming soon.

reviewed by
08-29-16

George Cosby – Juliet

Major songwriting talent George Cosby is following up his debut LP Human Touch with a new EP “A Savage Kiss”. Next track up from the EP is the high-drama piano-driven pop of “Juliet”, a track who’s ambition and bigness is equally matched to Cosby’s potent wail.

reviewed by
08-29-16

ECHOS – Say It

The strong pop of “Say It” is the debut track online of Portland duo ECHOS. From a forthcoming self-titled EP, “Say It” excels on the power of singer Lexi Norton’s clear melodic alto. Sample “Say It” below and look for more from the PDX twosome soon.

reviewed by
08-29-16

Nilüfer Yanya – Small Crimes

“Small Crimes” is London-based newcomer Nilüfer Yanya debut for the Blue Flowers label. Vocally potent and instrumentally interesting (the use of jazz-influenced chords, and the beautiful picked guitar melodies are particularly cool), it’s “Small Crimes” pacing and accomplished hold on emotive dynamics that really stands out. “Small Crimes” is out now.

reviewed by
08-22-16

Gosh Pith – In My Car

The Detroit duo Gosh Pith spin a further stylistic swerve with the subtly head-noddin “In My Car”. GP play a string of primarily midwestern dates in October which are available for your perusal below (this includes a show in our hometown hood of Cleveland on October 12th at Mahall’s).

reviewed by
08-22-16

Stormzy – Birthday Girl

It’s all about you, girl.

reviewed by
08-18-16

Saint Motel – Move

The L.A. hitmakers launch sharply syncopated return single “Move”. Saint Motel’s first new song in several months, the funky “Move” is propelled forward by some So-era Peter Gabriel-esque punch and a seemingly inexhaustible whirl of great hooky melodies. The Saintmotelevision LP is due October 21.

reviewed by
08-18-16

Max Pope – Rollercoaster

Based in Brighton and South London is Max Pope. “Rollecoaster”, the artist’s latest, has a cool stylistic bent of 60’s pop fidelity and guitar idioms mixed into an A+ plus set of hooky melodies with it’s breezy chorus being of particular strength. Stream “Rollercoaster” below.

reviewed by
08-17-16

SWIMS – Twice

We’re into “Twice”, the new track from London-based SWIMS. Melodically (at least in terms of its groove) reminding a bit of Rihanna’s “Rude Boy”, “Twice” (while sounding like a lot of songs/bands out right now) overpowers on the merit of it’s very strong tune. Well done.

reviewed by
08-17-16