b3, Author at blahblahblahscience

Freeze-Tag – You Do

The lush “You Do” is the latest from Cleveland(!) R&B artist Freeze-Tag. Sophisticated in sound without being tired or hokey, “You Do” reveals more and more of its many facets with its each successive listen (you will be hooked like that, believe it.), as sprawling electronics give way to Isley Brothers-esque riffing and genre jumping beats swirl into unexpected but compositionally on the mark chord voicings. F-T’s Last Night I Grew Tentacles is out soon via Long Division Records.

Freeze-Tag (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

01-15-14

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Peace Sign

Rock Track Reviews

The Jetpacks crew are readying a live album E Rey (Live in Philadelphia) (which will be out Feb. 25 on FatCat) and to mark its release, the band debuted today a live version (ostensibly from said Philly set) of a brand new track “Peace Sign”. The turning, high drama “Peace Sign” is the band’s first new material in two years.

We Were Promised Jetpacks (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

reviewed by b3

01-14-14

Marissa Nadler – Was It A Dream

Rock Track Reviews

The haunting windswept “Was It A Dream” is new from Marissa Nadler. Previewed from her upcoming July LP, due Feb. 4 on Sacred Bones (US) and Feb. 10 on Bella Union (Int’l), “Was It A Dream” ethereal harmonies and dusty guitar atmospheres evoke a compelling, very special, skillfully crafted mood. Weltanschauung.

Marissa Nadler (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

01-14-14

Isaiah Rashad – RIP Kevin Miller (Prod. by Black Metaphor)

Hip Hop Track Reviews

Producer Black Metaphor links up TDE’s latest signee Isaiah Rashad with a vibey jazz-laced instrumental for new track “RIP Kevin Miller”. The track shows off Rashad’s inventive flows and skilled lyricism and indicative that Top Dawg Ent. is the right stylistic home for the Chattanooga-based rapper. Isaiah Rashad’s anticipated “Cilvia” EP is out soon.

Isaiah Rashad (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by b3

01-14-14

Tinashe – 2 On feat. ScHoolBoy Q

Hip Hop Soul Track Reviews

Tinashe’s our B. The L.A.-based R&B songstress is joined on new track “2 On” by Black Hippy bro ScHoolBoy Q and producer DJ Mustard (Mustard on the beat ho, fyi). “2 On” is, with the proper push, R&B radio hit single material; so (looking up Tinashe’s label now) RCA get that promo sorted and get “2 On” in rotation. Thx, <3 B3SCI.

Tinashe (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by b3

01-13-14

GDNA x Beat Attic – Home (The Colour Purple REwurk)

Electronic Track Reviews

GDNA, who is joined here by fellow SoCal artist Beat Attic to release as The Colour Purple, is one of the most consistent newcomers (in any genre really) to emerge in recent months. This jazzy re-spin of “Home” ably continues GDNA’s momentum (as well as introduces Beat Attic and The Colour Purple collab to B3), and we have the L.A. artist firmly planted on our list of ones to watch this year.

GDNA (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by b3

01-13-14

Rare Monk – Splice

Rock Track Reviews

“Splice”, the debut single track (b/w “Sleep/Attack”), blends Portland band Rare Monk’s cinematic Minus the Bear/As Tall As Lions-styled guitar atmospheres and excellently pitched dynamics w/ a major step forward in the band’s skill and maturity as songwriters. The “Splice/Sleep Attack” single is due February 18th on our very own B3SCI Records label as a limited edition AA side 7″ vinyl. Pre-order a copy here.

Rare Monk (Soundcloud) (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by b3

01-13-14

Chlöe Howl – This Song’s Not About You (demo)

Pop Track Reviews

Tipped for a big 2014 is Chloe Howl, the flame-haired UK popstress behind several of our favorite tracks of last year debuts a brand new demo in the form of belter “This Song’s Not About You”. Ms. Howl’s set closer when she plays out live, the kinetic stomper is buoyed by Chloe’s punches first lyrics and vocal. Chloe Howl’s “Rumor” single is out soon on Sony.

Chloe Howl (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by b3

01-13-14