Aussie songwriter/indie pop impresario PJ Wolf a/k/a Thief, who’s playful (and a little bit of an anthem) “Closer” was one of our favorite tunes of last fall, turns in an inventive rhythmically re-rinsed cover of a more than likely musical kindred spirit Justin Timberlake and one of the greatest songs of the 00’s (and probably of all time) “Cry Me a River”. Turn up the B3 Premiere of Thief’s take on “Cry Me a River” below.
Thief 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
UK chart staple Naughty Boy teams with new Roc Nation-signee Romans on the no doubt British #1 “Home”. Sort of akin to the ballad wizardry past collaborator Sam Smith is peddling these days, “Home” sits squarely in that soulful, longing, big hooks zone that performs so well on UK charts.
Naughty Boy 
(Twitter)
Rating 8.3
No Artificial Colours, a London dance duo that have been active in the remix and guest mix scene for a little while now, connect with vocalist Alex Mills for PMR Records single “Reach For Me”. Constructed of a similar sound palette to artists like Disclosure and Julio Bashmore, “Reach For Me” stands out from its trend by its quality and magnetism (the track draws you into it almost immediately).
No Artificial Colours (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2
COMPNY are a new collective out of the UK. The band offers up the cleverly-constructed, feel good indie pop on their track “Begging Me To Come Back”. Have a listen below.
COMPNY (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2
Montreal-based Seoul focus their folk-influenced melodic sensibilities through a bit more trend-relevant minimalist lens on the sunny “White Morning”.
Seoul
Seoul 
: (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
Indie buzz pop’s uncrowned king Lincoln Jesser knocks out another blog classic on the magnetic “Wicked Son”. A++
Lincoln Jesser 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Grant Alexander a/k/a newcomer 4AM re-spins Zella Day’s “1965” into a cross-genre melange electro, nu-house and tech-house with standout results. You saw us spinning 4AM’s “1965” remix like its 2014.
4AM : (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
Lanks is the project of Australian musician Will Cuming. Sophomore single “Knife and Spear” succeeds on its half-time rhythmic/instrumental feel and it’s Bon/McMorrow-styled harmonic wanderings. We are spinning it.
Lanks (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Brooklyn’s AYER, the much-lauded project of vocalist Danny Schmittler, today releases the large and immense pop opus “Black Diamond”. While breakout tracks “Young” and “Circle Down” maneuvered within their R&B & electronic music-tinged pop frame with more subtle dynamics and ease of pace; “Black Diamond” aims at and 100% center-splits the target of big, well-constructed, infinitely catchy ambitious pop. From the track’s verses-so-strong they could be choruses to its even more giant refrains, “Black Diamond” is a clear starmaking moment for AYER. Sample the B3 premiere of “Black Diamond” below and look for the track available on iTunes now.
AYER 
(Soundcloud) (Twitter) (Instagram)
Rating: 8.3
As with any Flume-related project, the Aussie beatman’s new remix for Lorde‘s “Tennis Court” is fantastic. What’s more interesting maybe is the idea that is this remix exists or the notion that Lorde’s label (and Lorde who is easily a Top 10 biggest music star in the world right now) would turn to Flume first to add a boost to a lukewarmly performing single. The question then follows; has Flume arrived beyond blogland? Can Flume on the next record crossover/breakout on pop radio? This new remix is, if for visibility’s sake only, a step toward that reality.
Flume (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Cousin Matt is the moniker of a new duo of actual cousins, one called Zach and, yes, one called Matt. From a shared and historic musical lineage (the twosome’s grandfather played trumpet with Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa), Cousin Matt combine a diffuse yet complementary palette as is evidenced on new song “Second Heart” threading together pop, indie, hip hop & R&B into a contemporary melange of standout melody and tunefulness. The intense quality of “Second Heart” is indicative of a very serious talent you need to pay attention. Listen to the B3 premiere of “Second Heart” below and look out soon for a debut EP.
Cousin Matt (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
