“Beloved” is the latest release from Swedes Say Lou Lou. Part of a double-A single w/ synth pop gem “Better in the Dark”, the sprawling quite lovely “Beloved” is a finely executed change of gears from the duo. The “Better in the Dark” single is out December 16th.
Say Lou Lou 
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The crazy talented Rosie Lowe (whom you may remember from her collaboration w/ Lil’ Silva “No Doubt”. The Kwes/ Dave Okumu produced beautifully plaintive “Right Thing” is the sort of singular, great & challenging material that breakout artists produce. Look for Ms. Lowe’s “Right Thing” EP December 2nd on 37 Adventures.
Rosie Lowe 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Photos and Words by Russ Ramos
It seemed like official “Girl Power Night” at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles this past Monday night 11/4, with an excellent bill of live performances from Liz, Kitten, and Charli XCX.
Opening the night was Liz, and man did she surprise. You know those performances where you can’t believe the girl on stage is actually singing and dancing so well, but then the speakers hit your ear drums and you realize, oh shit, this girl is real. Yeah — that’s pretty much what I got from experiencing Liz. She was a beauty and a delight to watch.
Even with the recent change up of most of her band, Chloe Chaidez aka Kitten still put on an incredible show. A charming addition to the group, Fiona Grey is supporting Kitten as a backup Singer. I remember turning to another photographer during the set and hearing him say, “Yeah, they turnt this place up”. From stage dives to Chloe climbing up 20 foot speaker rigs, Kitten continues to blow us away.
“WHAT THE FUCK IS UP LA!!”. Charli XCX took the Los Angeles crowd to a whole new level, bringing a sold out venue and sea of fans to their toes, jumping to-and-fro to the infectious beat. It’s always a pleasure to hear a UK voice with prominence here in the States. I was a little skeptical on how her performance would turn out, but my concerns were quickly put to rest. With a strong fan base and a faithful independent label, I could see Charli XCX coming back to the States for many years to come.
Team 1975 earns their latest scalp on the wall w/ an 80’s-inspired assist from bouncecrew The Knocks and a new remix for “Girls” “Girls” is the Manchester-based band’s brand new single and is set for a November 11th release.
Rating 8.1
Megaton-voiced Ella Eyre, the UK songstress and vocal behind Rudimental’s #1 “Waiting All Night”, makes her solo debut with the Two-Inch Punch (!) produced mid-tempo shuffle of “Deeper”. Look for an album from Ms. Eyre next spring.
Ella Eyre (soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
This week Yuna released her most anticipated studio album to date, Nocturnal, via Verve Records. B3SCI contributor Tip Jordan recently had the chance to catch up with the acclaimed Malaysian singer/songwriter to discuss her album, song lyrics, Mary Poppins and more. Have a look at their conversation below.
B3SCI: The single, “Rescue” off of your new Nocturnal album was inspired by a friend of yours who you watched go through a rough time. Men and women alike have related to the song because it uplifts and celebrates triumph. What was your friend’s reaction when they heard the song? Do they know the song is about them?
YUNA: I don’t really tell them though, I just think they know, because I talk to them all the time and I always tell them I’m proud of them. So I think, on the low, they know what I was singing about!
B3SCI: How did you come up with titling your album, Nocturnal? Is there a concept or theory prevelant throughout the album?
YUNA: When it was time to name the album, I wanted a name that means something to me. I have this thing where sometimes I stay up late at night doing work, and sometimes that is when I’m tempted to be on the piano, that is when I stumble upon a cool Youtube video and pick up my guitar, or that is when I watch a movie and get inspired by a line in that movie. Or just randomly be thinking about stuff that you wouldn’t normally think about during the day because you get so caught up with daily life. At night is just kinda when I get to sit down, and be by myself, and be creative.
B3SCI: I read somewhere that you describe yourself and music as Mary Poppins & Coldplay. In what ways do you relate the two to yourself & artistry?
YUNA: I’d like to think that my music is very positive and quirky – like Mary Poppins! And Coldplay, well they are just amazing in making songs that would go straight to your heart, and I’m always attracted to the idea of making heartfelt music that’s good for the soul. I don’t know. I guess that was what I was thinking about when I wrote that down on my Myspace Music page 7 years ago.
B3SCI: How did you find your sound? You are not a “typical” artist in that you are pioneering a beautiful and rare genre of pop music.
YUNA: Long years of self-discovery! I went through all these different things in my life. Like since I was very little I went for auditions, sending demos to record labels, constantly failing, constantly trying, sang back ups, sang in a group… I did it all. Eventually when you’re tired of trying to be something, all you have left to do is just to be yourself and then you’ll find out what you really, really like and and you’ll figure out your true strength musically.
B3SCI: What music and artists inspire you? Anything that might come as a surprise to fans?
YUNA: Pop, Hip hop, RnB, rock, alternative, punk.. all of it. I guess the one artist that really inspired me to get up and write songs, and perform was Feist. I love Feist!
B3SCI: What activities do you like to partake in, during your spare time, in between traveling?
YUNA: Working on my clothing store NovemberCulture.com, designing for my new line 14NOV! I love it. I’m just constantly doing something and creating something even in my free time.
B3SCI: Will we ever get to see you with your hair down?
YUNA: Haha! Sorry I’d have to say no to that!
B3SCI: Are there any artists that you’d like to collaborate with that you haven’t already?
YUNA: SBTRKT… Coldplay..
B3SCI: Besides the fact that your voice is sultry and gravitating, your gift for song-writing is praised as well. What is the most powerful/favorite lyrics you believe you have written?
YUNA: ‘I come with a head and a heart, been using it from the start.’ – Mountains
B3SCI: “Falling”, the second single from Nocturnal, has the lyrics’, “I wanna forget, All this burden in my past I want to fall asleep, So I don’t have to remember!”. Is there a specific message you are wishing to convey in the song, that you’d like to share? Is their a story about how “Falling” came to be?
YUNA: Falling is a song about wanting some sleep because you just had enough of the day, or of someone, you know? You’re just like so tired and so disenchanted you just wanna take a break from it all and rest your mind, and hopefully the next day you’ll figure things out.
B3SCI: What can fans, expect from Nocturnal?
YUNA: There’s a lot of different stories in this album. The vibe is picked up and it is amplified on this album from where I left my fans… I think they’ll be surprised.
Interview By Tip Jordan
Yuna 
(Facebook) (Purchase Nocturnal)
“I Like You” is the very good b-side to R&B-leaning dance artist Katy B’s upcoming “5 AM” single. And while Disclosure and AlunaGeorge and Bondax have taken many of the headlines during 2013’s revival of (good) dance music w/ soul in the UK, Katy B’s been with that sound (and writing and performing it at a very high level) for several years now. Stream “I Like You” below.
Katy B (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Jams, jams, more jams, yes – so many noteworthy jams this week! Here’s a round up mix of more tracks that were spinning the hard drives at b3sci these past few days. So get into a few more tunes that you may, or not, have missed below:
Southern – Shout It
Amatorski – Needle in the Hay (Elliott Smith cover)
Night Terrors of 1927 – Young and Vicious
Wayward – Love Jones
Justin Bieber – Hold Tight (Adam Snow Late Night Edit)
Turtle – Who Knows
Elephant – Snowday
Sasha Keable – Careless Over You
Chelsea Lankes – Ghost
Le Trouble – Real Talk (Part 2)
Criminal Hygiene – Rearrange
Kilter – Hold Me (feat. YOUTH)
Avriel – Failed Messiah
Francis and the Lights – If They Don’t Come Tomorrow
Backbone – Blank Field
Run DMT – Starlight ft. Betty (Kodak To Graph Remix)
The Heartbreaks – ¡No Pasarán!
