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Spector – Celestine

photo via Richard Johnson

photo via Richard Johnson

UK’s new thunder Spector keeps rolling with “Celestine”. Frontman Fred Macpherson has one of those voices that instantly recalls the timelessness of the best 80s pop, and with the band and killer (dare we say early Killers-esque) tunes to back that voice up, “Celestine” combines the electro stylings of “Grey Shirt and Tie” with the anthemic aspirations of last spring’s introduction, “Never Fade Away”. Zane Lowe debuted the studio version on Radio 1 the other day and b3sci’s got you for the replay.

Spector england (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2
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reviewed by
03-30-12

The Hundred in the Hands – Faded

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The Hundred in the Hands’ Commotion record was one of our favorites of 2010. THITH announced today the follow up to Commotion which will be called Red Night and will be due June 12 on Warp. “Faded”, Red Night’s first single, carries a nice emotional acuity and momentum to it. Consider us stoked for Red Night.

The Hundred in the Hands newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-29-12

Marina & The Diamonds – Primadonna (Burns Remix)

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Yeah like we could resist this one. UK producer Burns knocks this new “Primadonna” out the park and then some. Burns dials up some space/garage type tones in the mix but buoys it nicely with some good punch. You will like it. We promise.

Marina and the Diamonds england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-28-12

Sophie Madeleine – Spooky (Classics IV/Dusty Springfield)

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Brighton UK chanteuse Sophie Madeleine turns in a capable cover of a fave OBG radio classic “Spooky”, which was first popularized by The Classics IV and later Dusty Springfield. Sophie’s careful coos and soft ukelele strums form a cool counterpoint to “Spooky”‘s, well spooky content and feel. Spin it.

Sophie Madeleine england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-27-12

Madonna – Girl Gone Wild (Avicii Remix)

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OK. So Madonna is our girl and all but what we’ve heard so far out MDNA hasn’t really grabbed us. (Sorry M!). That said, this BRAND NEW mix that Avicii dropped into his ULTRA headlining set last night (which included an appearance from Madge herself) is fire. So where was this sort of sound in the first place? With Madonna, the resources are unlimited. Benassi, Solveig, etc there are some big names on MDNA‘s production roll call but it’s like why not go for more? Madonna’s been able to stay relevant as long as she has by being nimble and by embracing those sounds just underneath the reach of the mainstream and making them mainstream. It’s clear she wanted to make some sort of EDM spectacle with this record. So why pull back? In pop’s current incredibly dance-friendly climate, there’s no real necessity to cull the “club elements” out of a track for the sake of broader palpability. Avicii’s remix is a bit of glimpse at what could’ve been with MDNA. It’s great. Turn it up.

Avicii sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-25-12

Rita Ora – RIP (I’m Ready For Ya Remix) (Feat. Tinie Tempah & Drake)

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So if you’ve had urban/pop radio on at any point in the last couple weeks you’ve likely heard new Roc Nation ingenue Rita Ora’s RIP track. If you’ve been on the Drake train for a little while, then you’ll likely recognize the hook from his “I’m Ready For Ya” song from a couple years ago. (Oh and that other hook, “can you hear my heart is beating” that’s Nneka’s – “Heartbeat” song from ’09, which maybe more famously was then remixed by Chase & Status). Through the magic of the internet, all of R.I.P.’s component parts have now been fused together into one cohesive (monster) mix. Seems like a bit of a trend has emerged in hip hop (again probably though the magic of the internet and just the broadening of the emerging music dialogue/dynamic/audience) in sampling relatively current hit indie tracks Drake’s Jamie xx/Gil Scott-Heron sampling “Take Care” immediately comes to mind. Spin it and let us know what you think.

Rita Ora england (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-24-12

Only Real – The Drivethrough (Feat. Childhood)

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Yeah, so we scoured the internet, searched wide and far, etc and came up empty on information about the artists involved in this track. Obviously from the accent it sounds like Childhood is of some UK isles extraction and so we’re throwing a soft bet out there that Only Real is British too. (EDIT: We found his Soundcloud, our dude is from London.) Identity verification issues aside “The Drivethough” is a great UK pop/hip-hop track you need to be listening to. Listen.

Only Real england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-24-12

Electric Guest – This Head I Hold (Acoustic)

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Check out this recently cut acoustic version of Electric Guest’s big hit “This Head I Hold”. You can really hear Danger Mouse’s (who produced the whole EG LP) hand in the melody with song pulled back like this. Give it your attention below.

Electric Guest california (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
03-22-12

Labrinth – Wildfire (SBTRKT)

labrinth2

Labrinth rolled through Zane Lowe’s Maida Vale studio yesterday and in addition to laying down ace live versions of “Last Time” and “Sweet Riot” dropped this great take on SBTRKT’s “Wildfire” jam from last year. Lab starts the cover slow on the roll with smooth electronics and subtle bass wobbles only to blow the track up in its final half with big guitars and heavy rock drums. Somehow it all works. Get a sample below.

Labrinth england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-22-12

Saint Saviour – Midnight City (M83)

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The angels-on-high voiced b3sci fave Saint Saviour delivers again with a new A+ lush life send-up of M83’s ubersmash “Midnight City”. On the track, Ms. Jones’ on point vocals are framed by Cocteau Twins-esque synths and a great almost hip hop-feel backbeat. Be on the look out for more from Saint Saviour coming soon including a new album Union and new single “I Call This Home”.

Saint Saviour england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-22-12

I Heart Sharks – Summer

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German band I Heart Sharks first hit our b3sci radars with new track and vid “Summer”. The Berlin-based collective hit on a sound that while relevant to “what’s happening” in 2012 indie sounds, at least in part, different. There’s definitely a bit of a broader sound palette at work here than many of IHS’ peers. Give “Summer” a spin and let us know what you denk.

I Heart Sharks – ‘SUMMER’ (HD) from Spike Morris on Vimeo.

I Heart Sharks germany (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-21-12

China Rats – To Be Like I

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Haha, try doing a google image search for “China Rats”. We dare you! WARNING: There is some gnarly shit in store for you if you do. Liverpool’s China Rats debut single “To Be Like I” has decades worth of nostalgic jangle pop compressed into a single sticky-sweet 2 minute long garage session. We’re into it. Get familiar with China Rats below.

China Rats england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-20-12