The SBTRKT man is back. Following up his first track in two years (the Dream collaboration “Good Morning”) which first emerged online only on Tuesday, SBTRKT hits the gas once more with new stream “I Feel Your Pain”. The track, which features world’s greatest backronym D(oes) R(eal) A(ss) M(usic) and exciting newcomer and daughter of Neneh Cherry Mabel, strides a cool line of inventive arranging with an undeniable pop sense and quality. Welcome back, SBTRKT.
“Lost” is the latest stream from Iska Dhaaf’s forthcoming LP for Brick Lane Records The Wanting Creature. “Lost” is cool bit of blissed-out dark pop with a slightly menacing undercurrent (that distorted synth bass gives the song a cool sinister edge) fortified on very strong hook-driven writing. Look out for “Lost” and Iska Dhaaf.
The SXSW standouts announce debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Light Upon The Lake. “Golden Days”, newly revealed from the LP, finds the Chicago band of Smith Westerns provenance neatly straddling 70’s pop/soul/country-influenced song structures with modern indie writing. We are digging it. Light Upon The Lake is out June 3.
“Wet Dreams” is the debut stream from Saya. Washed with Snakehips-esque instrumental frame, “Wet Dreams” rides a playful set of hooky vocal moves (“pull me in with your forces”, etc) and subtle nods to (while not feeling like a pastiche) to current trends in hip hop and R&B. A++.
“Greed” is the debut track online for Los Angeles-based dynamo ALICE MK. Bursting over with force, “Greed” is empowered pop fired forward from a position of offense and strength. “Greed”‘s mighty 1-2 rhythm is complemented by blasts of synth and an emphatic main vocal from Alice; a track and artist not to be taken lightly. Sample the B3 Premiere of “Greed” from ALICE MK below.
Wyldest, the duo of Zoe Mead and Holly Mullineaux formerly called Wildest Dreams, debut dreamy new “Wanders” single. On the track, the twosome do well at merging an ethereal palette with a strong pop sense to resulting to a very listenable track. Wyldest are preparing a debut EP due later this year.
Australian band Mansionair, the author of Hypem #1’s “Hold Me Down” and “Speak Easy”, are the recipients of an ace new remix from BK producer BAILE on latest track “Pick Me Up”. On the mix, BAILE, who’s produced strong past remixes for BAIO and Akiine, takes warmly spatial approach to “Pick Me Up” crafting an expansive but still emotively near new frame and atmosphere for Mansioair’s neatly composed tune. We love it. Stream the B3 Premiere of BAILE’s remix of “Pick Me Up” for Mansionair.
Welcome back, LAUREL. The Southampton-raised songwriter turns in first new track in over six months, “Life Worth Living”. Excerpted from a forthcoming Theia Recordings album release, “Life Worth Living” places emphasis on LAUREL’s power alto and excellent emotive sense with melody. What a track and what a step forward for LAUREL.
“Ain’t No Use”, the return track from Cornwall-bred singer Matt Woods, is an exercise in top class hook writing. The bit at 0:52 where Woods goes into his head voice with “You’re the only thing that keeps me going” is magic. About the track lyrically, Mr. Woods says, “There’s a difference between getting over someone, and choosing to move on from them. The track is about accepting that some people will always have a hold over you no matter how much you’d like them not to.”. Listen to this very strong piece of pop songwriting below, “Ain’t No Use”.
New Yorkers SOFI TUKKER landed on the indie dance/pop map last year with their international hit “Drinkee”. The twosome are back at it on the exotic groove-propelled “Hey Lion” which draws on Brazilian rhythmic influences as well as currents trends in dance music. We’re into all that and we’re into “Hey Lion” which belongs in your ears ASAP.
Ah yes, the perfect bit of soulful/R&B-laced/90’s-y (whatever we’re calling it) indie pop to close out the week is “Stay Lost”, the new track from London-based producer Joe Hertz. Juicebox will release the single next week and we fully intend to be wrapped up in all its soulful charms until at least then. What a track.
