English R&B songwriter Liv blends forward-thinking modern pop with harder-edged UK bass production on unique and infectious debut track “Come a Little Closer”.
Liv 
(Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.8
English R&B songwriter Liv blends forward-thinking modern pop with harder-edged UK bass production on unique and infectious debut track “Come a Little Closer”.
Liv (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.8
Portland band Mackintosh Braun ready new EP “The City Below” for Chop Shop Records. The pinpoint perfect indie pop of “Outline” is the latest track from the Lars Stalfors (Mars Volta & Matt and Kim) produced EP. “Outline” features a precision and economy of arrangement (not one note or stretch of “Outline” is the least bit out of place) that does very well to emphasize and accentuate MB’s excellent and infectious pop songwriting. Sample the B3SCI premiere of “Outline” below and look for Mackintosh Braun’s “The City Below” EP October 14th on Chop Shop Records.
Mackintosh Braun 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“Can’t Breathe” is the follow-up to Floridian band JUDE’s blog breakthrough “Crystals”. The rhythm-driven “Can’t Breathe” is particularly special for its immediate infectiousness (the track will instantly stick in your head) and its great economy of melody (every note is in its singularly perfect positioning).
JUDE. 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
One of our favorite bands on the planet, Gold Fields, is back today with a total mindblower of a return single, “Hold Me”. The new track is focused, large in its arrangement and accessibility while still maintaining the forward-thinking and broad stylistic qualities that GF earned their initial success on. No limit for Gold Fields.
Gold Fields 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
British producer Jakwob brilliantly remixes “Moonshine” from England’s sultry songstress Laura Doggett (who recently debuted her bluesy track “Phoenix”). Jakwob folds Doggett’s maudlin, straightforward vocals and masterful melody in with clangy instrumentals and exquisitely intensifies the mood with a very attractive driving beat. The arrangement is something really quite special. Well done. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Jakwob (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
New Aesop band Sylas who impressed on sublime debut “Hollow” excel for a second time on the more pop-focused “Shore”. Aesop will be releasing Sylas’ debut EP on November 24th.
Wonder Wonder is a new UK duo endeavoring to release one new track per month for twelve months. The playful vibe-y “Shark” is the second song in the series (following up last month’s Hypem topping “Body Gold”) and is a showcase for a very talented new writing team. On to November.
Wonder Wonder (Facebook)
Rating: 8.8
Photos and Words By Russ Ramos
Mr. Jaymes Young packed the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles last Wednesday night with support from Olivver and Gabriel Garzon-Montano. Jaymes’ live show delivers on a passion that he carries for his fans, that I’ve only seen at that level rarely before with other artists. He connects with fans on a much deeper level with his music (both live and recorded) and also on his blog. If you’re in LA, he will be opening up for Vance Joy late in November. Have a look at some photos from his set as well as the stellar opening slot from LA’s rising indie star Olivver.
Jaymes Young 
(Facebook)
Olivver (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
“White Lies” is the excellent return single from L.A. indie pop band Milo Greene. “White Lies” represents a bit of a stylistic shift for Milo Greene. The lo-fi, organic instrumentation of the band’s s/t 2012 debut has been exchanged for a synth-driven modern pop sound and while the amplitude of change is vast; the qualities of great pop songwriting, sparkling melodic phrases and forward-thinking arranging have not been replaced out and “White Lies” is a great Milo Greene song. Milo Greene’s sophomore LP Control is out January 27th on Elektra.
Milo Greene (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Falling Short” is new from Liverpudlian singer Holly Fletcher a/k/a Låpsley. The centerpiece of many highlights within “Falling Short” is Ms. Fletcher’s restrained but heart-wringing melodic phrasing and vocal performance. “Falling Short” is taken from a new release compiled by Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac entitled, Annie Mac Presents.
Låpsley (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Young & Sick are back today with a simple and inventive cover of a classic track, “Breathe” by Télépopmusik. A long time favorite song of the artist, Young and Sick had this to say about “Breathe”, “Breathe was my ignore-the-rain anthem and perfect hangover cure for the years I spent in North London. It feels like a timeless song. Angela McClusky’s smokey voice always stole my heart.” We couldn’t agree much more as “Breathe” is really one of those perfect timeless pop songs. Listen below.
Young & Sick 
(Tumblr)
Rating 8.0
