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Rock

The Palms – Republic Enemy #1

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On new track “Republic Enemy #1” The Palms blend two sounds we’re rather fond of here at B3, minor keyed UK-bred indie (verse; as in NG could likely have penned that “we are the sun” line that introduces the chorus) and R&B-influenced hook writing (chorus; think the writing architecture of late career Arctic Monkeys). The mix of the sounds which on the surface may seem “weird” is constructed and executed here with some very skilled precision amounting to a highly listenable track. Listen below.

The Palms
Track Reviews
reviewed by
03-11-16

The Bay Rays – Four Walls

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Yeah! Kent UK rock band The Bay Rays stream “Four Walls”, the trio’s emphatic debut single. On the track, a kinetic half-time verse gives way to a cool cathartic release in the form of a falsetto-driven minor keyed chorus/break (a hook that’s been knocking around our brains all day). Give “Four Walls” your attention below.

The Bay Rays
Track Reviews
reviewed by
03-10-16

Paper Giants – Mind

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The spare and soulful UMO/Tame Impala-inspired “Mind” is the second track online for New Zealand act Paper Giants. Locked tight to a cool mid-tempo groove and atmospherically enhanced by reverb-washed guitar leads, “Mind” is a neat pace change that we’re digging. Listen below.

Paper Giants
Track Reviews
reviewed by
03-04-16

[B3SCI Records] The Big Pink – Empire Underground EP

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Out today on our B3SCI Records is “Empire Underground”, the first new music from UK duo The Big Pink in over three years. Featuring single “Hightimes” which Pigeons and Planes noted would “immediately find its way into the memories of every listener” and Stereogum called second track “Beautiful Criminal” “a bit of a departure for the Big Pink, but the risk had plenty of reward”. Further details about the EP including purchase info can be found here at B3SCI Records. The band are currently in North America playing a series of dates (including SXSW) through the end of April.

03/04 – Marble Bar – Detroit, MI**
03/05 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH**
03/06 – Duck Room – St. Louis, MO**
03/07 – Subterranean – Chicago, IL**
03/09 – Frequency – Madison, WI**
03/10 – Rave Bar – Milwaukee, WI
03/11 – Turf Club – Minneapolis, MN**
03/12 – Vega – Lincoln, NE**
03/13 – Bottleneck – Kansas City**
03/17 – Reeperbahn Festival Official Showcase @ Lucille @ SXSW – Austin, TX
03/17 – Austin Waterloo Road @ SXSW – Austin, TX
03/18 – Austin Tuned In @ Easy Tiger @ SXSW – Austin TX
04/18 – Mayan – Los Angeles, CA*
04/19 – Observatory – Santa Ana, CA*
04/20 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA+
04/22 – Pop Scene @ Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA+
04/23 – Dante’s – Portland, OR+
04/24 – Neumo’s – Seattle, WA+
04/25 – Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, Canada+
*Supporting The Kills
**w/ guests The Heirs
+ Headlining + supporting guests TBC

reviewed by
03-04-16

Private Island – Drugs

Photography for Privateisland and Zulu Aljabri use

SoCal band Private Island follow-up first online hit “Enough” with 70’s rock-referencing new track “Drugs”. While sonically in line with the heavy guitar leads of rock’s pinnacle period of excess, “Drugs” is sneakily very modern in its arrangement, maneuvering structurally within an at the same time concise neatly hooky frame. “Drugs” is previewed from “Sunbreak”, Private Island’s new EP which is due later this year.

Private Island
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-24-16

Tacocat – Talk

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Tune into the amazing new song from new-to-B3 Swedish artist Tacocat (fab name). Wow. After merely hearing one of their songs its safe to say we dig the sound of Tacocat!! A veritable cornucopia of clever lyrics, playful vibe vocals, basic instrumentals (dig the guitar riff) and a perfect slice of pent-up aggro emotion, Tacocat’s “Talk” is the second single from the Hardly Art artist’s Lost Time LP (out April 1st on Hardly Art records). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Tacocat
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-24-16

Day Wave – Stuck

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We’re smitten with blog favorite minimalist pop artist Day Wave (yet again) for his excellent new song “Stuck” the Oakland native’s recent dreamy-atmospheric melodic-toned synth-pop track. Day Wave effectively saturates the listener in a beautiful combination of subtle hazy instrumental elements, mellow atmospherics and enthusiastic classic chipper vibe pop vocals. The second single from Day Wave’s “Hard To Read” EP, “Stuck” is out on March 4th. Reviewed by Erin Shay

Day Wave
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-22-16

Keiandra – Icing Sugar

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The dream-pop beauty “Icing Sugar” comes to us from 18 year old Newcastle UK songwriter Keiandra. Previewed here from her forthcoming “Empty Places” EP, “Icing Sugar” is a Cocteau Twins-esque styling of a hypnotic delay/reverb guitar/atmospheres symbiotically stretched to a deep groove with Keiandra’s sort of celestial singing floating atop the mix. Great track.

reviewed by
02-22-16