Image

Songwriter

Kacey Johansing – Pinecone

kacey johansing

“Pinecone” is new from Bay Area soulstress Kacey Johansing. Melodically styled more in the lane of torch song jazz or even classic Southern soul, Ms. Johansing on “Pinecone” takes her time with the tune; let each note breathe up and out into the mix. Arranged with some beautifully atmsopheric harmonies and an instrumental that we’ll make you feel as if you’re floating somewhere just off the Golden Gate, “Pinecone” winds and ebbs, sways and flows like any great story (or Sunday afternoon in The Bay). (KKS)

Kacey Johansing (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

Vondelpark – California Analog Dream

Vondelpark

Vondelpark’s indie informed by R&B (& harmonica) turn on “California Analog Dream” is an absolute win. The pensive evocative track is transportive in the best sort of way; whatever a “California Analog Dream” is to the song’s writer, you no doubt feel as the listener like you’re living inside one (or it). Vondelpark’s debut Seabed LP is out April 1st on R&S Records.

Vondelpark (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Misty Miller – Girlfriend

misty miller

Say hello to Misty Miller. The South London songwriter’s neat blend of punk, surf, and soul stands out as interesting, different, unpredictable and really really good. Spin below her single “Girlfriend”, which is taken from her EP of the same name due February 25th.

Misty Miller (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Premiere: Stroik – In the Fresh

“In the Fresh” is the debut single from newcomer artist Stroik. The playful yet snide, ebullient yet cutting “In the Fresh” is a song full of contradiction and juxtaposition. “”You’re beautiful minding yourself / But they’re watching you like hunter’s prey / We’re laughing at the funeral / And on the way back we’re cradling camo” pretty cold, right? The tension and constant push/pull that exists between the track lyrically and the sunny indie pop of its instrumental and the adept execution of that tension makes for a definite standout listen.

Stroik (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

The Flight – Hangman

London production duo Joe Henson and Alexis Smith have just released the first and title track from their forthcoming release as The Flight. On “Hangman”, Keaton Henson guest vocals for a bone chilling re-hatch of the classic folk song “Pretty Polly”. The Flight’s debut Hangman EP will feature a variety of vocalists, all of which assist the duo in telling their dark perspective on that same folk story. Check out the video below.

The Flight (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
01-31-13

Phosphorescent – Song for Zula

Phosphorescent and its main creative engine songwriter Matthew Houck, who last released an LP in 2010 with the alt-country-laced Here’s To Taking It Easy, return to realize a true breakout moment with the beautifully honest and understated paean “Song for Zula”. The band’s latest LP Muchado is due later this year.

Phosphorescent – Song for Zula

Phosphorescent newyork (Facebook)

Rating 9.0

reviewed by
01-29-13

Dear Blanca – Havana Tonight

Anytime a band can mix in harmonica with a “Besame Mucho” reference as South Carolina band Dear Blanca do on new track “Havana Tonight”, they’re going to (at the very least) have our attention. The Columbia, SC band dial up the grit, rawness, and soul and do indeed “Dance to Besame Mucho” in the track’s irreverent singalong-inviting hook. Dear Blanca have a new album due in a couple weeks called Talker and you can count the b3 team as among the psyched. Spin “Havana Tonight” below.

Dear Blanca (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-29-13

Laura Stevenson – Runner

“Runner” is new from Long Island songwriter Laura Stevenson. The bouncy jittering indie pop track will appear on both Stevenson’s upcoming April-due debut LP Wheel as well as a three-song 7″ out next month. “Runner” earns its bread on its giant, singalong-inviting chorus “This summer hurts! This summer hurts!”; expect that refrain to eat your heart, brain, and eardrums out (in that order) with each repeated listen.

Laura Stevenson – Runner

Laura Stevenson (Official)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
01-28-13

The Long Wives – The Hollow Fin

L.A.-based singer-songwriter Brandy St. John a/k/a The Long Wives’ “The Hollow Fin” is brilliant, beautiful, and haunting. A track that with repeated listens seems to only further entrance and captivate. Excellent.

The Long Wives – The Hollow Fin

The Long Wives california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

The Leisure Society – The Sober Scent Of Paper

UK’s The Leasure Society take a bossa-inspired turn with the lead single from their forthcoming April-due Alone Aboard the Ark LP. The fine amor “The Sober Scent of Paper” is a quite literate song (including a reference to Wuthering Heights and the well constructed meter of phrases like “faithfully facing the warmth of the sun” and “the fever on the quickening brow”) and, in fact, the entire Alone LP is inspired by the life of Sylvia Plath. Give “The Sober Scent of Paper” your ears below.

The Leisure Society – The Sober Scent Of Paper

The Leisure Society (Official)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

Sea of Love – My World

Check out the otherworldly as bathed in the sweetest, most syrupy molasses (think a more modern sounding Mazzy Star) of Dresden, Germany act Sea of Love and their track for “My World”.

Sea of Love – My World

Sea Of Love (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

Sam Smith – Lay Me Down (Acoustic)

Sam Smith, the UK singer that was featured on last year’s awesome “Latch” track with Disclosure, debuts an acoustic version of his song “Lay Me Down”. Wow! Smith vocal on the live take track is an absolute mindblower (Like young Donny Hathaway-level mindblower). Our boy’s got talent from ear to ear (most particularly in his throat and lungs). Get floored below.

Sam Smith – Lay Me Downstrong>

Sam Smith england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
01-18-13