Daughter were one of our favorites at SXSW. The London-based trio’s performance inside St. David’s church in Austin was truly stunning. The cinematic “Smother”, the band’s latest, is right there with Daughter’s best. Do not miss it.
Rating 8.5
Daughter were one of our favorites at SXSW. The London-based trio’s performance inside St. David’s church in Austin was truly stunning. The cinematic “Smother”, the band’s latest, is right there with Daughter’s best. Do not miss it.
Rating 8.5
“Let The World See The Light” is something special by budding songstress Mahalia. The young writer sings like it’s something she’s known more than anyone else her whole life. Preview the track below and check out the new Head Space EP.
Mahalia – Let The World See The LightMahalia 
(Bandcamp)
Rating 8.3
Jason Karaban is an interesting type of talent. A unique type of pop-leaning artist that puts his craft before any limelight. While you’ll be lucky to ever catch a live performance or appearance from Jason, you can hear the syrupy lines of commercial friendly song pour out him on record. His forthcoming full-length Shift will be available September 4th via Ascend Records, and the lead track “Misplaced” serves perfect example of what to expect. The song showcases Jason’s ability to cross the roads between writing and arranging aptness where strings meet guitars, Alex Ebert meets Nick Drake, and everything meets overall inspirational moments. Jason will be performing select live dates in NYC and LA leading up to the release of Shift, these sets are a don’t miss!
Jason Karaban – MisplacedJason Karaban 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
“The Boredom Rose” is a welcome third single by London/Yorkshire based Grass House. More compelling alt-pop with a slight deep south gospel influence provided by Al Spx on guest vocals (A.k.a Cold Specks). Go get it September 10 By Nathan Hetherington
Grass House 
(Facebook)
Rating 8
Brandon Thomas De La Cruz recorded this version of “Two-Headed Boy Part II” by Neutral Milk Hotel on a piano in an empty church a few weeks back. The delicate tone of the track is more than fitting, one that’s as vulnerable and introspective as it is with tact.
Brandon Thomas De La Cruz – Two Headed Boy Part II (Neutral Milk Hotel)Brandon Thomas De La Cruz (Bandcamp)
Rating 8
Welsh folkman Osian Rhys’s new track “Long Time Gone” stopped straight in our tracks and made us pay attention. The vocal, the melodic chops, the simply beautiful harmonizing, and Osian’s cool Welsh accent all of it is really really excellent. A definite surprise. Don’t sleep.
Osian Rhys 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.7
The effortlessly cool Little Comets treat us to a super stylish,
pond side performance of “Jennifer” taken from their recently released
Jennifer And Other Short Stories EP, out now on Dirty Hit. Download the
special acoustic gift below. By Nathan Hetherington
Little Comets (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Roots. Some natural sounds coming from new LB based Pebaluna. Yeah, “No, I Can’t” tokes a fireside night. Preview the record below.
Pebaluna – No, I Can’t
Pebaluna (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Something about a great guitar song will never go out of style. “Cruel Love” has some of those feel good vibes that can only come from a song that means anything other than feeling good. PKST (Petty, Kweller, Schwartzmans, Traster, ___ ) come on let’s get this crew together.
Ryan Traster will play his 7″ release party for “Cruel Love” on July 28th in Minneapolis, MN along with Scattered Trees. Be there.
Ryan Traster – Cruel LoveRyan Traster 
(Facebook) (Official)
Rating 8.3
Everything x2 lend their harmonious schizo to Ben Howard’s knock-out track “Old Pine” track yielding a treat unlike any other we’ve heard in a while. The tune debuted tonight on Zane Lowe’s show as the ‘Hottest Record In The World’ of which it most indisputably is. This one on repeat.
Ben Howard 
(Facebook)
Everything Everything (Facebook)
Rating 8.7
This current Edward Sharpe album is mellower that its predecessor, and they really nail the quiet beauty on “Dear Believer”. It would be my choice for their next single. By the way, check out their Letterman and Kimmel appearances if you’re a fan. Some of the best late-night gigging in recent memory, with leader Alex Evert dancing in the crowds during “Man On Fire”. By Bruce Rave
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Dear BelieverEd Sharpe (Official)
*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 8-10 pm Pacific, 11-1 am Eastern, 4-6 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
Rating 8.8
Recorded mid-tour in a Boston hotel room, BFL covers a familiar tune in a familiar stripped-down fashion for this month’s MOJO magazine’s “Yellow Submarine Resurfaces” CD. His unique vocals and delicate guitar make for a great alternative take on the Beatles’ classic, of which is available for free download here. B3SCI readers in the UK should also check out this competition running alongside his busy summer festival season, whilst all else can sit tight until the first full-band EP lands later this year… By Nathan Hetherington
Benjamin Francis Leftwich (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
