Desta French, a new artist out of North London, runs the palette stylistically of the last 30+ years of R&B on debut “Take You For Dead”. Equal parts 80’s-esque fidelity in the instrumental and new wave Banks, Jessie Ware, Twigs in melody, “Take You For Dead” is most importantly a really great song and a worthwhile debut.
Desta French 
(Soundcloud)
Get into the mood setting late-night summertime chill-zone of lovely new “Heart Smile” the brightly-laced synth-driven R&B-vocaled house jam from Toronto artist, singer-songwriter JAHKOY. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
JAHKOY 
(Soundcloud)
Danish band M.I.L.K. make their online debut with the dreamy and soulful “If We Want To”. Built on warm, spiraling, summer synth pads, and a breezy horn-hook, “If We Want To” marks a strong debut from this Copenhagen-based collective.
M.I.L.K. 
(Soundcloud)
The genre of “Drake leak” is at a volume peak right now as the ramp up to Aubrey’s Views From the 6 LP is in full motion. The Tinashe-assisted “On a Wave” follows Beyonce-collab “Can I” in a simiarly styled latter-days “40” minimalist feel. A simple melange of piano and a four bar synth figure carry much of the track’s instrumental weight while D & T rhyme poetic on the subject “my schedule is busy”. “On a Wave” is great and probably our favorite of the post-Nothing Was the Same Drake tracks. If you’re not into Drake, we can’t be friends.
Drake (Twitter)
Zone out to the brightly simmering trance-y style of UK producer Morrt, also known as Josh Mortimer, on his cheery video-game accented remix of Tinashe’s too-hot-to-trot track “2-on”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
MORRT (Soundcloud)
Born in Devon UK but raised in Australia, Emmi, already a known commodity within the industry after working on the writing of tracks for Little Nikki and Leona Lewis makes her online debut with first original track “My Kinda Swag”. Operating in channel firmly anchored to 90’s R&B (think Aaliyah and Mary J. Blige), Emmi ably adds a modern and personal spin on that sound with the fresh “My Kinda Swag”.
Emmi (Soundcloud)
“Bellanova” is the fresh new stunningly melodic Busta-Rhymes-sampling electronic latin/jazz fusion track from emerging Chicago-based future beats multi-talent COFRESI; who has a notably impressive spontaneous live show in which he meshes samples and electronic effects with his own beautifully driven in-the-moment touches of drum and percussion. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
COFRESI 
(Soundcloud)
Athens band Alabama Shakes turn up the heat on their new track “Future People” which is off their recently released “Sound & Color” EP that (according to the group) has a “genre-bending” sound. The EP is the band’s first to release since their Gold-certified debut album, Boys & Girls; which features the single “Hold On” that earned the group a top rank on Rolling Stone Magazine’s Best Songs of 2012 and #34 on our B3SCI Top 50 songs of 2012. New track “Future People” is worth the wait as it is stunningly wrought with a fresh new psychedelic vibe that works to enhance the group’s well-developed soulful blues-rock bravado that has garnered them three GRAMMY® nominations. We are impressed with the band’s centered new direction on the EP and of course we love the superbly rich and soulful, gorgeous blusey classics-inspired vocals from lead singer and guitarist Britney Howard. Indeed, the ultra bright dynamic in the groups new sound is between the high-art hazy psych-rock vocals and a seasoned, furiously focused guitar-riff-driven instrumental side. Hit play below and be sure to check the Alabama Shakes website for the April-released “Sound & Color”, EP which was co-produced with “young guitar wiz” Blake Mills. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Get into the sumptuous bass-heavy atmosphere of hip-hop/R&B track “Driving Blind” from Toronto producer Deebs; who with the help of LA-based vocalist/producer Jarell Perry, creates a beautiful and deep-felt juxtaposition between a soft-vocaled harmonic vibe and a relentless synth-based undercurrent. New track “Driving Blind” is off Deebs’ “Shift” EP which is out now via Time No Place/Kompakt. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Deebs (Facebook)
Lose yourself in the bright cheery instrumentals and serene ultra-feminine 70’s/80’s era easy-listening-time-warp vocals of new track “In 2 My Life” from Sydney, AU emerging star producer Kailo. who is also one half of the Aussie electronic duo YEAH NAH. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Kailo 
(Soundcloud
Sample the warm & emotive and expertly crafted R&B of ROBB‘s “Feeble Lines”, the Austrian act’s third track online.
ROBB 
(Soundcloud)
New to the London R&B scene is former street dance teacher ASHA who is out this week with debut single “We Can Do This”. Maybe most striking about “We Can Do This” is the richness and emotional resonance of ASHA’s alto vocal which exhibits a depth of tone that took hold of us nearly immediately. That and “We Can Do This” is quite a strong song; stream it below.
ASHA (Soundcloud)
