Well, yes, that is more like it. Fantasia Barrino delivers one of the strongest track of her career with the supremely well produced/arranged new smanger “Supernatural Love”. The hook especially is off the meter as F.B. rattles off in rapid succession her various identities (woman, wife, mother) & maybe comeback story? Side Effects of You is due Apr. 23.
Fantasia 
(Official)
Rating 8.4
Besides a mutual appreciation for the 216 (which always helps), “Reverse” from newcomers SomeKindaWonderful has seeped into our skin. A pop track at it’s core, lush and melodic orchestration help lend the soulful timbre to a next-level raspy-croon from frontman Jordy Towers. Add some promiscuity induced lyrics for dramatic effect and you’ve got a press-repeat worthy jam. Sample “Reverse” below.
SomeKindaWonderful 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Welcome back, Mayer. After the disappointing How Do You Do, new track “Designer Drug” recaptures much of the energy, spontaneity, and tunefulness that made Mayer’s early records so much fun. The throwback touchstones are there; 70’s soul, 90’s hip hop, classic 80’s pop (& mostly accuratley Michael Jackson) but with “Designer Drug” Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t allow his influences and a bit of a self-consciousness about them shackle him to the safety of pastiche & trope.
Mayer Hawthorne 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Insanely talented electronic musician and Welsh language enthusiast Ifan Dafydd is back with a new track today in the form of the kinetic & beautiful “Llonydd”. If the Andromeda Galaxy had a quiet storm R&B station (and if they spoke Welsh) “Llonydd” would likely dominate its’ “late night” “grown” rotation. A part of a new out-today 10″ compilation spotlighting rising Welsh artists, you can find “Llonydd” via Recordiau Lilwgar.
Ifan Dafydd 
(Twitter) (Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Aussie producer Burn Water pours one out for the Alicia Keys we all once knew with the deeply soulful “No One”-sampling “I Just Want You (Forever)”. Very very nice, Mr. Water.
Burn Water 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
We’ve likely reached some sort of Janet Jackson sampling/remixing high water mark today; something like 3 or 4 songs released today (like this one and this one feature a source track from Ms. Jackson If You’re Nasty. So what makes this new “Rock With U” mix worth your attention? Start with one Janet’s best latter day tracks, the vastly underappreciated “Rock With U”. Next put in the hands of the mega-talented Dutch producer FS Green. The result is a standout mix that leaves many of the lesser populaters of the Janet remix/sample genre way back at the start. Go and get it.
FS Green 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
Check out “Youthern, the stunning new piano ballad as-performed-from-the-heart-of-the-solar-system (which I guess would be the sun anyway) , from rising UK act Cloud Boat. Dressed in just the smallest bit of 2013 R&B/indie James Blake-y wrapping, the beautiful hymnal-esque melody and harmony unfold and lift “Youthern” into some very special rarefied territory.
Ajimal 
(Official)
Rating 8.4
It was Shlohmo’s 2012 remix of Jeremih’s “Fuck U All The Time” that first left us all a little speechless. At the time, it seemed an original collaboration between the two might only be a far off dream. As 2013 rolls into Spring, that dream has become a reality. Jeremih and Shlohmo’s new track “Do U Right” demonstrates an intense chemistry between the two artists. It’s a superhuman collaboration that perfect for the dance floor. Check it out below. By Phoebe Severin
Shlohmo – Bo Peep (Do U Right) (ft. Jeremih)Shlohmo (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Nashville artist Patrick Baker’s 80’s R&B/pop-influenced “This Love” is delightful enough for its nostalgia but the track is also a VERY good pop song. Baker’s skill as a writer is the star here as “This Love (Higher)” has the replay-ability and out and out quality of pop arrangement is really standout. Do not miss.
Patrick Baker 
()
Rating 8.4
The golden-voiced UK R&B/pop singer Sam Smith connects with UK dance music/Mistajam journeyman Naughty Boy and producer Komi for the uplifting soulful new single “La La La”. Hat tip to our mates at DoML for the track.
Naughty Boy (Twitter)
Rating 8.3
We like MeLo-X best when he’s at his, well…mellowest. The dimmer switch R&B of “Handle It”, which is MeLo’s rework of M-Phazes’ “Somebody That I Used To Know” remix (see if you can find the original in the track!), adeptly alternates between glide and simmer for much of its 4:14 duration with our narrator/producer ably navigating those changes.
MeLo-X 
: (Twitter)
Rating: 8.3
