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Track Reviews

Desert Sound Colony – Fashion (David Bowie)

desertsoundcolony

London three-piece electro/acoustic band Desert Sound Colony turns in a killer cover of David Bowie’s iconic funked-out new-wave alternative-underground wonder track “Fashion”; in which he relishes in an impressively reminiscent vintage-vibe pop-psychedelica sound that thoughtfully mimics the original track’s gentle repetitive rhythm and groundbreaking staccato vocal style. DSC creatively laces “Fashion” with a stellar highly-punctuated modern-twist guitar-riff and genius interludes of dub-based reverb that suit the classic 80’s hit to a T. In fact (sorry David), DSC elevates “Fashion” to a super danceable beat-driven track that we prefer (this rarely occurs). “Fashion” leads the pack as one of the best cover tracks of 2015 (thus far) and certainly takes the cake as one of the most solid twists on a classic Bowie track. Stay tuned as we await more incredible music from a new favorite artist-find DSC; who are currently working on their new EP (slated to release this Autumn) as well as a debut full-length album (out sometime in 2016). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Desert Sound Colony (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-09-15

Kins – Cyclical

kins

B3 recently showcased UK band Kins for their fast-paced progressively-inclined guitar-rock EP first-single “Young” from the foursome’s “Cyclical” EP (out now via East City Records). Much like “Young”, the EP’s title track “Cyclical” stands out as a creative ace; we especially like its robust and dramatic synth accents, brightly emotive instrumentals and the track’s fresh vastly-wavering highly-vulnerable vocal style which (more so on “Cyclical”) has a modern-twist vocal charisma feel that draws comparison to Thom Yorke from Radiohead school of singing. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Kins (Soundcloud)

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07-09-15

Patawawa & Roman Kouder – Back To Life (Benet Remix)

benet

Multi-talent Greek producer Benet puts a cool summer spin on the R&B/house sound of the moment on his new fastidiously crafted synth-heavy funk-leaning remix of “Back to Life” the vibrant soul-tinged nu-disco new release which is the ultra-catchy remix-friendly collaboration between English nu-disco trio Patawawa and Parisian nu-disco producer Roman Kolder. We enjoy the funky summer-dance-party vibe on Benet’s rendition, especially his elaborate electronic array of synth atmospherics, low-touch clap percussion and brilliant dichotomy of upscale-vibe subterranean beats. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Benet GREECE_FLAG (Soundcloud)

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07-09-15

Coasts – Oceans

coasts

In 2013 we expected great things from Bristol band Coasts, who we covered for their sublimely bright new track “Oceans” which features an anthemic break-out crazy-good chorus, inspired commercial-appeal lyrical sensibilities and a luminous, dynamic pop infused style. At the time of our post the song was merely out on YouTube; it later hit Soundcloud in 2014 and the track lit up the blogosphere in a blaze of sincere glorification (including our own). Unfortunately, the track was later yanked by record companies and/or the band thus rendering many of the blog’s posts 2-dimensional. We deliver good fun news for all! The outstandingly timeless and sunny track is out yet again via the group’s Soundcloud page and just in time for the sweet heated heart of summer. Good luck Coasts, although you have released “Oceans” time and time again, we’re totally still into its upbeat summer-ready style and phenomenal break out potential. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Coasts england (Facebook)

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07-09-15

Disclosure – Holding On (Julio Bashmore’s Elevated Mix)

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Ubiquitous English brother-producer duo Disclosure recently announced their forthcoming September 25-release second album Caracal which is named after a rad looking medium-sized wild cat also called the African lynx. Featuring the brilliantly seasoned vocal chops of American jazz-singer and songwriter Gregory Porter, Caracals’s first single “Holding On” (out as a preview) has given way to quite a few remixes since its January release, some of which are rather excellent. Last month we featured Gus Pirelli’s amazing disco-fringed remix of “Holding On” and in April we covered Bristol-based superproducer Julio Bashmore’s awesome Sam Drew-featured funk remix of the track (which is the lead single to Julio’s soon-to-release solo “Knockin’ Boots” EP). On July 1st London producer Melé dropped a heavy-percussion tropical-beat-centric experimental-vibe house spin on the track and this week Julio Bashmore follows up with another vastly-different makeover of “Holding On” which he dubbed the ‘Elevated Mix’ for its relentlessly rising slow-escalating synth-line. We love the intense and moody bass-laden synth-driven club-charmer twist from Julio, who creatively contrasts the original track’s beautifully seductive sultry tone with his own world-music style vocals and intense elevating synth to create a cosmic and ethereal soul-inspired deep-house dance trance vibe that we totally dig. Very well done Julio Bashmore! Superb track. Reviewed By Erin Shay.

Julio Bashmore england (Soundcloud)

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07-09-15

Florian Kupfer – Headpiece

floriankupfer

Entrench yourself in the incredible dimensional breadth and outstanding cinematic vibe of “Headpeice” the new experimental house/techno track from Berlin-based producer Florian Kupfer; who marinates his listener in a bold-typed metallic-vibe percussion and sensational driving-force ballad-esque intensity that’s intrinsic to distinctly-German techno. On the stunning slow-building “Headpeice”, Florian creates an atmospheric momentum that is enhanced by an all-consuming deeply-saturated bass groove; both of which make listening to the track an experience. We are enthralled with all 9:23 wicked minutes of the vastly-expansive new sonic-beast of a track and look forward to hearing the lot of Florian’s “Explora” EP on July 24 and 25th when it releases on vinyl and electronically (respectively). A++ Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Florian Kupfer (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-08-15

Eskimeaux – I Admit I’m Scared

eskimeaux

Eskimeaux is the recording project of NYC-based singer-songwriter/producer Gabrielle Smith who recently released her new indie-pop album O.K. via Double Whammy. We like the witty-versed guitar-driven slowly-escalating character of the track “I Admit I’m Scared” which is a perfect slice of poetic catchily-hooked drum-laden bedroom pop that we hope to find on the rest of the album. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Eskimeaux newyork (Soundcloud)

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07-08-15

Dallas Cotton – Writer’s Block

dallascotton

In June we highlighted the lavishly atmospheric instrumentals and remarkable production talent of Portland producer/DJ Dallas Cotton on his fantastic disco-leaning house track “Sometime”. The versatile young rising-star producer impresses us again with a head-turning ultra-smooth sultry-saxed new one called “Writer’s Block”, which revels in a gorgeous evocative jazz groove and seamless sample from Tribe Called Quest’s epic tune, “1nce Again”. A short and sweet, inventive mesh of hip-hop and stunning jazz instrumentals “Writers Block” is one of the best fusion tracks we have heard in ages. We love it. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Dallas Cotton oregon (Facebook)

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07-08-15

Natural Sequence – Galactic Soul

naturalsequence

Natural Sequence is a five-person collective of musicians with a stylistic range from neo-rhythm and blues to future soul, hip-hop and jazz who make music with a tender-hearted sense of verve and careful adherence to a creative weave of sultry soul-filled vocals, live instruments, drum machines and vintage synthesizers. We like new track “Galactic Soul” from the group’s new mini-album Live Session at Flat 3 Studio for its emotive blend of bluesy vocals (from songstress Gala Ga), rock solid bass-laden-groove, and the track’s outstanding, luxurious entice-the-senses jazzy vibe accents of percussion. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Natural Sequence russia (Soundcloud)

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07-08-15

Olmos – Stay Here

olmos

Zone out in style with new slow-burner track “Stay Here” on which new artist Olmos creates a stunning melodic contrast between a tenderly-lulling profoundly-captivating synth riff, exceptionally lovely heart-felt slow-cadence vocals and a unique layer of wonderfully-expansive playground-sounds-inspired atmospherics that we totally love to hear on a chill track. Enjoy! Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Olmos california (Soundcloud)

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07-08-15

GRRL PAL – Vice

grrlpal

We’re into the awesome dynamically-textured synth line, on-point deep bass accents and contrastingly-delicate melodic vocals on “Vice” the new mellow-vibe trap-infused jam from Perth-based B3-featured male-female duo GRRL PAL; who like Oh Wonder are set to release a new track per month for a year. B3 most recently covered GRRL PAL for their dreamy multi-era’d-musical-style May-release track “Radar” and we also previously liked “Dare” their beautifully ebullient February-release. Their ninth track to release in the series, “Vice” brings our attentions once again to GRRL PAL and has us looking forward to hearing more soon. Good stuff. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

GRRL PAL australia (Soundcloud)

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07-08-15

JackLNDN – Firing Line

jacklndn

Fall into the brightly-laced deep house dance accents of ”Firing Line” the new fully-absorbing Nervous Records-backed instrumental gem track from UK talent and B3 blog artist producer/DJ fave JackLNDN; who has come out with some great remixes in 2015, including B3 recent feature “Touch”, a Le Youth remix which we liked for its summer-soaked feel-good sound. On new one “Firing Line” LNDN creates a similarly-catchy summer-ready effervescence with his dance-friendly deeply-centered bass-line and vibrant driving synth melange. We love the rad intro and gorgeous, totally-soulful incessantly-punchy syncopated piano chords that frame the track. LNDN, who has DJ’ed at some pretty big shows this year including Bassnectar at Red Rocks in Denver, Ozark-based Wakarusa in June and more recently Michigan’s Electric Forest, is about to get the party moving again with an upcoming summer show at UK’s Shambhala Festival in August. If you are into deep house and in the area, we think its a must see performance. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

JackLNDN england (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-07-15