Image

Track Reviews

Raury – Devil’s Whisper

raury

Get into the multi-faceted talents and all-encompassing genreless musical range of young Atlanta bred singer-songwriter and B3 favorite artist Raury who is best known for his hit lead single “Gods Whisper” off his heavily-buzzed-about debut 2014 Indigo Child mixed tape. Raury, who we featured on our B3SCI Best of 2014: Artists to Watch in 2015 list, recently landed an appearance on Annie Mac’s much-lauded Hottest Record In the World segment for his new darkly-jubilant explosively thought-provoking “techno spiked gospel rock” track “Devils Whisper”; which according to Raury exemplifies the devils advocate dark-side polar-opposite of his gorgeous folksy career-opener track “God’s Whisper”. After a recent personal awakening, Raury currently embodies a new depth of purpose on “Devil’s Whisper”, which like “God’s Whisper”, straddles several genres from folk to gospel to rock with a touch of hip-hop in the midst (on the new track he excels by adding a brilliant techno tinge). “Devil’s Whisper” with its beautifully intoxicating cinematic depth, looped gospel chants, philosophical waxing-poetic word-to-the-wise lyrics and a spicy rap vocal interlude gives listeners a distinct and unifying message for anyone and everyone to seek enlightenment, take action against injustice and buck the establishment in order to change the world. Raury, who boldy exemplifies the devil at the beginning of the track, truly inspires the listener to also join up with their own demons in awareness and begin to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Raury, who is launching a mid to late july European festival tour (with an opening performance at the Village Underground on July 13th) is also about to take part in his own creation, the second annual Raurfest; which is a one day music festival in Raury’s native town Atlanta where he will preform with other “like-mided” artists on the indigo path including Big K.R.I.T. and Trinidad Jame$. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

13/7 Village Underground, London
15/7 Melkweg, Amsterdam
16/7 Dour Festival, Belgium
17/7 Melt Festival, Germany
18/7 Lovebox Festival, UK
19/7 Longitude Festival, Ireland

Raury (YouTube)

reviewed by
06-17-15

Tom Misch – Sunshine

tommisch

We’re into the sublimely cheery summer vibes, amazing uniquely-warm deeply-sustaining vocals and funky percussion-led instrumentals of new track “Sunshine” from the prodigious 19-year old SE London producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist musician Tom Misch who we recently featured on the blog for his stunningly soulful, guitar-groove enhanced tropical track “Dawson Hights”. We look forward to hearing more of Misch’s seamless blend of electronica, hip-hop and acoustic instrumentals on his new upcoming host-of-collaborations-featuring “Beat Tape 2” which is slated for release this summer. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Tom Misch england (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-17-15

Skylar Spence – Can’t You See

skylarspence

Fresh summer vibes are shining on us and a new disco track from Ryan Derobertis aka Skylar Spence (FKA Saint Pepsi) has been revealed in the form of “Can’t You See”. Featured on Spence’s first full length album Prom King via Carpark Records (9/18), the single “Can’t You See” is everything you could hope for in a summertime jam; potently mixing down pop/dance/funk into the perfect pool party track. Reviewed by Tony Perkis.

Skylar Spence (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-16-15

Poom – De la vitesse à l’ivresse

poom

Poom are the Parisian duo of of Camille Ferrera and Siegfried De Turckheim. The twosome lead Yuksek’s new Partyfine, Vol. 2 compilation with the warm Air/Stereolab-esque French-language pop of “De la vitesse à l’ivresse”.

Poom (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-16-15

Aida Kaly – Let’s Never Stop Falling In Love (Pink Martini)

aidakaly

Sample the gorgeous swooning vocals and perfect latin-dance instrumental chops of “Lets Never Stop Falling In Love” which is a Pink Martini cover from Kazakhstani turned Frenchwoman singer Aida Kaly, who has a resoundingly classic, knockout voice. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Aida Kaly (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-16-15

Lawrence Taylor – Bang Bang

lawrencetaylor

Described by Clash magazine as ‘Mature beyond his years’, the unsigned yet immensely talented 22-year-old Birmingham via London singer-songwriter Lawrence Taylor has a deeply affective poppy indie-rock sound which is a perfect amalgam of his incredibly soulful, bluesy slow-cadence vocals and lushly understated fundamentally-excellent accompanying classic instrumentals. Taylor’s infectious low-key style is wonderfully embodied on his new fast and furious guitar-driven stinger single “Bang Bang” that is the title track from his forthcoming EP, out in October 2015. To be sure Taylor who recently also released his very dreamy fired-up career debut track “Waiting For Your Love” has our attention with “Bang Bang”; we are totally into the sentimental and boldly expressive indie-pop vibe of this amazing young artist. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

LAwrence Taylor (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-16-15

Wild Ones – Dim the Lights

wildones

Get into the catchy off-kilter lyrical sensibilities, blaringly cinematic western-guitar groove and delicate harmonic draw of lead singer Danielle Sullivan’s vocals on the new synth-touched single from indie pop band Wild Ones called “Dim The Lights” which is the debut track from the Portland-based 5 piece group’s upcoming “Heatwave” EP that is out on August 14th via Topshelf Records. Readers take note; if you are a fan of the Wild Ones (who we included on our B3SCI Best of 2013: Staff Top 20’s list) they are set to embark on a West Coast summer tour alongside Oregon alt-rock duo The Helio Sequence. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

6/19 – Adrift Hotel – Long Beach, WA
6/20 – Adrift Hotel – Long Beach, WA
7/9 – Venue – Vancouver, BC
7/11 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA
7/14 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
7/15 – The Roxy Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
7/16 – Sophia’s Thai Kitchen – Davis, CA
7/19 – Project Pabst – Portland, OR
9/17 – 9/20 – Rifflandia 2015 – Victoria, BC

Wild Ones oregon (Facebook)

reviewed by
06-16-15

Basenji – Petals (Feat. Scenic)

basenji

Talented young producer Sydney-based Australian, Basenji, who is best known for his breakout 2014 electro hits “Heirloom” and “Dawn” turns in his first track of 2015, the superbly lovely “Petals”; which is the first release off his upcoming yet-to-be-titled August-due EP. New stunner track “Petals” is another slightly-genre-elusive electro track from Basenji that is chock-full of bright lovely bell tones and choice, percolating beats amidst some very breathtaking dreamy-vibe vocals from Perth’s acid-tinged electro-pop group Scenic. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Basenji australia (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-15-15

Tora – High Enough

tora

Tora, a 5 peice band whose name is based on the Greek word ‘τώρα’ meaning now, just released a gorgeous new chillwave single called “High Enough” which according to group member Jo Lowenthal is about “missing somebody and feeling like the distance between you both is getting bigger”. With its subtle astoundingly-refined vocals and brightly-metered melodic charm “High Enough” highlights the unique, beautifully balanced sound of the unsigned New South Wales, Australia group who just began their European tour; that includes a June 28th gig at England’s Glastonbury Festival where they play along with a variety of new acts like the amazing Jack Garratt as well as some big names and classics like The Who, Pharrel Williams, and Glass Animals. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Tora australia (Soundcloud)

JUNE
15 – Sebright Arms (UK, London)
21 – Best Kept Secret Festival (The Netherlands, Hilvarenbeek)
24 – Fusion Festival (Germany, Lärz)
28 – Glastonbury Festival (UK, Pilton)

JULY
10 – Feel Festival (Germany, Berlin)
11 – Sacred Ground Festival (Germany, near Berlin)
13 – Hafenkneipe (Switzerland, Zurich)
21 – Boomtown Festival (Belgium, Gent)
24 – KOKO – Club NME (UK, London)
26 – Somersault Festival (UK, Devon)

AUGUST
01 – Sound of the Forest (Germany, Bad König)
07 – Boardmasters Festival ( UK, Cornwall)
14 – Haldern Pop Festival (Germany, Haldern)
15 – MS Artville Richtfest (Germany, Hamburg)

reviewed by
06-15-15

Deradoorian – A Beautiful Woman

deradoorian

LA-based Singer-songwriter-musician Angel Deradoorian, who we featured on Philly rapper Lushlife’s 2012 “8 PM twilight summer night smooth-as-glass rework of ‘She’s a Buddhist, I’m a Cubist'” is also the former bassist, keyboardist and vocalist for Brooklyn-based group Dirty Projectors; who over the years B3 has featured a number of times on the blog, most recently for their track “Swing Lo Magellan” which hit our B3SCI Staff Top 20’s list in 2012. The talented Deradorian, who just announced her new debut solo album called The Expanding Flower Planet, which releases on August 21st via Anticon Records, basques in the newfangled indie solo-career limelight with her characteristically-lovely and versatile vocal talents on her new indie rock track and EP premiere “A Beautiful Woman” which is a perfect harmonious, percussion-driven choice to lead the album. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Deradoorian california (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-15-15

Yokoo – Reach For Me (Trus’me Remix)

yokoo

Get lost in the deeply soulful primal beat and melodic world-music dance vibe perspective of Manchester, UK producer Trus’me on his expressive drum-based flute-tinged remix of “Reach For Me” the original track by German house producer YokoO that is out via 22 Digit Records on June 15. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Trus’me (Facebook)

reviewed by
06-15-15

Leo Kalyan – Fingertips

leokalyan

Leo Kalyan is the London-based organic beatmaker and singer-songwriter who we featured on B3 last November for his SHIFt K3Y co-written 90’s vibe R&B stunner track “Stranger”. Kalyan just released his awesome new track “Fingertips” which is a gorgeous vocaled subtle-beat tinged R&B track from the talented new artist’s forthcoming July-release, “Silver Linings” EP. Check out Kalyan on tour with Jess Glynne this summer and get familiar with his excellent body of work including his very stellar, 2015 released “Stranger Mixtape”. Kalyan plans to launch his new EP with a performance at London’s Waiting Room on July 29th. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Leo Kalyan (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
06-12-15