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Track Reviews

Rave’s Fave: Gateway Drugs – Fridays Are For Suckers

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Great name for a band, right? Three of the four Gateway Drugs peeps include Gabe, Noa, and Liv, the two sons and a daughter of bassist Prescott Niles of The Knack. Yes, this family grew up in the aura of that unforgettable “My Sharona” octave bassline. That was the #1 song of 1979 so how could it not be an influence, right? Their sense of melody is definitely present, but this band rocks hard, heavy, and raw. “Fridays” has a driving, hooky garage feel to it that will stick to you throughout, starting with the intro. Check out their Magick Spells album, which will show you the depth this band possesses. They are currently on tour with Swervedriver and will be at SXSW next week. Their Roxy show last week was a major success here in West Hollywood; the sound mix wasn’t favorable to their vocals but what came through was that these guys seriously know how to play and that they’re at the gateway to bigger things. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.

Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!

Gateway Drugs california (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-11-15

Gengahr – Haunter

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Gengahr release new EP on Transgressive Records. “She’s A Witch” is the EP and the hazy melodic pop of “Haunter” is the EP’s most recent stream. We dig the track and the EP and look forward to catching the London four-piece at SXSW next week.

Gengahr (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-11-15

Will Joseph Cook – Message

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Will Joseph Cook announces new EP, “You Jump I Run” for Duly Noted, with kinetic new bit of classic pop “Message”. “You Jump I Run” is out April 21st and Cook will be doing a London gig the following night at Servant Jazz Quarters.

Will Joseph Cook (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-11-15

HÆLOS – Earth Not Above

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“Earth Not Above” is the second track from background info-scarce UK act HÆLOS. On “Earth Not Above”, the band take current trends in UK electronic music and an infuse a Massive Attack/ latter-days Depeche Mode-styled sense of space and fidelity creating a cool and (most mercifully) refreshing sound.

HÆLOS (

reviewed by
03-10-15

SPZRKT & Sango – How Do You Love Me

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SPZRKT & Sango have linked up for a joint EP (out now) and our pick from the set is the late-night R&B tones of track “How Do You Love Me”.

Sango (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-10-15

Beauville – Letting In

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“Letting In” is the online debut of Beauville, the project of L.A. resident via Maryland Josh Bovill. “Letting In” as a song is remarkable and very impressive; neat instrumentation and use of harmony that frame an emotionally precise stable of really strong melodic phrases. A++.

Beauville california (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
03-09-15

Phoebe Ryan – Dead

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Blog pop’s hottest name Phoebe Ryan follows up the breakthrough success of “Mine” with equally potent new one “Dead”.

Phoebe Ryan california (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
03-09-15

Le Youth – REAL (Figgy Remix)

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NYC-based producer Figgy revamps Brandy-sampling 2015 standout “REAL” (from LA-based 90’s house/R&B mixmaster Le Youth) for a sublimely centered, vibrantly catchy new electro-soul dance track to top this week’s playlist. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Figgy (Soundcloud(/a>)

reviewed by
03-09-15

Premiere: SILVR – Dark

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“Dark” is the online debut of Los Angeles-based artist SILVR. “Dark” adeptly strides a line between broad accessibility and strong pop construction and buzzworthy choices in the track’s instrumental and production; a method of composition we can most certainly get behind. We are into it. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Dark” from SILVR below.

SILVR california (Facebook)

reviewed by
03-06-15

Jed Nayef – Diamonds in the Dirt

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Jed Nayef returns today from a two-year break between releases with grimy new dark pop track “Diamonds in the Dirt” “Diamonds” navigates a sobered lyrical dynamic spun into 808 drums and distorted guitar leads resulting in a singular sound and type of track that you’re unlikely to hear elsewhere on buzz blogs.

strong>Body Language (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
03-05-15

Aquilo – Losing You (Vanic Remix)

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Vancouver-based Vanic puts a beats music jolt into the Aquilo biggie “Losing You”. Aquilo are currently putting the final touches on a new EP, due later this year.

Vanic canada: (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
03-05-15

Premiere: Matt Woods – Impression

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London-via-Cornwall songwriter Matt Woods debuts stunning new track “Impression”. Woods’ electric vocal and accomplished pop songwriting take the lead on “Impression” with one pinpoint executed vocal melody moving seamlessly into the next. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Impression” from Matt Woods and look for an EP in the not too distant future.

Matt Woods (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
03-05-15