Sink into the sultry vocals and soulful swagger of Aussie singer-songwriter and fledgling MPC aficionado Jacky Winter on excellent lead single “Give Me Something” from Jacky’s debut self-titled EP which he created with musician mate Spencer Dyson and mixed in NYC with rocker-guitarist-turned-producer Matt Verta-Ray. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Jacky Winter 
(Soundcloud)
NYC duo Refs author one of the year’s first big songs with the 2015 pop of “Pain Goes Away”.
REFS 
(Soundcloud)
Two of the blogworld’s most sought after names Lido & Halsey collaborate on the trap/hip hop-influenced “Slow” featuring interpolations of J. Cole & Miguel and sample from Jaden Smith’s “Fast”.
Lido 
(Facebook)
The great D’Angelo gets a fresh new mix from another favorite of the site 14KT for D’s cover of the Prince track “She’s Always In My Hair”.
Earlly Mac 
Soundcloud
“Total Zombie” is the second track to surface online from Oakland native Jackson Phillips a/k/a Day Wave. Following the buzzy “Nothing At All”, “Total Zombie” moves in a similar lo-fi, immediately infectious bit of real estate. Listen.
Day Wave 
(Soundcloud)
Favorite rapper Freddie Gibbs is joined by great guitar Hanni El Khatib for the trippy inspired by sneakers sound of “Satin Black”.
Hanni El Khatib (Facebook)
Freddie Gibbs 
(Facebook)
RÉN follows up one of our favorite tracks of 2014 “Time”, with the low touch and dreamy but equally accomplished “Sunflowers In The Sky”.
RÉN (Soundcloud)
L.A. band Maudlin Strangers announce new EP with Vagrant Records with stream of latest single “Aim”. Channeling the timbre of latter days Arctic Monkeys, “Aim” is a minor-keyed track heavy on large in stature chorus hooks and long on alternative radio potential. The “Overdose” EP is out January 20th.
Maudlin Strangers (Soundcloud)
Last year we posted Rory Wynne’s debut single “Post Party Confusion”. This talented Manchester, UK 15 year old has garnered the attention of various tastemaking radio DJ’s in London and Manchester who have raved about his talent. Now comes “I Know She Knows”, which rivals Rory’s debut in quality but is much different in sound. This tune is raw, slow and pretty with an irresistible piano hook. It can be mistaken for being a demo but Rory states that its rough sound was intentional. The entire track was improvised in one take with guitar notes all sharps and flats. Rory plays all instruments himself but has formed a band for live gigs soon to hit the UK. We really like his talent. A promising artist at any age, it’s exciting to imagine what he’ll have in store moving forward. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Rory Wynne 
(Official) (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
The dreamy house-infused pop of “Hope” is the debut for 22 year-old Birmingham UK artist Silk Cinema.
Silk Cinema 
(Soundcloud)
Feist-collaborator Mocky produces the modern understated guitar pop of Bulgarian artist DENA’s “Another Love”.
DENA 
(Soundcloud)
“Insides” is excerpted from Fort Romeau’s upcoming album of the same name for Ghostly. The restrained beautiful in its repetition “Insides” is deep house executed at its highest level. Look for Insides March 31st.
Fort Romeau (Soundcloud)
