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Track Reviews

MISUN – Travel With Me

B3SCI_MISUN_FInal.Web700

We love MISUN. The D.C.-bred now L.A.-based band’s stylistic breadth (from R&B to surf rock to country-western, there’s seemingly not a genre the 4-piece won’t touch), pop songwriting skill (melodically and lyrically slay your faves w/ every track), and crazily impressive run of singles over the last twelve months (“Hills and Trails”, “Promise Me”, “Darkroom”, etc all knockouts). So clearly, partnering with MISUN to launch their first physical release on B3SCI Records was a 100% no brainer for us. We present the first single from MISUN’s brand new 7″ “Travel With Me”, a track that again finds the band pushing not only the boundaries of their own sound but of the indie 2014 palette as well (there’s tropical refs in there, a little bit of 60’s, Asian melodic structures, etc). “Travel With Me” is out Feb. 18.

Misun maryland (Facebook) (Pre-Order)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-16-14

King Krule – Easy Easy (20syl Remix)

king krule

In his new mix for King Krule, French producer 20syl ingeniously bends R&B and trap to create a truly standout and orginal remix. Blending seemlessly soaring 70’s R&B orchestration & wah pedals w/ crazy cut-up and chops in the rhythm (that coupled with/brilliantly juxtaxposed against King Krule’s modern transatlantic grumbling), to create a resulting product that really quite special (and bangin). 20syl rules!

20syl (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-15-14

Blondfire – Walking With Giants (Templeton Remix)

blondfire

L.A. producer Templeton adds a great early 90’s-styled piano house sound to our buddies Blondfire’s killer in its own right “Walking With Giants”. Turn this one all the way up.

Blondfire california (Facebook)
Templeton california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
01-15-14

Freeze-Tag – You Do

Freeze-Tag

The lush “You Do” is the latest from Cleveland(!) R&B artist Freeze-Tag. Sophisticated in sound without being tired or hokey, “You Do” reveals more and more of its many facets with its each successive listen (you will be hooked like that, believe it.), as sprawling electronics give way to Isley Brothers-esque riffing and genre jumping beats swirl into unexpected but compositionally on the mark chord voicings. F-T’s Last Night I Grew Tentacles is out soon via Long Division Records.

Freeze-Tag ohio (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-15-14

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Peace Sign

we were promised jetpacks

The Jetpacks crew are readying a live album E Rey (Live in Philadelphia) (which will be out Feb. 25 on FatCat) and to mark its release, the band debuted today a live version (ostensibly from said Philly set) of a brand new track “Peace Sign”. The turning, high drama “Peace Sign” is the band’s first new material in two years.

We Were Promised Jetpacks scotland (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Marissa Nadler – Was It A Dream

marissa nadler

The haunting windswept “Was It A Dream” is new from Marissa Nadler. Previewed from her upcoming July LP, due Feb. 4 on Sacred Bones (US) and Feb. 10 on Bella Union (Int’l), “Was It A Dream” ethereal harmonies and dusty guitar atmospheres evoke a compelling, very special, skillfully crafted mood. Weltanschauung.

Marissa Nadler massachusetts (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Isaiah Rashad – RIP Kevin Miller (Prod. by Black Metaphor)

isaiahrashaddd

Producer Black Metaphor links up TDE’s latest signee Isaiah Rashad with a vibey jazz-laced instrumental for new track “RIP Kevin Miller”. The track shows off Rashad’s inventive flows and skilled lyricism and indicative that Top Dawg Ent. is the right stylistic home for the Chattanooga-based rapper. Isaiah Rashad’s anticipated “Cilvia” EP is out soon.

Isaiah Rashad (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-14

Tinashe – 2 On feat. ScHoolBoy Q

tinashe

Tinashe’s our B. The L.A.-based R&B songstress is joined on new track “2 On” by Black Hippy bro ScHoolBoy Q and producer DJ Mustard (Mustard on the beat ho, fyi). “2 On” is, with the proper push, R&B radio hit single material; so (looking up Tinashe’s label now) RCA get that promo sorted and get “2 On” in rotation. Thx, <3 B3SCI.

Tinashe kentucky (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-13-14

GDNA x Beat Attic – Home (The Colour Purple REwurk)

GDNA

GDNA, who is joined here by fellow SoCal artist Beat Attic to release as The Colour Purple, is one of the most consistent newcomers (in any genre really) to emerge in recent months. This jazzy re-spin of “Home” ably continues GDNA’s momentum (as well as introduces Beat Attic and The Colour Purple collab to B3), and we have the L.A. artist firmly planted on our list of ones to watch this year.

GDNA california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

boreta - honey heart

reviewed by
01-13-14

Rare Monk – Splice

Rare Monk Single Art

“Splice”, the debut single track (b/w “Sleep/Attack”), blends Portland band Rare Monk’s cinematic Minus the Bear/As Tall As Lions-styled guitar atmospheres and excellently pitched dynamics w/ a major step forward in the band’s skill and maturity as songwriters. The “Splice/Sleep Attack” single is due February 18th on our very own B3SCI Records label as a limited edition AA side 7″ vinyl. Pre-order a copy here.

Rare Monk oregon (Soundcloud) (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
01-13-14

Chlöe Howl – This Song’s Not About You (demo)

chloe howl

Tipped for a big 2014 is Chloe Howl, the flame-haired UK popstress behind several of our favorite tracks of last year debuts a brand new demo in the form of belter “This Song’s Not About You”. Ms. Howl’s set closer when she plays out live, the kinetic stomper is buoyed by Chloe’s punches first lyrics and vocal. Chloe Howl’s “Rumor” single is out soon on Sony.

Chloe Howl (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-13-14

Jean Deaux – Find U (produced by Sampha)

Jean+Deaux

Sampha, producer and featured vocalist on Chicago artist Jean Deaux’s latest “Find U”, continues to exhibit the “hot hand” w/ this soulfully constructed punchy new collaboration. “Find U” features clattering modern beats and a cinematographic brand of atmosphere (think the music production equivalent of perfect cinematography) and the quick stride of Jean Deaux and Sampha’s vocal exchanges. Jean Deaux Soular System project is on the way soon.

Jean Deaux (Info)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by
01-10-14