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Track Reviews

Ophelia Cache – Leaving London (prod. by The Kickdrums)

Ophelia Cache - Leaving London (prod. by The Kickdrums)

Brooklyn-based Ophelia Cache makes her B3SCI debut with the Yukimi Nagano/Ella Yelich-O’Connor channeling neo-R&B of “Leaving London”, produced by The Kickdrums.

Ophelia Cache (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-25-13

X priest X – Dark Sun (Demo)

priest

Florida-based synth-pop risers X Priest X drop new demo “Dark Sun”. Coming off the success of blog hit “Samurai”, “Dark Sun” veers a bit more into the territory of the ebullient side of recent-wave R&B (think Solange or Mapei). We’re into it.

X priest X (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-25-13

Avid Dancer – Stop Playing With My Heart

avid dancer

There’s a few things that we know about the new project from Jacob Summers a.k.a. Avid Dancer. Born in Tennessee, raised in Alaska and now based in LA, Avid Dancer has already hit the local music scene pretty strong. Having opened for the likes of Born Ruffians, Night Terrors of 1927 and supporting Wild Belle, Avid Dancer has impressed the hipster breeds from Silver Lake to Echo Park. Now offering a first recording to the public, “Stop Playing With My Heart” hits all the chords with its throwback pysch-pop sound and misty, L.A. feel. Look for more big things to come for Avid Dancer in 2014. Reviewed by Brian Litwin

Avid Dancer california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

boreta - honey heart

reviewed by
11-22-13

MANSIONS – The Economist

mansions

If there’s a band that can successfully invoke the spirit of 90’s alt-rock, Mansions can do it. Combining the perfect amount of melody with the right level of attitude and a production value that makes indie music fans a little weak in the knees, “The Economist” would easily find a way into music collections right alongside Pavement and Toadies. Reviewed by Desiree Autobee

Mansions (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
11-22-13

abhi//dijon – They

abhi::dijon - They

MD-based duo abhi//dijon announce the release of their debut (coming Winter 2014) with drop of two fresh tracks including the after hours neo-D’Angelo-sounding new one “They”.

abhi//dijon maryland (Soundscloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
11-21-13

The Neighbourhood – Afraid (StéLouse edit)

The Neighbourhood - Afraid (StéLouse edit)

We’re loving this new stylistically-varied but seamlessly blended edit of The Neighbourhood’s current “Afraid” single by new producer out of Denver StéLouse. Very well done.

StéLouse colorado (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-21-13

Premiere: Kat Dahlia – Seeds [Mixtape]

Kat dahlia seeds mixtape

We love (x3) Kat Dahlia. The Miami-based artist’s potent, refreshing cross-genre mix of R&B, Hip Hop & Latin music (Dahlia’s the daughter of Cuban-born parents) is delivered vocally on tracks like “Gangsta” and “Clocks” with the power, conviction and (most importantly) killer instinct of a real and singular star. The level and quality to which Kat’s able to reach out and pull at both her empirical and emotional experiences and then so effectively translate them out into her vocal is really quite unique and special. When Kat Dahlia sings, it’s really real. We’re very pleased to present below the B3 Premiere of Kat Dahlia’s new mixtape “Seeds” and new single “Happy And I Know It”. Do not sleep.

Kat Dahlia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-21-13

Flight Facilities – Stand Still (feat. Micky Green)

Flight-Facilities-Stand-Still

The consistent Flight Facilities branch it a bit from their recent run of (great) nu disco tracks w/ the new more minimalist synth-focused but still excellent “Stand Still” featuring Parisian singer Micky Green.

Flight Facilitiesaustralia (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
11-20-13

Review: The Record Company – Feels So Good [EP]

the record company feels so good

The Record Company are professionals, hence their band name, and they can put on quite a show. A 21st-century nod to timeless blues, mixed with sour gospel melodies – shaken, not stirred. They have played with all the Blues giants (BB King, Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, Black Joe Lewis) and drawn large audiences from their native Los Angeles to Montreal.

Their newest five song set, the Feels So Good EP sounds something like a Black Keys’esque homage to the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. Highlights include the tom heavy “Roll Bones” and the kick-drum funk of “Baby I’m Broken”. The trio plays a true kind of blues and it’s a welcomed respite from a majority of over-produced mainstream pop music. Vox’s warm, whiskey soaked yelp leisurely commands the resilient rhythm section of The Record Company, making for a feel good listen, even if they are ‘just’ playing the blues.

Having recently clenched some serious song syncs with national trailers (Last Vegas) and placements in ABC, CBS and more, something tells me I’m probably not the only one digging this. I was made aware of these boys last year when Turntable Kitchen posted “This Crooked City”/”Tallahassee Lassie” vinyl 7″ which I have now securely added to my record collection. Their steady progression is commendable and they have a great new EP to show for it. Review by Mike Olinger

The Record Company california (Facebook) (Official)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
11-20-13

Howard Ivans – Pillows

Howard Ivans - Pillows

Ah yes, soul. The wonderfully soulful melodies and warm instrumentals (comfortable horns, soothing jazz-inflected guitar, riight you get the picture) of Gayngs affiliate Howard Ivans “Pillows” are next level. “Pillows” is the b-side to Howard Ivans “Red Boy” single which is out today on Spacebomb Records.

Howard Ivans (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
11-19-13

Bird to Beast – Winter Snow

Bird to Beast - Winter Snow

The intricately constructed style of The Beach Boys baroque pop of “Winter Snow” succeeds on its inventive, nearly cinema-like, use of melodic tension and dynamic mood. Part of a Double A-side release (w/ “Elephant”), Beard to Beast’s “Winter Snow” will see a release on January 13th via MUK Records.

Bird to Beast (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
11-19-13

Freddie Gibbs – Keep It On The Real (feat. G-Wiz & G.I. Fleezy)

FreddieGibbs

Megatron Gibbs and his ESGN teammates G-Wiz and G.I. Fleezy remix 3X Krazy’s “Keep It On The Real” with a numerous nods to 1997 track’s Bay Area origins. Gibbs’ “Anybody Killa” mixtape is on the way.

Freddie Gibbs indiana (Facebook)

Rating 8.9

brown8

reviewed by
11-19-13