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Track Reviews

MØ – Waste of Time

MØ

MØ’s run will not stop. “Waste of Time” is the latest in her unblemished record of worldbeating electro-pop tunes. It’s MØ, no doubt, but “Waste of Time”‘s engine is gassed up on a few different types of sounds; namely some very sultry guitar leads and stuttering hip hop-schooled drums. Right, as if you need any more from us, anyway, it’s MØ, get to it.

(Facebook)

Rating 8.6

reviewed by
05-14-13

Fenech-Soler – Magnetic

fenech soler

Ah, Fenech-Soler, welcome back, boys, welcome back. “Magnetic”, the new signal from the band’s, September 2nd-due sophomore LP Rituals is no doubt the strongest track we’ve heard from Fenech-Soler since maybe “Lies”. Try not shouting out “It’s a FEeeeeeeeling” at 1:44 when the second chorus comes in. Yes, by chorus two you’ll be hooked; “And I neeeeeeed it”.

Fenech-Soler england (Official)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Freddie Dickson – The End

freddy dickson

Freddie Dickson. The name of West Londoner Freddie Dickson we project will line the coffers of Critics’ Bests of Lists in 2013 and beyond. “The End” is the sort of confidently-written accomplished dark pop that Mercury Prize nominations are made of (really). “Shut Us Down,” the debut four-track EP from Freddie Dickson, is due May 20th.

Freddie Dickson – The End

Freddie Dickson (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Eric Lau – Where To Go Now (feat. Tawiah)

eric lau

Eric Lau is one of our favorite producers anywhere. Here the London-based artist links up w/ UK soul singer Tawiah for the jazz-inflected (& melodically amazing) R&B of “Where To Go Now”. Get pumped for Mr. Lau’s upcoming One of Many LP, due June 17th.

Eric Lau england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Antimatter People – Mossy Grounds

antimatter people

The lurching psychedelic simmer of “Mossy Grounds” by London band Antimatter People is sound-wise an intriguing antithesis to the sound of 2013. Bombastic grooves, nowhere man sonics, classical pianos (!), it’s all the product of a sound honed over many years in relative isolation (that would be the five plus years of bedroom studio toil of Antimatter People principal Yehan Jehan) and truthfully in the context of the mountains and mountains of mediocre “cool house-influenced records” et al. we get each and every day, Antimatter People’s sound is really refreshing.

Antimatter People england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Orae – Green & Fog

orae

German artist Orae’s far-off soundscapes, as heard here on “Green & Fog”, are a favorite around B3. The mix of great melodic writing, transportive exotic sounds & a particularly strong penchant for track dynamics & drama make Orae one not to sleep on on this side of the Atlantic.

Orae – Green & Fog

Orae (Facebook)

Rating 8.10785

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Claire – Games

claire copy

On new track “Games”, Munich’s Claire distill through neatly-constructed synth pop an interesting mix of sounds and influences for the genre. Touchstones from house, to urban music, to more traditional pop are all assembled here, and done so in a way that’s both different (a standout song in a currently crowded genre) and tuneful (there are three of four melodies here that could be a chorus.) A++

Claire (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Andrea – Early Bird (Feat. Julia Losfelt)

Andrea

Previewed below is the track “Early Bird” recovered from the deepest oceanic depths and excerpted from the Paris-based artist’s “Cruising” EP. Featuring the blissed-out hushed vocals of fellow Parisian Julia Losfelt, “Early Bird”‘s late night pelagic creep is an excellent close to an excellent new EP.

Andrea – Early Bird (ft. Julia Losfelt)

Andrea (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
05-13-13

Chapel Club – Good Together [Album Stream]

chapel club good together

The anticipated sophomore album from East-London quintet Chapel Club is titled Good Together. The band’s return welcomes their appetite for innovative pop music. Although, frontman Lewis Bowman’s baritone and the band’s guitars have been checked-in for a medley of analog synthesizers and samples. Good Together was recorded at a self-built studio in Los Angeles with producer Tom Biller and you can almost feel the disco psychedlia glitz of Hollywood’s recent decades throughout the band’s exploration of pop on the album. Chapel Club have also released a new video for their next single, “Shy.” Sample both the album and video below and be sure to pick up a copy of Good Together on June 3rd via Ignition Records.

Chapel Club: england (Facebook)

reviewed by
05-11-13

Katy B – What Love Is Made Of

katyb

Straight from the soundboard of Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show to yr B3 earphones; it’s the new Katy B, the 90’s house-ref’ing “What Love Is Made Of” and it is amazing.

Katy B england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
05-10-13

NONONO – Down Under

nonono

Perfect indie pop (or whatever iteration you want to call it) is a very popular phrase in the music blogosphere. That much we know. But really, truly, and actually, Swedish band NONONO’s “Down Under” is that perfect indie pop record and certainly one of the best tracks of the year.

NONONO sweden (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

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reviewed by
05-10-13

Harriet Brown – Growing

harret brown

“Growing” is the beautifully-conceived reverb-washed new track from Oakland band Harriet Brown. There’s something about “Growing”, perhaps its sauntering tempo or its smooth as silk melodies, that strikes a majestic, cinematic quality for us. We are loving it.

Harriet Brown (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-10-13