Death, taxes, American Idol & The National. What do our Ohio-born friends have in common these other three entities? CONSISTENCY. But in contrast to those lame to not so awesome things, The National are consistently great. “Sea of Love”, The Big N’s latest single from the forthcoming sixth LP Trouble Will Find Me, is just the most recent in a decade-plus collection of really fine classic music. Sample the new single below.
The National 
(Official)
Rating 8.7
Rapidly working their way through a host of un-google-able band names such as “Youth” and “Books” Bella Unions latest signing seem to have finally settled on “Money”, and this is their new video for future album track “Bluebell Fields”. Comparisons are being made to the likes of early Verve records and with the elusive nature of this Manchester outfit so far, the late summer release date for their debut record is already a highly anticipated one. It’s also worth taking a listen to their recent session with Amazing Radio to further appreciate the emotional capacity of their beautiful reverbs and heart-wrenching songwriting. By Nathan Hetherington
MONEY 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
You might not know it yet but you (will) know Joe Janiak. Other than his vocal and co-write feature on Bondax’s mega track “Gold,” Janiak apparently has his own arsenal of pop tracks to complement those serious vocals chops. “Steel Toe Boots” ‘fires at will’ with a patient and well conducted arrangement of sparse guitar and piano work, atmospheric effects, beats… and that voice, seriously check out that voice! Get familiar with Joe Janiak and grab a free download of “Steel Toe Boots” below.
Joe Janiak (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Brooklyn duo Steel Phantoms (ex-Islands) have a new S/T EP in the works (their second) of which the catchy indie rock and roll of “Curtain Call” is the lead single. Reminiscent a bit of a heavier (instrumentally) yet less Rod Stewart-y (vocals) Walkmen, “Curtain Call” brings the pace, energy and joyousness as well as sound songwriting execution to its genre that in 2013, etc that has been all and too well missed/missing.
Steel Phantoms (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Seattle-based Zack Moss fixes up a nostalgic bit of looped-vocal house on new track “Nobody Lovin’ Me (But You)”. Finished with a summery bass thump and moody synth textures, Moss’ new track glides easily from your earphones to your heart and to your head, and (most importantly) your feet as all of house music’s stimulatory targets are summarily and very well ticked.
Zack Moss 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
Joel Compass shares his thoughts about things “Fucked Up” with this latest track taken from his forthcoming Astronaut EP. The recently Zane Lowe minted ‘Hottest In The World’ track doesn’t fall short. With its eye clearly set on the r&b pop sound of tomorrow, “Fucked Up” is something of a jam.
Joel Compass (soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
Inbox gold. Idesia is a new LA based neo soul, jazz and hip hop fusion project that has delivered some essential listening with their new Other Nights EP. “Lustfound” and “onacloud” are two of our favorite takeaways from the project. New music aficionados take note and stay tuned for more that’s sure to come from Idesia.
Indesia 
(Bandcamp)
Rating 8.3
What is seemingly in the same realm of xxyyxx, Giraffage and Mister Lies, Blackedout may be the next thing when it comes to atmospheric sounds and beats. Not much is known about the producer, but the cumulative listens on the just released EP are quickly rising. A standout from that four track free Blackedout EP is “Bambi”. Laying down a smooth drum track over a bed of forest inspired chords and sounds, Blackedout takes you back to your childhood memories and the innocence tied with it. By Brian Litwin
Blackedout – Bambi Blackedout – You Don’t UnderstandBlackedout 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Flight Facilities keep us moving with their new single “I Didn’t Believe,” featuring, fellow Australian and buzzworthy electro pop producer, Elizabeth Rose. The song drops offical today (May 7th) in the US via Future Classic / Glassnote. Groove to the track below and check out the duo on tour this summer if you can.
Flight Facilities
(Facebook)
TOUR DATES
11 May – Perth, The Bakery
17 May – North QLD, Base Magnetic Island
18 May – Sunshine Coast, Warehouse Party
21 May – SOLD OUT Melbourne, Corner Hotel
23 May – SOLD OUT Melbourne, Corner Hotel
24 May – Brisbane, Oh Hello
25 May – SOLD OUT Sydney, Oxford Art Factory
26 May – SOLD OUT Sydney, Oxford Art Factory
2 June – Dublin, Forbidden Fruit
8 June – Amsterdam, Amsterdam Open Air
13 June – London, Village Underground
5 July – Bordeaux, I.Boat
12 July – Paris, Parc Floral de Paris
13 July – London, Wireless Festival
26 July – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
Rating 8.6
“Calm Now” from London collective Low Moon Low is RnR that makes you feel alive. The band’s unique concoction of rock is both abrasive and soothing, making for a mix that has found its way into heavy rotation at b3sci hq this morning. Sample “Calm Now” below and keep Low Moon Low on your radar.
Low Moon Low – Calm NowLow Moon Low (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
More sun laced pop from D.C. collective Misun. “Sun Made” is nothing short with it’s glistening synths and intrisic melody. The band made the track available to stream and download via their Soundcloud this morning. Lend your ears and attention below.
Misun – Sun Made (Produced by Nacey)*Plus check out this stellar remix of the band’s track “Promise Me” from fellow DC scene producer Caleb L’Etoile.
Misun 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Check out the new EP, Watching Every Channel At Once, from “ultimate parlor room name game” winner Slonk Donkerson. It approaches that Foo territory without ever getting too Foo. The title track could be a lost Slothbear cut, as they’re both very much of that same slacker vein and NYC sound. Slonk tags Dylan, Husker Du and The Replacements on their Soundcloud, and indeed there’s something Midwestern about them, an ethos borne from the garages of middle-America. I’d be hard pressed to find a band of this particular breed in LA, but the fact is that any coast, whether it be best or not, would greatly benefit from a band with such a clear sense of what they want to accomplish. By Chris Gedos
Slonk Donkerson – Watching Every Channel At OnceSlonk Donkerson (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
