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Track Reviews

Miguel – Arch N Point

miguel

Miguel dropped tonight the second volume in his Art Dealer Chic EP series (which has thusfar been his outlet for a more indie R&B-leaning sound. THE WEEKND.). That trend continues with the slightly more uneven Vol. 2. The definite clear standout among the EP’s three song is the pulsing lead track “Arch N Point”; which despite being more than a bit reminiscent of “Sure Thing” (like a spookier sounding “Sure Thing”), does still stand relatively well on its own and should keep you interested.

Miguel california (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-27-12

Meek Mill – I’m Rollin’ (Prod. DJ Mustard)

meekmill

MMG soldier Meek Mill lets loose “I’m Rollin'” the latest from the Philly rapper forthcoming Dreamchasers 2 mixtape. Produced by “Rack City” beatsmith DJ Mustard, “I’m Rollin'” isn’t “House Party” but it’s still no doubt solid enough to get some run on hip hop radio. Listen.

Meek Mill pennsylvania(Facebook)

Rating 8.0

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reviewed by
03-27-12

Ty Segall & White Fence – I Am Not a Game

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Ty Segall grabs fellow Californians White Fence for new collaborative album Hair (due Apr. 24). The cool garage & organ tune “I Am Not a Game”, the project’s first single, is nice (albeit small) change of pace for Ty’s sound, popping it up a bit and beefing it up. (eg. the aformentioned organ and bigger guitars) Look for a full tour from these weirdos all throughout the month of May, starting 5/2 in SF.

Ty Segall california (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-27-12

Sophie Madeleine – Spooky (Classics IV/Dusty Springfield)

sophiemadeleine

Brighton UK chanteuse Sophie Madeleine turns in a capable cover of a fave OBG radio classic “Spooky”, which was first popularized by The Classics IV and later Dusty Springfield. Sophie’s careful coos and soft ukelele strums form a cool counterpoint to “Spooky”‘s, well spooky content and feel. Spin it.

Sophie Madeleine england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-27-12

Simian Mobile Disco – Cerulean

simianmobiledisco

We’ve loved first singles “Seraphim” and “Fourteenth Principles”, now third Unpatterns release “Cerulean” emerges. Accompanied by an awesome Jack Featherstone & Will Samuel directed 80’s video game inspired clip, the hypnotic “Cerulean” sounds like what the soundtrack for games like Pong and Asteroids would’ve sounded like had they come out today. You are getting sleeeeeeepy….. veeeeerrrryyyy sleeeeepppy.

Simian Mobile Disco england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
03-26-12

Arthur Beatrice – Midland (Bwana Remix)

bwana

Arthur Beatrice’s “Midland” track is beautiful. Remixing such a gorgeous (simple) track is not necessarily the easiest ask. Toronto producer Nathan Micay a/k/a Bwana is up to that measure and more though on this new official mix for “Midland”. Micay takes on the original’s really stunning vocal sample and chops it up, morphing the vocal into the third, fourth, fifth, etc percussive instruments in the track; creating a chorus of rhythms There are some other great added elements here (especially the interesting counterrhythmic flourishes and additional atmospheres) but the use of voice in the remix is quite the beautiful stroke. Check out one of our favorite remixes of the year thusfar below!

Bwana canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

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reviewed by
03-26-12

The Streets – Weak Become Heroes (King Krule Remix)

originalpiratematerial

The Streets’ Original Pirate Material was a huge record for all of us at b3sci. I spun the CD (remember that shit?), when I was 18, so many times I broke the thing. Here we are 10 years on (has it really been that long?) and to celebrate that anniversary King Krule a/k/a/ Zoo Kid has put together this sharp new remix of the Pirate Material standout “Weak Become Heroes”. Young King Krule, who was likely still in primary school when this LP was first released (damn, do we feel old), does an A+ job here, not only adding his own verse to the track but also peeling back the instrumental a bit, spacing it out, modernizing it a bit (like we love that funky UK piano shit on the original) but it’s cool to hear the track like this. Don’t miss it. (ABEANO)

King Krule england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-26-12

David Dallas – Caught in a Daze (Feat. Freddie Gibbs) (41 Remix)

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Check out this great new vibed out remix for our dude David Dallas done by his bud Nathan “41” Maclaren. This “Caught in a Daze” mix will be part of an upcoming remix package of Dallas’ awesome sophomore record Rose Tint, due April 3rd. Freddie Gibbs get fried like everyday is Friday.

David Dallas newzealand (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-26-12

Moonface – Headed for the Door

moonfacespencerkrug

Spencer Krug a/k/a that guy that was in Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown has a new project forthcoming. Recording under his alias Moonface, Krug is joined on the record (Heartless Bravery) by Finnish krautrock band Siinai. “Headed for the Door”, a sweeping almost cinematic 7-minute plus track, plods about for its first 4 minutes or so but the payoff really comes in about 4:40 when a wall of cascading guitars crash into the track.

Moonface canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

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reviewed by
03-26-12

DJ Khaled – Take It To The Head (Feat. Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil’ Wayne)

rosskhaled

First off, fuck Chris Brown. Now that we’ve got that out of the way. Self-promotion guru DJ Khaled is back with another summer smash with “Take It To The Head”. The smooth heater, sort of in the style of “I’m On One” with a side of current trends in indie R&B, sounds on the first couple listens like a hip hop radio juggernaut. The usual Khaled cast of suspects headline with Rozay, Crazy Nicki & DEWeezy (seriously whoever was running that DEWeezy street team at SXSW deserves a raise cause that shit was EVERYWHERE) making it rain radio-friendly bar after radio-friendly bar. Get behind “Take It To The Head”.

DJ Khaled florida (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-26-12

Madonna – Girl Gone Wild (Avicii Remix)

mdna

OK. So Madonna is our girl and all but what we’ve heard so far out MDNA hasn’t really grabbed us. (Sorry M!). That said, this BRAND NEW mix that Avicii dropped into his ULTRA headlining set last night (which included an appearance from Madge herself) is fire. So where was this sort of sound in the first place? With Madonna, the resources are unlimited. Benassi, Solveig, etc there are some big names on MDNA‘s production roll call but it’s like why not go for more? Madonna’s been able to stay relevant as long as she has by being nimble and by embracing those sounds just underneath the reach of the mainstream and making them mainstream. It’s clear she wanted to make some sort of EDM spectacle with this record. So why pull back? In pop’s current incredibly dance-friendly climate, there’s no real necessity to cull the “club elements” out of a track for the sake of broader palpability. Avicii’s remix is a bit of glimpse at what could’ve been with MDNA. It’s great. Turn it up.

Avicii sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-25-12

Azealia Banks – Fuck Up the Fun (Prod. Diplo)

azealia-banks

United Airlines elite status flyer Diplo current run rolls on as he picks up a production credit on this new Azealia Banks track. Diplo’s rapid fire snares nicely frame up Ms. Banks quick-on-the-draw spitting. Try to keep this one out of your head.

Azealia Banks newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-25-12