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Track Reviews

UNKLE – Puppeteers (feat. Nick Nicely)[demo]

nicknicely

“Puppeteers” is previewed from UNKLE’s bountiful archives. With every listen you can feel the radiant chemistry with nick nicely.

UNKLE – Puppeteers (feat. Nick Nicely)[demo]

UNKLE: (Official)
Nick Nicely: (MySpace)

Rating: 8.6
brown8

reviewed by
05-24-11

Digitalism – Forrest Gump (Feat. Julian Casablancas)

digitalism

The German duo jump on that 2002 NY garage rock thing as the beauty products heir jumps on “Forrest Gump”; a track which Casablancas also co-wrote.

Digitalism – Forrest Gump (Feat. Julian Casablancas)

Digitalism: (Official) (Myspace)

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
05-20-11

Mac Miller – Love Lost

macmiller

Pittsburgh’s fav 19-yo rapper has a go at Temper Trap’s “Lost Lost”. The more soulful tip suits Mac. “Heatwave” was sick and “Love Lost” is ill. Into it.

Mac Miller – Love Lost

Mac Miller: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
05-20-11

Drake – Dreams Money Can Buy

drake

We’ve heard this story from Aubrey before “dreams” blah blah blah “money”, but still, it is new Drake and the track is fresh. So for your listening enjoyment, it’s the new Drake.

Drake – Dreams Money Can Buy

Drake: (Myspace) (Official)

Rating: 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
05-20-11

Ida Maria – Bad Karma

idamaria

Contributed by Bruce Rave

Remember the song “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”? It’s the kind of title that sticks with you even if you don’t remember who sang the song. It was by Norwegian Ida Maria a few years ago. Her brand new single is “Bad Karma” and it’s more than worthy as it mixes her cool vibe with some Joan Jett-type swagger. See Ida live if you ever get the chance. She literally leaves it all onstage–I’ve seen her become horizontal while doing her show. Anything is possible at an Ida gig and I’m looking forward to this next album.

Ida Maria – Bad Karma

Ida Maria: (Myspace) (Label) (Facebook)

Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST

Rating: 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
05-20-11

Avicii & Sebastien Drums – My Feelings For You (MNNiA Remix)

aviciisebastiendrums

Hot like fire. This is the remix. Avicii & Sebastien Drums on the track. MNNiA on the filth. Massive.

Avicii & Sebastien Drums – My Feelings For You (MNNiA Remix)

MNNiA: (Soundcloud) (Myspace) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
05-17-11

Trolley Snatcha – Rocco’s Revenge

trolleysnatcha

Looks like whomever crossed Rocco got fucked up.

Trolley Snatcha – Rocco’s Revenge

Trolley Snatcha: (Myspace) (Facebook) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
05-17-11

Mini Mansions – Monk

minimansions

So as I started writing this blurb for Mini Mansions’ (a band I had heard of in passing but not really digged into yet) track for “Monk”, I was thinking… “UK band Mini Mansions sound like Supergrass” (or something like that.) So I go to look up what town English town these Mansions blokes are from and lo and behold, suprise surprise, they’re actually from L.A. AND is fronted by Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman. That’s a pretty nice pedigree. “Monk” is a great tune, somewhere between the dusty blues-inspired sounds of 60’s bands like The Zombies or The Hollies or the dusty blues-inspired sounds of 90’s-00’s bands like, yes, Supergrass.

Mini Mansions – Monk

Mini Mansions: (Myspace) (Official)

Rating: 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
05-17-11

Delilah – Breathe

delilah

Chase & Status collaborator Delilah recently dropped the fresh “Breathe” on her Soundcloud. The song’s dreamlike feel is well complimented by Delilah’s soft as a feather vocal; a stunning string figure further frames the beautiful track.

Delilah – Breathe

Delilah: (Facebook) (Myspace)

Rating: 8.3

brown8<

reviewed by
05-17-11

Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again (Live in Paris)

kiwanuka

One of our favorite newer discoveries London singer Michael Kiwanuka recently cut this spare, gorgeous version of his as of yet unreleased “Home Again” in Paris a few weeks back. Kiwanuka’s talent for melody and lyric writing aside (both awesome), the man’s vocal quality is really really great. Withers, Otis, Marvin, Donny, those influences are all there but there’s a uniqueness to his voice, an honesty of melodic communication that really separates him from most contemporary singers that cut from a similar sort of cloth. Take a listen below and let us know what you think.

Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again (Live in Paris)

Michael Kiwanuka: (Myspace) (Facebook) (Blog)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
05-16-11

Wale – That Way (Feat. Jeremih & Rick Ross)

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Track to Jeremih. “That Way” is the latest leak from Self Made.

Wale – That Way (Feat. Jeremih & Rick Ross)

Maybach Music: (Twitter)

Rating: 7.5

brown71

reviewed by
05-16-11

Black Lips – New Direction

blacklips1

Black Lips’ new Mark Ronson-produced LP Arabia Mountain is due June 7 on Vice. Shake it fast. Show us what you’re working with.

Black Lips – New Direction

Black Lips: (Official) (Myspace)

Rating: 7.8

brown71

reviewed by
05-16-11