Ah yes, the perfect bit of soulful/R&B-laced/90’s-y (whatever we’re calling it) indie pop to close out the week is “Stay Lost”, the new track from London-based producer Joe Hertz. Juicebox will release the single next week and we fully intend to be wrapped up in all its soulful charms until at least then. What a track.
The B3 Recs alums Marian Hill return today with a spare and cool piano-driven new track in the person of “Down”. A smart minimal piano figure is track’s main engine providing a slick jazz-tinged frame for Sam Gongol’s lilting alto. Welcome back MH.
BK sextet Arthur Moon pen a poignant paean to 2016 life, “Wind Up”. Constructed around a restrained rhythm track and bit of keyboard and guitar to add dynamics, “Wind Up” is sobering and sublime mirror modern western society. Check it. We like it.
The spare and soulful UMO/Tame Impala-inspired “Mind” is the second track online for New Zealand act Paper Giants. Locked tight to a cool mid-tempo groove and atmospherically enhanced by reverb-washed guitar leads, “Mind” is a neat pace change that we’re digging. Listen below.
We’re into the atmospheric R&B of “Solo Ride”, new from Norwegian-born singer Farida. The subtly quieting “Solo Ride” is a component part of Farida’s forthcoming 25th Hour mixtape which is due for an April release.
The excellent Aesop will be the releasing label for the forthcoming new EP from L.A.-based Jens Kuross. A modern 2016 imagination of a spare folk ballad, the track neats merges the barebones aesthetic of a rural composition with an element of ambient electronics and compressed rhythms. Give “Steadier” a listen.
Sat around an ace Willie Hutch sample and a Maxwell-reminding main vocal, Ro James’ easy jam “Permission” is the New York up and comer’s breakout moment. A++.
The favorite Floridian duo (now moved to Brooklyn) JUDE. return with first track in nearly a year, “Pretend”. JUDE’s blissed “Pretend” as a track reflects a more refined, polished recording as well as noticeable growth as writers and arrangers. We’re spinning “Pretend” on the reg.
Gallant announces today debut album Ology out April 6 on Mind of a Genius and to accompany the news has revealed excellent new track “Bourbon”. A mid-tempo burner locked-tight to a circadian groove “Bourbon” is dimensionally a further step forward in the Gallant aesthetic and another top-caliber in the burgeoning new star’s track discography.
The stylish lounge-inflected house of “Pool Party” is the sort of “fancy sounding” vocal electronic music we can’t really resist falling for. Stunning track.
Regrowth is the forthcoming debut LP from electronic pop artist Kauf. Lead track “Through The Yard” posits a neat blend of exotic-sounding rhythms and world-beat ref’ing songs with cool indie pop writing structures and is well along on its way as it was the recipient of a coveted on-air debut by Jason Bentley on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Electic” last week. Stream “Through The Yard” below.
Whoa whoa whoa. “West”, the new track from artist/producer Tommy Paxton-Beesley aka River Tiber is PHENOMENAL!!! Modern R&B, indie R&B, neo-neo-soul, alt-R&B, whatever “West” is melodically one of the strongest songs of the year. A must listen.
