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Anderson Paak – Lite Weight

B3-lauded SoCal singer/emcee Anderson Paak just released his latest r&b-genre-rep’n Malibu LP, which sports a talent-filled mix of diverse genre featuring artists (including the Game and Schoolboy Q). We’re checking out the LP and totally recommend its exquisitely understated slick vibe-y vocals-led beauty called “Lite Weight” (for its nifty synthesis of beats and bright r&b sugar-coated vocal melodies from Paak and the Free Nationals United Fellowship Choir). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Anderson .Paak (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

02-01-16

Hoodlem – Kintsugi

Pop Soul Track Reviews

The Melbourne AU duo return with their unique blend of visceral R&B melody and cool modern pop grooves on new single “Kintsugi”. The band’s March 2014 song “Old Friend” was one of our favorite songs of the year and “Kintsugi” lives in a comparable zone of quality and neatness of arrangement. “Kintsugi” is excerpted from Hoodlem’s forthcoming debut EP, out in March.

Hoodlem (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

02-01-16

Premiere: Vokes – Cruel Game

Premiere

“Cruel Game” is the debut track online from Vokes a/k/a L.A.-based artist Mike Harris. The vaguely French/Euro-tinged “Cruel Game” imports the instrumental sonorousness of a band like Phoenix and fixes it to a breezy falsetto-highlighted vocal melody teeming with cool hooky turns and unexpectedly catchy tuneful swerves. We’re into it. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Cruel Game” from newcomer Vokes below.

Vokes (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-29-16

Anna of the North – The Dreamer (TÂCHES & KAASI Remix)

Electronic Track Reviews

B3-fave house producer TÂCHES joins forces with London-based Mallorcan artist KAASI (covered here for his deep remix of “Foolish” by Blonde & Ryan Ashley) on a magnetic new remix of Anna Of the North track “The Dreamer”. With the help of KAASI, TÂCHES exudes the quality house-y decadence that we have come to expect from the dashingly talented producer. Great collaboration. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

TACHES (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-28-16

Egyptian Art – Mind Over Matter

Soul Track Reviews

We’re happy to introduce you to the new excellent song called “Mind over matter. (intuition)”, the latest late-night beats-saturated slow-burner jam from B3 new-fave producer Egyptian Art. (As you may recall he hit one of our lists of best tracks 2015 with his showy hybrid tune “She’s So Lovely”.) On “Mind over matter” the enigmatic producer Egyptian Art seduces our ears with an eclectic mix of brilliant contrasting vocals, inviting melodic synth embellishments and a jaunty mix of ultra-hip r&b-heavy bass grooves. Word. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Egyptian Art (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-28-16

JR Jarris – Intimate

Soul Track Reviews

We’re totally feeling the jubilant-reverberant cosmopolitan house vibes and ground-level stormy-expressive bass-line of new mellow-percussion-framed up-tempo tune “Intimate” from San Diego artist JR JARRIS. In particular we love the beautiful soulful effect of the Eddie Kendricks-sampled bass-line groove which is created courtesy of B3 fave beat-smith E.DOZA. Amazing track! Reviewed by Erin Shay.

JR Jarris (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-28-16

Thomas Fontana – Changes

Electronic Track Reviews

We’re fully enjoying the latest acoustic guitar tinged synth-y atmospheric French-touch telefunk gem from B3-featured Parisian artist Thomas Fontana, who we covered here recently for his outstanding clap-enhanced instrumentals-leaning lounge-y Brazilian-vibe beats track named “Somewhere”. We’re listening to Mr. Fontana’s latest song “Changes” and although its not quite as incredible as “Somewhere” it still hits the excellent echelon. “Changes”, which features a sublimely cheerful weave of beats, vibrant trippy-psychedelic (Doors-vibe) chord-drenched effects and a nicely understated meld of vocal atmospherics, has us excited to hear more tunes from Mr. Fontana. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Thomas Fontana (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-28-16

Wildcat! Wildcat! – Straight To The Top

Pop Track Reviews

Often featured LA-favorite Wildcat! Wildcat! (who was discovered here at B3) comes out of the blue with a surprise track called “Straight to the Top” (after a year or so without releasing anything on Soundcloud). A straightforward blend of catchy casually-delivered melody-infused vocals and low-key indie elementals, “Straight to the Top” reminds us why we fell for Wildcat! Wildcat! to begin with all those years ago. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Wildcat! Wildcat! (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-27-16

Vincent Vedat – All The Same

Electronic Track Reviews

We’re into the latest XLRXR-rep’d tune called “All The Same” from Berlin-based producer/DJ & live act Vincent Vedat, who learned his production craft at music school in Transylvania. A Chicago house-influenced b-side off Vedat’s four-track vinyl-only Hustle record, “All The Same” sports a cooly-expansive slightly-reserved combination of moody-watery synth accents, light n’ sensual rock steady beats and repetitive-natured moody-poetic atmospheric club-inspired vocal touches. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Vincent Vedat (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-27-16

Mall Grab – Can’t

Electronic Soul Track Reviews

The genre of “Feeling U Feeling Me” Alicia Keys remixes is a vast and storied one. This new update of the Diary of Alicia Keys track comes to us from Australian producer Mall Grab and incorporates elements of late night house and low touch beats. We dig.

Mall Grab (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-27-16

WOODS – Sun City Creeps

Rock Track Reviews

We’re listening to the swoony jazzy-horn-led melange of Cumbia-rhythm-textured world-funk instrumentals, golden touch folk-tinged psych guitar riffs, and sweetly-enveloping sunny Kinks-vibe vocals on new track “Sun City Creeps” from New York-based band Woods (who also run a label called Woodsist). Woods, who we showcased here in 2013 for their roots-y folk rock tunes “Be All That Easy” and “God’s Children”, are veterans who have earned a reputation in the industry for creating great psychedelic folk music. The phenomenal new “Sun City Creeps” is no exception. A multi-dimensional instrumentally-stunning psychedelic/folk hybrid track with a very catchy-hook, “Sun City Creeps” is a great first single to lead Woods’ impending album. Look for the group’s 9th album City Sun Eater In The River Of Light to drop on April 8th. Awesome. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

WOODS (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-27-16