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Ian Ewing – What’s Ya Name

We‘re into the vibrantly simple, Twista “Overnight Celebrity”-sampling, whimsical-watery synth-transfixed track “What’s Ya Name” by B3 featured artist Ian Ewing, who we covered here for his Noh Lifestyle-rep’d eclectic beauty track called “Water”. A seamless combo of luscious keyboard melodics and expressive trap accents mixed with playful electronic effects and the epic Twista sample, the song has a uniquely creative electro/hip-hop hybrid style that we dig. Out via Noh Lifestyle. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Mikos Da Gawd (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Wayvee – Laaately

Electronic Track Reviews

Zone out with the squeaky chipper-cheery vintage-vibe 50’s vocals and big bass production highlights of B3-artist fave artist Wayvee on his wildly cinematic new trap-beat-heavy hip-hop track called “Laaately”, which we are especially enjoying for its blissful dynamics-textured mix of contrasting vocals. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Wayvee (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

SMILE – Holiday

Rock Track Reviews

“Holiday” serves as the lead track from Melbourne AU band SMILE’s upcoming sophomore LP. On “Holiday”, the early 90’s UK rock influence is certainly there (Stone Roses, etc) but rather than coming off like some weird pastiche type band that you could catch in any bar in any town in the English-speaking world, “Holiday”‘s got a punch and urgency working for it that feels very much in the ether of right now. In other words, this band is awesome.

SMILE (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Flamingosis – I’ll Be There (Feat. Tendencies)

Electronic Soul Track Reviews

B3 favorite Flamingosis teams up with West Canadian producer Tendencies on electrifying new one “I’ll Be There” another impeccably wrought song from Flamingosis and the third to release in advance of his new “Great Hair” EP which is out on February 12. “I’ll Be There” is the second new EP track covered here after Flamingosis’ excellent Ian Ewing-featured retro-flamboyant gem “Frugal Living”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Flamingosis (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Kwamie Liv – Perfect Grace

Pop Soul Track Reviews

Welcome Danish singer Kwamie Liv to B3. “Perfect Grace” from Ms. Liv’s forthcoming sophomore EP rides a minimal acoustic guitar-driven instrumental and cool polyrhythms to ~3:35 of pinpoint perfect indie R&B. We love it.

Kwamie Liv (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Day Wave – Gone

Pop Rock Track Reviews

In 2014 we fell for the minimalist melancholy pop of 25-year-old Oakland native Jackson Phillips (also known as Day Wave) and it has been a pleasure to feature several of his tracks here on the blog. We like the latest muted understatement from Day Wave called “Gone” and hope you do as well. Get set to enjoy its simple lazy-day ambient vibrations and brilliant repetitive emotive-lamenting vocals (which we think are two of Day Wave’s finest signature qualities). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Day Wave (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Mikos Da Gawd – Blow the Whistle

Electronic Hip Hop Track Reviews

San Francisco/LA-production artist Mikos Da Gawd captures the immeasurable fun-filled spirit of old-style Bay Area hip-hop and elevates it to something new entirely on his outstanding new modern deep house re-vibe of classic Too Short track “Blow The Whistle” (off MDG’s “Caffeine Vol. 2” EP). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Mikos Da Gawd (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

BISHOP – River

Pop Track Reviews

Information-scarce newcomer BISHOP takes an emphatic step forward on the minimal dark pop of “River”. Built around a spare electric guitar figure and a slowed half-time rhythm, “River” reaches a forceful bit of emotional/songcraft catharsis with its hip-hop-influenced big choruses. Definitely one to watch for.

BISHOP (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Bryson Tiller – Don’t (Sango & Bryson Tiller Salgueiro Mix)

Soul Track Reviews

New beauty “Don’t” is the voluptuously appointed vocals-led melodic-piano-soused third track from favorite producer Sango off his new “Mais Mais Mais” EP. A joint production with Louisville (KY) artist Bryson Tiller, “Don’t” (the Salguiero edit) showcases a montage of lulling percussion accents, debonair-style r&b vocal atmospherics, and muted melodic piano chords. The track (which also features the talents of NYC pianist/producer Chris McClenny) has us wanting to hear the other two tracks from Sango’s EP (“Infinidade” and “F.L.O.R”). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Sango (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Premiere: Dream Vacation – Red Water

Premiere Rock

“Red Water”, the new track from L.A. band Dream Vacation, is excerpted here from the band’s new self-titled EP. Produced by John Rausch (engineer for Florence + The Machine, Foxes, and Taylor Swift), “Red Water” picks up palette-wise on a mix of Disintegration-era Cure mood and Unforgettable Fire U2 melodicism. A potent blend of anthemic ideas and the instrumental scale to support such ambitions, “Red Water” is a strong listen we recommend. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Red Water” from L.A.’s Dream Vacation below.

Dream Vacation (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-22-16

Designer & Four Tet – Mothers

Electronic Track Reviews

Tune into the new mind expansive, cosmos reverberating, percussion saturated melodic-dance epic “Mothers” (over 8 minutes long) from B3 fave UK producer Four Tet (covered here multiple times) and Aussie producer Designer. D & FT take the listener on a jaunt a midst some bewitching late night Euro house atmospheres, build it up into something slightly chaotic and gracefully tone down the song gradually to a whisper-y essence that tapers out beautifully at the end. Terrific tune. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Four Tet (Soundcloud)

reviewed by b3

01-21-16

No Parents – Hey Illuminati

Rock Track Reviews

Prepare to be impressed by the moshed-up mangle of cacophonies and mind bending reverb-y sonics on wild knockout thrasher track ”Hey Illuminati”; the latest awesomely hazy edgy rock gem from B3-fave label Burger Records. From LA artist No Parents, the new track (filled to the brim with intensity) is a wall of voraciously unrelenting reverb-drenched guitar noise mixed with potent vocals. Incredible. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

No Parents (Bandcamp)

reviewed by b3

01-21-16