Weeknd collaborator Illangelo links with the uber-talented Rochelle Jordan for the grimy R&B of new one “What The Fuss”. Melodically in lane somewhere between Ciara and the late Aaliyah, Ms. Jordan’s rhythmic and diction choices fit Illangelo’s creeper percussion matrix in a close to symbiotic manner. We NEED more!
Rochelle Jordan
: (Facebook)
Rating: 8.7
New favorite Bo Saris channels pre-“Blurred Lines” R. Thicke and mid-career Timberlake for the falsetto-y love paean “Tender”. Deriving its rhythmic rudder from more classic R&B (Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” quickly comes to mind), Saris on “Tender” does an able job of merging the classic and contemporary to push his own sound.
Bo Saris 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.49389
The minimalist R&B-influence songwriter genre seems to be here to stay (or is at least a trend with some longevity). Its latest talented purveyor is 23 year old Nick Hakim, who’s sumptuous, soulful, vocal-harmony heavy “Pour Another” is simply stunning. You need “Pour Another” in your life right now.
Nick Hakim (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Essex UK four-piece Secret Company debut the official video for their breakout track “Saviour”. Blending just enough pop sensibility shine (a la The 1975 or Bastille) to give the track the accessibility its anthemic ambitions require, “Saviour” still keeps it c-o-o-l with its of-the-moment layered rhythms and inventively textured atmospheres. We’ve got your B3SCI World Premiere of “Saviour” below.
Secret Company 
(Official)
Rating 8.2
The stunning “On This Morning” is new from Bristol UK songwriter Oliver Wilde. Spotlessly arranged w/ cinematic string beds, hushed drums & some tunefully interesting countermelodies in the actual live violin leads; “On This Morning” is a stylistically vast and varied (and refreshing) exercise in great inventive songwriting. Red Tide Opal in the Loose End Womb is due May 5th on Howling Owl Records.
Oliver Wilde (Official)
Rating 8.2
And the blogosphere went “sheeeeeiiiittt”. Back in March of last year, everybody’s favorite looks like his name is misspelled R&B star Jeremih collab’d w/ hoodie-wearing languid dark instrumental chief Shlohmo for “Bo Peep” which blew up The Internet, won a Grammy, and became Pharrell Williams’ favorite song. The S & J combination are back w/ “No More”, a grimy moody bit of neo R&B that will put the serious-face head-nod on just about any music bro. We’re into it.
Shlohmo 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
BK-based producer Cranks puts one of 2013 best songs, Mapei’s “Don’t Wait”, through the uptempo glamour house ringer and comes up aces with an A+ mix. Well done.
Cranks 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Team LD announced today Nabuma Rubberband, the Swedish rhythm pop band’s first LP in three years; following up their breakthrough Ritual Union. Single #1 is “Klapp Klapp” and while the overall motion and precise diction-focused singing of Yukimi Nagano are still in tact, the new track carries a noticeably more visceral edge and an instant accessbility that surpasses even Ritual Union‘s best tracks. Welcome back, Little Dragon!!
Little Dragon 
(Official)
Rating 8.4
The mighty Misun’s new one “Sleep” is the b-side to D.C.-bred band’s “Travel With Me” single which will be released on our very own B3SCI Records this coming Tuesday (February 18th). The electronic-leaning “Sleep” sees Ms. Wojick & co ably continue to expand their palette as the track, while still rooted in the strong sense of melody and dynamics that Misun has earned their dough on thusfar, is maybe the most consciously dance song the band has so far released.
We’re throwing a release show for MISUN at the Bootleg in Los Angeles this coming Tuesday February 18th which if you’re located in SoCal you should (no duh) be attending. More info on the show is available here.
Rating 8.4
The infectious “Handprints” is a strong return for Buckinghamshire four-piece As Elephants Are. A sharp mix of jangly guitars, kinetic rhythms and an overwhelmingly catchy chorus hook, “Handprints” comes all tied up in a shimmery atmosphere of dream-pop romanticism. Look for As Elephants Are’s “Hand Prints” EP March 31st.
As Elephants Are (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
