The neo-soul duo Agency has put out “Exponents”, an EP full of experimental and meandering R&B. The fourth track off the release, “is there some other version of my story?,” is full of polyphonies that billow in and out of a brooding dissonance. With the fuzzy organ backing, there’s an undeniable Frank Ocean resemblance. And yet its sound is still fresh—not without its own center of gravity. Stream “Is There Some Other Version of My Story?” from “Exponents” below.
Sirens of Lesbos stream spacious reggae-tinged “We’ll Be Fine”, the Swiss act’s first new track online in three years.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Up and coming Atlanta based producer, Kodiak Soul just dropped some chill downtempo jams that I’m loving. His second EP to date “The Lives We Choose” bridges the gaps between electronic and hip-hop in a tasteful, warm way that seems perfect for any occasion. From rainy afternoons to sunny beach days, throw on this eclectic electronic EP. Stream “High Spirits” excerpted here from “The Lives We Choose” below.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The London producer Haich is back with another kaleidoscopic alt R&B single. In just 4 minutes, the artist layers a sophisticated microcosm of analog synths grinding against sampled vocal harmonies. A high pitched loop arpeggiates, giving voice to a kind of synthetic apprehension. “Peak” is dark, poignant, and gloriously dystopian.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Our favorite track here at B3 over the last couple weeks is “Lovesick”, the new single from UK singer LAUREL, (so much so it’s the cover track of our Top 12 of the Week playlist for this week). “Lovesick” is a very good iteration of genre “visceral minor-keyed indie pop”, a genre that we obviously really deeply love. Look for “DOGVIOLET” forthcoming from LAUREL on August 24th from Counter Records.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The Hana Vu hype train has long departed the station (co-signs from Pitchfork, Fader, etc) but the immensely talented Vu continues to top herself which each new release. “Shallow” is immediate and potent in a way that demands attention and is a huge step forward! We’re listening, you should be too.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Newcomer Caine Casket sets “Domino” to a space-driven instrumental framed up by delayed key stabs and a subtly kinetic bit of bass and snare. We’re into it.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
We’re digging the latest turn toward late 70’s pop influence in Milo Greene’s sound on “Move”, the lead single from forthcoming third album Adult Contemporary. The track itself is boosted by very sticky set of chorus hooks and cool tranche of minor-keyed instrumentation that will transport you pretty quickly to the Rumours tour bus circa 1977 (minus the coke and weird leather vests).
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
The Italian musician luliano has debuted “Who Knows,” a single that draws on classical bossa nova just as much as alternative pop and indietronica. Ambling vocals conjure a Thom Yorke with suave complexity. What begins as a lighthearted stroll down the neck of a guitar descends into a dissonant soundscape of locomotive percussion and scatterbrained falsetto. The track is an engrossing marriage between the familiar and experimental.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
Micky James arrived in LA, to open for The Struts, do some promotion, and do some writing. After shooting a video for BalconyTV on my rooftop, he and I sat down for a chat. Check out his “Give It to Me Straight” track. No surprise his influences include 70’s glam like T. Rex in addition to newer garage rock bands.
Hear Bruce Rave’s weekly new indie jams on three stations, with show announcements on his Go Deep With Bruce Rave facebook page. Archived shows available on the KX 93.5 site, where you can also subscribe to receiving the weekly two-hour version as an iTunes podcast at no charge.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
With a 1M stream Spotify single under their belt (“Do It Like You Do”) and several sold out London shows to their name UK duo KAWALA’s arrow is pointing decidedly up. New single “Funky”, which we are very pleased to premiere here at B3, combines a cool, measured tunefulness to cascading polyrhythms and runs of candy sweet guitar. “Funky” is out May 24 on Mahogany Records.
UK man Aeris Roves rings up an inspired piece of strong dark pop produced by Two-Inch Punch.
Stream the best new songs in emerging music with our Top 12 of the Week playlist
