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Lovelier Other – Hidden Shelters

Late last year, we first clued you into to the beautifully ethereal pop sounds of Lovelier Other and their track “Leave This Behind”. While new track “Hidden Shelters” isn’t quite as immediately accessible as “Leave This Behind”, the new track is no less (if not more) beautiful. Many many lesser artists have tried to take the magic transportive soundscapes of bands like Sigur Ros (really there’s no “like” in this description, as there’s really nobody like them) and apply more traditional pop song structures to them with varying (usually tedious) results. Lovelier Other’s music is a truly outstanding realization of a long sought for sound that deserves your attention. Spin “Hidden Shelters” below.

Lovelier Other iceland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1020324

brown8

reviewed by
02-11-13

John Newman – Try (Demo Version)

john newman

UK upstart John Newman, whom you may recognize from his recent hit collaborations with electronic act Rudimental, brings his soul-driven vocal stylings and expert songwriting skills (our man co-wrote both Rudimental hit tracks “Feel the Love” and “Not Giving In”) on the very good visceral pop of “Try”. Is “Try” the stuff of a Alex Clare-esque breakout for John Newman? Stay tuned.

John Newman – Try (Demo Version)

John Newman (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
02-11-13

Josefina Sanner – Do You Remember

josefena sanner

The Stockholm-based Josefina Sanner delivers a “Swedish surprise” with the exceptional pop track, “Do You Remember”. Outfitted chorus to verse with the sharpest hooks and crispest melodies, (and a cool guitar figure throughout much of the track that’ll feel like you’re in the middle of some sort of really cool Nordic sled race scene) “Do You Remember” is built for maximum quality and re-listenability. Already a critical darling in Sweden, Sanner is set to release more English language song this year and it’s not unreasonable to think she’ll conquer that linguistic sphere as well.

Josefina Sanner – Do You Remember

Josefina Sanner sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-11-13

Them Swoops – Too Fast For Love

them swoops

Aussie exports Them Swoops connect the stellar melodic dots with second single “Too Fast For Love”. The order for the track is choice indie rock melody, choice indie rock melody, and more choice indie rock melody, as the Oz band fires tuneful salvo after tuneful salvo on “Too Fast For Love”. If you’re in Australia (or just visiting!), look out for the band to be touring the country later this month.

Them Swoops australia(Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-11-13

Burnt Ones – Fountain of Youth

burntones

SF garage kids Burnt Ones drop off an ace bit of fuzz pop on “Fountain of Youth”, which is sampled here from the band’s forthcoming sophomore LP You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Burnt Ones (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Sharkmuffin – The Lake

sharkmuffin

Sharkmuffin, out of Brooklyn, bless b3 with a power pop gem with “The Lake”. The track, although wall to wall packed with great melodies and hooks, has a nice overall dynamic to it; building tension and volume into the track’s awesome visceral finish. Frontwoman Tarra Thiessen, who’s vocal performance on the track is A+, reminds a bit (in a very good way) of Chrissie Hynde. Stay tuned for a 7-inch release of “The Lake” from Sharkmuffin later this month.

Sharkmuffin – The Lake

Sharkmuffin newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Lucius – Turn It Around (Live)

lucius

The Lucius crew let loose an excellent soulful live version of their “Turn It Around” single. The Brooklyn band found themselves in lights last night as “Turn It Around” got a spin on the open of last night “Grey’s Anatomy” (which somewhat amazingly is still on). Lucius have a U.S. tour upcoming; with a start in Boston on Valentine’s Day (where by then the city’s snowmobile-based economy should be in full motion) and will continue throughout February and into March with multiple shows at SXSW.

Tour:
2/14: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/15 Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy *
2/16 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java *
2/17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café *
2/18 Toledo, OH @ The Ottawa Tavern
2/20: Mechanicsburg, PA @ Messiah College
2/21: Kingston, NY @BSP Lounge
2/22: Hamden, CT @ The Outer Space
2/23: Williamstown, MA @ The Log
3/13: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/14: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/15: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/16: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/18: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom #
3/19: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theater #
3/20: Nashville, TN @ The High Watt %
4/5: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

* co-headlining w/ Hannah Georgas
# supporting The Mowgli’s & Family of the Year
% supporting Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers

Lucius newyork (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Maribou State – Got Me Down (Bondax Remix)

Bondax

A pair of b3 favorites connect as Bondax exercise their fabulous remix hand to Maribou State’s great “Got Me Down”.

Maribou State – Got Me Down (Bondax Remix)

Bondax (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

PARIS 96 – Afternoon

paris 96

Finally! Longtime friends Theophilus London and Jesse Boykins III make it legal with new PARIS 96 collaborative project. First track “Afternoon” is the perfect mix of JBIII’s sophisticated R&B stylings and T. London’s percussive rhyming playboy thing. Expect an EP from these two in April. Psyched!

PARIS 96 (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Natural Self – Machine

naturalself

Check out the soulful (& awesome) hip hop-informed space pop of Natural Self a/k/a Brighton-based producer Nathaniel Pearn and his track for “Machine”. The single will be available Feb 18th on Tru Thoughts. Get familiar. (TLOBF)

Natural Self (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-07-13

Forte Bowie – Gucci Mane

fortebowie

Forte Bowie, who was recently featured on Trinidad James’ (all gold blah blah blah) “Southside” record, lets loose the first track from his forthcoming Vice Haus EP, “Gucci Mane”. First, “Gucci Mane” (burr burr burr burr) is an incredibly varied (and unexpected) track. The track & Fort adeptly run through gear after gear after gear, from trap-influenced verses, an R&B middle bit, an Ellie Goulding sample to a great 90’s-styled hook. Look out for more from Fort Bowie when Vice Hause drops on the 18th.

Forte Bowie – Gucci Mane

Forte Bowie (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-07-13

Johnbear & Bria – Call Me Your Lover

janettupac

Johnbear & Bria out of Leeds UK offer a five-star 90’s house remix of Janet Jackson’s great “Someone to Call My Lover”. Big up.

Johnbear & Bria – Call Me Your Lover

Johnbear & Bria (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-07-13