August 2012 ~ HotBox

Luvian - Holocene (Luvian Remix)

We've talked about the huge talent behind Brighton's Luvian before. When he's not making beautifully minimal and downtempo tracks, he's transgressing the blurry genre lines of electronic music, all in an effort to create something unique.
In his latest project, a rework of Bon Iver's 'Holocene', Luvian doesn't depart to far from the original, choosing instead to lightly incorporate his own distinctive 2step percussion breaks and field recorded samples, coupled with the kind of minimal and spaced-out (reverbed) melody that would fit perfectly in any Bon Iver track.
It's a quality remix that absolutely demands attention. Check it out below and if you like it, then go ahead and vote here to help give Luvian the chance to have his remix featured on the album release.

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Taneli - Positivity EP

We've been waiting on this for some time. Taneli's 'Positivity EP' has finally dropped via Group Hug Music, and my word is this a big'n. The scary talented 19 year old producer has delivered a real mixed bag with this EP. Deep House, big bass and even Garage delights, they're all there and in big force, with a definitive production quality supporting the entire release. The title track, is a choice slice of future garage, driven by R&B samples and welcome 808 snares. Meanwhile French duo Dusty Corners have stripped the track back to its 4x4 roots in the remix. 'Heat' is a sweet house roller with a bassline that'll will be stuck in your head for days. 'Statis' is a bit of dubstep banger, with the kind of rhythm that keeps heads nodding.
Keep your eye on Taneli, if this EP is anything to go by, he's gonna be big!
Grab the entire EP for FREE here.

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Sub Zero - Spin Doc (2012 Remix)

Things are mega busy right now, hence the slight reduction in posting. However, we've always got time for Drum & Bass.....especially FREE Drum & Bass.
Most DnB heads will already be familiar with Sub Zero and the original 'Spin Doctor' track. This fresh remix for 2012 retains all the hard hitting impact of the original and is as dark and aggressive as we'd expect from anything off the Playaz/Ganja labels.
It's that classic 'jump-up' sound all ravers need so grab the FREE download here and get ready to dance like a mad-man.
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Van She - Jamaica (Unicorn Kid Remix)

Most fans of electronic music will already be familiar with Unicorn Kid aka Oliver Sabin. The 20 year old Scot is responsible for producing some of the most euphoric 8bit electronica we've ever heard. If cakes, candy and sugar could sing, it would sound like a Unicorn Kid track.
It's fairly rare then, to see him putting his own spin on a Tropical Electro track like Van She's 'Jamaica'.
In a real feat of accomplishment, Unicorn Kid has managed to keep the tracks tropical vibes intact, whilst completely transforming the song into an energetic, almost Trance-like 8bit anthem (remember Olive's 'Your Not Alone', this will bring back memories). Does this mean Trance is going to make a comeback, we sure as hell hope so.
In the meantime however, you can enjoy this track below and download it for FREE here.
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Bondax - I Got That (Justin Martin Endless Summer Remix)

Seems like summer is almost over, fortunately we can keep the vibes going with Justin Martin’s “Endless Summer Remix” of Bondax’s “Baby I Got That”. Justin pitches up and echoes the big-spirited vocals and slides in the kind of tropical house beat that could seemingly bring the sun out anywhere. Bondax’s single “Baby I Got That/It’s You” will be out on Just Us / Relentless on September 16th. But while you're waiting for the original, grab this FREE remix here.

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Oak - Escapist/Firebird

The Space Cadets label is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of musical genres, regularly promoting and releasing material from some of the most innovative artists in electronic music. However with Russian producer Oak, they may have just reached their pinnacle.
Listen to the tracks in the player below.....done? ok...now, believe it or not, what you just heard lingers around the 170bpm, or in other words could be described as Drum & Bass. As mind blowing as that is, it's not what makes this release so fascinating. Many artists have and continue to break down genre conventions, but it's the style with which Oak accomplishes his feat which is most impressive.
The A and B side here are both excellent examples of highly thought out, immersive audio experiences.
'Escapist' blends emotive analog warmth with a comfortingly full bassline against the off-tone, yet blissfully saccharine synth leads. It both simultaneously demands attention, whilst reassuring the listener enough so that it could fade into any background, or rather fill an atmosphere. Surely such qualities characterise the track alongside Jazz more than any 'Electronic' genre.
The same too can be said about 'Firebird', as it's clicking background percussion and dis-chord synths progress through a bass heavy arrangement, complete with climactic brass elements, as powerful as they are compressed.
It would appear that Oak has birthed his own niche, a kind of Electronic-Bass-Lounge music, as comfortable at play in the trendiest bar as in the headphones of an Underground commuter.
Though they're are only two tracks, they represent some serious progression, not just in music, but also in what is fast becoming one of our favourite labels.
Grab the vinyl or mp3 here, and join the experience. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Matrix & Futurebound - Move On (feat. Cat Knight)

Another Drum & Bass FREEbie, this time courtesy of Matrix & Futurebound. 'Move On' is a big, synth heavy roller, nicely complimented by Cat Knight's powerful vocals throughout.
If you're a big fan of that Viper Recordings Electro/DnB sound, then you can't get much closer than this.
'Like' on Facebook to grab the FREE download here. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

DJ Marky - Everything

Our favourite Brazilian export and legendary DnB producer DJ Marky is celebrating the 50th release on his label Innerground Music by giving away 'Everything'. It's perhaps a slightly darker tune than we're used to with Marky, with a deeply hypnotic bassline. But there's still plenty of the Marky brand groove we love.
Preview after the jump and download for FREE by 'liking' Marky's Facebook here WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Breakshift - Aurora Nova

It's one uncharacteristically scorching Saturday here in the UK and I know what you're all thinking...we could really go for some sweet FREE DnB right now. Fortunately, Dublin's production duo, Breakshift have come to our rescue with 'Aurora Nova', an out-of-this-world track....complete with transcendent synths, deep bass and smooth liquid vibes.
Download for FREE here and head on over to Soundcloud and Facebook to show some love for Breakshift. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

JJ Doom - Key To The Kuffs (Preview)

The long awaited collaboration album between the legendary MF Doom and producer Jneiro Jarel is almost upon us. Fortunately, we've managed to get our hands on on a little preview...
For the duration of the album's recording, Doom's been back in London, the city where he was born and influences of his birthplace/second home certainly don't try to hide on 'Key To The Kuffs'. The album is full of colloquial allusions to the East End in tracks like 'Rhymin' Slang' and 'Guv'nor'. Even the odd reference to the likes of 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' makes an appearance, alongside songs about everything from selling out ('Bite the Thong') to seasonal affective disorder ('Winter Blues'). The feelings of longing expressed here by Doom, provide a rare, but brief instance of clarity. Though this kind of emotional honesty certainly isn't a million miles away from the Doom we know and love. His music is a deep and murky as ever. His samples remain dusty and lo-fi, his voice gruff as 20-a-day whiskey lover and perhaps most importantly, his elliptical wordplay...as dense and jerky as we remember, delivered from all angles to barrage his listener. It's classic Doom alright, but it's by no means same-old-same-old. Aside from the unique composition of Jneiro Jarel, that linger behind Doom's verbiage...there's a new side to Doom here, an touch of humanity behind 'The Mask of Sorrow'. It's only a glimpse mind, but it's there and it's all we can ask of an artist so ahead of his own game.
'Key To The Kuffs' drops on Lex Records this Monday 20th August. Check out the preview below and pre-order via iTunes or the Lex Online Store for exclusive freebies.
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Seye - Mexicana Bounce (Bondax Remix)

The Bondax lads have put their spin on Seye's 'Mexicana Bounce'. Safe to say they've worked their magic once again to make a sweet track, with plenty of summer vibes.
This one comes FREE courtesy of Annie Mac, so swing by Soundcloud and show your appreciation.
Download for FREE here.
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Isaac Tichauer - Devotion EP

The French Express label just never seems to disappoint, consistently putting out some of the best releases in electronic music....
Sydney's Isaac Tichauer is one of the many artists on the French Express roster and much like his label brethren, he holds a fairly incognito presence in the industry. As a result there actually isn't a great deal we can tell you about him....perhaps then his music will have to speak for itself.
His EP, entitled 'Devotion' and generously given away for FREE, is an absolute masterclass in all things House. The 9 tracks move across Tech, Deep, Minimal and even Progressive influences to paint a complete picture of the electronic genre that started it all.
The simultaneous contrasts and uniting genre genetics at work here are perhaps best illustrated by the two stand out tracks; 'I Like It Raw', a deep and dark roller that wouldn't be out of place in the most obscure Berlin warehouse...and 'You Were Waiting', a progressive number who's piano riffs and synths build to epic climax, fit for any dancefloor...
Meanwhile, that classic Chicago sound is still alive and well in the title track, 'Devotion' and even the recent trend towards Tropical-electro makes an appearance in 'Doing What I Got'.
Altogether this is one hell of an EP, and one that is sure to make any self-respecting House fan stand up and take notice of Isaac Tichauer. Preview below and grab the whole EP for FREE here. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Karma Kid - Lust, Love

We haven't heard from Karma Kid in a while, but don't worry, he's been hard at work on his latest single 'It's Always', which dropped on Bondax's label. Meanwhile, he's released 'Lust, Love' another vibey, 2step timed production, we the kind of depth we've come to expect from Karma Kid. His integration of coastal sounds and pitched RNB vocals go along way to create an audio experience that is both spacial and soulful.
Check out the track below and grab the track for FREE via XLR8.
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E-Motion Records - FreeMotion EP

When we get a bit of DnB here at The HotBox, it's always a pleasure, especially when it's FREE. However, Birmingham's E-Motion Records have changed the game by giving out a whole EP, in exchange for a 'like' on Facebook. The 4 track 'FreeMotion' EP opens with the dark vibes of Karma's 'Last Man Standing'. Heavy on the bass and the breaks, this track has a real classic DnB feel which continues on in the reese bass of D.Side's 'Sour Mash VIP'. By track 3 however, the EP starts to mellow out with Colossus' 'Estcourt', our personal stand out track, if only for the Commodores sample. D.Side then rounds off the EP with 'See You VIP', restoring the EPs opening dark vibes and deep bass focus.
All in all, this is one hell of an EP and a must for all Drum & Bass fans. It's a no brainer FREE download, so grab it here now. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Perseus - Seychelles/Love In Zanibar

U.S based producer Perseus had been flying under our radar until recently when his tracks started repeatedly cropping up in the latest DJ sets from Bondax.
However, now we've got Perseus firmly in our journalistic sights we can say one thing with absolute certainty, this guy is cracking out some amazing music.
'Seychelles' for instance, is a beautifully mellow House track, with sweet vibes and a tropical melody that blends seamlessly with well utilised Toni Braxton vocal samples.
'Love In Zanzibar' meanwhile, brings the tempo down slightly, cherry picking soulful Mary J Blige vocals, set against a rolling funky melody..chock full of 80s synths and dancefloor groove factor.
The tracks have been released under the French Express label, who have very generously decided to give them away as FREE downloads here and here.
FREEbies don't get much better than this, so grab them before the limit runs out and swing by Soundcloud to show some love.
Also check out his 'Russian Girlfriends EP' here, for more FREE tropical vibes..
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Flying Lotus feat. Earl Sweatshirt - Between Friends

Having dropped sometime in late July, 'Between Friends' might be old news for some. However we're giving it a follow up post, since we don't really believe that this excellent collab got all the attention it deserved.
'Between Friends' is Flying Lotus' contribution to the weekly Adult Swim Singles Series and features the back and forth between Earl Sweatshirt and a mysterious character named Captain Murphy.
Naturally, with Earl on the mic, the level of wordplay and lyrical delivery is phenomenal, just as we've come to expect from the ever-maturing Odd Future member. Combine that with Lotus' inspired beat work, and you've got a track with all the best introspection and imagery of Odd Future's Earl, accompanied by one of the finest and most complex beats we've ever heard.
For all you Hip-Hop fans, this really is worth checking out and since it's a FREE download here, it's an instant library addition. Hard to believe this didn't get more attention in the first place. Something tells us, FlyLo's full-length release, Until the Quiet Comes, due October 2nd, is gonna be one hell of an album. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

TEED - Household Goods (Zeds Dead Remix)

Regular reader will know that we've covered TEED/Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs since his unsigned days, so it's a real pleasure to see the 'Trouble' album gaining some much deserved mainstream attention and success.

Naturally with the album release and accompanying singles, comes the official remixes, in this case 'Household Goods' has already received treatment from Enei, Lil Silva and Zinc to name a few.
With a track as a good as 'Household Goods', the difficulty in remixing comes not in trying improve an already great track, but rather lending a different 'perspective' or 'feel', whilst simultaneously avoiding complete deconstruction of the original. The Zeds Dead remix has been particularly successful in this light, changing down the tempo and adding some powerful wobbles, all whilst paying homage to the original. The track is currently available for FREE download here (low quality) so grab it now. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

No Doubt - Settle Down (Baauer Remix)

With the official release of 'Settle Down' and the announcement of their forthcoming album 'Push & Shove', No Doubt are officially, well and truly back...for better or worse..
But with the release of any single, comes the torrent of remixes and in the case of 'Settle Down', the official remixes (from the likes of Major Lazer, Stephen Hilton and more) have very much impressed, with Brooklyn based Baauer's remix being our personal highlight of the pack.
Baauer has both honored the original's tone and structure, whilst simultaneously adding a whole new tropical and bubbly vibe to the track.
It's one hell of an achievement, so check the Baauer remix below. For the doubters, there's at least one thing we can all appreciate about the resurgence of No Doubt, no more awful solo stuff from Gwen Stefani! WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Aaliyah - R U That Somebody (The D.A Dirty South UKG Bootleg)

We debated posting this track, but in the end it just needs to be heard. On the one hand, The D.A (of Enk Collective notoriety) have taken some sexy Aaliyah vocals and worked it into an extremely vibey, fine ass Garage groover. On the other hand, there's those drawn out, almost boring 30 sec bridges and that god awful filtered, mid range synth that crops up now and then. Clearly it's a matter of personal opinion, so we decided to post the track and let you be the judge. Besides, since it's a FREE download, you just have to give this track a chance.
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Broke City - Summer Collection

Here's a big release for all you 'Future Bass' fans. From the folks at Got To Dance Dirty and Broke City comes an excellent display of innovative music, dubbed the 'Broke City Summer Collection'. Broke City is both an ever growing, bi-monthly party in Brooklyn, as well as a production trio including Sleepyhead and HotBox favourites Dunes, and Figgy. This collection showcases the whole Broke City crew, including Flubba, NickLogistik, Cream Dream, and Mohegan Son, to name a few. The resulting product is a superb compilation of smooth, bass-infused and House-influenced tracks with plenty of ready-for-the-dancefloor vibes. The Broke City guys already have 20 successful events under their belt and with this highly accomplished release, they are bound to gain plenty more well-deserved attention across the electronic music scene. Check out the ten track compilation below and download the whole thing for FREE here...you won't regret it. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Morning High - Take Me On

It's official, Garage/Post-Dubstep producer Morning High has achieved his well deserved target of over 500 followers on Soundcloud. To celebrate he's released 'Take Me On', a surprisingly dark and highly percussive, downtempo roller.
It's a dope track, with all the quality we've come to expect of Morning High, so check it out below and grab the FREE download here. While you're at it, follow Morning High on Soundcloud, if you haven't already. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter

Lilac - Go Your Own Way

In preparation of their upcoming sophomore EP, 'No Exit', LA Indie rockers Lilac have released the first single for FREE. 'Go Your Own Way' is an up-beat catchy tune, complimented nicely by the aggressively enthused, guitar heavy intro and outro.
According to the band: "This song is about the phases of friends. They come and go so quickly. There's no point in dragging a friendship out with small talk. Once it's over you should go your own way." - Singer Kristen Knick.
If you like nicely harmonised vocals and lightly layered guitars, then grab this tune for FREE here.
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Warren Xclnce - Freedom

Warren Xclnce is a 21 year old producer from. North London, who's been garnering some much deserved attention for his instrumental production skills. Since the release of his well received 'Xclence' EP, Warren's talent has matured, sparking a movement away from his formally more Hip-hop/instrumental direction and taking those influences along for a progression into more House and Garage orientated productions...just as many a producer before him. The end result, is an artist with the competence to transgress the grey boundaries between musical genres, culminating in a kind of Soulful/Hip-Hop/House/Electronica. No where is such a sound better demonstrated than in 'Freedom', Warren's latest release and benchmark for the 'more complete' sound promised in his forthcoming vocal EP due 2012. The EP is set to feature the likes of Odd Child's Etta Bond..and judging by the preview release 'Examine Me', viewable here, this EP is going to be one chilled out and sexed up 808 fest...just the kind we like. Check out the sultry vibes and beautiful use of Jill Scott vocals in 'Freedom' below, which as with all of Warren's Soundcloud material, is available for FREE download. Make sure you also swing by his BandCamp to grab the FREE 'Dilla inspired' Hip-Hop vibes of the his 14 track 'Xclence' EP.
No doubt in my mind, this guy has got the talent to go places...certainly one to watch...
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Wize - Remixes Vol. 1

Our love of all things 80s & electro will be no secret to regular readers, in particular the productions of Paris based Wize. The man is responsible for some of the best electro pop/house remixes on the internet and has now decided to gather much of his recent releases under his 'Remixes Vol.1' compilation release. Among the 16 tracks are a few old favorites, including his remix of Sailor & I's 'Tough Love' among many others. However, additionally there are a few brand new tracks including 'On The Road', an original production from Wize...as well as an album exclusive remix of Plastic Operator's 'Sometimes It's Easy'.
If you're already a fan of Wize, or at least an appreciator of 80s style grooves and Electro House/Pop inspired rhythms, then we whole heartedly recommend grabbing this release. Grab the FREE download here, at that price you simply can't refuse....

*Edit - had to take the Soundcloud embed down because Google's DMCA policy is a joke, have issued a complaint and hopefully we can the stream back up soon*
*Edit 2 - Dear Google/Blogger support staff, just because a Bot flagged up the words 'Empire of the Sun' being used on a blog post, it doesn't mean there's copyright infringement, stop giving in to the stupid DMCA requests of idiot lawyers. That's twice you've flagged this post now, and i've removed all embeds and links, which I'll point out, weren't ever really infringing anyway...You've rushed through 2 warnings, and yet my complaint against the original is still pending. Typically you're putting a faceless complaint ahead of a user, and refusing to get off your asses and check for yourselves.

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Dissonant Child - Lost

The inbox gets very full, very quickly over here, to the point where it sometimes takes us a bit longer than we'd like to get through it all. However, it's always worth sifting through the sand to find gems like Dissonant Child. The Ipswich based producer is only 18, but already has a plethora of House and Future Garage style inspired tracks, including a tasty rework of HotBox favourite FREnchfire's 'Prime'.
Sampled and pitched out vocals, deep grooves and less-is-more melodic synth touches; this is intelligent, and unique electronic music at it's very best, with clear influences from the likes of Jacques Greene, Joy Orbison etc, as well as fellow unsigned artists like Morning High, Aspect and Polkadot.
Check out two of his latest releases below; 'Lost' a chilled out, vibey roller....lingering somewhere between 2step and Post-Dubstep rhythms, and 'U Just Know' a bit of bass filled, up-beat House and an instant classic. Both tracks are FREE downloads, available here and here respectively. Be sure to hit up Dissonant Child's Soundcloud and Facebook for more downloads and plenty of sweet music.
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Bondax - You're So (Star Slinger Refix)

We've made no secret of our love for Bondax here at The HotBox, and the same can certainly be said for our love of Star Slinger. So when the two come together via the medium of remix, well needless to say, the results are bound to be damn good. In this case Star Slinger has worked his magic retaining the atmosphere and beautiful drops of the original, whilst infusing plenty of deep sexy bass to really amp the dance factor. You'd have to be some sort of machine to be able to keep your feet planted to this one.
Preview below and download for FREE here.
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Bon Iver - Perth (Teen Daze Remix)

Bon Iver AND Teen Daze, all on the same track, could it get much more chilled and ambient? I'm willing to bet it can't. Sit back and enjoy this beautiful download, available for FREE here.
Problems?! What problems?.....Life is Good!
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Adventure Club - Retro City

I have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Adventure Club, just as I seem to with the whole Dubstep genre these days.

Although I debated posting this song, it has to be said that despite the moments where everything descends into Skrillex style repetition, those Adventure Club guys always seem to know exactly what they're doing when it comes to production standards. Even if it's not totally up our street, there's something charming about going down 'Retro City'.
Grab the FREE download here
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Aspect - She Knows

At just sixteen years old, it's safe to say that amount of talent being shown off this early by post-dubstep/garage producer Aspect is downright terrifying.
Hailing from Leicester, this emerging artist (aka Niven Peacock) is already composing music with the kind of high quality and studio level production standards expected of seasoned industry professionals.
All things considered then, it's no surprise that Aspect is garnering a great deal of well deserved attention across that web for his debut track 'She Knows'. It's a complex, highly thought out track, in which the carefully crafted percussion and melody are precisely interweaved with Aspect's choice Whitney/LMC vocal cuts. The end result is not only a sweet 2step groove, but also clear signs of a bright future in the music industry, confirmed at the very least by the multiple apt comparisons between Aspect and Jamie xx voiced by many a music critic.
Check out the track below, and download for FREE here. Keep checking back...we guarantee you'll be hearing a lot more from Aspect in the future.
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Bryan Ellis - The Cloud Of Unknowing EP

With an ever increasing stream of talented artists turning away from innovation and choosing instead to push out unremarkable, by-the-numbers music, ready for the radio, it's refreshing to hear about another artist, willing to put aside mass appeal in favour of unrelenting need for expression.
Enter soul–singer Bryan Ellis, an artist as unafraid of using pop-music cliches as he is of abusing them or disregarding them entirely. After the release of lead single 'She'–an eeriely slow and deeply cerebral track of soul searching- comes his debut EP, 'The Cloud of Unknowing', a 34 minutes audio experience, that follows Ellis' soulful, haunted vocals as they travel across landscapes composed of Soul, Hip-hop, Rock, and Dubstep. The production may be the allure, but it is the story that Ellis' yearns to tell throughout that will really grab you.
It's a story of unfulfilled dreams, sacrifice and realisation;

'Traveling with his savings in his pocket, belongings in a backpack, and music on his laptop Bryan traveled to New York. Years of his written life in his backpack hoping someone would realize its worth. Someone did on his first night in New York and they robbed him of it and everything he’d owned – all his money and all his music. So again he lived in the moment. The streets of New York became his job and his home…until it opened an opportunity at a major music studio which then became Bryan’s true home. He slept on a futon in a spare studio room and spent all his spare time developing himself as an artist and writing songs with T.C. Love, who is now his creative partner for over 6 years. After several years of being “beautifully beaten down by the city”, a near-miraculous course of events landed Bryan a song writing deal. Bryan and T.C. Love’s creative collaborations finally took full shape when T.C. signed him to a joint production deal along with Title 9, which materialized into a record deal with Universal Republic Records.'

It won't appeal to everyone, and indeed it's not supposed to. While tracks like 'She' will haunt you, not every track is a winner but for an EP release, the level of maturity on offer here is remarkable. This undeniably compelling album may grip you, even if only for one moment, in which case it's more than done its job.

If you've enjoyed the abstract expression of Frank Ocean, or the raw emotion of The Weeknd, then give this album a chance, you won't regret it. What's more, being a FREE download, it's really an offer you can't refuse....check it below and download for FREE here

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Roebuck - City Lights

As if there weren't already enough reasons to 'Like' Roebuck, Sheffields finest has just dropped a sweet bit of liquid for FREE.
Check out the smooth bassy vibes (almost Goldie/Metalheadz esque) of 'City Lights' below and head on over to Facebook to grab the FREE download.
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Lockets - Camera Shy LP

We've been covering the steady releases of Philadelphia's Lockets since 2011. The duo aka Todd Mendelsohn and singer Dani Parker have worked tirelessly throughout the past year and with each single they've sent us they've captured our attention just a little bit more. The band's dreamy, coastal indie/pop sound has soothed us, while Parker's leading yet detached vocals have repeatedly hyponotised us into into a sweet lullaby.
All their work has, of course, been building up to the final release of their 'Camera Shy' LP. An eclectic blend of dreamy synths, luscious vocal tones and thoughtful composition. While we've covered much of the album's contents before, there are a few as yet unreleased numbers present among the 8 tracks. While it is safe to say that they are commendable efforts, they never quite live up the impact, complexity or strength of the single releases like 'Treasures You Lost' and 'Bitter Teeth'. Together with the album's title track, these singles are certainly the standout tracks whose vibrant melodies and echoing synths blend perfectly with sparing swells of indie guitar....all wrapped up the sweet words of Parker.
Though the pop focus of this album may deter some listeners, it's important to point out that underneath the mellow, catchy exterior, lies a moody and introspective nostalgia. This colours the entire album with a slightly darker and deeply emotional hue, there for those willing to really dive into the album.
It's easy to cast off this album as yet another indie clad attempt at piggy backing on the 'Chillwave trend', but there's much more to it than that. Yes it's dreamy, ethereal and discordant at times, but it's all driven by a burning passion for music and introspection, the kind that perhaps only fans of bands like Phantogram and Memoryhouse will appreciate.
The 'Camera Shy' LP is available now via iTunes and comes strongly recommended. But if in doubt, preview below and experience the magic for yourself.
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