VALENTINE & ROB ARAUJO - EMBRACE (FEAT. PATCHES)

VALENTINE is a producer who knows what he’s doing and isn’t afraid to take risks with his sound. We’ve covered the virtuosic young sound designer before here at BB and are always eager to hear what he comes up with next. So when we heard he was releasing his debut album via Majestic Casual Records, to say we were excited would be an understatement.

The album, a concept album chronicling VALENTINE’s journey through love with his fiancée, is being released episodically and “Embrace” is the third episode. It also marks his debut as a vocalist. The track is a unique amalgam of different influences, incorporating elements of jazz from pianist Rob Araujo and smooth hip hop verses from rapper Patches. The resulting fusion is a style I’ve never quite heard before, it pairs VALENTINE's maximalist sound design with a musically sophisticated palette reminiscent of artists like Anderson Paak, Kaytranada and Smino.

Accompanying the release, you'll find lots of other compelling content like this creative music video and a mysterious website for the album.

Waxing poetic about the single, VALENTINE speaks about the track as if addressing his lover:

“Sometimes, I just think about all the times we rode the train to see each other; all the times I sprinted from those doors to your arms and held you for the first time in weeks. 

The pattern repeats as I come home from traveling and rush into the apartment to hold you again.

Sometimes, I get caught up in my insecurities; I know we both do. Truthfully, it was never our purpose to be perfect. 

Sometimes, I wonder: “What is my purpose?”

The pattern repeats as I realize all I can do is embrace our individuality, the memories we share, and all the experiences that we have yet to discover.”

THIRD FLOOR x OLSEN - LOST IN YOU FEAT. BOSWELL

The reinvention of pioneering genres in contemporary music is a tactic to be revered. Keeping old-school tunes alive is necessary, but the execution of such is no easy feat. In tri-collaboration, Third Floor, Olsen, and Boswell co-created an unstoppable alliance that combines vintage reverb with contemporary cadences. Their artistic compatibility shines with the release of "Lost," a nu-jazz track with a deep-house foundation, and the sensual tendencies of R&B. A track likened to the sounds of Disclosure, "Lost In You" is dreamy, robust, and meditative. It's energy is compelling, seductive, and cozy leaving your senses revitalized. As a writer I have the tendency to scribe my opinions in the third person, avoiding personal bias. But, "Lost In You" forces me out of my comfort zone, demanding respect- I. Love. This. Track. This romantic piece is one of the best musical compositions I have had the pleasure of listening to in months; I am nothing short of stunned by this jazz-fusion psalm. Check the original track, and it's coinciding remixes ASAP.

JORDAN RAKEI - TALK TO ME

I love discovering tracks like this. We cover a lot of electronic music at BB, but first and foremost we strive to cover good music, and damn we have a golden beam of musical bliss right here from Jordan Rakei. If you're not familiar with him yet you might know him from his work with Disclosure on "Masterpiece." Where do I start, the beginning is somewhat simplistic with ambient textures of jazz piano puffing billows of sound around the enthusiastic percussion and droning bass. As Jordan's mellifluous vocals persuade us into his world of "fake reality" we are moved, turned and coaxed along this musical journey. The end comes far too quickly with an african sounding vocal hook at the end with crescendos of harmony that leave you feeling chills. I saw a debut album is coming June 3rd? Well I definitely can't wait.