I’m not super familiar with a lot of 3EB’s work, but I do like “How’s It Gonna Be”, and you’re absolutely right, they lean on that third pretty hard as a melodic element. The third tends to be sung a lot against the ii in that particular song (so yielding a ii9). but when they do use the IV, I notice the melody will often do the same, and it serves as kind of a tension breaker given how much emphasis is given to the third against the other chords leading up to the IV. The bass is also great in this song, not just using the root of the chord, but different degrees and transitions between them for interest. That said, I can’t speak to the rest of their catalogue.