Here’s a Reeecap of several songs and/or videos I’ve heard over the past few weeks that are oh so worthy of your attention:
Darren Hayes “Talk Talk Talk”
I swear Darren Hayes carries some pop dynamite up his sleeve. His 2007 album This Delicate Thing We’ve Made was a striking conceptual monument to many things personal, sad, powerful, and wondrous, and was my favourite album of the last decade. Darren’s much anticipated new release is called Secret Codes And Battleships, and its first single is “Talk Talk Talk”. This song ties together the successful Savage Garden superpop with some of the more honed brilliance from This Delicate Thing that you have found in songs like “On The Verge Of Something Wonderful” or “Who Would Have Thought”. Given the complex teasers that led up to the album title’s announcement and the release of “Talk Talk Talk” there is much more to meet the ear that is to come. Pop songs rarely get better than this. Get “Talk Talk Talk” on iTunes and watch the colourful video that is just full of Darren below.
While that electropop sensation “Stupid” is still coasting in My Top 5 on my chart, New York based Texans Databoy are back with a song that I’ve been waiting for since I heard it at Arjan Writes’ Superfraiche show in New York City in April. “Just Once” is an indelible slice of dance pop that screams summer beach fun in the sun, and you can hear it by clicking the link above. It’s one of those songs whose good-naturedness is contagious like “Walking On Sunshine”, “Steal My Sunshine”, “Fun Fun Fun” – you get the idea. Can’t wait to buy this one or to hear more from these lads.
Blue Hamilton “Runway”
I don’t know too much about Blue Hamilton other than that he’s been involved in A&R for a major publishing company and one of his better known contacts tweeted about this song during the week. But we’ll be hearing about him more very soon. And what a song it is, accompanied by a video that’s just heart-wrenching. Blue has a one-of-a-kind voice that evokes many mid-80’s alt.pop memories (“A Good Heart” by Feargal Sharkey? “Wonderful Life” by Black? “Never Never” by The Assembly? Anyone?) and his delivery makes “Runway” particularly affecting. Watch the video below – what’s that in your eye, a tear??
Van Go Lion “We Don’t Miss A Beat”
Portland, Oregon duo Amy Paige and Josh Loerzel are back to dazzle us with their own brand of danceable pop with the melodic and lyrical “We Don’t Miss A Beat”. Once again, Amy puts on her best Annie Lennox (and this time coincidentally the melody has the same drive as Eurythmics’ “SexCrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)”), and the song criss-crosses with Swedish-sounding europop faster than you can say Cascada or September. Amy’s singing here also recalls 80’s UK chanteuse Maggie Reilly, who we heard as vocalist on songs by the likes of Mike Oldfield as well as eventually on her own solo records. The song’s story quality sweeps you onto the dancefloor into a whirl of bright lights, glittering jewels, and big, fancy, twirling dresses. Give a close listen below.
Spoons “You Light Up”
Once upon a time in Toronto there was a very young quartet called The Spoons, who quickly acquired a following at Canadian college radio stations in 1981 with an innovative debut album called Stick Figure Neighbourhood. No sooner had that happened then a follow up single “Nova Heart” was released by mid-1982. “Nova Heart” was propelled into the Top 20 across Canada followed by a stellar and influential new wave dance album called Arias And Symphonies. More hits followed throughout the 80’s but by the early 90’s grunge rock made synthpop a bad name and the band went underground. Still led by singer/guitarist Gord Deppe and bassist/singer Sandy Horne, The Spoons resurfaced with a new song in 2010, followed this Spring by their first official new album since 1988 called Static In Transmission. The first single “You Light Up” makes it seem like time stood still for 23 years, and with the aid of today’s technology, the band’s melodic guitar-driven music is once again very current. Watch the video below to see what happens when the good guys and gals can get back into the game – I’m pleased to say I was one of their earliest college radio supporters.
Shun Ward “Lift Off”
Shun Ward was just newly born when The Spoons’ last album was released in 1988, and the Houston R&B singer has had to overcome many hurdles in his life that have led to the release of his EP The Prelude To Shun Ward City. This is slick soul that is more Chris Brown and R. Kelly than the sweeter sounds of the likes of Ne-Yo. “Lift Off” has a warm and sexy heart that pulls you tighter and makes you want more. Listen below and watch for Shun Ward to pop one of these days.
Joe Jonas “See No More”
I was more than pleased to hear that middle JoBro Joe was heading in a danceable pop direction for his upcoming debut solo album Fast Life. While “See No More” may not be the single that neither fans nor radio stations were necessarily waiting for, I’m thinking that this direction is going to elicit a few surprises come the time of the album’s release. Give an open-minded listen to “See No More” below.
Reeve Carney featuring Bono & The Edge “Rise Above 1”
Could it be that theatre mavens and superhero fans are flocking to see Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark on Broadway in New York City because the musical actually has very good music, despite awful reviews of the show? Hitherto little known 28 year old Reeve Carney’s softer empathetic voice makes Peter Parker a singer, directly complimenting Bono and The Edge’s grandiose strokes that provide “Rise Above 1” with a wonderfully empowering message. Can’t wait to hear more (and maybe see the show too).
REEECAP PREVIEWS
Matt Blue “Can’t Help Myself (Keep Dancing)”
I love to write about fantastic singers, and I personally can’t help myself when I hear 19 year old Dutch singer Matt Blue’s voice. He’s been teasing us with this clip of his upcoming debut single for a little while now. Somehow in a world of similar sounding, punchy dance floor fillers to Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart”, the energy and voice behind “Can’t Help Myself” are standouts. Listen below.
Songs from Eric Saade’s Saade Volume One
Blog Scandipop has been taunting us with generous previews of songs from talented Eric’s Saade Volume One. As you will hear when you go to the above link, this record will be a must-purchase!! Can’t yet determine what might be my favourites but one may be “Me And My Radio”.
Ro Danishei “Wicked Baby”
I’m still getting into songs from Ro’s previously free downloadable album End Of The Rainbow, and along come… bonus tracks! For the iTunes release of the deluxe version of the album, here’s a real teaser of a clip for “Wicked Baby”… which may or may not be a duet with…
New and as yet untitled from Jerry Reid
I’ve been raving about Detroit singer Jerry Reid’s song “Out Without Your Boyfriend” )(#6 on my current chart) from the excellent Ballroom Remixed compilation. He’s been working with songwriter Charlie Mason and others on some upcoming songs, two of which you can hear below. Sounds like some edgy dance pop with bite – listen below.
Pierre Lewis “Out Of My Mind”
I had a chance to talk with UK singer Pierre Lewis on a uStream chat a few weeks ago, where he also did some vocalizing, including an amazing cover of Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone”, which he should record. Pierre’s now teasing us with the Jackson-influenced romantic R&B pop of “Out Of My Mind”, from the upcoming EP Transitions… watch the video below.
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