February 2012 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

BILLCS Top 30 #373 – February 27/12

Much of my personal chart stays the same in this end of February edition, but there are always the requisite new songs on the rise. The big mover on this week’s chart is the increasingly infectious “Free” by Graffiti 6, which jumps 20-8. The British duo of Jamie Scott and Tommy Danvers comes off with a unique pop sound amid so much autotuned dross on the charts. As testament to this, you’ll find an acoustic video of “Free” below as well as the official video. As bloggers have claimed for the last few years, Graffiti 6 continues to impress and acquire new fans (me, among them).

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page.

The top of the chart continues to be a friendly battle between “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy, which continues in the lead, and “Backseat” by Eric Saade. The former’s intriguing story sweatered in electropop and the latter’s rock-flavoured sensual dance pop are both fantastic detours in the current pop world. Not far behind is “Make You Mine” by Joe Jonas at #3, which like “Backseat” throws a little aggression into the mix. The sensitive old-school R&B/pop of “Home” by Stone Walters continues at #4, and then it’s that guy Saade again at #5 with the mysterious and danceable singalong that is “Fingerprints”. Aside from “Free” by Graffiti 6, the only other new entry to the Top 10 is another Jonas-should-be-smash done up as a break-up cha cha called “Not Right Now” at #10.

While the fine “Fallout” by Marianas Trench (video below) and “Born To Die” by Lana Del Rey each inch up a notch, Adam Lambert’s “Better Than I Know Myself” comes up the middle as Top 10 bound at #12. JMSN’s intriguing “Something” is on the move at #14 (yes, more weird and wonderful videos are on the way), with “Summer Is Over” by Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles climbing to #16. M83’s “Midnight City” continues to get stuck in my head for long periods of time and jumps to #17, while Fallulah’s “Out Of It” as remixed by the ingenious Monsieur Adi is equally captivating at #20. The crowd pleasing “Believe It” by Spencer & Ross and Nadia Ali rounds out the songs to watch at #21.

I’ve already written about our four debuts in past posts. But in case you haven’t got the tip from the above paragraphs, a lot more rock flavour seems to be finding its way into my personal chart. Three out of the four debuts can attest to this.

At #25 is New Yorker Ryan Star, whose songs have fared extremely well on the chart since 2008, all reaching the Top 5: “Right Now” (#2), “Start A Fire” (#3), “Last Train Home” (#4), and “Breathe” (#5). “Stay Awhile” is no exception – a fine emotionally-charged and thoughtful rock ballad. The video is below, as is Ryan’s rendition of “I Won’t Back Down”, a late 80’s hit for Tom Petty.

Then we have River Tiber, the band name for Canada’s Tommy Paxton-Beesley, which hits with “Someday” at #26. It’s another song with genuine emotional fervour and highly-charged guitar playing that is made even better by Tommy’s Jeff Buckleyesque vocals which now give me goosebumps. Catch the video below and become a believer, along with another one of River Tiber’s songs called “Symmetry”. Be sure to download a new EP, hot off the presses, called Massachusetts, from River Tiber’s website.

Bowing at #27 is “The Fight Of My Life” by Colin Munroe featuring Pusha-T. The duo concocted a wicked blend of pop, rock, R&B, and rap in this powerful song, which should put Toronto’s Colin back into the international scene handily. A lot of people, myself included, can relate to the lyrics and Colin’s soulful and honest vocal. Colin’s had two chart entries, “Will I Stay” (#8) and “Bulletproof Monster” (#12). Listen to “The Fight Of My Life” below, as well as lending an ear to Colin’s affecting revox of Sky Ferreira’s “One”.

The last debut at #29 focuses on a retro new wave vibe, in a kind of Animotion-meets-Divinyls kind of way (and they would do a great version of the former’s hit “Obsession”, hint hint). I’m talking about fun trio Liquid Diet, who have released a 3 song self-titled EP that puts ears foremost on “Hand Dance”, their ode to self-pleasure. It’s kitschy for sure but not only instantly likeable but hard to get out of your head, and before you know it you’ll want more… And that must be why the duo also recorded a danceable cover-with-a-twist of George Michael’s “Father Figure”. As with “Hand Dance”, vocalists Georgia and Billy trade off well and what sounds like it could have been a train wreck in principle actually works out just fine thank you. The EP rounds out with “Nude”, which manages to name-check bloggers among a cast of thousands. Watch the video for “Hand Dance” below and listen to “Father Figure” as well.

Shapes of Things to Come: New Music from Rufus Wainwright, Vincent Did It and Quigley, Sam Sparro, Elouise, Wilde Project & Matt Blue, Eleven:Eleven

Rufus Wainwright “Montauk” and “Out of The Game”

While Rufus has released a number of projects over the last few years, including the House Of Rufus boxed set, it’s really been since 2007’s Release The Stars and his 2008 concert tour to promote Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (I last saw a Rufus concert on my birthday that year) that I’ve really been in tune with his pop music. I stepped away from the All Days Are Night: Songs For Lulu album, a beautifully enough done record but alas one that I could never listen to or play regularly. And believe me, Rufus’ music from all of his other albums is played regularly on my iTouch 🙂

I first encountered his songs while at a listening station at Tower Records in 1998. It was his first self-titled album and I simply hadn’t heard anything like it before. So I caught an intimate show at Toronto’s Rivoli Club, just Rufus and his piano, and I was completely sold. I have seen him in concert five times. So I am really happy that we find Rufus in a different place in pop for Out Of The Game, which is due for official release in late April. Produced by Mark Ronson, the sampling of two new songs below, “Montauk” and the title track, signal that the amazing lyricism that you find in songs like “April Fools”, “Greek Song”, “Tulsa” and more is well intact. “Montauk” is beautifully and personally written for his baby daughter about a touristy beach resort in New York where she will eventually visit. “Out of The Game” shows Rufus in more classic pop singer-songwriter territory.

If these songs are just previews of what to expect, definitely continue to count me in this game 🙂

“Montauk” click right here and listen after the advertisement

“Out Of The Game” click right here (from Mark Ronson’s tumblr)

Vincent Did It “Notice Me” and Quigley “Inkblot Game”

I’m writing about these songs together because they are each so different, yet two of a perfect pair 🙂 Of course Vincent Did It is Vincent Frank (formerly Frankmusik) and Quigley is his gal Casey Carlson, who have already performed in concert together on Frankmusik’s Fall tour in support of Do It In The A.M. Though the Galaga arcade game sounds are a delightful distraction, it’s Quigley’s soul-tinged vocals that showcase “Notice Me” and make romance-at-a-distance in an arcade the backdrop. Quigley’s debut “Inkblot Game” also gets Vince’s magic production touch – the melody does remind me a bit of “Hurt You Again” at times – but it’s a multi-layered song that makes you think, especially when faced with the seemingly simple but deliberately paced video. Her vocals convincingly portray someone torn apart internally who has withdrawn into a safe place. Just beautiful.

Listen to “Notice Me”

Watch “Inkblot Game”

Sam Sparro “Happiness”

It’s been four years since Australian-via-L.A. Sam Sparro dazzled us with “Black and Gold”, which became a stunning huge hit worldwide and is a staple for dance competitions everywhere. His debut self-titled album was an R&B-laced fun fest which kind of went quiet a bit too fast. Several remixes and other projects later and Sam returns with his sophomore effort Return To Paradise and debut single “Happiness”, currently available only in Australia – lucky Aussies. This one takes me back 30 years to infectious R&B pop courtesy of George Benson, Chaka Khan, Patrice Rushen, and Quincy Jones, but yet done with a slick and distinctive Sam Sparro vocal spin that will also fit in just fine next to today’s club sounds. After all, we all need a little bit of “Happiness” and “Paradise” don’t we? Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album! 🙂

Elouise “Could It Be Magic” (Le Kid remix)

To most of us around the world, “Could It Be Magic” is an excellent choice for UK’s Little Belter herself Elouise, who can bestow upon it all of the drama and power that is required. In North America, we know it as a Top Tenner from Barry Manilow in 1975; it became a hit in the UK three years later after Barry became king of “Copacabana”. But Donna Summer gave the song its disco savvy in 1976, which was later captured by Take That in its 1992 Top 10 UK hit version. Those great folks behind Le Kid have given the song a splashy remix that doesn’t overpower the original. Watch Elouise sing the song in concert below. We need Elouise in North America SOON!

The Wilde Project featuring Matt Blue and Matic “She’s A Maniac” (Traxx remix)

Michael Sembello’s 1983 hit from “Flashdance” comes alive again through this Eurohouse remix featuring one of my favourite new vocalists, Holland’s Matt Blue. Matt’s stellar voice is the perfect vehicle to drive the chorus from “Maniac” back on to the dance floor for late night fun.

Eleven:Eleven “Electric Sex” and Empire of The Sun “Walking On A Dream” (Eleven:Eleven remix)

Eleven:Eleven is a duo from Austin, Texas comprising vocalist Sicca and producer Jake Childs that shows that the nu-underground disco that I’ve associated with New York City is spreading elsewhere. “Electric Sex” is sinewy late night dance floor affair all rolled into one that leaves you wanting more after 3 minutes. To satisfy that, take the duo’s delightfully intensified remix of Australian duo Empire of The Sun’s 2009 hit “Walking On A Dream”, which could find its way back into clubs again because of the fresh take on the song. Eleven:Eleven are ones to watch. Download these songs for free from the links below.

“Electric Sex”

“Walking On A Dream”

Long Weekend Jukebox: Ryan Star, Tyler Hilton, Cassie, Charly Mae, Will Young, Colin Munroe, Marcus Collins, Tooji

A few of my favourite performers return with new songs, plus of course the requisite bunch of talented newcomers 🙂

Ryan Star “Stay Awhile”

With crowd-pleasing honesty and passion in his songs and performing, Ryan Star has been keeping mighty busy since the August 2010 release of his last album 11:59 (for which you may recall I attended the CD launch show in New York City). He’s in the process of recording a new album and released a free download called The America EP which dropped last month (including a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”). “Stay Awhile” however is the first single from his upcoming album and has all the makings of a classic rock ballad, full of warm, understanding lyrics and Ryan’s big, versatile voice. I don’t say it very often, but I’m predicting great things for “Stay Awhile”. Ryan Star is currently on tour in the USA with Andy Grammer.

Tyler Hilton “Prince Of Nothing Charming”

After kicking off the year with a big rockin’ bang with the free download of “Loaded Gun”, Tyler precedes his upcoming album Forget The Storm with “Prince of Nothing Charming”, a song that has the witty lyrical wordplay and simple kind of melody that attracted many people to his music in the first place back in 2004/05 with songs like “The Letter Song” or “When It Comes” from The Tracks Of Tyler Hilton album. This is a great song to tie into the final season of One Tree Hill, where Tyler plays Chris Keller. Now that Tyler’s signed to Matt Serletic’s Emblem Records (home to Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty), it looks like the increasingly common music business hassles that have prevented release of the new album will benefit Forget The Storm in hindsight if the songs are this good. Get “Prince of Nothing Charming” on iTunes.

Cassie “King Of Hearts”

Another singer who has had many delays with the release of her next album, Cassie Ventura tantalized us back in Fall ’06 with the Ryan Leslie produced pop/R&B ballad “Me & U”, which was positively everywhere for the next six months, getting to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. And then the bottom kind of fell out with rumours abounding that she had been dropped by P. Diddy from his Bad Boy label. Apparently not so (distribution switched from Atlantic to Interscope for her), as a few singles did surface in ’09 but failed to click. So almost six years later and Cassie returns with “King Of Hearts” – which is decidedly unlike her first records. In fact this is pretty pure dance pop that fits snugly next to Kylie Minogue or Britney Spears songs. And as with “Me & U”, the production and music is much bigger than her voice, which is not a bad thing at all. This one’s a tidy surprise and may take a while to catch on, so let’s see if club DJ’s jump on it first.

Charly Mae “For Ya Queen”

Picture yourself as a judge on “The Voice” doing blind auditions. You hear this big soulful voice, with decided shades of Rihanna and Beyonce with more than a dash of Christina Aguilera. You turn around and find yourself faced with a 20 year old blonde Brit dressed in trademark pink (as you will see in the acoustic video version below) – that would be Charly Mae Tuffen, whose debut single “For Ya Queen” is nothing short of instantly memorable. The song goes for the vocal punch, which will grab younger fans that like the style who might be into Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, while attracting older fans looking for something fun and not so sophisticated. But there’s more than meets the ear on this one song for Charly Mae – she’s one to listen for in 2012.

Will Young “Losing Myself”

I feel like I somehow missed out on last year’s campaign around Echoes, which resulted in huge UK success for Will Young and appearances on many bloggers’ best lists for 2011. I like the album but I suppose its songs didn’t stick with me enough, unlike limited freebie single “The Way I See” which somehow did. At any rate, Echoes does not appear to be out of steam yet, witness the stylish and watchable video for “Losing Myself” which is a good way to bring people like me back around to appreciate the fine song that it is.

Colin Munroe featuring Pusha-T “The Fight Of My Life”

Like with records by Tyler Hilton and Cassie, Torontonian Colin Munroe got swept into a major record label shenanigans which prevented him from releasing his own new music since 2008’s seminal and diverse mixtape Colin Munroe Is The Unsung Hero – you’ll recall “Will I Stay”, featuring Dallas Austin and Wale. That didn’t stop him from writing for the likes of Sky Ferreira and working with Drake, Travie McCoy, and Donnis in the interim or by releasing another free download EP called The Revox Suite, which is most known for grabbing Nicki Minaj’s rap out of Kanye West’s “Monster” (shortly after it went viral before the official release of Kanye’s last album) and pairing it up with La Roux’s “Bulletproof”. He’s back with an emotionally powerful song called “The Fight Of My Life”, which is edgy pop/soul complimented by Pusha-T’s nicely contained rap. “The Fight Of My Life” is a sign of great things to come – can’t wait to hear what’s next from Colin. You can get it from his official website for free with an email subscription.

Marcus Collins “Seven Nation Army”

The rest of the world has to catch up with Marcus Collins, but UK audiences know him as the runner up to their X Factor competition winners Little Mix last year. With tutelage from Take That’s Gary Barlow, Marcus grabbed a deal with RCA Records which will see his self-titled debut album released in March. It’s preceded with an interesting choice for a first single, a soulful take on The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”. Marcus makes it his own though, replacing the military thump of the original with a slinky groove, which is played out further by the handful 😉 in its colourful video. Think of him as the UK male version of Janelle Monae – wonder what they’d sound like in a duet?

Tooji “Stay”

Although for me there doesn’t seem to be a song to root for in the lead up to Eurovision this year as with Eric Saade’s “Popular” last year, the backstory behind Norway’s official entry is so fitting. Tooji Keshtkar was a refugee from Iran who ended up in Norway at age one, eventually becoming a model and MTV presenter, but with always a desire to be involved with the UN to assist children refugees. But this young man has undeniable talent and stage presence, witness this starmaking performance of “Stay”. I’m not sure if the song itself has the oomph to capture the Eurovision judges but it’s going to open international doors for Tooji.

BILLCS Top 30 #372

Yeah I know it’s late for the first time but there are neither as many words nor much energy behind it this week. Expect several videos 🙂

“Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy continue with a tight grip at the top (video is at the bottom of the blog), with “Backseat” by Eric Saade (which I’m hoping will be the follow up to “Hotter Than Fire”, but I think it will be something a little lighter and less risque) as runner-up. Joe Jonas climbs to #3 with “Make You Mine”, while gorgeous soul ballad “Home” by new UK singer Stone Walters is now at #4. Listen to “Home” below.

Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” climbs to #9, while the cheery “Champagne” by Nelson Clemente becomes his fourth top tenner on my chart. But it’s “Like A Drug” by Adam Tyler that makes a nice surge up to #7. The snazzy video is below.

The mostly upwardly mobile songs in the teens are by Eric Saade, The Midway State, Lana Del Rey, Marianas Trench, and Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles, but they’re punctuated by some faster risers. Joe Jonas once again has the fastest climber on the chart with “Not Right Now” from the Fastlife album at #15. Right below is Adam Lambert’s “Better Than I Know Myself”, which has a really strong video that shows a softer, vulnerable side of Adam (below) – and I love the high notes in this song. And “Something” by JMSN is both well worth hearing and watching ( below – you have already been warned in previous posts). The talented Detroit singer climbs to #18 on the chart.

The newbies this week are almost all dance-oriented except for the one that leads the pack. Graffiti 6 are on the rise, long after many bloggers have praised their glory over the last few years. But “Free” is definitely the song to cut it for them, featuring a beautiful vocal from singer Jamie Scott.

Then we have at #22, M83 with “Midnight City”, a song that I’ve been listening to for quite a while now but now the melodic hook is completely entrenched in my brain. I don’t usually mention covers in conjunction with a newly charted song or one on the rise, but I must say that the rendition by the much-praised The Knocks featuring Mandy Lee is a swift alternate version well worth checking out, with a free download on Soundcloud right here.

It’s nice to have the divine Nadia Ali back in the chart at #26, this time in the hands of producers Spencer & Hill. “Believe It” has already had significant club play but it’s also great for blasting out the car window on a bad day. Nadia has previously charted with #2 “Love Story” in 2009, plus of course as part of duo iio with “Rapture”, “At The End”, and “Smooth”.

Lastly, the Monsieur Adi remix of “Out Of It” by Fallulah is such a humdinger that it enters the chart at #27, and you can buy it on iTunes too!

Bill’s #1 song: “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy

Whitney Houston: Remembering the Early Performing Days

I’m not going to dwell on the recent and mainly unhappy past of Whitney Houston, but rather I’ll focus on the brilliant start to her career.

If you knew 70’s dance music, you probably didn’t know that a 14 year old Whitney sung on a now obscure Michael Zager Band song called “Life’s a Party”. You may know that she did contribute backing vocals a year later on Chaka Khan’s seminal “I’m Every Woman”, which Whitney herself later turned into an even bigger hit. The first lead vocal by Whitney appears on avant funk band Material’s One Down album from 1982, but it’s on a tender ballad called “Memories”, which was very unlike Material’s other songs. Listen below to the pure vocal.

She then did lead vocals on the late Paul Jabara’s 1983 “Eternal Love” from the Paul Jabara & Friends album (also recorded by Stephanie Mills), and performed that song in concert a number of times in the 80’s. The first charted hit with Whitney billed was Teddy Pendergrass’ 1983 song “Hold Me”. It reached #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, a rather plain introduction to the world if you ask me. Our introduction to Whitney solo, from her debut self-titled album, was “You Give Good Love”. And it got to #3. But what followed, starting with “Savin’ All My Love For You”, were 7 consecutive number one songs, and the rest is simple history.

Shortly before her debut album was released, RCA Records Canada hosted an intimate industry-only party at Club Blue Note in Toronto. I had been publishing my own magazine called Vinyl Performance with my partner-in-crime James Rogers, and got invited to attend by the RCA rep. None of my music aficionado friends was available to attend at short notice, so Peter Russell was my lucky ‘plus one’. Whitney performed about five or six songs from the album, singing live to backing tracks. I remember “Thinking About You”, featuring Jermaine Jackson, sounding really good and like a possible hit (I think it ended up as a ‘B side’), along with my still-favourite “How Will I Know”. After her set, I got to meet Whitney briefly. We greeted and she put her arm around my upper back and asked “Would you have a picture with me?” I have that photo somewhere, I must have hid it good when I last moved house. She was cute, warm, and bubbly, and brimming with talent.

In lieu of that photo, as my memory of Whitney from 1985, I found the original RCA Records Canada press kit. What follows is the text (rather than a scanned in copy). Click right here to see the cover photo of that press kit.

There is in every decade one young performer whose inevitable rise to stardom is predicted by everyone with whom that artist comes in contact. In the 1980’s, that performer is Whitney Houston.

Stephen Holden in the New York TIMES said “She is a talent with tremendous potential”. The VILLAGE VOICE first enthused “She has the looks, the voice and style of Lena Horne when she was that age. Star Material. Sensational word-of-mouth has been going around about Whitney Houston.” Later, they described her as “a chic-looking young Billie Holiday with a gorgeous vibrato. She has a big voice, the kind that makes you laugh and weep at the same time.”

Nelson George in BILLBOARD Magazine labeled her “a thrilling young singer who performs beautifully. Whitney has the pedigree and style to be a major vocalist.”

And that’s some pedigree! Her mother, Cissy Houston, has been one of the most well-regarded singers in R&B for more than twenty years and Dionne Warwick is her first cousin. Whitney has been in the studio as a background singer since she was twelve years old and recently has been featured as a backup vocalist on LP’s by Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls, The Neville Brothers and soloed on “Eternal Love” from Paul Jabara’s LP. On Material’s “One Down” album, she did a solo called “Memories”, which Bob Christgau in the VILLAGE VOICE called, “one of the most gorgeous ballads you’ve ever heard.” When she was 15 years old she toured Japan with her mother, Cissy Houston. Whitney’s style, in part, echoes her mother’s gospel-rooted soulful delivery but contains a cool, pop quality all her own.

Even with the family exposure and the instant success that she has had both as a Wilhelmina fashion model and a singer, her controlled self-assurance is amazing in a nineteen year-old.

And yet, “amazing” is a comfortable fit for Whitney. She has appeared on the cover of SEVENTEEN Magazine and appeared in GLAMOUR, COSMOPOLITAN and YOUNG MISS. She has done national television commercials. At a time when almost no new artists are being signed to record companies, Whitney has just been given a contract with Arista Records by its president, Clive Davis, one of the most highly regarded judges of talent in the music business. In Arista’s own words, it was “an agreement that represents a major commitment to the young artist. Her signing was one of the most eagerly sought at Arista in recent years.”

What is she like as a person? She will tell you, emphatically, that her first love is singing and that above all else that is what she wants to be doing the rest of her life. Whitney, whose “greatest influences, besides my own family, were Aretha, Natalie Cole, Donny Hathaway, and Quincy Jones,” wants to travel and perform all over the world. Somehow, in the midst of all this, she’d also like to work toward a college education. What’s more, she probably will.

Warm, observant, careful, ambitious, a charming balance of reserve and fun – Whitney sees singing, modeling and acting as her job. She likes it, but she can take the glamour in stride and is only too aware of the pitfalls along the way – after all, you might say it’s the family business.

Up-N-Comers featuring Kaya & Pierre Lewis, Kenneth Giles, Darin, Glo, Slakadeliqs & Justin Nozuka, River Tiber, and more

Life seems to go crazy all at once – work gets super busy, personal situations change, and of course in these blink-and-they’re-gone times, new music arrives en masse. So before I know it, I’m saying “How am I gonna write about all of this great music?”. So not to give short shrift to any of these fine songs and performers, but today’s Up-N-Comers blog post provides a succinct look/listen about songs and performers that require your attention 🙂

Kaya featuring Pierre Lewis “When I Was Blind”

I tipped you off to this beauty of a ballad a few weeks back, and “When I Was Blind” has officially arrived on iTunes today (February 11). U.S. beauty Kaya and handsome UK R&B/pop singer Pierre could not sound better together. The song is written in classic ballad style that you just don’t hear on the radio anymore. And as a bonus, producer/remixer Florian Maier crunched the song into a dance rendition that even gets a little dub-steppy. Hear the remix below and download it with an email subscription right here.

Kenneth Giles “Take It Easy”

Kenneth is an Irish singer, dancer and choreographer who has done well in his home country at a young age, already as a judge on Dublin’s Got Talent, performing in the domestic touring show of Glee, and running his own performing arts studio. “Take It Easy” seems a little plain at the start, but its slinky mid-tempo vibe and chorus will find you humming the song when you least expect it. This is a promising start and the video offers some eye-catching choreography too. Get it on iTunes.

Darin “Nobody Knows”

It seemed back in 2008 that Swedish singer Darin Zanyar was Scandinavia’s equivalent of a Justin Timberlake-meets-Jesse McCartney talent, having had lots of Scandinavian success back to 2005. Domestic and European hits like “Breathing Your Love” (featuring Kat DeLuna, from the Flashback album) and “Lovekiller” (from the 2010 album of the same name) brought his talent to the worldwide stage, showing that he can bridge both dance and pop worlds. “Nobody Knows” puts him back square in dance club territory, with a song that not only slams but puts his high register to wonderful full use while still focusing on a beautiful melody. It’s a well-rounded song that puts Darin more head-to-head with someone like Adam Lambert, and that’s not at all a bad thing! Official release is coming soon… listen to the song below.

Glo, “Don’t Believe”

Montreal produces some of the best domestic rock music amid its reputation for top notch electronica. Glo is a three piece whose album No One Hears Me drops this year. Taking cues from bands like Keane and All American Rejects, but with a harder edge carrying the melody, “Don’t Believe” is a tidy and punchy single carried by singer Rick Cordi’s versatile voice. It also has great pedigree with award-winning singer/producer John Nathaniel (Marie-Mai, Long Story Short) at the helm. You can buy “Don’t Believe” on CD Baby or listen to right here.

Slakadeliqs featuring Justin Nozuka “Keep Breathing”

I previewed Slakadeliqs’ debut album The Other Side Of Tomorrow a while back with another song featuring the ultra-talented Justin called “Love Controls The Sun”, which is a lovely lazy Sunday morning slice of pop. The other song from the album featuring Justin is “Keep Breathing”, a breezy mid-tempo jazzy-sounding song that reminds me a lot of the Style Council’s mid-80’s output. Slakah the Beatchild and Justin get their groove on in the video below and it’s positively contagious. You can download The Other Side Of Tomorrow or any of its songs for free from the Slakadeliqs’ website or you can buy it on iTunes. Unique and diverse – don’t miss it.

River Tiber “Someday”

River Tiber is the band name for Toronto’s Tommy Paxton-Beesley, who is one of these burgeoning talents-all-in-one just bursting at the seams. “Someday” shows all too apparent influence from the likes of U2 and Coldplay, with some fantastic guitar work, but there’s a really sweet Jeff Buckley-esque edge to this song that I find incredibly affecting with each listen. This young man is going places. Listen to “Someday” below and you can purchase River Tiber’s album From Now On on iTunes.

Feral aka Kinky “Tweet Retweet”

A case is being made for a recent dance music sub-genre called Moombahton, which appears to combine reggae, pop, and electronica. If you’re interested in sampling this quirky style, check out Moombahton Nation on iTunes. From that album, “Tweet Retweet” by Feral aka Kinky slices a bright, clubby melody with reggae-stylin’ vocals that draw you in – remember mid 2000’s hits like “Move Ya Body” by Nina Sky, “Never Leave You” by Lumidee, or “Pull Up” by Mr. Vegas”? Take two steps forward from those records and tilt your head, remaining firmly on the dancefloor. Listen to “Tweet Retweet” below.

Sintropez “Berlin Girl”

It’s not often these days that the dark post-new wave influences of groups like Depeche Mode or Sisters of Mercy rear their heads in new music. But if you like that style, you’ll appreciate the lush and languid feel of “Berlin Girl” by Sintropez, a new three piece unit from France led by singer Will Katrine. Listen below.

And just for fun, “Call Me Maybe” by Canada’s Carly Rae Jepsen (produced by Marianas Trench’s Josh Ramsay) has already reached #1 on Billboard’s Canadian Top 100 and is poised to break out internationally, given tweets of support by the likes of Selena Gomez. It doesn’t need my thumbs up to help it succeed, but it’s got a great video, so watch below.

Electronic Bliss: Simon Curtis and Vincent Did It team up for “Starlight”, “Flesh” remix

Those of you who follow the promising careers of both Simon Curtis and Vincent Did It (formerly Frankmusik) have known that they collaborated on some songs in advance of the release of Simon’s album R∆ last June. Since that time, they’ve both been hinting at the release of Vince’s remix of “Flesh” and other songs. So with today came the release of that “Flesh” remix, as well as a gorgeous ballad called “Starlight”.

Vince’s remix of “Flesh” takes the staccato ends of the song and keeps you there, focusing on trebly arpeggios and Simon’s upper register. Its playful pace makes the mix seem much shorter than its 5:37 length. The result is akin to keeping you perpetually at a particular moment… the few seconds before you find out the solution to a mystery… the few seconds before you get your college diploma… the few seconds before a first kiss… the few seconds before … all right, I think you get where this is going 😉

Download the Vincent Did It remix for “Flesh” for free from the redesigned http://www.simon-curtis.com – check out all those great Tyler Shields photos!

It’s obvious from first listen that “Starlight” did not fit the mold that became R∆. It’s a wistful, pensive downtempo ballad as a reminder of a relationship that ended, that has the sound of Darren Hayes, most evidently, as an inspiration. Like the other songs in R∆ though it evokes a personal place in time for Simon, and I’m glad he chose to share this gentler side of the R∆ sessions with us. Vince is no slouch at producing softer songs either – his free download from last year, the dramatic and heartfelt “Hurt You Again”, was one of my favourites of the year, and it didn’t make the cut for Do It In The AM either.

Courtesy of the ever-wonderful Arjan Writes, read Arjan’s thoughts and download “Starlight” for free on this page.