KYLIE MINOGUE, “Skirt”
For someone who was never really impressed with Kylie’s early 80s/90s songs, which of course garnered massive success in the majority of the world, I must say that the calibre of new songs on the way must be substantial. Witness 2012’s 3rd career reinvention (following the early 00’s grands succès) with the stunning “Timebomb”, a song that really was only a huge hit in her native Australia, but greatly loved by fans and music bloggers around the world. “Skirt” continues in the next phase of that reinvention that will leave the dance floor in dubsteppy tatters. Produced by Nom de Strip and co-written by The-Dream, “Skirt” is effortlessly flirty, something that singers more than 20 years younger than Dame Kylie simply can’t pull off. I hope this one gets official release soon and that her record company pump the hell out of it. One of the best songs to make your summer brighter!!
DAN BLACK featuring KELIS, “Hearts”
Our favourite UK musical alchemist is back! Based in Paris, Dan Black took a break after scoring with his 2009 album UN to start a family (his songs “Symphonies” and “Alone” both got to #1 on my chart). He dropped a few songs over the last year or so, but none have resonated so much as “Hearts”, which adds Kelis into his crazy kind of musical magic. “Hearts” is destined for both the radio and the beach (and perhaps remixes for dance clubs), making you wonder every step of the way what musical moment will occur next in the song. It’s also supported by a 24 hour stop motion video which must have been quite difficult to film. You can never say that Dan Black doesn’t sacrifice personal endurance for his craft! “Hearts” is one of those songs almost out of left field that just doesn’t let go.
ERIC SAADE, “Winning Ground” and “Cover Girl Part II”
In follow up to singles “Miss Unknown” and “Marching (In The Name Of Love)”, Sweden’s Eric Saade has released an EP Coming Home (along with the title track single – unfortunately not among his best songs I’m afraid), in advance of his upcoming album Forgive Me. The songs are definitely taking a different direction away from the brilliant arpeggio-laden Europop in favour of ballads and R&B-influenced songs. “Cover Girl Part II” (above) is probably the funkiest song that Eric has ever recorded, sounding sultry and fly like never before. This blends nicely into the R&B-oriented charge of male pop singers that has been led by Justin Timberlake this year.
It will be on the album, but I’m not sure about the days-old “Winning Ground” (below), which does not appear on the Coming Home EP. Eric loves soccer so it must be a thrill to perform an anthem for the Women’s Euro Sweden team. Like any soccer anthem that manages not to go over the top, “Winning Ground” is memorable and oh so catchy… just not sure how much an official release it might be. Eric Saade proves himself to be a reliable pop star and I look forward to hearing more new songs from Forgive Me.
MIKA, “Live Your Life (La canción de San Miguel)”
Mika is such an inspired singer and performer sometimes it just seems surreal. So just weeks after the Tim Burton-influenced video for “Popular Song” (featuring Ariana Grande) arrives on the scene, we find Mika sharing the video with “Citizens From A Place Called World” for this lesson in positive summer power called “Live Your Life”. And the singer lends his multi-language skills to the song by singing a verse in Spanish. So first there’s a Home Depot commercial on TV that uses “Love Today” as its music, and now there’s “Live Your Life”, which you might not realize until the end, is actually a video-length beer commercial for the San Miguel beer company. Sold! Not sure if it will be available for commercial purchase though.
AMELIA’S FAULT featuring COLOR THEORY, “Colder”
In a world of mirror images, you will find Star Trek’s Mr. Spock with a beard. You will find Griffin Dunne’s character trying to find his way home through an unforgiving New York City in Martin Scorcese’s 80’s classic “After Hours”. You’ll find the Log Lady from “Twin Peaks”. It will all be set to classic 80’s chilled out new wave – Cocteau Twins, Thompson Twins ballads, Gary Numan instrumentals… and as summer approaches, thus we find “Colder” by Amelia’s Fault. This ‘project’ combines the many talents of Matt “Stormby” Eriksson, Richard Hymas, and Charlie Mason, who craft a song worthy to be featured alongside classics like Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” or “Somebody”. They selected the perfect vocalist – Color Theory (aka Brian Hazard), who is already well known for his Dave Gahan-like vocals. It’s the voice that gets the lyrics and melody stuck in our heads – “Colder” doesn’t convince so much on first listen as it does on fourth. It… lingers. And then, it’s embedded. Yes, during the summer months you can chill out to “Colder” and be completely content! Watch the lyrics video below… and blame it all on Amelia, whoever she may be. U.S. residents can download it for free via Amazon.
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