Our first blast of Summer Popervescence takes all kinds of shapes and forms, as you will soon hear… 🙂
LORDE “Royals”
When I’ve been following the online praises about “Royals” by New Zealand singer Lorde, no one mentioned in passing that she was only 16! Yes Ella Yelich-O’Connor has a mature presence both in voice and in songwriting for this debut, which looks like it will crash the Top 40 in time after being playlisted at alt.rock radio. Its idiosyncratic yet memorable melody meshes beautifully with Lorde’s voice, which sounds like the second coming of Natasha Bedingfield but also reminiscent of lesser known singers like Jem. Before the end of the year you can expect that the world will be well-acquainted with Lorde.
GOLDFRAPP, “Drew”
Did anyone see this coming? Suddenly the much revered band led by Alison Goldfrapp has a 6th album coming out in September called Tales Of Us, which apparently will be a return to form for a lot of fans who have followed them these 12 years or so, moving away from the more commercial but successful dance/pop of 2010’s Head First. “Drew” is one mysterious duck of a preview song and video to the album, beautifully sung and striking, but it’s definitely moody and will make your spine feel like it does when watching something like “Twin Peaks”.
JOEE, “Bizarre Love Triangle”
It seems as if Toronto dance/pop singer Joée DeSimone took a long break from the music scene after a series of successes from the mid-90’s cover of Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” with his group Intonation through to late 90’s and early 2000’s domestic hits such as “Angel”, “Arriba”, and “Sunshine” (all of which by the way were Top 10 on my personal chart). He’s back and sounding like he’s never missed a step with a contemporary and faithful cover of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle”. So this is definitely a promising big welcome back to that distinctive voice of his, and I’m sure looking forward to more new songs from Joée.
BLAKE McGRATH, “Heaven (Follow Me)”
It looks like Toronto master choreographer/dancer/singer Blake McGrath could have his biggest success yet with “Heaven (Follow Me)”, an uplifting and joyous song supported by a colourful and inspiring video which (according to my daughter anyway) also includes some dancers who were part of Blake’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada days as a judge/choreographer. Blake’s voice has also improved through his previous releases so it’s great to see him continue to spread his talents through both song and dance. So I’m calling this one a bit of a sleeper hit well worthy of your attention 🙂
OSVALDO SUPINO, “Ma Radio”
Italian singer Osvaldo Supino is someone who continues to be on the bubble for international success. “Ma Radio” is likely is best shot yet. In its original form it’s a crunchy dance floor thumper that will not only find its way under your skin, it will crawl right down to your feet. As you will tell from the video above, wherever Osvaldo goes with his boombox suddenly becomes party central. While we know a more seductive and racy style of Osvaldo from songs on his Exposed album like “Pornographic” and “Get Laid” as well as past hit “When I Think About Sex”, “Ma Radio” (which also has an engaging Stormby remix) shows the good natured party animal that lurks beneath that slim bright-eyed body. You can find Exposed and “Ma Radio” on iTunes.
CHLOE MORGAN, “Do You Even Think Of Me”
The luminous voice of Chloe Morgan defines how we use the word chanteuse in English. It’s big and dramatic, but controlled, which could have otherwise have sent an emotional song like “Do You Even Think Of Me” into histrionics. But no, this is one beauty of a record from her recent EP Piano Forté. Chloe is from England but based in Vancouver, and was at one time part of the UK Popstars band Clea. But she clearly had her sights set on grander things and “Do You Even Think Of Me” is the best and sweetest kind of adult pop around. Pair her with fellow British singer Elouise and let her loose. Her video, featuring Chloe all made up in a beautiful gown in the dark at a beach, is most suitable and reminds me of Jane Badler’s video for “Yesterday’s Tomorrows” (the song graced my Top 10 last year).
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