Following up yesterday’s Part 1, here’s the second part of my Weekend Dance Music Roundup, I’m featuring 10 more new dance music releases, in no particular order, some of whom are by performers you may see at Miami Music Week.
- Dutch brothers DubVision and fellow Dutch production duo SYZZ positively sparkle with the high energy of “Enlighten Me”. This is a zesty 2:37 dance track that will have you chanting the urgent chorus and feeling great afterwards. It’s one of DubVision’s very best tracks and the partnership with Syzz is well worth repeating. A festival fist pumper for sure.
During Miami Music Week, DubVision play at Firebeatz and Friends on Tuesday March 26 and at Ultra Music Festival on Saturday March 31.
- One of my favourite songs last year was the Morgan Page extended mix of PLS&TY’s “Down For Me”. The Florida producer returns in collaboration with Dutchman Ganz for “Motives”. The song starts off rather unassumingly but gradually builds to a feverishly emotional state by the minute mark, thanks to the signature voice of go-to dance music singer Nevve. This is one of her best and most committed vocals that rides the sometimes hard-hitting future bass production later in the song. Sway away and enjoy!
- Norway’s Alan Walker has crafted something totally unexpected with “On My Way”. Harkening back to three years ago when “Faded” astounded everyone, Alan employs the sharp voice of star-on-the-rise Sabrina Carpenter (currently in the Billboard club chart Top 10 with “Sue Me”) for a song that’s totally suited to her. It begins with R&B flavour that you might associate with Rihanna, then drifts off to the islands with a vocal break from Puerto Rico’s Farruko. By the end you’ll feel like you’ve been on a bit of an adventure so check it out!
- Also with tropical flavours but with a more relaxed, summery vibe is “Tell Your Friends”, the latest from blog favourites The Him. Steven and J have brought aboard American duo Loote for effortless give ‘n take vocals which make the song simply breeze by with its appealing synth-peppered bounce.
The Him plays Spinnin’ Sessions at Spinnin’ Hotel on Wednesday March 27 and Klingande’s Playground Pool Party on Sunday March 31 during Miami Music Week.
- A new and potent instrumental is brought to you courtesy of Mexican producers Kremerk called “Nowhere”. Premiered recently by Nicky Romero, “Nowhere” doesn’t hold back any punches with its lively synths and creative, progressive production which sometimes recalls Afrojack. Its relentless pace doesn’t give up for a second of its 2:46 length.
- It’s been out for about a month, but “Ruin” by the one-of-a-kind collaboration of Ekali and 1788-L delivers in just about every way possible. Highly inventive and drawing heavily from trap and dubstep, “Ruin” is one song that will neither tire you out with an overabundance of effects, nor will you tire of its frequent changes of pace. There’s a beautiful, underlying melody amid the experimentation, and these guys just make it all sound even more fascinating as the song progresses. While it might not be for everyone, “Ruin” should become a centerpiece in sets by both performers.
1788-L plays no less than four events during Miami Music Week on Thursday March 28 (twice, including Brownies & Lemonade Miami), Friday March 29 and Saturday March 30.
- From his recent 8 song release RK1, Boston’s Robokid has a real grower with “Everything Around You”. Co-produced by the enigmatic Kid Froopy – you’ll remember 2017’s “Drive Slow” – “Everything Around You” happily marries early-to-mid 2000’s alt.influences of bands like Blink 182 and All-American Rejects with simmering electronics and a taut vocal arrangement that helps make the chorus so memorable.
- L.A.’s Goldroom offers up a different kind of slice of life with “Cocaine Girl”. Its lazy west coast vibe is the perfect foil for a story in which the subjects just seem content to live a dreamy, carefree life. Its uncomplicated-sounding synth arrangement recalls 80’s Depeche Mode and there are some nice acoustic guitar touches as well.
- After dazzling us recently with their instrumental “American Beauty” (based up on the score of the movie of the same name), Sultan + Shepard continue but this time with a solid house banger in “Deeper”. It packs even more of a wallop thanks to the presence of the killer voice of Carla Monroe – she of MK’s “17” fame. “Deeper” has the potential to be yet another huge club smash for my Canadian brethren.
Sultan + Shepard play Mixmash Takeover on Thursday March 28 and Armada Invites Miami on Saturday March 30 during Miami Music Week.
- And what would this year’s Miami Music Week be without a new song from the master who is Armin van Buuren? Departing from the anthemic humour of “Blah Blah Blah”, Armin brings a delightful song full of longing, powered by the voice of none other than “American Girl” herself, Bonnie McKee. You wouldn’t expect Bonnie in this setting and Armin weaves some intense synths and beats around her gracious presence. Armin has a long history with me, going back to 2003’s haunting “Yet Another Day”, and 16 years later continues to deliver the heat amid many talented contemporaries.
Armin van Buuren plays Ultra Music Festival on Saturday March 30 and Sunday March 31.
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