It’s 10/10 – Edition 10!!
I’ll be completely upfront – there is far too much music being released right now that I enjoy and can write about.
My playlist of new songs ‘for review’ every week ranges sometimes from 60-90, not including submissions of EP’s and albums. I’m totally loving all of the variety and selection. I don’t enjoy not being able to write about everything I hear that I like. So the blog posts for now are coming to you with a lot of scrutiny. Another ’10/10′ feature will follow in the week too!
In 10/10 (or tenoutoften) , I write about 10 hot and fresh songs in no particular order, for your kind consideration and attention.
I continue to write individual blog posts about certain songs. That does not mean that songs in the 10/10 lists are any less than those featured individually, and they are not listed in any particular order. An example is “All On You” by Nashville electronic producer Super Duper, which just flew into my Top 10 this past week at #6.
Writing 10/10 features means I can cover more songs in one shot. So you get to learn about more new music that I hear but don’t always get a chance to write about.
- JESSE McCARTNEY, “Yours”
Rumoured to be part of the returning disguised celebrities in “TheMasked Singer” (USA) season three, Jesse McCartney is also back with his first new single in two years with the somewhat revealing indie release, “Yours”. Recently engaged himself, this song publicly offers Jesse to his fiancée, warts and all. It also puts listeners on notice that there is a whole other side to the lives of our celebrity faves that we never see. In any case, “Yours” is an enjoyably honest release, with Jesse’s voice often drifting into falsetto, emphasizing the soulfulness that often appears in his songs. It’s the start of a new project after the one that started with “Better With You” (which got to #6 on my chart in 2018) was shelved. So in 2020 we have lots more from Jesse to which we can look forward!
- VICTOR PERRY & CAL1, “Missing”
Originally recorded as a sparse but effortless piano-and-vocal version of the Everything But The Girl classic in late 2016, NYC-based pop/R&B singer Victor Perry revives “Missing” in an atmospheric production that has little to do with the 90’s original except with the popular refrain. He teams up with German producer Cal1 to flesh out the rendition into a unique take that I could hear in a placement at key points on a TV episode or in a movie. And with some meltworthy high notes once again being a major selling point, “Missing” (along with current single “Lost Boy”) will help us all get through to a new Victor Perry EP, coming very soon!
- FRANCESCO YATES, “Superbad”
It’s hard to believe it’s been over 5 years since “Better To Be Loved” became a huge radio hit in Canada. My fellow Scarborough native Francesco Yates has all the chops to make that happen again, and I’m confident it will! After a few softer previous releases, “Superbad” is a party and a half! There are Justin Timberlake influences throughout and a climactic soulful scream that will compel you to take notice. Francesco has also been taking advantage of these times and performing and chatting online on various platforms. “Superbad” is definitely a positive new chapter for him. Check out the short video preview of a short film of “Superbad” above.
- FRANCESCA LOUISE, “Out Of Sight (Out Of Mind)”
London singer/songwriter Francesca Louise is a new voice to get to know well with “Out Of Sight (Out Of Mind)”. She cites classic singers like Carole King and Joni Mitchell as influences, but she has a soulful edge that neither of them have that will work to her advantage. In fact it puts her potentially in the same league as someone like blog fave and Grammy winner YEBBA. The song is also a reminiscence of someone who is in fact “not out of mind”. “Out Of Sight” starts off rather unassuming but by the end you are sold on Francesca, who looks to be a unique new talent for whom to keep a watch out.
- SLAVES, “Talk To A Friend”
“Talk To A Friend” is the latest single by American rock quintet Slaves. The band has dedicated following that was nearly fractured by the departure of their lead singer last year, who was replaced with a rather unlikely voice – that of Matt McAndrew, who you know as a memorable second place finisher on “The Voice” about 5 years ago. And while the aftermath of “The Voice” attempted to shape Matt into more of a pop-flavoured vocalist, he is perfectly at home with harder rock. In fact his effortless voice, along with some blistering dual guitars and propulsive drum work, totally anchors “Talk To A Friend”. Fans of Linkin Park, Billy Talent, Chris Cornell, and 3 Doors Down will have a blast with the music of Slaves.
- SAXITY, “Complicated”
The German production duo Saxity are back with another foot-stomping, toe-tapping, sax-laden release called “Complicated”. Not to be confused with Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit, this one is about one person in a relationship being the ‘complicated’ one, while the other wants more to keep figuring her out. And a good time can be had doing so on the dancefloor where tropical-tinged rhythms and synths flesh it all out.
- EREN AB, “Beauty Lies With You”
New York-based producer Eren AB’s “Beauty Lies With You” marks the return of the Tipsy label which has some more fine new electronic dance and pop music on its way. Direct, well-made and catchy, “Beauty Lies With You” also has a comforting and positive message for all. The arrangement is lined with subtle synths and some ear-tugging percussive sounds, with a friendly uncredited male vocal weaving the storyline.
- PHENIX RED, “Bad News”
With one album under her belt was well as songwriting credits with the likes of Jadakiss and Cassidy, Nashville-based singer/songwriter (and recording studio owner) Phenix Red is poised to break out with stylish and memorable songs like “Bad News”. Taking bits and pieces of influences that might be from Christina Aguilera, Pink, Ariana Grande, Kate Bush and others, and Phenix Red fuses them together into a darker brand of her own. Alt.rock and college radio stations would take to “Bad News” instantly, and I highly recommend the song to anyone who likes to push their boundaries on a daily basis. There’s definitely a lot more than meets the eyes with Phenix Red! Check out the imaginative video, which she directed and edited, above.
- TEP NO, “Sippin’ On Feelings”
“Sippin’ On Feelings” is a gentle, summer-flavoured, radio-friendly new song by Canadian producer and remixer Tep No. Not much is known about Tep No. He has acquired a huge following through breaking into the industry at the same time as streaming sites. Tep No has also opened for the likes of San Holo and The Chainsmokers, and has been signed to Ultra Music for a few years, but like others, is looking for a big breakthrough song. “Sippin’ On Feelings” has a warm, uncredited guy-next-door vocal that helps give it some noteworthy charm.
- PROXY, “Nervous”
Russian producer Proxy is well-known to lovers of more hardcore dance/electronic styles, which generally stray outside of my wheelhouse. “Nervous” is pretty heavy-hitting, but once clubland reviews, I think we’ll find excerpts of the song added in the mix at peak points in an evening. Its entire vocal is a sample of a woman swearing… the rest is left to your imagination until you listen! There’s a lot of impressive synth work throughout; I keep hearing classic Yellow Magic Orchestra or Ryuichi Sakamoto in my head.
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