Austin-based producer/guitarist @Cloudchord swings bossa nova-style with “Alegria”

CLOUDCHORD, “Alegria”

For those of you who like their dance music on the chill but sexy and romantic side, then Austin-based producer and guitarist Cloudchord will satisfy that craving with “Alegria”.  Using the Brazilian bossa nova style as its basis, the sound of “Alegria” is charming and lo-fi, and goes down easy like the smoothest of brandies or cognacs.  The Emmy-winning Cloudchord also dazzles us with his pristine guitar work which shines the most in the latter part of the song.  “Alegria” follows up Cloudchord’s 2016 album Imprint and some subsequent collaborative EP’s with Oatmello and the Soul Food Horns.  It’s jazzy and funky and you can’t go wrong with an instrumental that packs such diversity into its three minutes.

“American Dream” is a smoking new instrumental from @SultanShepard – with a backstory

SULTAN + SHEPARD, “American Dream”

“American Dream” marks the return of L.A. based Canadian duo Sultan + Shepard this time through Armada.  It’s an alternately rollicking and sultry instrumental that draws its inspiration, and some samples, from the main theme of the movie “American Beauty”.  It’s a perfect fit for clubs, with quiet, understated moments taking turns with some really fluid and dirty synth work.  Sultan + Shepard have always been known for creative, outside-of-the-box originals and remixes during this decade that have attracted collaborations with the likes of Nadia Ali, Taryn Manning (with a #1 Billboard club chart hit, “Send Me Your Love”), Tiësto, Fedde LeGrand, and Dillon Francis, which have also resulted in nominations for both Grammy Awards (remixing Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out Of Heaven”) and Juno Awards (their collaboration with Nadia, “Almost Home”).  If this is just the start of what Sultan + Shepard are bringing us in 2019, then watch out!

Dutch producer @MarcBenjamins has slick, anthemic pop in “Out Of Touch”

MARC BENJAMIN, “Out Of Touch”

Dutch producer is a household name in his home country and well known in south east Asia too, where he’s performed at several festivals.  Over the last six years, he’s worked with the best of the dance music biz from Zedd to Laidback Luke to Nicky Romero to Afrojack, and recorded with almost every major indie dance label.  This time Tipsy Records has his latest, more pop-inflected release, “Out Of Touch”.  Its slick sound and anthemic hook is matched by an on-point uncredited male vocal, which all make “Out Of Touch” stand out in a set of tunes.  I think remixes could up the ante for “Out Of Touch” but as is Marc Benjamin has a far above average pop/dance release which should continue to get attention from those friends in high places!

Keep your ears tuned in for Welsh singer/songwriter @JohnAdamsmusic1 with “Flames”

JOHN ADAMS, “Flames”

Taking cues from some of the last decade’s best UK male singers – James Morrison, Damien Rice for example – and about to join the ranks of Ed Sheeran and James Bay is Welsh singer/songwriter John Adams.  Following up his album You Never Know Who’s Listening is “Flames”, the lead off single from his upcoming EP No White Lies.  It’s graceful, soulful pop sung by the kind of timeless voice you can listen to for hours.  “Flames” is accompanied by an intriguing, lyrical dance video which you can watch over and over again and still be fascinated.  The song’s about trying to save a relationship while everything else crumbles around you, not the kind of situation one ever hopes to be in, but I suppose we all experience it to lesser degrees of some sort.  “Flames” is a beautiful song, and I think it will just be a matter of time before bigger things happen, so John definitely is one to keep on your radar.

Listen to the soulful, snappy earworm “Chemistry Or Chemicals” by @MattBeilis

MATT BEILIS, “Chemistry Or Chemicals”

NYC’s Matt Beilis has been steadily releasing his own pop songs and becoming a go-to voice in the dance genre for the most part of this decade, with his uplifting vocal in Electric Bodega’s “Rest Of My Life” a few years back a highlight for me.  He’s also a classically trained pianist.  “Chemistry or Chemicals” is one of his strongest, catchiest originals, with a snappy hook that stands out alongside Matt’s vocal, which has an Adam Levine flavour with a touch of a rasp.  Matt’s a rarity, having a voice that can likely sing just about any kind of song and make it work. “Chemistry” is both witty and telling, a smart song that will keep you coming back to play it again and again.  

UK producer @AntonPowers and Dutch duo @RedondoNL concoct a fresh retro blast with “Make Your Move”

ANTON POWERS & REDONDO, “Make Your Move”

I suppose a revival was due and fortunately UK producer Anton Powers and Dutch duo Redondo make it all fresh again with “Make Your Move. Anton of course is no stranger to the charts, with the Top 5 UK hit “Alone No More” with Philip George and famed A&R guy for 3 Beat Productions (think ‘This Girl” by Kungs & Cookin on 3 Burners).  You also heard Redondo paired recently with Alyx Ander for “Casually”.  Think way back to 2004 when Junior Jack’s “Stupidisco” created a worldwide smash around the chorus of one of The Pointer Sisters’ best 80’s songs “Dare Me”.  This time, take some added lyrics, a winning set of vocals, and brisk (and not campy Junior Jack) production and you have “Make Your Move”.  It’s a fun throwback and should have no problem winning over dance club goers anywhere.

Introducing Germany’s @PYNGUparty and UK singer @thisisLoveday with “Breathless (Like This)”

PYNGU x LOVEDAY, “Breathless (Like This)”

“Breathless (Like This)” is an intriguing collaboration between German producer PYNGU and British vocalist Loveday.  Though the name is new to the scene, PYNGU is really not!  Until recently known as Kyco, he scored 16 million streams for his remix of “Oasis” by The Him, and has been supported by Martin Garrix and Tiesto for his own original songs such as “Little Bit Closer”.  This collaboration shifts PYNGU’s sounds to something more exotic and enticing, with Loveday’s vocal sometimes evoking the vulnerable qualities of Lana Del Rey, Elohim, or Sky Ferreira, alternately sounding detached or dreamy.  Overall, PYNGU and Loveday have partnered for a song that is both elegant and mysterious, with some unique synth sounds giving it both a steady bass groove and minimalist high end melodies.  

It’s a love/hate relationship in “Just A Bitch” by Dutch duo @weareFannypack

FANNYPACK, “Just A Bitch”

Quickly following up their sparse but friendly song “Simple” about a month later, once again for the Strange Fruits label, Dutch duo Fannypack offer another side to their talents with “Just A Bitch”.  Using another slight arrangement that gradually exudes a midtempo, funky rhythm, “Just A Bitch” is sweetly sung to portray the subject clearly in love while still being totally at odds with her, and the lyrics don’t mince any words.  It all works quite well, and Fannypack definitely have an unusual but likable song to which many of us will still relate.   Check it out at the link above.

German duo @weareSteamPhunk’s “Hometown” featuring @CarrieLanemusic gets a spirited remix by @Uniryde

STEAM PHUNK and CARRIE LANE, “Hometown” (Uniryde remix)

“Hometown” by Germany’s Steam Phunk featuring American singer Carrie Lane was released about a year ago as a mid-tempo dance track that recalls songs like “Closer” by The Chainsmokers.  This spirited remix by new producer Uniryde could definitely reignite interest in the song.  The remix captures the poignancy and reflective appeal of the original, but aims to make you bounce along to a more carefree, fast paced rhythm track.  “Hometown” will definitely grab your ears and your feet, so be sure to check it out at the link above.

 

Some fresh lyrical pop/dance from new producer @atSmilemusic with “Good About Us” featuring singer Philip Strand

SMILE and PHILIP STRAND, “Good About Us”

I don’t know anything about new producer Smile or singer Philip Strand who’ve created the single “Good About Us” but it’s a solid, fresh pop/dance release with a lot of sparkle that easily passes the blind taste test!  Philip has an earthy gravel to his voice which gives a genuine sound to “Good About Us”, while the synths pop and glisten and win you over.  Ever seeking top quality releases, Tipsy Records is passionately behind this one, and a fine, positive song like this will win us over every time.  There’s loads of pop potential here so don’t miss it.