Meet L.A.-based synth-folk duo @PublicArtmusic with “Montreux”|

PUBLICART, “Montreux”

Incorporating elements of folk into pop/dance music may seem to be a bit of a trend, but when it works well it’s worth checking out.  And L.A.-based duo PublicArt certainly have the pedigree to get it all across.  Singer Stevvi Alexander is the touring lead for the Game Of Thrones live production, while collaborator Jan Ozveren is Charlie Puth’s guitarist on record and on tour.  From their forthcoming EP Modernika, “Montreux” is about the aftermath of a relationship that wasn’t meant to be – the repeated phrase “but we faded away” is guaranteed to stick in your head.  The song has an 80’s new wave electronica sensibility that surrounds both folk and soul influences, and Stevvi definitely has a spot-on voice from which you will want to hear more.  There’s even more diversity in the EP, which gravitates more to pop and jazz at times with an electronic foundation.  PublicArt are off to a great start but to me “Montreux” will be their calling card.

“Down For Me” by @PLSandTYbased gets a flashy remix from @MorganPage

PLS&TY, “Down For Me” (Morgan Page remix)

Let’s jump back to July, when I wrote about the original version of “Down For Me” by Florida-based producer PLS&TY.  Solid, sultry and slick as it is, sometimes it takes an added sumthin-sumthin to spin in a slightly different direction.  So the uncredited vocals on “Down For Me” take a bit of a backseat to Grammy nominee Morgan Page’s punchy production with flute sounds carrying the deep house rhythm.  It totally suits the song, highly complimentary to PLS&TY’s fine work.  I don’t often write about a song for a second time, but “Down For Me” is yours for the revisiting at the link above.

“Sleeve” is a golden rendition of a @BrandynBurnette #EMAN8 song by #TheVoice’s @JordanSmithlive

JORDAN SMITH, “Sleeve”

When is a cover version not a cover version, so to speak?  “Sleeve” is a warm, heart-tugging Brandyn Burnette/EMAN8 song which I wrote about almost four years ago that was available as a free download online once upon a time, which is how I’m so happy to have a well-played digital copy.  But since the original is offline and was never officially released, I’m so glad “Sleeve” has found new life for a different pop audience on Jordan Smith’s new album Only Love.  Thanks to Jordan’s effortless, on-the-money vocal, it sparkles brilliantly.  Jordan, of course, won Season 9 of “The Voice” in a runaway contest, despite many fine vocalists competing, because his voice is so unique.  Jordan’s version of “Sleeve” doesn’t have Brandyn’s rough-around-the-edges style of the original, but it does not disappoint in the slightest.  Add “Sleeve” to your Cuddle Up pop playlist using the Spotify link above.

Australia’s @JYYE_official makes it 3 for 3 with soulful house of the title song of his “Fooling Me” EP

JYYE, “Fooling Me”

Australia’s JYYE is developing a unique sound that pulls in listeners – and club DJ’s – with each song.  Following up “Something Else” and “Look At You”, JYYE puts them together with the title song in his new EP “Fooling Me”.  And the latest song is a taut, soulful house track that marries early 90’s flavours – recalling folks like Robert Owens or Sydney Youngblood – with today’s tight and tidy house rhythms.  “Fooling Me” is an easy sell for club DJ’s that could also benefit from an amped up, creative remix.  JYYE continues to be one to look out for in 2018!

Canada’s @Kiesza is back and dance music has got her again with “Phantom Of The Dancefloor” featuring @PhilippeSly

KIESZA featuring PHILIPPE SLY, “Phantom Of The Dancefloor”

Oh where to begin!  Leaving her previous record deal behind after her huge Juno Awards winning 2015 hit “Hideaway”, Kiesza returns with the delights of “Phantom Of The Dancefloor”, which is taken amusingly over-the-top in its showy video.  Using elements from the likes of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Bat Out Of Hell”, Kiesza and her team mesh it all up in a “Phantom Of The Opera” turned sideways and inside out – and that’s where the beautiful bass baritone of Canadian opera singer Philippe Sly come in.  And yeah, it’s all set to house rhythms, so “Phantom Of The Dancefloor” is a lot of campy fun to make you smile and dance, with Kiesza and Philippe sounding positively grand together.  I’m not going to give away anymore, so watch the video up top and be enthralled!

Deep house meets alt.soul ballad in “Gravity” by US/UK duo @Labrosemusic whose vocals are by Victor Perry @perksofbeingvic

LABROSE, “Gravity”

US/UK duo Labrose follow up last year’s debut EP Thinking Out Loud with a new song “Gravity”.  Labrose is American pop/soul singer Victor Perry – featured many times in these blog pages – and UK producer/musician Ficci.  The song sets the stage in its first minute with its complex heartache that is offset at times by surprising bassy deep house rhythms which take it in another very welcome direction.  Victor’s singing could not be more spot on, which always makes his songs a joy to hear.  The production does not bite off more than it can chew and ends up making a happy bridge between dance rhythms and alt.soul ballad.  Best of all I like “Gravity” because it takes risks while remaining extremely true to classic pop and soul.  I can’t wait to hear more from Labrose’s second upcoming project!  Add “Gravity” to your Love, Upside Down playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Burner” is a fun techno-house update from #GlassPetals – a new @FelixCartal / @JohnnyJover project

GLASS PETALS, “Burner”

Dance music has had many fine, successful side projects that evolve out of performer/producers’ careers – think Jack Ü (Diplo/Skrillex), the new LSD (Labrinth/Sia/Diplo) and Duck Sauce (A-Trak/Armand Van Helden) among several.  Now Canada’s Felix Cartal has teamed with fellow dance producer Johnny Jover as Glass Petals.  Their new song released by Spinnin’ Deep no less is “Burner”, essentially an instrumental featuring a lot of infectious, chanting ‘na na na na’s’ that make it memorable in the same way that Duck Sauce’s “Barbra Streisand” had all those ridiculous ‘ooh ooh ooh’s’.  The undercurrent rhythm wise seems to be a techno-house update which helps to make the song stand out in a set even more.  Give “Burner” a place on your Progressive Techno-House playlist using the Spotify link above, and watch out for more from Glass Petals.

Club veteran @SidneySamson crushes it with inspired “Soldier” in collaboration with @iamGwise

SIDNEY SAMSON and GWISE, “Soldier”

“Soldier” is an inspired, rollicking production which sounds like it almost wasn’t meant to be.  It apparently came about while Dutch veteran Sidney Samson was working on an entirely different project with fellow Dutch producer Gwise.  They must have had retro vibes flowing through their veins because “Soldier” is a total throwback to the late 90’s, early 2000’s techno-house and the best work by producers like Fatboy Slim and Fedde LeGrand among others.  It features an irresistible synth riff and familiar shout outs book-ended by slamming beats… and then, boom it’s over!  “Soldier” is a top notch, totally unexpected party spearheaded by a dance music heavyweight who should by all rights break through internationally with this one.  Once “Soldier” takes command it won’t let you go so be prepared to add it to your Fight For Your Right To Dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

“No Way” is decisive for the dance floor from Sweden’s @weare JRL

JRL, “No Way”

Back with another strong dance record following last Spring’s feast of emotions in “Break Your Fall” are Swedish production wizards JRL with “No Way” for Tipsy Records.  The convincing uncredited female vocal and the resolute story are way up front in this particular song.  The rhythm will certainly take over and send you whirling away, and the JRL lads do go hard with the synths to bring the song home.  JRL are always consistent quality -wise with their records and “No Way” should continue to bring them fans and club DJ believers.  Add “No Way” to your Deep House Party playlist using the Spotify link above.

Deep House meets Dancehall meets Future Bass in “Plang” by Germany’s @Donkongmusic with @KaNextLevel

DONKONG and KA NEXT LEVEL, “Plang”

Yes, the headline is true – “Plang” is all about the rhythm, with elements of deep house and future bass finding a happy marriage with dancehall, courtesy of forward thinking German producers Donkong and vocalist/lyricist Ka Next Level (who in the song give an alias as “Yung Coconut”).  The results are enjoyably different and highly original, and everything gels to keep you going full tilt right to the end.  “Plang” will ring those bells in dance clubs, and will corral dancers to strut their stuff.  Gotta hand it to Ka Next Level for helping to take this song way beyond ordinary dancehall with a voice that at times will remind you of Shaggy and mini-stories within that will keep you entertained.  Add “Plang” to your Dance & Shout playlist using the Spotify link above.