New L.A. dance music producer @iamLyLoh takes command with potent “Riot!”

LyLOH, “Riot!”

He’s apparently been part of many platinum-selling releases and won a Grammy in 2017 (though not sure for what), and now L.A.-based producer LyLoh is about to take command of the dance music scene if potent tracks like “Riot!” are any indication.  This new mystery man is originally from France and was part of the metal scene, so his description on Facebook may be apt: Rock, EDM, metal and pop had a bastard son. It me (sic).  “Riot!” is one crunchy, memorable rock-flavoured dance bop picked up for release by Armada no less, a little harder edged than usual for clubs or radio, softened a bit by the use of a familiar-sounding pitched-up vocal.  But dance music needs to be spun off the rails sometimes and it looks like someone like LyLoh will have a lot of fun keeping our interest doing just that.

“Compromised” by L.A. indie soul artist Tim Atlas @TimothyAtlas gets a sparkling remix by @Christofimusic

TIM ATLAS, “Compromised” (Christofi remix)

In its original form, “Compromised” by L.A. indie soul artist Tim Atlas is a gentle, free-flowing song about not knowing what to do about a particular crush on someone.  Also from L.A., producer Michael Christofi is pretty selective about what he releases and remixes, and his spin on “Complicated” is upbeat and sparkling.  It brings out the genuine wonder and joy of curiosity that will have no problem getting you to shuffle out onto the dance floor.  Tim’s vocal to me also tends to shine a bit more in this remix, whereas the original is focused more on melody and lyrics.  “Compromised” as remixed is quite an unexpected pleasure that will help the song find a wider audience.

“Dirty” packs an empowering punch from L.A. singer/songwriter/producer @EMMinreallife

EMM, “Dirty”

Wearing the hats of singer, songwriter, and producer, L.A.-based EMM is doing things her way and making it all shine along the way with punchy songs like “Dirty”.  EMM is also a fearless advocate for young women and men, and “Dirty” is about sharing and empowering that much-needed self-confidence to get by in life.  Stylistically she crosses lines between the likes of Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Jennifer Lopez, while still creating some of that bold, fun rock star mystique as in the photo below.  Call her “Dirty” or not as the song says, EMM is here for a good time and has a terrific, convincing vision, aiming high for all to share.

emminreallife

Ear-catching European nu disco by @SatinJackets and @NiyaWells_ with “Primordial”

SATIN JACKETS and NIYA WELLS, “Primordial”

German producer Satin Jackets wants to make you sway your night out away to European-flavoured nu disco with “Primordial”, featuring a slick and classic vocal by American singer Niya Wells.  This is sophisticated, soulful dance music that seems to marry many dance styles together, including some that I grew up with (I age myself yet again).  The sounds of the Philadelphia International era of the 70’s come to mind quickly, but more immediately would be the style of European female vocal groups like Silver Convention (“Fly Robin Fly”). You see, overseas, disco never went away after 1979 unlike in North America, and Satin Jackets is clearly out to make it fresh-sounding once again.  Add “Primordial” to your Nu European Disco playlist using the Spotify link above (for original or extended versions).

New Dutch producers @Oomloudmusic impress with EP Pyramids/Yummy Funk

OOMLOUD, Pyramids/Yummy Funk (EP)

Could there be any more room in the dance music world for yet another fine pair of Dutch producers?  The answer is a resounding YES, as Oomloud make their case with a two song EP Pyramids/Yummy Funk, which follows up a debut single that featured none other than Bingo Players.  The guys in Oomloud – their name is a fun play on the word ‘umlaut’, the diacritic symbol ¨ usually representing a ’rounding’ sound change in some languages, but also often used for unofficial effect, such as by Rüfüs Du Sol, your linguistic lesson for the day 😛 – know their way around a deep house groove, and in both songs they don’t hesitate to get both dirty and playful, with full intention on blowing up club speakers to the max.  The drops in “Pyramids” are resounding, while “Yummy Funk” messes with you like a good European mix should.  The songs are already getting support from the biggest in the biz – David Guetta, Robin Schulz, Afrojack – so you can expect these songs to last long into the Fall months.  

Australian producer @DJAlexPreston has your “Friday Night” off and grooving

ALEX PRESTON, Friday Night (EP)

Following up his well-received house party EP Get It Started, Australia’s Alex Preston is back with another deft set of songs designed with your “Friday Night” in mind.  He doesn’t stray too far from the classic 90’s influenced house songs from Get It Started, making Friday Night almost like a second chapter.  The songs are full of fun vocal samples which make them stand outs in clubs, so no wonder that DJ’s like Richie Hawtin, Mahalo, TOCADISCO, and others are supporting them.  There’s the title track, “Hip Shakin’ Mumma”, and in particular “Don’t You Mind”, which should get your weekend off to an impressive start!

“Complicated” by newcomer #Benjmn marries clever rhythms and vocal with passionate, real-life words

BENJMN, “Complicated”

While newcomer 22 year old R&B/hip hop/electronic artist Benjmn has his face out there in the artwork of his single “Complicated”, he keeps a discreet social media profile, lending a bit of mystery to this genre for the first time since say The Weeknd arrived.  While he’s done some remixing already for King Arthur and Loud Luxury, “Complicated” is going to attract attention from fans of Kanye West, Bryson Tiller, and in particular Kid Cudi, whose voice has a similar tone.  It puts his own troubles with anxiety right out there in simple, memorable terms:  Demons they come out at night / I’m losing control / The worst kinda ride / I hate how it goes.  Anyone can relate even though it paints a bleaker picture than your straight-forward everyday problem.  So not only does Benjmn have the voice and the lyrical power and passion, he has the ability to put a compelling rhythm and a variety of sounds underneath, and out of it all I can hear influences perhaps more from gritty 80’s R&B than anything else.  Remember the name though – Benjmn’s EP will be dropping soon.

“Life Of The Party” fuels anxiety through straight up dance pop from @CallMeKarizma

CALL ME KARIZMA, “Life Of The Party”

Although he’s veered away before from the edgier rap and hip hop that has become a signature sound for him, knowingly or not, Minnesota’s Call Me Karizma has landed square in the dance pop realm with “Life Of The Party”.  Thinking back to my own younger years, I can totally relate to the anxieties of peer pressure to go to parties and be more social when you really don’t want to be – or need to be, for that matter.  It’s an entirely personal choice, regardless of what anyone says, something to this day by which I abide!  “Life Of The Party” is a theme song for us introverts.  It has a gentle pop melody with electronic flourishes, and marks a return to the sung/spoken voice of ‘Riz which has worked before on past songs.  If like me you very much enjoyed The Chainsmokers’ recent “Sick Boy” and “Everybody Hates Me” – and no wonder the guys themselves playlisted “Life Of The Party” this week, something they don’t do lightly – then “Life Of The Party” is a fine companion piece to them and a worthy song for the end of summer months.  

Escape and dance to “Take Me Away”, courtesy of Chicago’s CHO @petechosen with singer Brittany Foster

https://soundcloud.com/petecho/take-me-away-ft-brittany-foster

CHO and Brittany Foster, “Take Me Away” (free DL)

Following last year’s slice of pre-Hallowe’en fun with “Howlin'”, Chicago’s CHO is back with a more pop-oriented dance sound with “Take Me Away”.  Despite a rather uncharacteristic start, “Take Me Away” builds into an uplifting anthem of sorts for putting aside the troubles of today and getting away, to somewhere, anywhere, maybe a dance club, to recharge and live your life another way for a while.  Brittany Foster has nice touches of soul and grit in her vocal to make the song real and honest.  CHO’s production and synth work is on point, just the song itself to me could have been about 30 seconds shorter.  Nonetheless, with those extra few choruses you’ll be humming “Take Me Away” long after it’s over.  Download it for free while you can at the link above.

Toronto area alt.rock quartet @InMyComa returns with uplifting video for “We Are One”

IN MY COMA, “We Are One”

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for an uplifting video which is the visual equivalent of a big, warm hug for everyone, regardless of who you may be.  “We Are One” is the latest alt.rock single from Toronto area quartet In My Coma from their recent album release Next Life.  Taking an inspired cue from Godley & Creme’s seminal 80’s video for “Cry”, the video for “We Are One” (directed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jasper James and the band) moves through the four faces of the band – Jasper (and his reappearing and disappearing beard), bassist LauraDoll, drummer Mike, and keyboardist/vocalist Linz – amid the smiling and content faces of men, women, young, old, multi-racial and multicultural, all uniquely different but all US.  As much as their previous video for “Beautiful Mind” was noted for its humour, “We Are One” rocks out in anthemic style and definitely commands even more attention for a straight-forward take on its message in a very caring, delightful video.

You can find In My Coma playing a variety of events this summer, including at Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition on August 29 at the Bandshell as they once again open for classic Canadian rockers Moist.