“Cold Heart” is a convincing fusion of pop, techno and dubstep from L.A.’s @Prizmofficial

https://soundcloud.com/prizmmusicofficial/cold-heart

PRIZM, “Cold Heart” (free DL)

Quickly following up the more pop-flavoured “Lifeline”, which I wrote about earlier this month, is “Cold Heart” from L.A. producer Prizm.  It’s the start of learning more of what is indeed up this creative producer’s sleeves, as his new songs have been brewing for a while, having previously recorded under another name.  Here he fuses pop, techno, and dubstep, along with anonymous female vocal, to make a delightfully terse but still quite accessible song for dance fans.  The commanding but alternately irritating/compelling pulse throughout the song is reminiscent of Basement Jaxx’s “Red Light”, ultimately the heartbeat that is the constant for the melody, and everything is built around it.  Drawing from influences like Porter Robinson and K?d, you’ll know from “Cold Heart” that you’ll want to hear more from Prizm, so much that you’ll download the song (under the “More” tab) from the link above while you can!

“Misunderstand” by UK singer/songwriter @Jazz__Mino surrounds a breakup with a sparkling melody

JAZZ MINO, “Misunderstand”

A while back, I brought to your attention Jazz Mino’s “Warriors”, a bright celebration of taking a stand despite what anyone else thinks.  “Misunderstand”, the British singer/songwriter’s follow up, is a delightful contrast to that song as it documents the emotion of being mistreated and misunderstood, and surrounds it with a sparkling melody to make it more about carrying on than dwelling on the past.  You can hear the affect of the lyrics in her vocal, which comes to terms graciously with it all, but all of the high notes and synth flourishes can’t bring the story down, so we can choose to dance it all away.  Songs like “Misunderstand” should continue to open doors for this intriguing new talent.  Add it to your Moving On From Love playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Warriors” is horn-soaked R&B-flavoured dance music from NYC trio @TooManyZooz and UK producer @KDAbeats

TOO MANY ZOOZ and KDA, “Warriors”

“Warriors” is a fun, jazzy R&B instrumental from NYC’s Too Many Zooz that becomes a showy dance floor filler with astute additional production from UK producer KDA, who appeared on my personal chart last year with a more classic house mix of “Just Say”.  Too Many Zooz make the most of power from their horns and bass drum, whose joyous live sounds frame the glorious announcements of the trumpet and the dirtier, more aggressive sax tones, with the percolating fast-paced house backdrop from KDA.  It’s all very reminiscent of 90’s American groups like Us3 or Arrested Development who brought similar elements to the table, though I think KDA also adds some 80’s UK classic dance to the party, influenced perhaps by records like Bomb The Bass’ “Beat Dis” as well as British house music of the day.  You can also check out the original version of “Warriors” in its entertaining video below (ya never know what goes on deep in NYC subways!).  “Warriors” is a definite grower so watch for it.

Australia’s @Acaddamy and @iamDoubleAgent bring sparks to the dance floor with “Hearts On Fire” with singer Quails

ACADDAMY & DOUBLE AGENT and QUAILS, “Hearts On Fire”

One can never underestimate the dance music that comes out of Australia, often on a completely different bent from the rest of the world and standing out in a mix.  “Hearts On Fire” definitely fits that picture with the pairing of producers Acaddamy and Double Agent, bringing the versatile voice of Quails to the proceedings.  “Hearts On Fire” is one of the more fast-paced house songs I’ve heard in a while, and it works and flows really well, nary bringing it down for only a few seconds only to rev back up again.  Add “Hearts On Fire” to your Don’t Stop Won’t Stop house playlist using the Spotify link above.

New Canadian singer @Dallaspaige17 has a sultry, rhythmic winner with “Spaceship”

DALLAS, “Spaceship”

You can tell 19 year-old Toronto-born Dallas has grown up with great songs by the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé at her disposal, which puts her in similar contention to newer successes like Jhané Aiko and Kehlani.  While not as Top 40 focused as the recent success of fellow Canadian Jessie Reyez, “Spaceship” is more about the flow and groove, much along the lines of what another award-winning Canadian, Melanie Fiona, has been releasing over the past 10 years or so.  Dallas’ voice is well-suited to “Spaceship” and has a lot of potential to grow in subsequent releases.  Produced and co-written by 3Stripe and singer/songwriter Veronica, who continue to be very prolific and in a change of pace here, R&B fans will enjoy “Spaceship”.  Add it to your Into The Flow playlist using the Spotify link above.

Miami’s @IamAlyxAnder “Casually” nails another fine house record with @RedondomusicNL and #MariaZ

ALYX ANDER & REDONDO and MARIA Z, “Casually”

Miami’s Alyx Ander isn’t as crazy-prolific as many of his counterparts, but when he drops a track, the fine quality is all in the listening, and of course, dancing!  Thus a production with Dutch duo Redondo allows another team up with singer Maria Z, yielding, “Casually”, a follow up to last year’s captivating “Wake Up For The Night”.  Stylistically, “Casually” is a real throwback to classic 90’s house while staying slick and contemporary to vie with the best of today’s house music.  The theme here is a breezy instant love story and the playful vibe of “Casually” aims to please anyone who listens and feels compelled to dance – and it works quite well indeed.

“Father Time” is @iamaxelm Axel Mansoor’s rumination on a mid-20’s fast-paced life

AXEL MANSOOR, “Father Time” (free DL)

Taking a deliberate stance away from what you might expect to hear on the radio or in a night club, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor returns with the gentle and acoustic folk-pop of “Father Time”.  While I do have my own children in their teens and twenties, it is too hard for my generation to put itself into their shoes, so instead we offer advice and experience, while they, like Axel in song, observe and tell us all about their lives.  These days time goes fast at any stage of life you’re in – ask my very healthy 80+ parents – so it’s important to consciously put on the brakes and enjoy and celebrate it whenever you can.  “Father Time” is an important reminder that he is always around us and not to take time for granted.  Like with his other songs that you know from reading this blog – “Wasted My Love”, “Out Of My Head”, “Talk To Me” – Axel has a unique songwriting approach which sometimes works best, just like with “Father Time”, stripped down to his vocal and guitar.  Download “Father Time” for free while you can at the link above.

We’re all “Villains” in lust according to the ‘bedroom bass’ hip hop of @SeanTurkmusic

SEAN TURK, “Villains” (free DL)

NYC’s Sean Turk is on a roll with his original hip hop, gradually becoming a hybrid with his trademark bedroom bass house style, with songs like his latest, “Villains”.  No need to go into many details about the typically lusty song itself, when a fresh kind of balance is achieved. Sean focuses more on a tidier production and less emphasis on uber-fly lyrics, making “Villains” is a pleasant progression for those who enjoy soulful, house-inspired hip hop with plenty of bounce.  Download it for free at the link above while it’s still available.

“Journey” unfolds to a dubstep crunch from @Sex_Whales, @HiImGhostsound and Cluda @KlavdijaH

SEX WHALES & HI I’M GHOST and CLUDA, “Journey” (free DL)

It starts off sounding like what might be a classic medieval tale similar to songs by progressive art-rockers of our past.  And while “Journey” unfolds with an elegant Amy Lee-ish vocal by Slovenia’s Cluda, it segues neatly into a crunchy dubstep backdrop courtesy of the production team of Israel-born Sex Whales and L.A. duo Hi I’m Ghost.  Dubstep and EDM fans in general will be more than pleased with the mix of hard and busy rhythms with a lovely pop vocal.  It’s a production blend often featured in the hard rock or metalcore genres.  Sex Whales and Hi I’m Ghost rev it up and bring it back down appropriately for an interesting, sometimes intoxicating release.  Get your taste of this inspiring “Journey” for free at the link above.

Germany’s @Blinded_Hearts drops the joyous “Rather Be” with the distinct voice of Cammie Robinson @UKCammie

BLINDED HEARTS and CAMMIE ROBINSON, “Rather Be”

No, it’s not a cover of the smash Clean Bandit song from a few years ago, but I think “Rather Be” by Germany’s Blinded Hearts featuring UK singer Cammie Robinson has instant appeal for pop and dance music fans alike.  Blinded Hearts is on a roll.  Every song he releases seems to be catchier and more appealing, and having the distinct voice of Cammie capture the many joyous sentiments to which anyone can relate is such a big bonus.  “Rather Be” is indie pop at its finest, with plenty of opportunity to watch couples sway on the dance floor to it as well.  Some remixes might draw out more firepower for clubs, but “Rather Be” is a song to soak in for everything it has to offer and more.