American producer King Arthur returns to the scene, after teasing us with some remixes of songs by The Killers and Bastille, with “Laidback”, for Casablanca no less. Rethinking his own kind of signature sound, which led to a debut album in 2016, King Arthur was drawn to the 90’s sounds of Daft Punk and Moby, which led to the arrival of “Laidback”. It’s an incredibly well crafted, playful song that will have dance club goers jostling on the floor, enjoying a false stop in the middle, while the best is still to come. So if you miss the classics in early EDM/techno but want the pronounced influence with bigger and deeper beats, then “Laidback” is just for you!
Enigmatic British producer bvdKULT is back with a bit of a change of pace in “Let You Go” for Tipsy and Epic Oslo. It’s a spirited, upbeat, tropical-tinged track full of good Spring vibes, with highly complimentary vocals by Belgian singer Olivia Trappeniers, or simply OT to you. And, along with OT, the mystery producer even reveals himself in the charming video below, which captures the essence of the song very well. No rocket science here – everything about “Let You Go” is solid and where it ought to be in order grab your ears and not let go. Remixes could help bring this one even more star power on the dance floor. Add “Let You Go” to your Spring Fling playlist using the Spotify link above.
Just when you thought future bass sounds were getting typecast with big house rhythms, and along comes “Movements” by New York producer Element to send things into a different direction. Featuring an expressive and versatile vocal by fellow NYCer Sydney Sahr, “Movements” gets all caught up in being dreamy and adoring, and I am totally into it. From the softer piano notes and the quiet pauses, through to the future bass influence which mirrors heartbeats accelerating, “Movements” is a winner that you’ll want to hear over and over again. And, gotta say I’m surprised, but you can get it for free for now at the link above.
Prolific Canadian singer/songwriter James Collins is back with a fun song with an intriguing backstory to it called “Deeper Into You”. It’s loaded with pop potential, which might be expected from someone who has co-written with Melissa Manchester, created a much played and loved wedding song in “Frozen In Time”, and even sang a quirky tribute to another Canadian singer (Bill Amesbury) with “Do You Mind If We Talk About Bill”, a Top 40 radio hit across Canada.
“Deeper Into You” initially came to life as a cult hit for porn star Johnny Hazzard (you can find it on You Tube) which spelled out loud and clear the word onanism (look it up, hehe). James is also an actor with an imposing presence who plays a villain named Oswald in an upcoming film, “You Don’t Know Dick”. And as you’ll see in the right hand pic of the You Tube link above, Oswald is very nicely dressed villain – usually a sign of some kind of… self-involvement.
So that throws a different spin into James’ own sultry version of “Deeper Into You”. It’s got 80’s Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys nailed in its arrangement and is tongue-in-cheek and slightly over the top in its well done vocal. Hell, a dance mix could even take it further, given that it’s a co-write with well-established Canadian dance producers/ songwriters the Boomtang Boys. In “You Don’t Know Dick”, Oswald apparently sings a verse or two from the song into a mirror at some point… can’t wait to see that scene, we may have a new wacky villain to root for!
Add “Deeper Into You” to your Songs About Self-Love playlist using the Spotify link below.
In recent years, Bobby Nourmand’s unique and sometimes otherworldly sound has found detours into reworks of well-known songs, instrumentals, hip hop-house, and British flavoured R&B-house. His new EP Subterranean, from his new imprint Deep In The Night (DITN), gives us deep house for the darkest of hours and minimal lighting to accentuate some very sexy vibes. The title song is the the more accessible the two songs within, with breathy uncredited female vocals and a whispering male voice riding some deliberate and constant dark house rhythms. “Estranged” is a creepy, relentless track, essentially an instrumental aside from some ominous, chanting deep male vocals – I don’t think I’d like to be in a dark club with only a handful of people if this song was playing, but it would sound great blasting out of huge speakers at a festival. Once again, Bobby Nourmand proves himself to be an original contender, taking risks at every turn. You can check out the extended and dub versions of “Subterranean” and the original longer cut of “Estranged”over at Beatport.
Chicago-based duo Win and Woo have lots of magic up their sleeves waiting to be unleashed if their latest songs are any indication. Following up the quirky and whimsical “Chasing Tail” is “Every Feeling”, more on the serious side but definitely with a lot of bright messages. Recruiting expressive L.A. vocalist Ian Gott to convey the story, “Every Feeling” is about finding the maturity to face all of the different feelings we can encounter, without bottling them up inside. It’s a really positive song for the younger audience, and has a sufficient anthemic bounce to go over well early on in the evening at a club. Win and Woo’s production has a lot of sparkle, with accent on some enjoyable percussive sounds. Add “Every Feeling” to your Brighter Side of Things playlist using the Spotify link above.
As a recent Canadian Juno Awards nominee, Felix Cartal had the pleasure of being the DJ during the TV telecast of the awards. Following up the intriguing, full-of-attitude “Runaway” is Felix’s latest called “Faces”. It’s a brisk, snappy house track that benefits from a nice turn by fellow Canadian vocalist Veronica, who recently scored, particularly in Europe, with the song “In The Mood”, which I wrote about earlier in the year. “Faces” should have no problem at all establishing itself at clubs with some big beats accentuated by what sounds at times like a trumpet (but may be synths), and would also sound great blasting out of car speakers late at night. “Faces” is all about kind of a paranoid escape to the point where everything in front of you is a blur, as the vocal effects that wash over the title (sounding like “fay-shus” at times) might be conveying. Add “Faces” to your Fast & Furious playlist using the Spotify playlist link above.
After accomplishing yet another well-received set at the Ultra Music Festival, Afrojack has gone right for the gusto – early 2010’s EDM style – releasing the instrumental “Started”. Joined by Brit D.O.D. and fellow Dutchmen TIM-BER, “Started” is a brief but tight slice of EDM where the familiar arpeggios are all raring to go around the minute mark and then there’s positively no turning back. “Started” is one of those party songs that doesn’t hesitate to be anything more than that – distorted computerized vocals included – and a grand time will be had by all! Add it to your Party Starter playlist on Spotify.
After a flurry of recent fiery remixes, Florida’s PLS&TY returns with a bit of a different spin on “I Know” by Calgary singer Jocelyn Alice. Jocelyn, who is releasing on Disruptor (home to The Chainsmokers), has already had some success in Canada both solo and in a duo, and is also a respected songwriter (believe it or not, Mother Mother’s “The Drugs” is a co-write). “I Know” in its pop version is a next level single for Jocelyn that in a lot of ways echoes Alessia Cara. In its remixed version, PLS&TY amps up the bass and synths for some crunch and thump to make those heads bob while you bounce and sway. It works well, so if you don’t hear “I Know” on the radio first you may just hear it in a club. Add it to your Nice ‘n Crunchy playlist on Spotify.
New Australian singer Wilsonn has some of the same mystique happening with “Even If I Know” that would parallel what some of us didn’t expect when we first heard Terence Trent D’Arby back in the 80’s. This is the kind of song that wears its pain and emotion on its sleeve, surrounded by surreal synths and trap inflections, but guided by a soulful voice and an almost live-off-the-floor vibe. Not your typical song to be sure, and that’s exactly why it stands out and becomes memorable. Wilsonn anchors you with a lilting and soothing melody in the song’s calmer moments, and you’ll be taken aback by the wild ending. Wilsonn definitely takes risks and isn’t willing to compromise, but that’s the magnet-in-hiding. Check out “Even If I Know” at the link above.
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