“Ultraviolet” by @3LAU is excellent proof that the electronic dance album is not dead

3LAU, Ultraviolet

Every once in a while an album comes along that’s impossible to resist, one that draws you in because it’s unconventional yet captures a lot of the most attractive features of contemporary electronic dance music.  Such is the case with Ultraviolet by 3LAU, aka New York bred but Las Vegas-based Justin Blau, also becoming very prominently known for his ongoing humanitarian and philanthropic work. 

Ultraviolet deliberately shies away from the mould of creating whatever a dance music song should be, setting its own parameters which culminate in an excellent set of songs that should be played from start to finish.  Only albums such as Illenium’s Awake or Tritonal’s Painting With Wings have a similar approach.  3LAU’s songs are earnest, creative, and even romantic, with a great cadre of vocalists to make them that much better.  There are a few instrumentals to bookend them, such as the opening title track and “Winter”, that recall a progressive electronic album from the 70’s or 80’s. 

My favourites are “Walk Away” (featuring Luna Aura) and “You Want More” (featuring MAX, the only male vocalist within).  “Touch” (featuring Carly Paige), “Close” (featuring Oly), “World Away” (featuring Emma Hewitt), “On My Own” (featuring the ubiquitous Nevve), and “Fire” (a collaboration with Said The Sky featuring vocalist NÉONHÈART) are all top notch too.  Dance clubs could spin any of them with promise of positive reactions. 

Do yourself a favour and pick up 3LAU’s Ultraviolet at your favourite digital store after you listen to it all at the Spotify link above.

3Lau plays Uniun on Friday March 16 in Toronto, featuring opening act Throttle.

House producer @DJAlexPreston masterfully recrafts….. Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through The Grapevine”

MARVIN GAYE, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Alex Preston rework) (free DL)

Yes, you are reading this correctly, so do not be afraid 🙂  Australian house producer Alex Preston boldly takes on a Motown classic that should otherwise be untouched, Marvin Gaye’s 1968 chart-topping cover of “Heard It Through The Grapevine”.  In order to make his point, Alex excises the haunting bass work and rhythm track of the original, and replaced it with an amped up, driving house rhythm.  He adds a lot of echo to Marvin’s original emotional vocal, making it sound even more isolated in the face of those hurting, cheating lyrics.  The first three minutes of this rework are an utterly seamless tribute to the original and will have club goers cheering.  The remaining two minutes are technically wonderful mixing handoffs for creative club DJ’s.  Best of all, you can have this update for free for now at the link above.  Alex Preston’s rework of “Grapevine” is a convincing and masterful surprise – more please!!  Reworks like this cannot be done without inbred passion for the source, and it’s a real treat for long-time Motown fans like me.

 

21 year old Aussie @JYYE_official keeps it fresh and vibey with “Somewhere Else”

JYYE, “Somewhere Else”

A rising light into the complex Australian dance music scene is 21 year old JYYE with his latest single “Somewhere Else”.  Brought to you by Tiesto’s AFTR:HRS label (which brought us “Fill Me In” by Loud Luxury and Ryan Shepherd last year) and supported by stars like Martin Garrix, “Somewhere Else” has to be fresh and vibey to get your attention.  JYYE crafts a percolating rhythm accentuated by high, percussive, even xylophonic sounds.  These are offset by a somewhat soft and adorable vocal by an uncredited singer.  It all makes “Somewhere Else” stand out and will lead in nicely to a set of bangers.  Watch for more from JYYE after “Somewhere Else” quickly acquires some additional deserving attention.  Add it to your New and Vibey playlist at the link above.

Australia’s @AronaMane offers infectious ‘retrofuture’ toe-tapper “Oscar” featuring @PTfromNZ

ARONA MANE featuring P.T., “Oscar”

With those of us in the great white north heading into Spring, unique and fun toe-tappers like “Oscar” from Sydney’s Arona Mane featuring Auckland R&B vocalist P.T. are more than welcome.  I’m not sure where the influence for the uncharacteristic rhythm comes from, but it could draw on aboriginal Australian music as much as it might African, Caribbean or South American songs.  Regardless, it’s pretty irresistible, with P.T.’s slick vocal creating a solid anchor.  Once you get past the music you’ll find some lyrics which seem to be set on having a good time after you’ve gotten through some hurdles, the goal being your own “Oscar”.  Arona Mane calls this one ‘retrofuture’, which is kind of a contradiction, but at the same time begs the thought that house music with infectious rhythms like “Oscar” could be what the rest of the world will be listening to in a year.  There may be some foundation to that thought!  Check out “Oscar” at the link above.

Check out breezy, effervescent “No Chill” by California’s @DreeMonmusic

DREE MON, “No Chill”

Following up her single “Rebel Soul” which I wrote about recently, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Dree Mon brings us the sunshiny melody of “No Chill”.  It’s a breezy and effervescent song with all ears on Dree’s vocal.  The song will instantly remind you of Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be” in spots – not a bad thing at all! – and Dree’s singing would fit right in next to brits like Jess Glynne and Rita Ora.  But there’s more to it, a soulful edge that recalls Alicia Keys but maybe forbears like Roberta Flack or Anita Baker too.  But “No Chill” is a snappy pop song that will get you out of your chair and on your feet to celebrate something or other.  With songs like “No Chill”, we can definitely look forward to more great songs from Dree Mon this year.  Listen at the link up top and pick up “No Chill” at your favourite digital music store.

Pop is always strong with songs like “Promise” by Slovenian brothers @BQLtweet

BQL, “Promise”

Looking to kick back to a solid, straight-forward pop song?  “Promise” by Slovenian brothers Anej and Rok, aka BQL, is just for you.  “Promise” was actually a contender for Slovenia’s Eurovision selection, with a lot riding on BQL’s homegrown success of recent years.  Alas another song made the final cut, but “Promise” is most deserving of pop fans’ attention around the world.  With the additional dazzle of being a Eurovision champ Charlie Mason co-write (with Anej), “Promise” gets the benefit of a solid story about being true to your love and conscious of how it all began.  The video above is a well-shot showcase which exudes the positive energy behind the BQL guys.  “Promise” reinforces why a good pop song will win you over every time 🙂

Love drunk: @YoungRisingSons rock out to “Whiskey”

https://soundcloud.com/youngrisingsons/whiskeyyrs

YOUNG RISING SONS, “Whiskey”

New Jersey alt.rock trio Young Rising Sons have honed their band skills over the past few years touring to support the likes of The 1975 and Halsey, and are now coming to attention with songs like “Whiskey”.  The band comes from the same indie record source (Dirty Canvas) that brought us American Authors.  “Whiskey” features an appealing story that could be easily translated into a video, when someone falls hard for someone to the point that you’re high on the infatuation, ‘love drunk’ so-to-speak.  The guitar and synth-fueled melody keeps the pace moving while the vocal is nothing less than convincing and would probably be much stronger and edgy in concert.  So if you’re an alt.rock fan who like an electronic flair in the music, best watch for Andy, Julian and Steve when Young Rising Sons come to a city near you.  Check out “Whiskey” at the link above.

NYC’s @PrinceFox returns with his unexpected singalong cover of @JimmyEatWorld’s “The Middle”

PRINCE FOX, “The Middle”

Billboard was so impressed with Prince Fox’s take on Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that they gave it a premiere.  And no wonder – his spin on the 2001 alt.rock and pop classic takes the song down a notch or two, taking away none of its original charm – it was in my Top 10 Songs of 2001 (and I am notoriously skeptical of covers of my faves!).  Prince Fox offers an earnest vocal while turning it into a singalong, because you all know the words to it after 17 years, right? 🙂  “The Middle” should not be confused with the current Zedd/Maren Morris/Grey hit, and clubs that play current and retro pop and rock will have customers turning their heads to find out who sings it.  Prince Fox provides one of the most genuine surprises of the year, a song that many think would be untouchable now covered with full credibility.  Give it a full listen up top.

Uplifting “Better” is the latest from L.A.’s @PhilGoodsmusic

PHIL GOOD, “Better”

L.A. singer/songwriter Phil Good has a great way with lyrics and music as you will find with the catchy singalong “Better”.  It even has an anthemic bounce to make you dance and sway as well!  But regular readers of this blog know that I’m quite fond of the Sean Turk ‘bedroom bass’ remix of his song from last year called “Sleeping In” – perhaps about a little more than just sleeping in, if you know what I mean 😉 – which was followed up by the knowing “Growing Up”.  “Better” is a sincere song whose intent is to make you stand up and cheer, and perhaps pass on some good advice to someone going through a rough time.  Phil Good makes thoughtful indie pop at its finest and is one to watch.  You’ll find yourself smiling as you listen to “Better” up top.

“Good Good” is enticing hip hop from NYC’s @SeanTurkmusic

SEAN TURK, “Good Good”

NYC’s Sean Turk has been honing his production and remixing crafts over the past few years with his series of intriguing ‘bedroom bass’ reduxes that have enhanced or transformed songs for a wide range of artists from Brandyn Burnette to Stalking Gia through to my favourite which is “Be Like You” by CVBZ.  Last year, Sean decided to use his talents to make his own hip hop originals, all sung by him.  While his initial singles didn’t grab me, the laid back, enticing vibe of “Good Good” is memorable and infectious.  I don’t think Sean needs all of the vocal effects working over what sounds like a pretty good voice, but it’s the melody that wins out here along with Sean’s few snippets of his recognizable bedroom bass sound.  “Good Good” could easily appeal to audiences of Bryson Tiller, Anderson.Paak, or Trey Songz.  Give it a spin at the link above.