Estonia’s @theMadisonMars brings on the sunshine with vibrant “All They Wanna Be” featuring Caslin

MADISON MARS featuring CASLIN, “All They Wanna Be”

Madison Mars brings the sunshine to springtime with the vibrant “All They Wanna Be”.  The Estonian DJ,  who has already remixed songs by Martin Garrix and Pink, knows his way around a pop song, creating a contagious melody and rhythm that don’t let up.  Caslin’s chipper vocal enhances the appeal of “All They Wanna Be”, and the timing is perfect for a summery anthem like this to take roots and grow.  Remixes could help deliver the goods for clubs.  But for now “All They Wanna Be” is one of those fine singles that works it all out in under three minutes.  Listen and groove along at the link above.

Madison Mars performs at Miami Music Week on Tuesday March 20 at the FireBeatz & Friends event at FDR At Delano in South Beach.

Nashville’s @SpazzCardigan will make you smile with the whimsy of “Episode”

https://soundcloud.com/spazz-cardigan/episode-1

SPAZZ CARDIGAN, “Episode”

“Episode” is one of those light hearted songs that moves in storyline from watching TV with other things on your mind to distract you, to getting high watching cartoons.  And Nashville’s Spazz Cardigan has the style, voice, and diverse musical backdrop to make it all believable, entertaining and relevant, and it follows up the release of his debut album “I” last year.  With influences from Queen to *N Sync to Kanye West, “Episode” has a funky beat that will actually remind you of “The Next Episode” (without the additional effects), while Spazz’s voice takes the guy-next-door approach to goings on in the house-next-door that you might not think would happen.  But it’s all in the name of great fun and whimsy, and I think a video is in order to put it into perspective.  Listen in at the link above and be prepared to be smiling afterwords.  

Toronto’s @FrancoisKlark offers solid story-telling pop with “Run”

FRANÇOIS KLARK, “Run”

Newcomer François Klark is off to a fine start with his second single release “Run”, from his forthcoming album “Love”.  Hailing originally from South Africa but now based in Toronto, François has a soft, appealing voice that appears to have some soulful power which we get to hear in key moments of “Run”.  Sort of a cautionary tale, in its video “Run” offers pause for thought, when encountering a bad scene with his special guy, that if you ran from it at first, would you still do it a second time?  Or, does it just play out in your head that way?  François knows how to weave a good story and “Run” should be aimed initially at Canadian radio listeners for worthy national exposure.  Check out the video at the link above.

Rising Ukrainian producer @Saganmusic goes big with the future house of “Need You Too”

SAGAN, “Need You Too”

They say that the best thing about future house dance music is that it borrows from the past to make what’s coming next even brighter.  Sagan’s “Need You Too” can definitely subscribe to that model.  Essentially an instrumental with fleeting vocals reminiscent of 90’s dance smashes, “Need You Too” pushes some structural boundaries – light and familiar classic house is quickly followed by darker and deeper future bass all-in-one – and becomes an interesting, fulfilling record for clubs in 2:39 flat.  It’s also great to see a young producer from the Ukraine (despite my own last name, that’s my maternal heritage 🙂 ) get the big nods – Tiësto, through release on his Musical Freedom label, Martin Garrix, Don Diablo, and others.  Add Sagan’s “Need You Too” to your Big Bounce dance playlist using the Spotify link above.

Swedish production trio @weareJRL goes for the heart with “Break Your Fall” featuring Cammie Robinson @UKCammie

JRL featuring CAMMIE ROBINSON, “Break Your Fall”

“Break Your Fall” is the follow-up to JRL’s deep house collaboration with Ludvigson back last Fall with “Waiting On You”, once again for Tipsy Records.  This time the Swedish production trio goes straight for the heart with a rich melody and hook accentuating some high notes in an electronic ballad led by a knowing but warm vocal by UK singer Cammie Robinson (hailing from my grandmother’s home town of West Yorkshire).  “Break Your Fall” may be familiar but it’s timeless and captivating which will bring it home for most listeners and should garner a few close-ups on the dance floor too.  You’ll know what I’m talking about when you give it a spin at the link above.

California singer/songwriter @JayB1rdmusic keeps inspiring with the synth-pop of “Calling”

https://soundcloud.com/jayb1rdmusic/calling1

JAY BIRD, “Calling” (free DL)

“Calling” by California singer/songwriter Jay Bird is about finding what inspires you and following your instincts.  It could be music, as it is clearly for Jay, but for others it could be something else, including a special someone.  “Calling” is equally as uplifting as Jay’s preceding single, “Up Here”, which I wrote about not long ago.  He makes both songs personal by using his own vocal, which is not note-perfect but conveys the passion in his craft.  “Calling” is much lusher than “Up Here” with a more complex electronic arrangement and fine harmonies that fill the gaps.  “Calling” has that power of a great pop bop – to make you feel good and want to hear more.  You can celebrate your own “Calling” by giving a listen up top then downloading the song for free while you can.

“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.