In it for the win: @Robotaki brings you “Together We’re Screwed” featuring @Nevvemusic

ROBOTAKI featuring NEVVE, “Together We’re Screwed”

If mid-tempo emotional dance pop is going to be a big thing in 2018, then leading the way out of the gate is “Together We’re Screwed” by Montreal’s Robotaki (aka Preston Chin) and featuring another winning vocal from Nevve, heard most recently with DNMO in the dark track “Hollywood”.  This one is an enjoyable slice-of-life song that keeps the arrangement rather simple, with intermittent dazzles of synths, allowing things to focus most appropriately on the bittersweet humour of the song as well as Nevve’s gracious vocal.  We can all be ‘beautiful losers’ at times in our relationships and stand there staring at each other knowing we have totally screwed up.  Robotaki’s “Together We’re Screwed” allows us all to wear those moments unashamedly.  Check it out at the link above.

“100” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter @Kaufaudio is edgy, cinematic electronica

KAUF, “100” 

A singer/songwriter who is very passionate about his craft is L.A.-based Ron Kaufman.  His songs would usually appeal to those who enjoy James Blake or Jean-Michel Jarre, with influences back to 80’s new wave and other progressive electronic artists.  The music of Kauf is highly cinematic and begs for accompanying images, but “100”, from his recent album Regrowth, is edgier and more suited for club goers.  Its pulsating melody with sharp guitar riffs and layers of synths is well-suited to Ron’s expressive voice and his songwriting, which tends to remind me a lot of Depeche Mode’s late 80’s and early 90’s heyday.  Kauf can acquit itself nicely in band format – keyboards, guitars, drums – as I witnessed again this past Friday in concert in Toronto.  Check out “100” at the link above, as well as the entire Regrowth album, available on Bandcamp right here.

There’s no leaving before the “Last Call” by German producer @listentoLO featuring Norway’s @Elouizofficial

LO featuring ELOUIZ, “Last Call”

“Last Call” is a slick collaboration by former ‘bedroom’ producer, Germany’s LO, along with Norwegian singer Elouiz.  It’s a key song for clubs to play as the evening is peaking, and I guarantee you that patrons will stay past last call just to make a point 🙂 Elouiz’s on-point and often sassy vocal will appeal to those who enjoy singers like Rozes or Verité or maybe even Katy Perry.  LO keeps the pace swift with some ear-catching effects that make the song go by in a breezy three minutes.  “Last Call” plays to club and bar goers but also has loads of pop potential.  Add it to your playlist of late-nite songs on Spotify using the link above.

Belgium’s @TaskaBlack is one to watch with “Sandpaper” featuring @Ayellemusic

TASKA BLACK featuring AYELLE, “Sandpaper”

From the first few vocal notes of “Sandpaper”, you know that you’re in for something special courtesy of Belgian producer on-the-bubble Taska Black.  It features promising vocalist Ayelle – you heard her recently on “Desensitize” by OPVS, and she has more appearances coming soon.  Ayelle’s compelling and often breathy vocal is often the star of the song, but you have to give major props for Taska Black’s layered production which includes some heavy rock guitar elements.  The lyrics have a disconnected approach though I assume it’s about taking away the rough edges of a relationship on the wane.  All in all, “Sandpaper” is a peculiar but attractive mix of emotional dance music, awaiting your playlist add at the Spotify link above.

Laid back electro vibes soar in “Flying High” by @FiveandaDime featuring @YasharGasanov

https://soundcloud.com/fiveandadime/sets/5-a-dime-flying-high-feat

5 AND A DIME featuring YASHAR GASANOV, “Flying High”

Philadelphia producer 5 And A Dime returns with a 90’s-influenced song that sounds like no other right now with “Flying High” from none other than Lowly Palace.  It features the distinctive vocalizing of Russian singer Yashar Gasanov – distorted, mysterious, not always on key, but ever-so-flowing with the chilled out vibe of the song.  What’s beautiful about “Flying High” is that its melody gets between your ears by not really letting up in its under three minutes length.  If offsets what could be initially a quite polarizing vocal style, making it an intriguing late night alt.rock-flavoured track.  “Flying High” isn’t for everyone, but if you like your dance music on the adventurous side then 5 And A Dime is out to make you soar right along with it.

New Seattle production duo @weareSolstis bring on the crunchy, progressive instrumental “Open Your Eyes”

SOLSTIS, “Open Your Eyes” (free DL)

Seattle producers Solstis are out to convincingly make their mark with “Open Your Eyes”, their latest original song from their upcoming album Nowhere.  It’s a busy, crunchy instrumental that fuses trap with old school industrial electronic dance music.  You can hear classical influences as well as 80’s inspiration that alternately recalls The Art Of Noise and Ministry, not quite what you would expect in one song.  “Open Your Eyes” is indeed an aggressive dance track, not suited for every club.  But its complex and unpredictable arrangement will compel you to listen, and at the end of its 3:26 length you will want to hear more.  Download “Open Your Eyes” by Solstis for free at the link above.

German producers @VeniceandBoujee bring you the inspiring “My Time Will Come”

PAUL VENICE & DAN BOUJEE, “My Time Will Come” (free DL)

New German production duo Paul Venice and Dan Boujee are off to a great start out of the gate with “My Time Will Come”.  It’s an inspiring slice of folk story pop that happily marries dance rhythms to a memorable guitar-driven melody rather than the usual dose of synths.  What it also offers is an inspiring story of confidence and determination, which no one can get enough of these days.  The vocals are a bit on the raw side but after repeated listens you realize they totally suit the production and the approach of the song.  Best of all it’s a free download.  Add it to your story-telling dance playlist on Spotify or download it right here.

French producer @Khamsinmusic goes huge future bass with “Second Guess” featuring @Anukamusic

KHAMSIN featuring ANUKA, “Second Guess”

At times sometimes sounding a bit contrary to its lyrics, “Second Guess” comes confidently from French producer Khamsin, who, along with Kidswaste and Rusty Hook, is another member of the collective Slow Hours.  With a major bonus, it features vocalist Anuka, who you’ll remember from her persuasive singing in last year’s “Heavy Hearted” by Murky.  When the song is quiet, the arrangement surrounds Anuka’s voice like a velvet envelope.  But when it’s loud, it’s almost a future bass battle cry complete with knights, catapults, and castles all a rage in your head.  “Second Guess” has a big movie soundtrack with a fairy tale love story of uncertainty.  It will make you shiver and then want to cheer.  Khamsin isn’t about to leave any stone unturned in in this majestic production.  He is definitely one to watch with “Second Guess”.  Add it to your big and loud electronic playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Perfectly Me” by @JamesPoole_ is a jubilant ode to loving yourself the way you are

JAMES POOLE, “Perfectly Me”

UK singer/songwriter James Poole is on to a great thing with “Perfectly Me”.  It’s definitely a bit of parade down Mika Street that truly could go hand-in-hand with that singer’s own recent single about inclusion, “It’s My House”.  For it’s perfectly okay to just be you and love yourself for who you are.  You don’t need to make excuses or adjustments just because someone thinks you should.  It’s all about empowering self-confidence, and James channels this in a gleeful and unbridled performance.  I hope that many listeners will jump on James’ thoughtful messages as well as how fun he gets his points across.  But yeah, this is an anthem Mika didn’t happen to think of writing – James Poole fans will be especially pleased.  Add “Perfectly Me” to your feel-good playlist using the Spotify link up top.

Austin’s @Renat_music offers a classy and uplifting remix of @iamAlanWalker’s “All Falls Down”

ALAN WALKER featuring NOAH CYRUS & DIGITAL FARM ANIMALS, “All Falls Down” (Renat remix) (free DL)

In a wise choice of a cover to offer us as a “Happy 2018” free download, Austin producer Renat returns with his take on Alan Walker’s recent “All Falls Down” (featuring Miley Cyrus’ sister Noah and British producer Digital Farm Animals).  Out of all of Alan’s subsequent dance hits to the monstrous “Faded” – and bear in mind that he just turned 20 last August – “All Falls Down” should have been the pop hit to follow it up.  Renat puts a classy and uplifting spin on the song featuring a lot of staccato high notes and synth washes to create a bigger, shinier sound for the song.  In addition to opening for acts in concert like The Chainsmokers in recent past, Renat also had the opportunity to open for Alan Walker last year, and so what better tribute could there be than an upscale and highly complimentary remix.  Get “All Falls Down” for free at the link above.