It’s @Saxity and Victor Perry @perksofbeingvic together again for the flowing pop of “You Found Me”

SAXITY featuring VICTOR PERRY, “You Found Me” (free DL)

Sometimes, ongoing partnerships are just meant to be.  When German producers Saxity paired up with NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry for a contemporary take on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” last year, I just knew we’d hear them again.  Almost a year later, here they are again with “You Found Me”, which has a lovely and positive message for this time of year. Victor’s silky-smooth pop/R&B style gives it the flavour and inspiration it needs, while Saxity gives the deep house melody a seamless flow while adding in saxophone that anchors the song at key moments.  Proving once again that not all electronic pop needs to have a slamming beat and huge synths, “You Found Me” by Saxity and Victor Perry is fine and friendly pop for a variety of playlists.  You can download it for free at the link above.

“Electric Nights” gets a retrotastic revival by Australia’s @Parralox

PARRALOX, “Electric Nights” (radio edit)

Some songs just live on and are transformed to have their own showcases, even if it’s years later.  Australia’s prolific Parralox revitalizes “Electric Nights” as the latest single from the same-titled 8 song EP, featuring a new radio edit, as well as a separate 12 song EP that includes the likes of remixers Pete Hammond (of Stock/Aitken/ Waterman) and Vinny Vero.  “Electric Nights” started out as a contest entry in 2003 which ultimately won Australia’s Best Dance Song of the year as sung by frequent collaborator Roxy (who sings back up on this new version).  But “Electric Nights” somehow never saw release until Parralox’s 2016 album Subculture.  Even then “Electric Nights” was perhaps lost in the weight of many strong, differently flavoured songs, and at last gets its own showcase.  Ever the learned connoisseur of 80’s and 90’s electronic dance pop, John von Ahlen, Parralox’s producer, chief songwriter, and often vocalist himself, has designed “Electric Nights” Mach III to make a big splash on dance music radio and in clubs, with Johanna Gervin’s bright vocal a key attraction.  “Electric Nights” also bridges the wait for the next Parralox album, due in 2018, called Genesis.  Add “Electric Nights” to your Spotify playlist at the link above.

“Tonight” is a formidable collab between France’s @Kidswaste and @HotelGaruda’s own @ManilaKilla

KIDSWASTE & MANILA KILLA, “Tonight”

“Tonight” is cozy, shiny electropop for spending those special moments with someone when everything is all right in the world and troubles melt away.  It’s definitely a step in another direction for progressive/alternative French producer Kidswaste and one half of American production duo Hotel Garuda, Manila Killa.  Co-written (and sung, unbilled) by Chelsea Cutler with the guys, its instant familiarity resembles a sequel to or continuation of Chet Porter’s 2016 hit “Stay” (also of course with vocals by Chelsea) – not a bad thing at all!  While it may take a few listens to sink in, the song starts out bold but ends up with a slight but satisfying finish.  Chelsea’s distinct voice goes a long way and carries a pretty melody.  Check it out at the link above.

Kidswaste opens for Hotel Garuda in Toronto at The Velvet Underground on Friday, December 15.

“Romance Is Dead, Good Riddance” is @RustyHookmusic’s subtle and captivating electronic EP premiere

RUSTY HOOK, Romance Is Dead, Good Riddance (EP)

About a month ago, I introduced you to Guillaume Costes, the artist also known as Rusty Hook, with the varied and melodic “Relief” (featuring Nashville’s Truitt) which is included in his debut EP Romance Is Dead, Good Riddance, kind of an alternate viewpoint to Green Day’s similar but parenthetically titled “Time Of Your Life (Good Riddance)”. 

Through three vocal songs book-ended by an instrumental introduction (“Hailstorm” – I can picture walking through Paris in the hail to this 🙂 ) and “outro” (“Afterword”), Romance Is Dead, Good Riddance travels through an atypical sea of emotions, showcased sometimes by big beats but with lingering melodies as its constants.  I think perhaps “Higher”, with an uncredited vocalist, comes off as a bit soft and unexciting next to both “Relief” and the EP’s potentially trailblazing highlight, “Everything” (featuring a supurb vocal by Ria).  Its synth work at its heaviest blasts out like sonic lasers and recoils into a slow build up that will grab you again for another shake before a low-key 20 second ending.  If there’s one song here for clubs it is “Everything”. 

There’s lots in Romance Is Dead, Good Riddance to enjoy and as solo artist Rusty Hook has the potential to waste no time in joining the recent successes that are folks like San Holo or Petit Biscuit.  Listen to all of the songs at the link above.

Before you wrap up, Rusty Hook was the unfortunate victim of a thief who stole his Macbook with all kinds of new and previously unreleased music and all of his related work.  Since all of that is now lost, if you can help him out towards the purchase of a new laptop, please visit his Go Fund Me page.

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“Marination by @Meatportmusic” begins with a rework of @Linneyofficial’s “AloneTonight”

https://soundcloud.com/trapxrave/marinatedbymeatport

LINNEY, “Alone Tonight” (Marinated by Meatport)

In its original version, “Alone Tonight” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Linney – known for her work with Robbie Rivera, covers like last year’s “Never Be Like You”, and her own originals – is a dreamy mid-tempo ballad about being with your special someone on a night at home when perhaps they should have company.  In the hands of producer/remixer Meatport however, that evening becomes vibrant and teleported to a rave where that person will have a great time.  Meatport’s trap “marination” draws heavily on late 90s/early 00’s techno to give “Alone Tonight” a really giddy bounce while retaining the wonder of Linney’s vocal.  It’s always fun to enhance a blog post about Meatport with some tenderizing seasoning 😉 given his own fun and sometimes wacky songs to date (“The Troll”, “Noobs”, and new Hallowe’en fave “Spook”).  However I’ll forego additional puns by encouraging you to check out Meatport’s seriously good remix of Linney’s “Alone Tonight” at the link above.

“Rebel Soul” by @DreeMonmusic is classy R&B-influenced pop for sunny days

DREE MON, “Rebel Soul”

I always enjoy hearing when songs I’ve heard privately finally get their deserving day to shine on official release.  Such is the case with “Rebel Soul” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Dree Mon, who has already had her songs showcased in TV shows like “Parenthood” and “White Collar”.  With her band under this new project name, she has been establishing a local live show reputation in southern California.  “Rebel Soul” is all about 80’s and 90’s pop and R&B vibes with modern day Tori Kelly stylings influenced by the funk of Daft Punk and the slick soul of Jamiroquai, for instantly appealing results.  This is one for kicking it back to do whatever you want on a sunny day at the beach and showing those true rebel colours.  Dree Mon taps into a warm, easy-going style to which anyone can be easily drawn.  Check out “Rebel Soul” at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

“Motion” by @SamSmyers featuring @MMaggieMiller gets a retro-house makeover by @Revelriesmusic

SAM SMYERS featuring M. MAGGIE, “Motion” (Revelries remix)

Dutch-Emerati production duo Revelries return with a retro-house makeover of L.A. producer Sam Smyers’ “Motion” featuring American singer/songwriter M. Maggie.  The remix sets a steady dancefloor pace for “Motion” which makes for a fast three and a half minutes full of early house flavour amid today’s deep house style, and sparkling synths which flow under M. Maggie’s genuine emotion.  “Motion” in the Revelries remix is an easy choice for club DJ’s to help pick up a set leading to its high point.  Add it to your dance or house playlist using the Spotify link above.

“Tears In Your Eyes” by @NoraEnPure will make your heart melt while you dance

NORA EN PURE, “Tears In Your Eyes”

“Tears In Your Eyes” was released during the summer through Spinnin’ but somehow slipped past my ears until the other night when I heard it at a club.  South African-Swiss DJ Nora En Pure (aka Daniela Niederer) creates a perfect emotional deep house companion to Loud Luxury & Ryan Shepherd’s cover of “Fill Me In” from earlier in the year using similarly pitched-down vocals with a melody that along with the lyrics soars right to your heart-strings.  If the nightclub crowd reaction I saw was any indication, “Tears In Your Eyes” is a gem-in-hiding by someone well-known overseas but not in North America that I would love to see breakout internationally.  Watch the lyric video above for this winner

With “No Secrets”, Chicago-based producer @AashMehtamusic channels singer/songwriter @AlexaLusader’s emotional story

AASH MEHTA featuring ALEXA LUSADER, “No Secrets”

Following his lush, often romantic electronic pop EP Stardust, Chicago-based producer Aash Mehta returns with “No Secrets” featuring L.A. singer/songwriter Alexa Lusader.  It’s a special release because it chronicles Alexa’s own experience harbouring a constraining secret for many years.  Working through it all, the song allows her to “inspire others to speak up, free themselves, and live life” the way it should be.  It’s less about the music and a lot about the solid vocal and well-thought lyrics.  Similar to his way to tap into a romantic ballad, in “No Secrets” Aash channels the story through his graceful production.  Listen closely to “No Secrets” at the link above. 

“Desensitize” is smooth R&B-house featuring @Ayellemusic from NYC duo @Opvsmusic who also remix @AllieX’s “Paper Love”

https://soundcloud.com/opvs/desensitize-feat-ayelle

OPVS featuring AYELLE, “Desensitize” (free DL)

ALLIE X, “Paper Love” (Opvs remix) (free DL)

Opvs is a NYC duo of Sean Squires and Dan Valente most noted for some successful flips and partnerships (particularly with producer/remixer ye.) during the last year which got them noticed to the likes of Martin Garrix and DJ Snake for playlist adds.  The duo returns with an original silky-smooth slice of R&B-influenced house called “Desensitize” featuring Swedish/Iranian singer Ayelle.  “Desensitize” has a slick flow to help present its message along with a loopy set of keyboard riffs to help make it stand out.  Opvs also recently remixed Allie X’s “Paper Love” which manages to still go big on melody without going over-the-top with unnecessary drops, which is very complimentary to the song.  Check out “Desensitize” above and “Paper Love” below, and get ’em for free while you can.

https://soundcloud.com/opvs/allie-x-paper-love-opvs-remix-7