“Perfect Strangers” is unpredictable danceable rock from L.A. duo @FederalEmpire

THE FEDERAL EMPIRE, “Perfect Strangers”

Following the success of rock/dance bands already in the public ear like X Ambassadors, L.A. duo The Federal Empire provide an intoxicating, unpredictable mix with “Perfect Strangers”.  The duo has terrific pedigree too – it’s Carolina Liar’s Chad Wolf along with Grammy-nominated McKay Stevens (who doesn’t know 2014’s “Atmosphere” by Kaskade??), and they’ve already recorded notably with both Martin Garrix and Sam Feldt.  Don’t let the crowd-chanting start of “Perfect Strangers” throw you – before the first minute is out the fine vocal begins, full of genuine longing for that relationship that never was.  This leads you into what might be All-American Rejects-inspired retro-alt.rock (Canada’s Marianas Trench also comes to mind) combined with the melodic synth power and guitar blend that recalls Avicii’s big records.  The crowd-chanting does reappear but by then you’re sold and wanting to singalong.  The Federal Empire definitely has their collective ears to the ground and knows how a big audience might react to their songs.  “Perfect Strangers” is one crackerjack 3 minute tune that’s bang-on for radio, and dance clubs will enjoy it too.  Listen intently at the link above.

L.A.-based @missAlexxMack is a new versatile voice to hear on “Your Car” featuring @weareExes

ALEXX MACK featuring EXES, “Your Car”

Take one beauty of an original and add intriguing, poignant vocals to a minimalist kind of dance ballad mix and you have “Your Car” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Alexx Mack featuring co-writer Exes.  “Your Car” is the kind of instantly relateable, pensive song that reels you in slowly so that you catch every important word and become drawn to the straight-forward, dreamy melody.  It looks like Alexx has already received some attention through appearing on an Armada Records release, but “Your Car” is definitely going to create an even more in-demand factor for her.  It’s also a great song for clubs late at night as the set winds down.  Check it out at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

L.A.’s @itsWaitwhat returns as a duo with big and crunchy “Alive” featuring @Riellemusic_x

WAITWHAT featuring RIELLE, “Alive” (free DL)

L.A.-based Waitwhat used to just be producer/remixer Troy Skinner, but now he’s brought in mate Damon Dokhani (after some early, promising remixes that I wrote about, no longer online) for some next level new original tunes.  Just out of the gate is big and crunchy “Alive” featuring NYC singer Rielle for Future Bass Records.  “Alive” has the chops to make the dance floor shake as Rielle’s alluring and commanding vocal directs the rhythm.  Waitwhat’s tight synth work doesn’t let up, bringing it down as appropriate to let Rielle’s voice take control, then punching it back up with its memorable melodic hook.  As we look forward to more from Waitwhat, you can download “Alive” for free while you can at the link above.

Chicago’s @iamSnowmass returns with stunning, progressive original “Crossfire” featuring L.A.-based @MonaMoua

https://soundcloud.com/snowmassmusic/crossfire-ft-mona-moua

SNØWMASS featuring MONA MOUA, “Crossfire” (free DL)

Regular readers of this blog know about my admiration for Chicago producer/remixer Snøwmass through his fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes pretty down ‘n dirty remixes of songs by the likes of Canadians Sterling Grove and Ellyn Woods (“Sound Of Home”), as well as Cut Snake (“Echo”) and Convex & Titus (“Bad Kids”). 

For the last several months, Snøwmass has been off social media and hard at work on a full album which he will release soon with the strange title of Amongst An Acid Wolfpack, and the first taste from it is “Crossfire”, featuring L.A.-based singer Mona Moua. 

“Crossfire”, simply said, is like none of Snøwmass’ remixes.  I would pitch it more to fans of fellow producer Crywolf’s originals as progressive electronic music with classic rock music at its base, perhaps with some classical melodic influence added.  The song is full of different moods and movements, with the beginning of “Crossfire” not leading to a place that you think you’d be at the end.  What throws the song into play big time is what sounds like an awkward transition at around 1:20 that ends up as one of the most memorable parts of the song.  Mona Moua’s vocal is perfect for “Crossfire”, soothing in the quiet that surrounds the dramatic, aggressive instrumental segments.  

“Crossfire” is definitely a huge, dynamic introduction to the next phase of Snøwmass which may catch listeners off guard.  It requires close listens and multiple plays, and will certainly prepare you for what Snøwmass has to offer next.  At the link above, you can dive in and get it as a free download while you can.

 

Solid, emotional electronica from Emerati @Ruchirmusic featuring NYC’s @iamDeverano with “Made Of Gold”

RUCHIR featuring DEVERANO, “Made Of Gold” (free DL)

“Made Of Gold” is a song whose infectious calling card is its drop-led instrumental chorus that follows the title words.  That’s not to say that the song is all about the hook.  Emerati producer Ruchir builds the fascination and emotion of the song smoothly to that drop.  It’s carried by Staten Island vocalist Deverano’s earthy vocal that is caught up in the moment to draw everyone in.  “Made Of Gold” is the kind of song that could have been sung by a big belter but it would become less about the song and more about the vocal in that format.  Club DJ’s will dig “Made Of Gold” and can easily showcase that big hook in a late night mix.  Download “Made Of Gold” for free while you can at the link above.

Edgy, spirited rock from Pittsburgh’s @ASummerHigh with “Pretty Little Liar” and “Sad Song”

A SUMMER HIGH, “Pretty Little Liar” and “Sad Song”

I’ve lived long enough to know that music comes in cycles, just not always consistently.  Now seems to be the time for the edgy rock of Blink 182, American Hi-Fi, and All-American Rejects to resurface in fresh forms.  Thus we have Pittsburgh quartet A Summer High with their well-produced EP Pretty Little Liar, yielding the above video for the title song.  I don’t often write about mainstream or pop/rock because it often lately sounds all the same.  The difference for A Summer High is the commitment and honesty in their songs.  As a band they are tight, as I witnessed in concert on Sunday when they opened for Call Me Karizma in my city.  Sure the lyrics are about girls and breaking up, but those themes will be perpetual and as long as the songwriting is on-point, then there are winners like the title song and “Done With It”.  Plus a single released just before the EP, “Sad Song” (below), is well worth checking out for not only its poignancy, but because those emotions are set to a catchy, uptempo guitar-driven rhythm instead of being written as a dreary ballad.  A Summer High are an energetic, spirited band to watch!  Pick up Pretty Little Liar at your favourite online digital store.

There’s a new vocal powerhouse and her name is @YEBBAsmith with “Evergreen” and with @SamSmithworld “No Peace”

YEBBA, “Evergreen”

SAM SMITH featuring YEBBA, “No Peace”

“Evergreen” is the debut for Nebraska-born pop singer YEBBA (née Abbey Smith) whose amazing vocal chops are going to take her far.  She’s got beautiful understated qualities that ooze personality like Jessie Ware.  “Evergreen” (above) is also stunning piece of songwriting that I’m surprised hasn’t passed by Adele’s ears, because if it did, she wouldn’t be able to pass it up.  Nonetheless, YEBBA is one to listen and watch for – she is also featured in Sam Smith’s The Thrill Of It All album on what is the record’s highlight IMO, “No Peace” (below).  She and Sam apparently met a few years ago so it’s great to see that he has been able to include her in his record, and I hope she gets to tour with him.  Their harmonies and individual pieces are fantastic, and the song does not let the album’s preoccupation with soulful choir elements bog it down.  With a golden voice like hers, YEBBA will be very much in the public ear soon and expect a major label battle for her to occur.  In the meantime, check out the independently released “Evergreen” at your favourite digital music store.

“Perfect Mess” is a cornucopia of worldwide talent: @SteveVoidmusic @Navarramusic & @Laurellmusic

STEVE VOID & NAVARRA featuring LAURELL, “Perfect Mess” (free DL)

Music is a global effort, and being from one part of the world or another no longer seems to matter if the talents all gel, as is the case with “Perfect Mess”.  With effervescent synths fashioned by The Netherlands’ prolific Steve Void and fellow Dutch production duo Navarra, it’s a timeless, seamless song co-written and sung by Canadian singer Laurell, who you’ve recently heard on Quintino’s “Good Vibes”.  One of her co-writers here is Germany’s Daniel Volpe, whose songs have graced these blog pages over many years including as recently as Friday co-writing Sean Smith’s “Fire”.  “Perfect Mess” seems to be destined for clubs all over the world with its universal appeal.  It’s got a great balance of potent vocal, graceful melodies that switch it up, and effects that don’t run rampant over the best parts of the song.  Kudos to all involved – get it for free at the link above while you can 🙂

 

NYC’s @Reigenmusic sings ear-catching soulful pop with “Rollin”

REIGEN, “Rollin”

NYC’s Reigen Miller has such a big vocal range that it’s always a pleasure to hear such warm restraint in softer songs like “Rollin”.  It’s the recently-blond singer’s first new music since the sexy “Weekend” earlier this year.  “Rollin” is wrapped up in a soulful vocal that shows off Reigen’s higher register and incorporates a repeated bar of falsetto notes which form the hook of the song.  It’s an ideal song for those carefree moments or lazy Sundays when you can just groove along or put your head back and soak them all in.  Reigen continues to offer consistently high quality music like “Rollin” which deserves your attention.  Add it to one of your playlists using the Spotify link above.

New mystery producer @whatisHumxn releases reflective “Summer Fling” featuring vocals by @crazyKhalil

HUMXN featuring KHALIL, “Summer Fling”

While Humxn may follow the same pattern of mystery as Meatport, Marshmello and Deadmau5, his music goes down a different path with “Summer Fling”.  With a sincere, nuanced and soulful vocal by Justin Bieber’s buddy Khalil, “Summer Fling” doesn’t just longingly remember a recent romance, it becomes a full throttle release as the song breaks out into a powerful and haunting cathartic drop around the three minute mark which makes the last minute of the song as interesting as the first three.  Whoever he is, Humxn has his pulse on what’s current and upcoming with added R&B/hip hop flavour. “Summer Fling” is off to a blazing start in its release through Sony’s Orchard distribution no less.  Add “Summer Fling” to your Spotify playlist at the link above.