“Little Bit Closer” by German producer/remixer @Kycomusic rides high on charm

KYCO, “Little Bit Closer”

After quickly making a name for himself in Europe and garnering support from key producer/DJ’s, Frankfurt-based Kyco brings his first vocal track onto the dance music scene, “Little Bit Closer”.  It’s got a sprite, uplifting, genuine pop anthem sound that fits right in next to current songs like Lauv’s “I Like Me Better”.  And similar to that song, “Little Bit Closer” has a charming boyish vocal that sends you through the entire song with great ease.  It certainly has the makings of something that pop radio audiences would enjoy, although with the sweaty body images that the lyrics promote, I think dance club DJ’s would be the first to put it to the body contact test.  “Little Bit Closer” very much deserves your attention at the link above.

NYC-based @dearMothica is one to watch with “Self-Destructive”, also paired with dance producer ye. (@pronounced_yea)

MOTHICA, “Self-Destructive”  

ye. x MOTHICA, “Self-Destructive” (free DL)

NYC-based, Oklahoma born singer/songwriter Mothica is definitely one to watch with her stylish but affecting alt.pop which can straddle rock and electronic dance music genres.  From her recently released EP Heavy Heart is “Self-Destructive”, featuring the singer’s Lorde-meets-Melanie Martinez via Molly Moore expressive voice and a sometimes sparse instrumentation which volleys back and forth with some powerful hooks.  This lends the impression that we all have had sometimes when we do something self-destructive to ourselves either in isolation or in full drama in front of others.  The tone of the song therefore is very well-suited to remixes, of which there are plenty, but I would draw your attention to the collaboration with Syracuse producer on-the-rise who calls himself ye. (that’s pronounced ‘yea’).  Being self-destructive is taken to a playful level here which club goers will enjoy.  Opening for Toronto quartet Blajk last week, Mothica’s live show emphasizes a tight set augmented more by some striking guitar work than the synthesizers on record, which also gives a different dimension to her songs.  Check out the original above and the collaboration with ye. (available as a free download) below.

Red Hot collab: “No Hands” by @itsdiffmusic & @ForeverMCmusic featuring @iamBlackBear and @MAXgschneider

it’s different & FOREVER MC featuring BLACK BEAR & MAX, “No Hands” (free DL)

The creative folks in the R&B, hip hop and dance/EDM genres know that sometimes it’s best to combine forces to create a one-of-a-kind record.  Such is the case with “No Hands”, a red hot collaboration between mystery production duo it’s different, Utah rapper Forever MC, L.A.’s smoking hot Black Bear, and NYC’s own MAX.  “No Hands” comes large and in charge and doesn’t for one second let you give up the ghost to think any less of it throughout the entire song.  The three vocals blend somewhat seamlessly despite the diverse backgrounds of each, and the bassy/trappy mix is as risk-taking as the intent behind the lyrics.  “No Hands” is an inventive pop hit in the making that will sound equally as wonderful on radio next to Drake and Kendrick Lamar as it would next to Calvin Harris and David Guetta.  It’s a free download for now at the link above; get it while it lasts!!

Wonderwall and all: “Oasis” is affecting lyrical deep house by @TheHim featuring #Sorana

THE HIM featuring SORANA, “Oasis” (free DL)

Steven and Jeroen from Dutch duo The Him can do little wrong these days, and following up the sweet soulful pop/dance of “Secrets” comes “Oasis”, featuring vocalist Sorana.  I can’t figure out if there’s more meaning behind the title than as a reference to the revered British group than mentioning “Wonderwall” in the lyrics. Nonetheless “Oasis” certainly has a poignant quality to make you ponder an idyllic environment along with a bouncy deep house rhythm and sharp vocals that will make you sway along.  Check it out at the link above where it’s available as a free download for now.

If you’re in NYC on August 18 you can do yourself a favour and check out the double bill of The Him and Canadian duo Young Bombs at Marquee for an evening chock full of excellent mixes and dancing.

Love is the subject: Unite and dance to “Nation Of Love” by @meetMikeSal (@Vincenzo_Salvia remix)

MIKE SAL, “Nation Of Love” (Vincenzo Salvia remix)

After this past weekend and since last Fall, more than ever I think we need songs like “Nation Of Love” by Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Mike Sal.  In its original mix, it’s a happy, glorious tune about uniting in the name of love and having some fun while we’re at it.  I’ve been predisposed to it for a while now in anticipation 🙂 and am glad to see it on official release.  However, even better, it’s also available in a number of remixes! Italy’s Vincenzo Salvia’s bubbly Europop take is like the dreamiest of icing on the cake.  It’s got a familiar 80’s flavour befitting Erasure or Pet Shop Boys, and will keep you smiling throughout.  I would definitely throw this over to club DJ’s to play at a high point in an evening when you want absolutely everyone on the dance floor.  You can pick up the original and remixes of “Nation Of Love” on iTunes.

.@CarlosdNobrega makes you lose control again with propulsive Europop of “You (It’s All About You)”

CARLOS NĂ“BREGA, “You (It’s All About You)”

Before we head into more new music from Carlos NĂłbrega’s second project ALMAGEDDON, he offers us the third single from The Art Of Making Love, “You (It’s All About You)”, following “I Love You” – whose blog post here is just shy of breaking an all-time views record – and “Set Me Free”.  It’s propulsive, almost cinematic europop that’s intended to shake up the speakers and make you lose control all over again.  The heartfelt lyrics genuinely kick the song up two notches, and the folks in Spain have been already loving it on their iTunes chart.  The rest of Europe – and maybe North America too – needs to get on board with “You (It’s All About You)” and I also think it’s deserving to consider for remixes to take it further into dance club territory.  Give it a solid listen up top and then pick it up on your favourite digital platform.

“Can’t Resist” by @we_are_Halogen is lyrical dance music at its best featuring @AdrianaxxGomez and @lubxtpf

HALOGEN featuring ADRIANA GOMEZ & lub x tpf, “Can’t Resist” (free DL)

It’s been awhile since we heard from Atlanta-based duo Halogen after some originals and remixes last year, most notably their take on The Disco Fries’ “Born Ready”.  After a bit of a break, Alex and Josh return with a pretty dance song that’s performed in what I call a classic duet framework by Adriana Gomez and lub x tpf (aka Lub from the Porch Family).  It’s a moving, lyrical dance song that has a lot of fine lyrics, dreamy vocals, and inspired production amid its 3+ minutes.  I’m pointing this out because you don’t hear songs performed like this in the dance/EDM world, let alone as a deep house song; they are generally collaborations or sing-and-callback vocals.  This is where the fusion of pop and dance really happens, as it did back in 70’s disco days.  I’m not sure if this is where Halogen intended to take “Can’t Resist” but listeners should pick up on the differences when they’re not dancing away.  Released through Cloud Kid’s house, you can get it as a free download at the link above for now.

“Give It All” is chill Caribbean-flavoured bass music by @SCRVP and newcomers @SecretxSauce with vocals by Kyle Woodcock @KyleScottmusic

scrvp. & SECRET SAUCE featuring KYLE WOODCOCK, “Give It All” (free DL)

An unintended companion piece to “Despacito” or “I’m The One” perhaps?  Nonetheless, the bass groove is unmistakable in “Give It All” by MMXVAC’s own Jhonathan Dossa, aka scrvp., and he’s paired with fellow Americans and newcomers Secret Sauce (DJ MI and masked man GxxdStress) for this easy-going but tight party number.  Singer/songwriter Kyle Woodcock’s deeper voice initially seems out of place, but ends up fitting like a glove to help make the song’s statement in such a chill setting.  DJ’s might want to play this coming out of a slower set and into one with island/tropical flavouring to help bring the goods back to the party.  “Give It All” is also available as a free download at the link above for a limited time.

“Gold” is stunning mid-tempo deep house from @musicbyJohnk and @RickyRemedy

JOHN.k x RICKY REMEDY, “Gold”

Some great late night music always seems to come out of Florida, and you’ll know what I mean when you hear on-the-bubble singer John.k’s voice rise over a crunchy deep house beat in “Gold”.  While it starts off sounding like it might be a ballad, this joint effort with noted Latin Grammy-nominated producer Ricky Remedy is a stunner, tight and powerful, and it will get you swaying on the dance floor once the big beats kick in.  John.k’s vocal prowess reminds me a lot of Jon Secada (90’s smash “Just Another Day”), and there’s so much going on in Ricky’s production – without making it overly busy – that would make it sound fantastic in a live setting.  “Gold” is available for you to hear at the link above.

 

Big, soulful sounds from @Billonmusic with “One That I Want”

BILLON, “One That I Want”

UK producer/DJ Billon is receiving lots of support back home from the likes of the BBC and Ministry of Sound for his latest single “One That I Want”.  It’s got a big, soulful sound with a solid vocal that will have you feeling it during its first two minutes.  After that it busts out into some deeper house grooves for the remaining minute and dispenses with lyrics in favour of vocal effects.  So there’s a bit of something for everyone here, which might afford Billon a wider audience.  I think some creative remixes could support this song even more.  Check it out at the link above.