In a collaborative effort between all five band members, Dallas’ Northern National return not long after the release of their EP The New Age with “MoneyBlind”. This particular song strays somewhat from the group’s image as resolute rockers who have acquired a loyal concert following in the southern US. “MoneyBlind” shifts focus to a more pop flavoured sound with enough rocking edges to keep fans happy. Like their many of their past songs and particularly “Love Is Fire”, “MoneyBlind” is led by a strong, urgent vocal that could call it to the attention of pop or mainstream rock radio. Give it a listen at the link above and pick it up at your favourite digital store.
It looks like Dutch producer Brooks (aka Thijs Westbroek) is having simultaneous breakout moments paired in two heavy-hitting releases, the instrumental “Byte” with fellow countryman Martin Garrix, and “On Our Own”, and returning in a collaboration with Showtek with a slick vocal by Natalie Major. While Brooks has worked with people like Bassjackers in the past and remixed Morgan Page and David Guetta as well as both Martin and Showtek, this one-two punch should not be ignored.
It’s hard to pass up such a big song as “Byte”, with a (needlessly) flashy video (I would have much preferred seeing the two producer/DJ’s hard at work) that has had almost 8 million You Tube views already. The song is full of huge moments which help sustain the four minute length, not the least being what sounds like a few bars of signature trappy Martin Garrix, recalling his earlier work. “On Our Own” isn’t quite as heavy but powerful nonetheless. Showtek has already released some interesting and varied songs thus far in 2017 and seems to be moving into a new direction with this one.
Both songs will send club goers spinning on the dance floor and it’s great to see someone talented but less prominent like Brooks benefit from the exposure amid what is obviously a lot of hard work to make these songs happen. Watch the video for “Byte” above, and check out “On Our Own” on Spotify at the link below.
After a sizzling recent collaboration with Lindsey Stirling and Alex Aris on “Dying For You”, Dutch producer Otto Knows is back with a new original called “With You”. Foregoing guest appearances – you’ll recall he got Avicii for one – in favour of what got him a UK pop hit a few years back with “Million Voices”, Otto brings more live instrumentation into the mix (including harmonica, stealing a page perhaps from Avicii) and a bouncy, almost reggae-infused percussion-laced rhythm that doesn’t quite sound like anything else out there until a familiar anthemic chorus by an uncredited male vocalist comes into play. The well-placed vocal breaks will leave club goers waiting to bounce some more, and “With You” is certainly energetic enough to cross over to pop radio. Check it out at the Spotify link above.
Minnesota’s engaging rapper and sometime singer Call Me Karizma continues to regularly bring us new songs, this time with “Leave Me Alone. Sad”. It’s all about being trapped with conflicting emotions, questioning what many younger folks experience when trying to devote as much time to friendship and companionship, leaving less time for oneself, particularly when down or sad. ‘Riz quickly and softly gets to his point in mainly a pretty minimal arrangement which picks up and gets a little meatier musically in the song’s last minute or so. Few singers and songwriters can get inside the thoughts of their audiences like Call Me Karizma, which is simply why his fan base continues to grow and grow, as his recent U.S. tour has also proven. Check out “Leave Me Alone. Sad” at the Spotify link above.
Following up their initial slice of soulful EDM “Irreplaceable” again comes Philadelphia duo N I G H T S with “P A R T Y”, which is perhaps even better suited for the dance floor. Like “Irreplaceable”, “P A R T Y” woos you in with its smooth vocal, alternately breathy and soulful, and then around the minute mark brings in a surprising and resolute drop which sends the song into full gear. The house-heavy banging is fairly brief, however, in favour of showing off more of what N I G H T S has to offer vocally. The beats do return but at just over 3:06 “P A R T Y” is begging for an extended deep house remix, where it may become more of a party launcher than simply part of the mix. These guys are off to a fine start so soul and house music fans should check out “P A R T Y” to get a taste and download it for free at the link above.
“Sex On Me”, the latest from Chicago’s Goldhouse, has many companion songs that could create a veritable dance floor orgy, from Berlin’s “Sex (I’m A…)” and George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex” in the 80’s, through to Rihanna’s “Sex With Me” of today. Goldhouse is anything but subtle in his lyrics – you’ll remember his fantastic kiss-off “Over”. But “Sex On Me” (this time on Armada Deep) also has a bubbly melody that will entice club goers and then they’ll hear the lyrics and the rest will be history. “Sex On Me” is a fun song that can anchor a key set in a club. So get with the program and give it a listen above.
Since her debut in 2013 with “Somebody Loves You”, which went viral and eventually became a #1 club smash, Aussie-born NYC-based Betty Who has amassed a loyal following, particularly in clubs, where they will never let her go, especially after her recent revival of Donna Lewis’ “I Love You Always Forever”. From her new album The Valley, “Mama Say” doesn’t mince any words about being a strong, remarkable you, and NYC duo Shades offers a classic, sparkling official club remix that’s a natural fit for Betty’s uplifting style. And that’s something that attracts new fans. Check the Shades remix of “Mama Say” at the Spotify link above.
After some pretty relentless touring across the USA these past few months, the wildly creative Dutchmen of DROELOE are back with new music with “See Through Me”. Recalling the drunken melody of their earlier “Shibuya”, “See Through Me”, like that song, takes us on a journey through several electronic movements with loud and quiet moments that will turn heads in an early-evening club set. It’s music that gets inside your head and kind of makes you sway uncontrollably. So perhaps these talented guys will find their way up to Canada for a show or two as well. “See Through Me” is alt-EDM that I think will preface something a little more pop-oriented like their recent “In Time”. DROELOE is getting quite the established repertoire intact and it’s great to see new label Bitbird (currently revelling in the success that is San Holo) behind them. Check out “See Through Me” at the above link.
If you like your trap mixed with drum ‘n bass and lots of melody, then “Animal” by NYC producer/DJ Reid Speed is for you. She concocts a mix that does not let up, with beautifully sweet melodic moments in stark contrast to some of the hardest dubstep and trap you’ll hear in a song that has big crossover potential. It’s aided fittingly by a deep and soulful vocal by L.A.’s Burnheart (aka Scott Bernhardt) that takes “Animal” to yet another level within one song. I was not familiar with Reid Speed before this song but I can see why she is being touted as one of North America’s most innovative producer/DJ’s regardless of gender. Check out “Animal” above and be prepared to have your senses twisted and turned and eventually reassembled.
“Difficult” by Philadelphia’s Sweekuh and L.A.’s Armors (from Tipsy Records) is the sly teaser of a crowd-pleaser that make take a few listens but it’s well worth it. Quite simply, it’s a by-the-book three-minute pop single with a big beat and alternately endearing and challenging vocal by Armors. It’s what helps make it a real grower – by third or fourth listen your head will be bobbing and you’ll tap into everything that’s positive about a song called “Difficult”. You may recall rising young producer Sweekuh (a play on Zack Cwieka’s last name) from his entertaining dubsteppy remix of Molly Moore’s “Peace Of My Heart”, which was a tell-tale sign for a fine original like “Difficult”. Check it out at the Spotify link above.
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