Irresistible “Emily” is another score for original music from @TwoFriendsmusic featuring #JamesDelaney

TWO FRIENDS featuring JAMES DELANEY, “Emily”

“Emily” is the latest rich catchy piece of business from Matt and Eli, aka much-respected and fun L.A. producers Two Friends, who have their friends at Armada Trice working on this one.  Continuing with more originals, like their best works, “Emily” will be irresistible for club-goers and DJ’s, thanks to a gorgeous high end piano chorus which is augmented by the splendidly unique vocals of James Delaney.  It’s not over-burdened by effects, which allows “Emily” to shine for exactly what it is.  You simply won’t be able to get it out of your head – so head over to your favourite digital music store and pick it up.

Dance the night away with @CVBZmvsic’s new one “Vicodin”

CVBZ, “Vicodin”

Oregon-bred L.A.-based singer/songwriter CVBZ quickly follows up the inspired Sean Turk ‘bedroom bass’ remix of “Be Like You” with the funky bass rhythm of “Vicodin”.  It’s an intriguing song that will help you launch an evening where you dance the night away.  When you’re done with that and can lend an ear more closely you’ll find so much more in the lyrics that will warrant repeated plays.  Some days you just want to let loose like the big happy guy that decides to breakdance at prom for the first time, or the couple that decides to go skinny dipping late at night.  From the singer himself:

cvbz

Whatever your opinion, “Vicodin” is a bold and fun song from CVBZ, offering up a bit of risky business for us all.  Just remember, mom and dad will still love you in the end even if you do mess up the house 🙂

“Line”, Latvia’s Eurovision entry by @TrianaPark receives a saxxy transformation by @Stan_Sax

TRIANA PARK, “Line” (Stan Sax remix) (free DL)

Germany’s Stan Sax is no stranger to these pages or my personal chart, having one of my favourite songs of the year with “Brothers” as part of duo Saxity, and adding trademark sax work to broaden the appeal of last year’s bubbly but inauspicious “Vague” by Fabian Luttenberger.  “Line” was this year’s Latvian entry for the Eurovision contest by the quartet Triana Park and regrettably this radio-friendly tune, a Top 10 hit in Latvia, didn’t move on to the upcoming finals.  But Mr. Sax has turned “Line” a bit inside-out and sideways, anchoring the song in a slower rhythm which gives it a more alt.rock vibe.  And of course there’s lots and lots of sax, and the melody and rhythm become a much more free-flowing jam session, making it quite the surprise by the end.  I often say that fine songs can receive some drastic but creative transformations and Stan Sax has a winner with “Line”, which you can download for free at the link above.

Your personal tropical house party begins with the @KamauMusic remix of @Faydee’s “Nobody” with @KatDeLuna and #Leftside

FAYDEE featuring LEFTSIDE and KAT DeLUNA, “Nobody” (KWM remix)

For North American audiences, the vibrant summer tunes are starting to emerge, and of course one of the first places they might come from is Australia, where their summer is on the wane.  Faydee’s “Nobody”, featuring dancehall singer Leftside and a shining appearance by Kat DeLuna, is most reminiscent of the same kind of tropical party music that Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull marry together and bring to a concert setting.  So in other words, just don’t think, let go, have a great time and dance it up!  The Kamau World Music (KWM) remix amps up the tropical/dancehall party vibe over the original and somehow makes it even more instantly appealing.  “Nobody” has already had success in Australia and Germany, is definitely one to watch.  It could bring the likeable Faydee more North American success after co-writing and appearing on “I Need Your Love” by Shaggy, Mohombi and Costi, a surprise gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2014.  Listen and let loose to the KWM remix above.

“Hungry Ghosts” by Canadian duo @TheBigEast offers well-crafted songs for cottage-country fun

THE BIG EAST, Hungry Ghosts

I don’t write about pop/rock records with heavy country music influences a lot unless they are well-sung, genuine songs like from Huntsville, Ontario duo The Big East in Hungry Ghosts, the follow-up album to 2014’s Under Currents.  James Jones and Kip Daynard are here to offer up a good time for all, a signal for you to jump into the vehicle and head to cottage country, and the songs work best when they are full-tilt rocking or soft and heart-felt.  “Too Far Gone” is the winner here, a retro-rocker in the John Mellencamp style of rock that gets things off to a barreling start following the other opener, also a rocker called “The Wild Life”.  Most of The Big East’s inspiration seems to continue to draw from The Eagles and Neil Young, but can also easily appeal to fans of more recent bands such as The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons.  “Love Monkey” is probably the bluesiest and most soulful song within that might catch your ear, but another one worthy of attention is the tender ballad “My Heart Belongs To Me”.  The Big East has already started to receive notable airplay in Canada with some of the fine songs within.  Check out all of the songs on Hungry Ghosts at the link above.

Unconventional “Dreams” lets rising producer @KidFroopy follow the beat of his own drum

KID FROOPY, “Dreams”

I must admit I was a bit side-swiped upon first listen of the latest by American producer Kid Froopy called “Dreams”.  While Kid has garnered significant attention over the last year remixing the likes of songs by Terror Jr. and having his own music remixed by other rising stars like WRLD, he has remained an enigma who follows the beat of his own drum.  So “Dreams” isn’t really a Dance/EDM track, but an electronic one that might even be better suited for alt.rock and college radio.  Its unconventional chilled out flavour seems to draw from classic 70’s rock like Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, yet the lyrics contain a very contemporary edge, with vocals that are alternately quiet or harmonic, not usually found in this kind of record.  After a few listens I expect you will enjoy the different kind of diversity that Kid Froopy is offering here.  Throw back to the first time you heard “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People, and likely scratched your head, that’s my best reference point.  Check out what Kid Froopy’s been up to in “Dreams” at the link above.

“These Four Walls” is the new EP from @AmbassadeursUK with delightful “3 AM” featuring @BoRocha

AMBASSADEURS featuring BO ROCHA, “3 AM”

UK producer Ambassadeurs has unleashed his long-awaited EP These Four Walls, and among the electronic ear candy within is “3 AM” which features the vocals of fellow Brit Bo Rocha.  “3 AM” is one mid-tempo song that shouldn’t slip under the radar, it’s absolutely perfect for clubs with a stunning vocal by Bo featuring beautiful high notes that just don’t grace any old song.  I think “3 AM” could benefit from remixes – as long as the vocals are left alone, don’t mess with ’em! 😉  Check it out at the link above for an unexpected gem of the week 🙂 Hopefully another collaboration between the pair is forthcoming at some point!

“Unsteady” by @XAmbassadors is reshaped into acoustic EDM by @CosmosNCreature

COSMOS & CREATURE, “Unsteady” (free DL)

In great anticipation of their debut EP together, Cosmos N Creature – Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore – very selectively pick X Ambassadors’ “Unsteady” as a cover to whet your taste buds for what’s to come.  X Ambassadors’ fans will appreciate how this favourite talented pair reshapes the song acoustically and with EDM flourishes, all of which make their vocals together stand out so much more.  You’ve already heard CnC on their own original “Young” as well as featured in other original songs by Vicetone, Two Friends, PLS&TY, and Kiso.  That Brandyn and Molly are so prolific and have so many outlets for their songs and projects – in pop, alt.rock, and dance/EDM genres, as vocalists and songwriters – is great news for us.  “Unsteady” is as good as it gets, a great choice that’s free for you at the link above.

 

Soulful Brit @hithisisAshdown scores with “Where It Hurts”

https://soundcloud.com/hithisisashdown/sets/ashdown-where-it-hurts

ASHDOWN, “Where It Hurts”

If you like Nathan Sykes’ ventures away from The Wanted, then Londoner Murray Ashdown could easily be your new go-to-guy for the soulful and romantic “Where It Hurts” for Heroic.  The song has an elegant undercurrent to the slick and pointed production which makes no hesitation in creating a great mood before its brilliant chorus strikes.  Like Ed Sheeran, Ashdown’s British accent shines through too, giving the song some extra appeal.  You’ve already heard Ashdown’s voice grace songs by Dooqu, JPB, and particularly Owkey’s “Know Myself”, a grower that recently hit #15 on my personal chart.  With his vocal talent and charm, Ashdown has tremendous pop appeal so I think the dance/EDM world is lucky to have its way with him first 🙂  Check out “Where It Hurts” above and pick it up at your favourite digital store.

“Be Happy” has gentle Spring loving in the air courtesy of L.A.’s @FRND69

FRND, “Be Happy”

“Be Happy” is a gentle and loving hymn of positive reminiscence for Spring by L.A. mystery man FRND for Crooked Paintings.  He’s getting his name out there as performer and remixer/producer, and “Be Happy” is great for a slow dance and a few swirls, and even a catchy breakdown before the end to make you let go a bit.  FRND has a knowing, reassuring voice that will definitely give you those happy feels, more so if love is in the air.  Not to be underestimated, if you’re looking for something a little different and downtempo with house vibes then “So Happy” will fit that order nicely.