Unmade spy movie theme: “Chek!” by Fernando Lopez Piña (@F_L_P__)

FERNANDO LOPEZ PIÑA,  “Chek!”

It only has one lyric – “check this out”, so ubiquitous for the last 30 years in dance music – but Argentinian producer/DJ Fernando Lopez Piña has lots of good stuff brewing in “Chek!” through Balmung Digital Recordings.  It’s a majestic theme to an unmade spy movie where you can visualize the car/boat chase, the attractive couple escaping from danger, and of course the inevitable explosions.  And all of that imagery of course makes “Chek!” an extremely fun song for dance clubs.  It doesn’t have any deadly drops but instead gets under your skin with early 2000’s techno influence which currently seems to be happily in vogue.  Though the middle gets a little repetitive, which means the song likely could have been 30 seconds shorter, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to hear more of “Chek!”.  Hear it in full on Spotify above.

For the #EDM romantic in us all there’s “Stardust” the new 6 song EP by @AashMehtamusic

AASH MEHTA, Stardust (EP)

Now based out of Chicago, producer/DJ Aash Mehta firmly establishes a unique approach to EDM with his new 6 song EP Stardust on release by Casual Jam Recordings.  It’s lush and romantic to be sure, with songs telling stories out of personal experience, initiated by the instrumental introduction “Welcome To Stardust”.  It’s also light and playful, echoing sentiments that one does feel in a romantic relationship.  

The music often relies on repetitive synth effects to accentuate joyfulness, and there are a number of fine vocalists showcased throughout the EP.  Best of all, I’m so glad “Wings”, featuring a beauty of a vocal by Jess Forman, is included.  I wrote about this particularly outstanding song back last summer and it has even more potential these months later.  Also key is the effortless-sounding “Friendzone” featuring another top notch vocalist with whom Aash has recorded before named Lydia Kelly.  Aviella carries two songs brimming with emotion, “Hold Onto Me” and “Never Gonna Stop”, while the remaining track “In Your Eyes” features Bri Tolani and Zephure.  All of the songs glide by in the best of ways but I think your attention will be stuck to “Wings” and “Friendzone”.  Stardust is a great start to a full body of original music by Aash Mehta.  

Given the many varied remixes Aash concocted in 2016, Stardust represents a significant turn-of-the-page with loads of possibilities for what’s next in 2017.  Be sure to pick up Stardust at your favourite digital store.

The Netherlands’ @Jeronimomusic boldly transforms @BritneySpears’ “Toxic” into an acoustic jazz adventure

JERONIMO DASILVA, “Toxic”

It’s been a while since I’ve written about the many talents of Dutch singer and entertainer Jeronimo, who dazzled me so much with “One Kiss” (below) back in 2012.  Now billing himself as Jeronimo DaSilva, he continues to please his many fans this time with an intriguing choice for a cover, Britney Spears’ 2004 smash “Toxic”.  In order to showcase the much richer tones of his voice, Jeronimo and his team have stripped back “Toxic” and married it with an acoustic jazz arrangement.  The results are simple but way more effective than I would have anticipated.  Plus the video also continues to show off the singer’s natural charm in front of the camera.  I for one would be very happy with an ‘unplugged’ EP of clever cover choices like “Toxic”.  Watch the video above.

“Stay” by @Zedd is reinvention in full effect featuring @AlessiaCara

ZEDD featuring ALESSIA CARA, “Stay”

With five years of big success under his belt, including a Grammy and working with the diverse likes of Lady Antebellum and Troye Sivan among others, Zedd continues to see reinvention as a big thing as “Stay” should slay pop and dance radio, as well as clubs.  After her Juno Award wins last year, it also offers my fellow Torontonian Alessia Cara one of her best and more playful features yet.  The giddy bounce is what really makes “Stay” come alive, quite the alternative to the more lush melodies of Zedd’s biggest hits like “Spectrum” and “Clarity”.  As readers know, I don’t write about many big stars anymore, and while it’s been around three years since I last wrote about one of Zedd’s songs (“Find You” to be exact!) I do like to follow up on progress and change when my blog is an early believer of the performer.  One of the good guys in the biz, Zedd is on his AA-game with “Stay”, which you can hear at the link above. 

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor (@iamAxelM) gets his cool confidence on in “Wasted My Love”

AXEL MANSOOR, “Wasted My Love”

This one’s been a while in the waiting (thanks Ruth for the early preview!) but such good things do come to fruition as “Wasted My Love” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor certainly proves.  It’s a mid-tempo EDM ballad that portrays cool confidence as the singer leaves behind a love story that wasn’t meant to be.  Axel has a beautiful high end to his voice that reminds me of Charlie Puth.  The song takes its time winding its message through this smart and stately performance, and it only makes you want to hear more.  But for now “Wasted My Love” is where it’s at for Axel Mansoor, and I think it will have many friends joining along over the next few months.  Check it out at the link above.

“Hi” on a happy vibe, courtesy of @SpkeroftheHouse

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, “Hi”

He had a great year in 2016 opening for The Chainsmokers as well as remixing for them, as well as for Elephante and Marshmello, and then releasing his own top notch originals like “Awake, Asleep” and “Wide Awake”, so L.A.-based Speaker Of The House (Dylan Orvell) continues with new originals with the progressive-influenced instrumental amusingly titled “Hi”.  Quite different from his other songs, this one takes ear-catching simplicity like we heard with Hellberg’s “All The Way” and makes it bright and joyous-sounding, with unobtrusive vocal samples, which is sure to put a smile on your face.  I really enjoy how the melody progresses and the song structure unfolds, which keeps you interested with its 4 minute plus length.  Give it a good solid listen at the link above and sway away!

Take a trip to the “Darkside” of dubstep with @Convulsic

CONVULSIC, “Darkside”

It’s been a while since we last heard from San Diego EDM producer/DJ Convulsic (Erik Hale) after two outstanding songs from this time in 2014 which both landed in the Top 10 of my personal chart, “Love Space” and “The Day You Left”.  But he’s back and shifting his soundscape to keep it current and gritty for dubstep lovers with “Darkside”.  Convulsic’s usual array of impressive sounds and edits will keep your ears attuned along with incorporating some hip hop elements in “Darkside”.  If you like your EDM busy but full of flavour then Convulsic’s “Darkside” might just be what you’re looking for right now.  Give it your attention at the link above.

There’s potent fun in “WTFYWF” by @Mahalomusic featuring #CatLewis

https://soundcloud.com/mahalo-music/sets/midnight-in-paris-mahalo

MAHALO featuring CAT LEWIS, “WTFYWF”

L.A.’s Mahalo continues with a number of winning collaborations with diverse vocalist Cat Lewis with “WTFYWF” (or ‘what the fuck you waiting for’) for Midnight In Paris.  This is a potent, energetic romp to make you go and get whatever it may be that you want before it’s too late.  The drops and anthemic chorus are all in the right places, and Cat Lewis shows another side of his vocal talents when one compares a listen to a romantic uptempo dance track like “Be My Love”.  If you’re looking for another big banger in a sea of downtempo EDM songs, then “WTFYWF” is what you will want!  So WTFYWF, go get at on your favourite digital store.

“Friends” is your next taste of the Spleen EP by @Kidswaste featuring #Trace

KIDSWASTE featuring TRACE, “Friends”

The original EP Spleen by France’s Kidswaste (aka Quentin Beauvois) arrived last week via Ultra Records, and it’s a delicate, understated progressive electronic affair featuring two instrumentals and three vocal tracks that was led off by the gorgeous single “True Colours” featuring Chelsea Cutler.  “Friends”, featuring Trace, should be your next dip into Spleen, like “True Colours” a more uptempo song than the others, carried by a simple, silky high end melody.  It’s a lovely ode to friendship or perhaps being more than friends, meant for strolling through Paris or the French countryside hand-in-hand on a sunny Spring day.  “Friends” and the entire Spleen EP are atypical of the dime-a-dozen EDM that pervades the scene, and worthy of some time to enjoy all of the sounds on headphones. Kidswaste is someone to watch out for in 2017.  Check out “Friends” at the link above.

The Groove gets into “Fractures” by Denver’s @Illeniummusic featuring #Nevve

ILLENIUM featuring NEVVE, “Fractures”

It’s all about the fight in desperation for the right kind of change, but as thoughtful and lyrical as it may be, “Fractures” by Denver’s Illenium has also got its grooves all in the right places, like what Illenium has brought to you in some of his remixes, particularly Flume’s “Say It”.  Featuring a far-reaching, poignant vocal by Nevve, who you heard most recently on two songs on the I Am The Elephante! EP, “Fractures” has splendid almost R&B-ish rhythms to keep it moving through its wordscape.  It’s a beautiful song for a whirl under the big lights but perfect for those who have their ears attuned to more than the beat. With already over 2 million plays (!), check it out at the link above.