“Light” by @SanHolobeats is a sweeping synth symphony

SAN HOLO, “Light”

It’s one of those songs that will literally sweep you off your feet, on the dance floor or not! I don’t know much about Dutchman San Holo, but till now he’s offered up some of the most infuriating, progressive alternative EDM I’ve heard this year.  With “Light”, he’s cut the melody and song down to something simpler, and built a major wall of a synth symphony around it.  The beautiful  (but uncredited) vocal completely suits the song, but it’s the sonic blast well placed and starting at 1:20 that will win you over for the rest of “Light”.  This is inspiring creativity at its best and shows a side of San Holo I want to hear more often.  Listen at the link above and download it for free (at least for now).

“Lies” by Jesper Jenset (@jjenset) is infused with EDM, R&B and Hip Hop vibes

JESPER JENSET, “Lies”

Following up his success with “High” (still flying near the top of the BILLCS Top 30 in its Young Bombs remix), Norway’s Jesper Jenset continues to mix it up with “Lies”.  It’s a pretty worthy and straight-forward song, but given a jazzed up wash of style that’s full of EDM, R&B, and Hip Hop flavours.  It’s clear that Jesper’s team is listening to a lot of The Weeknd and Drake, as well as perhaps Martin Garrix and Skrillex too, and the result is a refreshing concoction that could play well on any radio station while being at home in a dance club too.  Can’t wait for the remixes.  Give it a listen at the link above.

“BDY” by @Stalgiaband is hypnotic, sexy R&B-infused electronica for the head and heart too

“BDY”, Stalgia

L.A. duo Stalgia bring us the hypnotic and sexy “BDY” for our consideration.  Fortunately, it’s one of the most unique songs you will hear over the next while.  It slides easily from pop/R&B flavour to hip hop-inspired EDM.  Lauren Day’s vocal is dynamic and affecting, conveying not only the sensual aspects of the melody but the emotional rapture of the lyrics.  Partner Brandon Leslie creates an effortless pulse and the result is memorable with a singalong chorus that will make you want to hear “BDY” again and again.  Give it a listen at the link above.

Fierce and powerful electronic alt.rock from @DanaandtheWolf with “Close Enough”

https://soundcloud.com/danaandthewolf/close-enough-1

DANA AND THE WOLF, “Close Enough”

L.A. duo Dana and the Wolf have some great things happening with their song “Close Enough”.  What might sound initially like it might be another routine Lorde-inspired track quickly leaves those thoughts in the dust as the arrangement constantly shakes up the proceedings where other songs start to fall apart.  In fact by the time around the 2 minute mark occurs, you realize that singer Dana Hobson has a fierce voice that perhaps draws influence more from Florence Welch and Shirley Manson.  She totally attacks the biting core of the song while partner and producer/multi-instrumentalist Daniel Wolf engages you with the drama with pounding drums and unrelenting synths.  All of this makes “Close Enough” a magnetic, complete package that you can hear at the above link.

New producer/remixer @itsWaitWhat refashions @BoomboxCartel & @Quixofficial’s “Supernatural” feat. @Anjulie

https://soundcloud.com/itswaitwhat/boombox-cartel-quix-feat-anjulie-supernatural-waitwhat-remix

BOOMBOX CARTEL & QUIX featuring ANJULIE, “Supernatural” (Wait What remix)

Berkeley, California producer remixer Wait What (aka Troy Skinner) has refashioned “Supernatural” by Boombox Cartel and Quix featuring Anjulie, and the results not only make the song his own but are highly complimentary to the original.  “Supernatural” as released contains a beautiful, other-worldly vocal by Anjulie which is most present in the first minute, before the song takes a wild dive into heavy futuristic trap, and glides into an enjoyable progressive EDM track.  Wait What takes advantage of the excellent vocal and uses it throughout the song, creating his own future bass trap/dub step arrangement in the process that completely works.  He adds some anthemic vocal effects which gives the song a hip hop spirit.  The result is a confident mix that doesn’t get too wild and focuses on a lot of strengths of the original song.  If you like it by listening at the link above, you can vote for it as a part of a contest at this link by clicking the “Like” button.

“The Great Escape” is potent EDM from @Ravitez & @Afrojack feat. @AmbaShepherd

RAVITEZ & AFROJACK featuring AMBA SHEPHERD, “The Great Escape”

It was a great thing when Afrojack launched his own label Wall Recordings, otherwise we might not hear sparkling new talent like Ravitez.  Afrojack has brought his fellow Dutch protege on many recent tours, and “The Great Escape” is as potent a pairing as you could wish for, made even better with yet another great Amba Shepherd vocal to highlight the high energy of the song.  I’d be shocked if “The Great Escape” doesn’t end up on dance music charts worldwide, and like with past Afrojack records like “Ten Feet Tall” or “Take Over Control” has pop crossover potential.  Watch for Afrojack and Ravitez to bring their show to a city near you, and in the meantime you can buy “The Great Escape” on all digital platforms, and listen above on Spotify.

It’s a @FelixCartal double whammy: New “Drifting Away” feat. @heyOfelia plus @BenZamoramusic’s rich remix of “Keep Up” feat. @iamStephJones

FELIX CARTAL featuring OFELIA K, “Drifting Away”

FELIX CARTAL featuring STEPH JONES, “Keep Up” (Ben Zamora remix) (free DL)

As he tours the USA, Vancouver’s Felix Cartal has plenty of great dance music out there to keep you entertained.  His latest, “Drifting Away”, featuring a seductive vocal by Ofelia K., has pop and dance radio potential with a tight, balanced song structure that will keep you listening and dancing the night away.  Club DJ’s should be all over this one and I’ll await the remixes!!

In the meantime, Ben Zamora is someone to watch after his remixes of songs by the likes of Galantis, and in concert appearances such as opening for Shaun Frank in their home town of Toronto in September.  Featuring yet another fine, soaring vocal by Steph Jones (most recently heard on Tritonal’s album), Felix’s “Keep Up” receives a rich official remix from Ben.  It’s really quite playful and upbeat, perfect for that great evening out in a club with your favourite people.  For now you can get Ben’s remix along with the other official ones for free at the link above.

Join @KidCudi on his EDM/hip hop wave with “Surfin'” featuring @Pharrell

KID CUDI featuring PHARRELL WILLIAMS, “Surfin'”

Despite being in the media a lot lately and declaring how he’s dealing with his own personal issues, Kid Cudi has probably released his best record in a long time with “Surfin'”, which despite millions of You Tube views still seems to be falling under the radar.  You can dance this mess around now matter how you want to party, “Surfin'” has this irresistible beat and a half sung rap from Kid Cudi that completely works.  Guided by Pharrell, the quality is given a one-up, and the video (directed by the Kid aka Scott Mescudi) is a whole lotta fun with some great lighting effects that make you want to be part of the Kid’s beach party.  I wish Scott the best of luck and I’d encourage my fellow music fans not to overlook “Surfin'”.

New Zealand singer @SoBelowsound has alt.pop potential with “Hard”

SO BELOW, “Hard”

“Hard” is a recent release from the New Zealand singer Madeline North, who calls herself So Below.  There are lots of singers who are following the same path as her fellow Kiwi Lorde or Banks or Verité, but So Below has both the songwriting chops and the voice to get your attention.  “Hard” has a darker sound to be sure – not quite what I would say the singer is marketing as ‘goth pop’ – but it has the same emotional quality to a song like Linkin Park’s “In The End” but with a different approach.  “Hard” has an assured and accessible sound that alternative pop and EDM fans should enjoy.  Check it out at the link above.

Bedroom bass strikes again: “Think” by @TVNoisemusic featuring @JessameBerry in a @SeanTurkmusic remix

TV NOISE featuring JESSAME, “Think” (Sean Turk remix) (free DL)

The king of ‘bedroom bass’ is at it again so soon after sexy remixes of songs by Stalking Gia and HYDDE & MOONZz, not to mention Brandyn Burnette’s crunchy and even “Closer” remix.  NYC’s Sean Turk is proving to be one of 2016’s hottest and most diverse talents, sliding seamlessly from style to style within the EDM genres.  “Think” by The Netherlands’ TV Noise featuring American singer Jessame finds a happy place somewhere in-between, pulling back from the deep house of the original with all of Jessame’s silky soul power, a lighter rhythm, and slick guitar work.  It still works as a mighty sexy track that captures the progressive soul of others like Brandyn and RKCB who make it work so well.  “Think” is fresh and waiting to woo you and is available for free at the link above.