Brendan Velasquez (@BrendanV88) brings on the unassuming charm with “Disappearing”

 

BRENDAN VELASQUEZ, “Disappearing”

Part of the qualities of a good record, no matter how unassuming it may seem, is charm.  Proof in the pudding are in both vocals by Maryland-raised, Texas-based Brendan Velasquez, and melody and lyrics courtesy of the ever-amazing Crush Boys (Daniel Volpe and Thomas Lipp) and Charlie Mason.  “Disappearing” is a song of self-reflection and making a decision for not only those around you but yourself as well.  Whether or not that’s the right decision is the point/counterpoint at the crux of the song.  Brendan’s voice, dreamy and full of conviction [producers/remixers – if you’re looking for another go-to voice for dance tunes… 🙂 ], sells us this dilemma, while the songwriters aptly let the story unfold and give it a sullen but silky 80’s-tinged synthpop backdrop.  Don’t let “Disappearing” slip on by, be sure to watch the video above and pick it up at your favourite digital music store.

Check out the pulsating #EDM of @RiverTiber’s “Motives”

RIVER TIBER, “Motives”

“Motives” is the latest song I want to showcase for you from Toronto’s River Tiber, aka multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Tommy Paxton-Beesley.  It comes from River Tiber’s diverse recent album Indigo, and also features such winning songs as “No Talk” (sampled in Drake’s “No Tellin'”), “Acid Test”, and “West” (featuring Daniel Caesar), all of which I’ve written about.  Diving deeper into Indigo, it’s a moody album that shifts styles frequently, moving seamlessly from R&B/hip hop, to progressive/experimental electronic rock (“Clarity” featuring Tess Parks), through to rhythmic EDM like “Motives”.  “Motives” will resonate in clubs because of its full sound, playful effects, and rich harmonies.  Tommy’s voice is always his secret weapon and it’s one of his best performances in Indigo.  Check it out at the Spotify link above and pick up Indigo on any major digital platform.

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With vocals by @RKCBmusic, @SteveJames creates a winning team with thoughtful, progressive “In My Head”

STEVE JAMES featuring RKCB, “In My Head”

L.A. producer Steve James premieres the start of good things to come in advance of an EP with the original “In My Head”.  Helping out this thoughtful song immensely is a heartfelt vocal by RKCB, who are currently everywhere with the excellent “Elevated” in original or many remixed variations.  “In My Head” is about making the right choice for you, whether to stay with someone or move on to someone else.  Steve digresses from the emotional lyrics to provide some sharp progressive tones and effects which do not overpower the song as a whole.  Steve James and RKCB are truly a winning team on “In My Head”, so make the right choice and play it alongside recent similarly structured songs by Kat Krazy, Arizona, or Mako.  

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Sleek ‘n sultry: “Don’t Shoot Me Down” by @itsAnevo featuring #JaeMi

ANEVO featuring JAE-MI, “Don’t Shoot Me Down”

Anevo is a promising new producer/remixer out of Sweden who looks to be well on his way with the soulful and gritty “Don’t Shoot Me Down” featuring a slinky vocal by Jae-Mi.  The song captures the perspective when you are just about to lose something but really don’t want that to happen, and wonder why you’re being shot down before you have a chance.  Not really your typical theme for a dance music record, but Jae-Mi’s vocal is convincing and the downtempo funky backdrop suits it well.  “Don’t Shoot Me Down” is a refreshing change to some of the frenetic EDM out there and deserves your attention, so take a listen at the link above and pick it up on iTunes.

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Glittering prize: @Wookieofficial’s soaring remix of “Into You” by @ArianaGrande

ARIANA GRANDE, “Into You” (Wookie Vegas remix)

L.A.-based producer The Wookie, who I wrote about some time ago when he partnered up with the always fabulous Adam Tyler on “The Dreamers”, returns with his glimmering remix of one of my current faves, “Into You” by Ariana Grande.  Right off the bat, the seductive funky groove of the original is gone, instead replaced by incredibly well-balanced high end.  This is one showy remix, it’s all about shimmering synths and arpeggios, which always put me in a very happy place.  No wonder The Wookie calls this his Vegas remix – I can picture it as the backdrop to one of the larger than life shows in that city’s venues.  Dance music lovers should not pass this one by.  DJ’s can easily incorporate it into either a retro hi-energy set or a more contemporary progressive one.  Either way your audience will be surprised and pleased.  Download The Wookie’s remix at the link above.

Killer duet: @AnnaYvettemusic and @LaurakBrehm with “Summer Never Ends”

ANNA YVETTE & LAURA BREHM, “Summer Never Ends”

The Monstercat team has managed to come up with the first must-hear end of summer song that is sure to turn heads.  NYC songwriter/musician Anna Yvette (who co-produced here as well) pairs up with Colorado singer/songwriter Laura Brehm for “Summer Never Ends”.  The dance music community loves duets, especially when the vocals compete without really competing and therefore both end up winning!  Such is the case with these two different vocalists, already well known to dance music, who definitely put their all into “Summer Never Ends”.   What starts off sounding like it might be an acoustic ode ends up as this magnetic EDM ballad.  Because of the perfect mid-summer timing and the overall strength of the song, “Summer Never Ends” should rise to the top of your playlist multiple times.  Check it out at the above link and pick it up on your favourite digital platform.  

Spread for love: “Wings” by @AashMehtamusic featuring #JessForman

AASH MEHTA featuring JESS FORMAN, “Wings”

Currently based out of San Francisco, producer/remixer/performer Aash Mehta returns with quite possibly his best original song to date, “Wings”, featuring NYC vocalist Jess Forman.  It’s a lovely layered effort, quite the beautiful song lyrically too.  The progressive future bass backdrop meshes amazingly with the diverse voice of Jess Forman.  So all of the pieces to this song end up front and centre and competing for your attention, which is a good thing as there’s lots to remember about “Wings”.  Be dazzled at the link above and then pick it up on iTunes.

Do it for love: “Seize The Night” by @Reigenmusic

REIGEN, “Seize The Night”

Though I’ve written about his songs several times since 2014’s “Come Back To Me”, Brooklyn, NYC singer/songwriter/producer Reigen is still one of my blog’s best kept secrets.  As he continues to write more of his repertoire, which consists of R&B-soaked softer songs or punchy dance/EDM, continuing towards a full EP or album release, and performing in his city, to me it’s only a matter of time before that changes.  “Seize The Night” is a beautiful anthemic ode to not holding back for the sake of love.  Make that first kiss, win over that first impression – basically don’t hesitate to seize the moment for love if it feels right.  Reigen has absolutely nothing to lose with this one, it’s a real crowd pleaser on its own, this time in a co-production with Data Child (aka Chrissy Tignor Fisher).  So do get to know Reigen with “Seize The Night” and search this blog for my posts about his other songs and videos, which you can hear/watch on his website.

PREVIEW: Steve Void (@voidmuzik) spins a deep house remix of @Matomaofficial & @BeckyHill’s “False Alarm”

https://soundcloud.com/voidmusik/matoma-false-alarm-steve-void-remix

Preview:  MATOMA & BECKY HILL, “False Alarm” (Steve Void remix)

I rarely post previews, but I’m definitely excited about Matoma & Becky Hill’s “False Alarm”, which I posted about a few weeks ago.  Matoma gave young Dutchman Steve Void the remix reigns and he’s substituted some powerful deep house rhythms for the original tropical flavour.  Becky’s voice remains supreme amid some repeated vocal effects which work well.  “False Alarm” is already a huge Top 40 hit in Scandinavia and has the potential to be so worldwide.  Of course what could be better than Matoma bringing Steve with him on his North American tour “Party At Your Place” and I can’t wait to hear how it all sounds in concert.  Watch for the full version of Steve Void’s remix coming soon!

Two big thumbs up for @officialKoni’s remix of @MajorLazer’s “Cold Water”

MAJOR LAZER, “Cold Water” (Koni remix featuring Lea, Nick, J.Roosevelt & EZY)

Songs receive remixes and cover versions so quickly out of the gate these days that it’s hard to keep track, and of course many of them are unofficial.  So Koni’s challenge by jumping on it right away was to make it stand out.  He’s already captured attention with remixes/reworks of songs by Adele and Drake, and lesser known ones like the fabulous remix of Bryce Fox’s “Burn Fast”.  Making “Cold Water” ‘pop’ has been achieved here by basically combining a remix with a cover version.  Koni’s “Cold Water” has a slightly different celebratory kind of vibe (cue hands in the air :P), and if you’re going to replace Justin Bieber and MØ with others they better be pretty damn good vocalists.  And they sure are!  The voices aren’t as slick but they blend well and do rise to the huge challenge, making “Cold Water” their own.  That’s the biggest success to me with this remix/cover and it’s no wonder that it’s getting so much attention right away.  There will be lots more covers and remixes of “Cold Water” but I guarantee this is one you’ll come back to – get it for free at the link above.