@RiverTiber previews upcoming album “Indigo” with dreamy, hip hop-tinged “Acid Test”

RIVER TIBER, “Acid Test”

After writing about Toronto band River Tiber often these four years, it looks like Tommy Paxton-Beesley and company are about to make their big splash with the upcoming album Indigo.  Also featuring last year’s “No Talk”, River Tiber previews the album with the engaging “Acid Test”.  It’s a hefty blend of the R&B and hip hop flavourings that Tommy has incorporated into his songs by working recently with the likes of BADBADNOTGOOD, Daniel Caesar, Pusha T, Kaytranada, and producer Frank Dukes., as well as the striking and often dreamy, layered progressive sounds of past songs like “The Stars Fall” or “The City”.  Here beats, cello, keyboards, and percussion all have a vivid home, and it all has a kind of surreal,psychedelic effect in the end, while still being quite accessible-sounding and ear-catching with one of Tommy’s most compelling vocals yet (particularly after the 2 minute mark).  I can’t wait to hear the rest of Indigo, which you can now pre-order on iTunes, and be sure to put River Tiber on your radar for the summer of 2016.

River Tiber opens for Kaytranada at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on Friday May 20.

Portugal’s @Olibemusic puts unique touches on his remix of @Matomaofficial’s “Running Out”

MATOMA, “Running Out” (Olibe remix)

It’s a song about watching love drift away and there’s nothing you can do about it.  Norway’s Matoma has a possible pop crossover hit with “Running Out”, and in its remixed edition by Portugal’s Olibe, the realization about the end of love is enhanced by a unique mix that wouldn’t sound out of place next to The Chainsmokers’ “Roses”.  The repetition of the chorus with the added flourishes and effects creates a tone of more desperation, despite likely being a joy to hear in a club setting.  Turn this one up loud, sometimes sad EDM songs make you feel great in return!  Give a listen at the link above.

Lush and soulful pop from @Cobimusic with “Darker Than Dawn”

COBI, “Darker Than Dawn”

The former singer with Gentlemen Hall follows up last year’s “Walking Through The Fire” with a lush, soulful charmer called “Darker Than Dawn”.  To me this is Cobi’s most unique piece of music yet, full of old school R&B and blues influences in both vocals and rhythm as well as contemporary electronica that wouldn’t sound out of place next to James Blake.  It all makes “Darker Than Dawn” another wonderfully cathartic and personal affair, and it’s no wonder that his versatility has afforded the popular EDM duo Above & Beyond to select him as a vocalist on their current tour.  Give a listen above and pick up the song on iTunes!

Cobi sings with Above & Beyond in Toronto at Massey Hall on Saturday May 14 & Sunday May 15.

Trap anthem: @NotYourDope and @Spirixmusic remix @TheChainsmokers’ “Inside Out” (featuring @Charleenotes)

THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring CHARLEE, “Inside Out” (Not Your Dope x Spirix remix)

 Those hardworking Chainsmokers continue to recognize young talent for official remixes of their new songs.  New single “Inside Out” benefits from a wild trap remix by the German-American hybrid teen team of Not Your Dope and Spirix (who was another partner in the ace remix of “So Bad” by Brandon Skeie too!).  The effects in “Inside Out” don’t overwhelm the original song or Charlee’s complimentary, sincere vocal despite changing things up including the tempo.  The remix will definitely make you react and bounce when all of those lights start flashing out of control on the dance floor.  Download it for free at the link above.

Bright futuristic remix by Dutch teen @WRLDmusic for @Lights’ “Slow Down”

LIGHTS, “Slow Down” (WRLD remix)

The Juno-award winning album Little Machines by Lights has had long legs since its original release in 2014.  Dutch teen remixer WRLD continues this with his futuristic and carefree rework of “Slow Down”.  It’s really quite the original shimmering makeover, with crazy sounds popping out of everywhere, definitely taking the song by a Canadian artist not necessarily associated with dance music to a level that would not have been expected.  It’s instantly likeable and I think would have no trouble winning over even the most critical Lights fan.  Download it for free at the above link.

It had me at first listen: Thoughtful and poignant “Love Me Sober” by @MartinLukeBrown

MARTIN LUKE BROWN, “Love Me Sober”

Leicester, England-born multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Martin Luke Brown scored in 2015 with his unique vocal with a soulful edge on “Take Out Of Me” from an EP of the same name, followed by “Knife Edge” and “Scars on Scars”.  “Love Me Sober” still has the grittiness of some of those songs but what’s brought out here is a lot of depth with a thoughtful arrangement that keeps you going until a stunning climactic moment that will have you hanging for almost the minute of self-realization that remains.  Think of this as Martin’s “Take Me To Church” – like Hozier’s song (with some definite Coldplay-ish moments), “Love Me Sober”, while lurve at first listen for me, will be a grower for fans of piano-led storytelling songs.  I hope this will see official release soon.  In the meantime listen at the link above.

Martin Luke Brown is currently on tour throughout Europe with Jack Garratt.

@Lyonntweets returns as a duo with the progressive house of “The Symphony”

LYONN, “The Symphony”

Last I wrote about Lyonn in these blog pages, it was a one-man pop band (aka California native Ty Andelman) writing bright shiny tunes like “Just Say Hello”, which even got to #13 on the BILLCS Top 30.  Two years later, Ty’s subsequent partnership with Attila Yavuzer has led the pair quite successfully at a first crack into the EDM progressive house genre with “The Symphony”.  The bright and shiny is still there – and should be reflected in the disco lights 😛  The song itself actually moves along so quickly that it would benefit from some extended remixes, but it’s definitely one meant for handclaps and some hardy partying as you dance the night away.  I dare you to get its sweet melodic hook out of your head!  The EDM dance community should definitely embrace Lyonn’s “The Symphony”.   Download it for free at the link above.

L.A.-based R&B singer @BryanJmusic puts a subtle spin on @Drake’s “Controlla”

https://soundcloud.com/hogansville/controlla

BRYAN J, “Controlla”

I have plenty of Views of the 6 since I reside in Drake’s hometown and have a daughter who plays many a Drake tune when she’s with me.  So Georgia-born, L.A.-based R&B singer Bryan J’s rendition of “Controlla” definitely caught me off guard.  It’s silky smooth and in his soft vocal you can hear the many quieter sides of MJ, JT, CB, JB… and it would sound great as a featured voice within a Drake song itself!  I’m going to say right away that the beginning of the song is a bit too understated, but do stick with it because Bryan’s voice has tremendous potential and shines as he manages to transform Drake’s forceful rap into slick R&B balladry.  It’s a risky interpretation that pays off… lend a listen above.

“I Thought You Were My Friend” by @weareFightNight where punk influences and EDM make a happy medium

FIGHT NIGHT, “I Thought You Were My Friend”

The Washington, DC duo Fight Night, consisting of singer Andy Gruhin and producer Josh Grant, follow up their EP Underground with “I Thought You Were My Friend”, a decidedly different, rock-flavoured EDM track that can easily turn heads.  Picture if you will the approach and attitude of say All-American Rejects, Simple Plan, or blink-182 (timely this considering the latter’s comeback!), and pair it up with slick but not too busy electronica, which allows the rock guitars to be prominent throughout.  Add to that a common lyric for our teens and 20s generation and you have “I Thought You Were My Friend”.  I like it when performers and producers step outside the often narrow confines of pop music and can realize a song with true potential.  Find out why and download Fight Night’s “I Thought You Were My Friend” using the link above.

Unassuming “Chase You Down” by @Runagroundmusic will make you a fan

RUNAGROUND, “Chase You Down”

Runaground is a one-man band named Andy Kirk from L.A., and “Chase You Down” is one of those easy-going songs that you want to play while you’re driving into a pretty sunset.  Andy’s voice compares to singers like Ryan Cabrera or Howie Day, guys who can write a song and make it a shared personal experience.  “Chase You Down” is also a great companion piece to the similarly titled 90’s hit “Follow You Down” by Gin Blossoms, but of course mixed in with Andy’s pop setting with a rhythm perfectly suited for the dance floor.  Remixers will want to see what they can do with such a diverse and unassuming song.  It’s another pop/dance music hybrid score for Robbins Entertainment after last year’s “Over” by Goldhouse.  Watch the video for “Chase You Down” above and pick up the EP on iTunes.