Live while you’re young: @Reigenmusic’s “Youth”

REIGEN, “Youth”

NYC singer/songwriter Reigen continues to offer his unique takes on life in anticipating of an upcoming longer play release this year.  “Youth” is a wise and passionate plea to the younger generation to grab hold of what you’ve got and live it to your fullest while you have your youth.  Life changes, and before you know it youth as defined by age and beauty is no more.  Be sure to love one another and keep the fires lit, all set to a buoyant, danceable beat.  A story plays out in the NYC backdrop in the video above while intersecting with Reigen’s emotional performance at the piano which will tug on your hearts just after the three minute mark.  Reigen is the talented kind of underdog to root for and deserves your attention.  You can purchase “Youth” on iTunes.

@TheSummerSet returns with the edgy pop-rock of “Jean Jacket”

THE SUMMER SET, “Jean Jacket”

You may have thought this Arizona quintet had drifted away after a quiet 2015, but they’re back with their fourth album due on April 1 called Stories for Monday.  Despite being on a record label (Fearless) that is more inclined towards harder rock bands like Bless The Fall, The Summer Set should acquire more fans with strong compositions like “Jean Jacket”, which is an end-of-romance retrospective song that can resonate with anyone.  There’s a fine, mellifluous sax solo smack in the middle, and Brian Logan Dales’ vocals are crisp and striking (you last heard him in another setting, on Cole Plante’s dance music treat “Before I’m Yours” in late 2014).  Pre-order Stories for Monday now on iTunes and get “Jean Jacket” immediately.  Give it a listen up top.

The Summer Set plays in Toronto on Tuesday May 31 at the Mod Club.

@EricSaademusic changes it up with infectious “Colors”

ericsaade13

ERIC SAADE, “Colors”

It has mystified me these past 5 years why Eric Saade is not a bonafide star outside of the Nordic part of Europe with glorious and amazing songs like “Popular”, “Hotter Than Fire”, and last year’s “Sting”, all much written about in these blog pages.  From his forthcoming album comes “Colors”, which takes him away from the kind of R&B/hip hop oriented pop that was finding favour in Europe a few years ago and back to stylish, melodic synth pop which set his star on fire when “Popular” won Sweden’s Melodifestivalen in 2011.  “Colors” also contains a restrained and mature vocal which does not compete for a change with the synth backdrop.  Eric Saade continues to progress and “Colors” is another winner with a few new tricks up its sleeve.  Pick it up on iTunes.  Listen to it right here on Spotify.

@CallMeKarizma minces no words when it comes to “Darkness”

CALL ME KARIZMA, “Darkness”

Wasting absolutely no time after his January digital release of Loser (featuring “u suck” and “Euphoria” among others, all of which I’ve written about recently), Call Me Karizma is already back at work on his official debut album.  In advance of this, the Minnesota native brings us “Darkness”, and he doesn’t waste any time acknowledging about that which is bleak and all-consuming.  Certainly darkness does have its place in the world, and in the minds of many younger people it can mean escape after the end of a relationship, but it’s also at the end of a downward spiral which no one wants to ride.  “Darkness” is likely Call Me Karizma’s most polished work thus far, with layered production providing the necessary thoughtful effect and is some ways is musically reminiscent of Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie”.  Fans of Call Me Karizma know that he performs songs like “Darkness” because he cares greatly for his fellow youth to keep their thoughts from getting to that place.  Find out why and listen to “Darkness” above.

Call Me Karizma performs on the upcoming tour by The Summer Set, including Tuesday May 31 in Toronto at The Mod Club.

@missMollyMoore shines brightly in @Boehmofficial’s deep house “Swallow My Pride”

BOEHM featuring MOLLY MOORE, “Swallow My Pride”

Having constantly to accept what’s going on in a relationship and bite ones tongue when you should really speak up is the unlikely theme to Romanian producer/DJ Boehm’s latest “Swallow My Pride” for the Dim Mak imprint.  And it’s brought to the dance floor starring L.A.-based singer/songwriter Molly Moore, who you know as not only a soloist but also as one half of the Cosmos & Creature (the other half being her beau Brandyn Burnette) featured recently on club tracks by Vicetone and Lost Kings.  “Swallow My Pride” (written and sung by Molly) in another stripped down incarnation could have easily fit well in Molly’s own recent EP Shadow Of The Sun.  But here the music’s all about that innovative deep house flavour that Boehm has concocted, and it easily stands out from the usual club fare.  The release of “Swallow My Pride” also coincided with Boehm playing last week at Miami Music Week!   Pick it up on iTunes but you can also stream/download it from the Soundcloud link above.

#Toronto’s @DzekoandTorres meet @Hellbergmusic for arpeggio-filled delight “Care For Me”

https://soundcloud.com/dzekoandtorres/dzeko-torres-and-hellberg-care-for-me-radio-edit

DZEKO & TORRES AND HELLBERG, “Care For Me”

If you love arpeggios and high end as much as I do, then you will be swooning over “Care For Me”, a Canada-meets-Sweden collaboration of Julian Dzeko & Luis Torres and the red hot Hellberg!  It’s progressive house at its best, taking lots of cues from popular emotional EDM over the years by the likes of Hardwell, Swedish House Mafia and Avicii.  The affecting vocals and gentle melody get spiked up by a chorus and hook in a post-relationship song that just won’t let go of you.  “Care For Me” is a major contender out of the gate – the BILLCS Top 30 awaits! – and you can download it for free using the Soundcloud link above.

Young Aussie @JustAGentdj’s “Heavy As A Heartbreak” (f/ @Lanksmusic) gets a futuristic makeover by @XanGriffin

JUST A GENT featuring LANKS, “Heavy As A Heartbreak” (Xan Griffin remix)

Just A Gent is actually 19 year old Aussie DJ/producer Jacob Grant, and his rock-inflected EDM of “Heavy As A Heartbreak” (featuring fellow Aussie Lanks) is attracting some international notice after he acquired a following in his own country.  Among various remixes, Californian Xan Griffin’s shines by stripping away the rock flavour and accentuating the dubstep vibe of the original, taking it much further into the realm of a chilled out futuristic bass track.  In either version the song stands out as unique and not necessarily one that you can get into on the first listen.  But stick with it; like ARIZONA’s recent “Let Me Touch Your Fire”, there is much to be said for production by toning the core of the song down only to watch it explode at the hook.  Listen above and get “Heavy As A Heartbreak” for free using the download link.

#NYC duo @SofiTukker get funky with “Hey Lion”

SOFI TUKKER, “Hey Lion”

One of Sofi Tukker’s more memorable songs from their opening set for The Knocks on their most recent tour was “Hey Lion”.  Leaving the intriguing Portuguese lyrics in the dance craze-worthy EDM of “Drinkee” and “Matidora” for an English track this time, the duo (who are Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) opts for some soothing, chant-like funk which immediately brings to mind the sneaky rhythm of 80’s classic “White Horse” by Laid Back.  Groove along to this one and roar on the dance floor 🙂  You can pick up “Hey Lion” on iTunes along with Sofi Tukker’s other recent songs.  A longer play release is in the works (and ongoing touring – this week they are at SXSW) as the pair are signed to The Knocks’ own imprint Heavy Roc.

Jamar Rogers (@jsquidward) reinterprets @therealSophieB’s “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” as a soulful anthem

JAMAR ROGERS, “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover”

Four years ago in Season 2 of “The Voice”, Jamar Rogers delivered A-list calibre performance after performance – particularly for me of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” – which allowed him to finish in the Top 10.  Continuing on in his journey after being picked up by Tommy Boy Records last year, Jamar’s latest is a timely cover of Sophie B. Hawkins’ much revered 90’s hit “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover”.  Jamar grabs the strong soulful vibe of that song and reshapes it into an urgent soulful anthem.  For those not familiar with his other earlier songs, “Lover” is that much more different, a powerful plea with a great groove that will have you singing along and cheering all the way to the end.  Look for an album this Spring from talented Jamar.

@iamJakeBarker gets his dance groove on with “Bump”

JAKE BARKER, “Bump”

Jake Barker’s recent choices of new material and cover songs are proof in the pudding of the diversity he showed as an underdog favourite who conquered his stage fright on Season 6 of “The Voice”.  “Bump” is one of those new originals, and for the first time it throws Jake into dance music territory, to which his voice is amazingly suited.  Somewhat ironically, the last post I wrote about Jake was about his cover of Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna”, and “Bump” also treads into Usher dance music territory similar to great songs like “More”.  More power to Jake to continue and lay everything out for listeners to hear and find what might resonate for his upcoming full album of Trip.  Watch the video above.