@BadW0lfy (aka Ro Danishei) returns with funky and futuristic “Used 2 This”

BAD W0LFY, “Used 2 This”

The world needs more funky and fresh Bad W0lfy songs if “Used 2 This” is any indication.  The L.A.-based singer/songwriter and model otherwise known as Ro Danishei, and co-leader of the duo Wrathschild with Simon Curtis, has returned after 5 years after her End Of The Rainbow release.  “Used 2 This” is a real ear-grabbing solo song after 2014 saw the release of Wrathschild’s EP and last year a once-online cover of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do”.  It’s a futuristic, bass-laden dance number that doesn’t quite sound like anything out there (remixers take note!).  The singer’s voice is completely on-point and suited to producer Ray Reich outside-of-the-box production which places a totally appropriate dubsteppy vocal break (you’ll think Erik Hassle’s “No Words” or Years & Years’ “Shine”) in the midst of it all.  To quote the esteemed Lady Kier of Deee-Lite,”Used 2 This” is definitely one de-groovy feast for the ears and feet.  Pick it up on iTunes.

@SteveGrandmusic and @EliLieb team up for heart-wringing “Look Away”

ELI LIEB, STEVE GRAND, “Look Away”

Readers of this blog are already well acquainted with both Eli Lieb and Steve Grand, about whom I’ve written about many times in the last two years or so, and both have graced my personal chart with their stellar songs.  Each singer is decidedly different from the other, but “Look Away” is both a co-write and a duet that brings the best of both worlds together.  Essentially, if you loved A Great Big World’s “Say Something”, then “Look Away” is its companion song.  It brings together all of the emotions and racing thoughts about what to do next, just before a breakup occurs, and the realization that it is likely all ‘never again’.  I’ll be very happy if this is the start of a regular songwriting and/or singing thing for both Eli and Steve, the former breaking away from infectious danceable pop and the latter veering further away from country than ever and into pure pop where he really belongs.  You can pick up “Look Away” on Steve’s bandcamp page right here.  You can also enjoy the resulting amusing online antics on their respective social media pages 😀

Toronto-based singer/songwriter Joël LeMay (@itsjoelmusic) scores with his R&B flavoured story “You Fucked Up”

JOËL, “You Fucked Up” (free download)

Toronto has many fine up and coming performers who are finding themselves in the midst of a keener interest in R&B/soul – which Toronto has always fancied back to the 1950’s.  And yes I’m talking about beyond Drake and The Weeknd who we really have to thank for flinging the door open wide. 23 year old Joël LeMay actually hails from closer to North Bay from a family of music-makers, but is rooted in Toronto now to create his craft.  “You Fucked Up” is an excellent start.  It’s a fine piece of storytelling when your lover is cheating and has ‘splainin’ to do.  But that seems to happen after she drinks lots of whiskey, so what kind of mess have you got yourself into?  “You Fucked Up” is over 4 minutes long but breezes by because of the gritty, captivating vocal that makes you want to hear this story.  The production by Manuso Joshua is deftly subtle, allowing the song to bask in R&B/soul/alternative folk flavours.  If “You Fucked Up” is any indication, Joël should do well both as a solo performer and an in-demand featured vocalist who can adapt to many styles.  Download “You Fucked Up” for free at the link above and watch for more new music every month from Joël.

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@Manseofficial’s stunner “Freeze Time”(featuring @AliceBergswe) gets gritty courtesy of @officialMAXR

https://soundcloud.com/maxrmusic/freeze-time-feat-alice-berg-maxr-remix

MANSE featuring ALICE BERG, “Freeze Time” (MAXR remix)

Swedish producer/DJ Manse has such a Kool song with “Freeze Time”, featuring fellow Swede Alice Berg on vocals, that it’s already being hyped in advance of its April 13 release date through Revealed Recordings by a number of remixes.  MAXR wisely keeps his distance from the pristine, deep-down-affecting original and gives it gritty, progressive house edge instead, in what sounds like what might happen if Foxes and Martin Garrix teamed up.  There is so much innovation to be found in dance music right now and “Freeze Time” is a classic example of how an original which is so beautiful on its own can be adeptly reinterpreted while retaining its essence.  Like Dzeko & Torres and Hellberg’s recent “Care For Me”, “Freeze Time” is one song I will be playing for months ahead.  Download MAXR’s remix above but pick up the original on Beatport too.

@iamtheElephante’s “Closer” is a rich, tantalizing club hit featuring @helloBishop

ELEPHANTE featuring BISHØP, “Closer”

The prolific Elephante continues a succession of fresh-sounding club zingers with “Closer”.  This is a particularly rich, joyous earful featuring the distinct, commanding voice of rising Portland, Oregon singer Bishøp.  You want to get couples up on the dance floor?  Just play Elephante’s “Closer” back-to-back with Tegan & Sara’s “Closer” and see what happens.  Both are equally good-natured ear candy that will generate a filled club floor and fare equally respectfully on dance music radio.  “Closer” is a natural progressive house follow-up to Elephante’s recent Top 20 Billboard Dance Club Play hit “Age Of Innocence”.  Download it for free at the link above.

Smooth soulful house music courtesy of a @TwoFriendsmusic remix of “Way Back Home” by @weareMako

MAKO, “Way Back Home” (Two Friends remix)

The follow up to the long-lasting dance radio hit “Smoke-Filled Room” by LA-based duo Mako is “Way Back Home”, which in its original form is a lovely, slow-ish progressive/alternative EDM track that will crawl into your ears and stay there.  These guys know how to write a great song, which makes it easy for any producer/remixer to adapt it to something suitable.  It may seem unlikely, but Matt and Eli, aka Two Friends, turn “Way Back Home” into an effortless-sounding soulful deep house track with so much going on in its 3 minute rework.  They’ve taken the yearning and desperation of the lyrics and made them equally urgent through bassy, buoyant rhythms.  You can pick up the EP with the original, as well as the Two Friends remix and others, on iTunes.  Ultra Music has another winner for Mako in whatever version you hear!

@officialKoni remixes “Burn Fast” by @BryceFoxed into deep house bliss

BRYCE FOX, “Burn Fast” (Koni remix)

I enjoy finding fine new original songs through remixes, just as much as I like hearing songs that are transformed by remixes.  The former is the case with “Burn Fast” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Bryce Fox.  This is a cheery, tropical-tinged, very visual song with a convincing, enthusiastic vocal by Bryce that is given a wicked deep house treatment courtesy of Germany’s Koni, who also works with (the recently blogged-about) Saxity among others.   Bryce’s voice has a slick ‘n soulful edge reminiscent of Conor Maynard, Brandyn Burnette and others and is perfectly suited to this genre.  “Burn Fast” in Koni’s remix will stick in your head and become a contender for repeated plays.  Download it for free at the link above.

@KatKrazymusic’s “Run Run” featuring @JohnnyStimson is the complete EDM/pop package

https://soundcloud.com/katkrazymusic/run-run-feat-johnny-stimson-radio-edit

KAT KRAZY featuring JOHNNY STIMSON, “Run Run”

UK producer/DJ Kat Krazy follows up his fine remix of Sigala’s “Stay” with a striking original “Run Run” that is nothing short of the complete EDM/pop package that dance music fans will simply love.  The contemporary, memorable, and soulful vocal performance by Johnny Stimson (a Dallas native with a strong following in Europe) is on par with the earnest tones of Mako’s recent hit “Smoke-Filled Room”.  But what’s best about “Run Run” is that it does not let up, and the piano break is a major wow that will leave you wanting more.  Already released in the UK, “Run Run” should perform very well once it receives full international release soon.

Austin producer/DJ @Cloudchord puts the dance/funk into “Need You” by @EmberIsland_

EMBER ISLAND, “Need You” (Cloudchord remix)

Swedish trio Ember Island, who recently visited the U.S. for SXSW among other venues, have a beautiful could-be-hit with “Need You”.  But Cloudchord’s funky dance remix could put it on the club map with ease.  Following up his engaging remix of Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” (currently on my personal chart), “Need You” is heavily influenced by the classic sounds of yesteryear R&B and disco which when mixed up with today’s flavours results in progressive nu-disco that will stand out in a club mix.  What I dig most about this one is the slick and crunchy guitar work which can hold its own against and be mixed with records by Nile Rodgers/Chic, Scissor Sisters, and more.  Don’t pass up this remix of “Need You”, be sure to download it for free using the Soundcloud link above.

@Harrietsmusic is back with the jaunty, teasing “Permission To Kiss”

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HARRIET, “Permission To Kiss”

London-based singer Harriet has come a long way in a short time since I first heard her more than two years ago, resulting in the initial EP What’s Mine Is Yours.  Mixing up a repertoire that shuffles between originals like “Fly”, other performers’ songs as recorded on her Covers EP last year, as well as Christmas songs (which resulted in a warmly-received album Maybe This Christmas last year), Harriet’s honest love for her craft and her warm and caring vocals will continue to take her into the ears of new listeners.  “Permission To Kiss”, once again produced and co-written by the renown Steve Anderson, starts off with its keyboard riffs as almost a sound-alike to Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”.  It works and Harriet’s smooth style takes over along with the playful, teasing lyrics.  The song successfully moves her away from the numerous comparisons to Karen Carpenter and puts her in the current company of Ms Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Brandi Carlile and others for whom there is already an eager audience.  Release is forthcoming but do give a listen at the Soundcloud link below.

https://soundcloud.com/harrietsmusic/harriet-permission-to-kiss