Soulful house music is “Forever” with @TwoFriendsmusic featuring ktpearl

TWO FRIENDS featuring KTPEARL, “Forever”

After a rollercoaster of successful remixes of songs by The Chainsmokers, Tori Kelly and others, Los Angeles production/remix duo Two Friends (Matt and Eli) strike out on their own with their original “Forever”.  It’s a simmering EDM mix carried by a zinger of a soulful house piano melody that chimes in perfect harmony with the sometimes gritty vocal by ktpearl.  Friends and lovers will sway the most to all of the positive energy created by the song.  I’m not quite sure what secrets are bottled up by Matt and Eli in Two Friends’ music but don’t be surprised if we see national club action with “Forever”.  And… I want to see which remixers tackle these remixers’ original tune 😛  “Forever” is available now on all platforms via the Armada Trice imprint!

Telling the story: @EMutemusic’s cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

E-MUTE, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

Following up his recent release I Can Pay For It, UK-based singer/pianist/drummer E-Mute delivers his cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”.  And before you start shaking your head, muttering “why”, and so on, do give this piano-driven rendition a few listens.  E-Mute presents this as a classic story, perhaps a bit theatrical in a few vocal inflections, but nonetheless perfectly suited to the anguished, tortured soul of the song.  There is absolutely no vocal like Ian Curtis’ original, and I’ve heard some terrible covers over the years.  But E-Mute has it in the bag – purchase it on Bandcamp right here.

Summery Sleeper Creeper: “Afraid Of Heights” by @Couzareofficial featuring @itsAprilCheung

https://soundcloud.com/tropikultrecords/couzarexaprilcheung

COUZARE featuring APRIL CHEUNG, “Afraid Of Heights”

It’s all about starting off in style… TropiKult Records launches with a summery song for the upcoming Spring months.  It’s what I call a ‘sleeper creeper’ – it’s gonna take a few listens but it will seal the deal – “Afraid Of Heights” by German producer/DJ Couzare featuring new vocalist April Cheung.  Get past the slow fade in and you will find a lilting tropical vibe that resonates with a warm feel-goodness.  It’s aided by April’s droll kind of vocal, which immediately brings to mind singer Dev – yes she of Far East Movement’s 2010 #1 “Like A G6” and her own “In The Dark”.  “Afraid Of Heights” is one of those songs that’s not only destined to be a surprise for clubs, but will also sound great on amusement park rides (particularly those ones that go high up, of course).  Stream it above and pick it up on all platforms.

@KatyB gets all soulful with @CraigDavid and @MajorLazer in “Who Am I”

KATY B, CRAIG DAVID & MAJOR LAZER, “Who Am I”

British singer Katy B. drops her best song yet with “Who Am I”, a splashy R&B ballad for clubs that is making inroads on the UK singles chart.  With the help of some remixes this one could be headed to the top of club charts too.  And this time, on her upcoming album Honey, Katy is bringing along friends like “Lean On”‘s main man Major Lazer as well as Craig David, hot on his Top 10 UK success with “When The Bassline Drops”, to show us his other softer side like we heard on “Fill Me In” back in the day.  The unexpected pairing of voices blends magically and I’m sure you’ll be playing “Who Am I” on repeat.

Lost love, EDM style: “Faded” by @iamAlanWalker

ALAN WALKER, “Faded”

I have to through my endorsement behind “Faded” by Alan Walker before I become too much of a latehead on it.  This 18 year old Norwegian EDM whiz has “Faded” at #1 in Sweden right now and it’s breaking big time in the UK and the US.  The theme of lost love is explored with a lush backdrop and a breathtaking vocal courtesy of a fellow Norwegian, a new singer by the name of Iselin Solheim.  But all pop and EDM ears on Sweden, those folks know what they like and it serves as a springboard for international breakout.  Watch for “Faded” by Alan Walker to score worldwide.  Get it on iTunes.

It’s team #CanadianEDM with @DVBBS and vocalist @DanteLeon on “Angel”

https://soundcloud.com/dvbbs/angel

DVBBS featuring DANTE LEON, “Angel”

Canadian brothers Alex and Chris, raised outside of Toronto in Orangeville, Ontario, aka DVBBS, continue to show that they are an international force to be reckoned with in the busy EDM world with sellout concerts and prolific releases.  The boys continue to diversify and follow up their Top 10 club hit “Never Enough”.  Like previous release “Gold Skies” with Sander van Doorn and Martin Garrix, DVBBS takes another side step into emotional dance songs with “Angel” in which they pair up with Toronto singer Dante Leon.  Dante’s affecting hip hop-flavoured “Hotline Bling” styled vocal is attractively matched by DVBBS’ subtle layering of sounds which bounces along with a futuristic bass rhythm that suits the wonder in the theme of the song.  DVBBS are so known for their partying and “Woozy Gang” antics but “Angel” is smart and impressive and should not be underestimated.  Pick it up on iTunes.

US electronic performer @dnotive arrives with 80’s inspired “Second Chances”

d.notive, “Second Chances”

“Second Chances” is deliberately paced, progressive electronica by Minneapolis-based performer d.notive, currently on release with his album Sentinel.  “Second Chances” is a compelling listen thanks to d.notive’s dark vocal style and inspiration that immediately conjure up your favourite songs by the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order, Nine Inch Nails or Sisters of Mercy.  There is an ongoing hungry market in the pop world for revisiting the post new wave era of the 80’s, which has contributed to Pet Shop Boys’ ongoing success, and d.notive does this with his own flourishes.  In his album Sentinel you’ll hear a number of fine instrumentals, such as the fast-paced “Back In The Saddle”, some with some definite R&B/funk influences, but other songs with his vocals like “One Way Trip” or “Martyr” really stand out.  Check out “Second Chances” above and pick up Sentinel on iTunes.

New LA producer/DJ @Liminivisions pairs with singer @RozziCrane for bass-laden “Reach”

LIMINI featuring ROZZI CRANE, “Reach”

L.A. performers Limini and Rozzi Crane are off to a great start with their pairing on the bass-filled EDM song “Reach”.  Singer Rozzi is fresh off of a tour with Owl City and release of an EP called Time, and her voice digs deep into the soulful elements of the song before a well-placed drop lures you in for good!  “Reach” is one of those songs that will elicit cheers from the audience on the dance floor as the taut, richer production unfolds.  If you want a surprise that will make your audience ask for me then be sure to download “Reach” at the link above.

Fresh and joyous EDM awaits with “Synchronize” by @Hellbergmusic featuring @_AaronRichards

HELLBERG featuring AARON RICHARDS, “Synchronize”

The younger generation of producers/remixers is upon us as initiated by Zedd and Martin Garrix back in 2012/13.  Sweden’s Hellberg also started off around that time but is coming into his own now with the likes of his remixes such as club hit “Age Of Innocence” by Elephante which I’ve already written about.  Pair him up with another youngin, NYC vocalist Aaron Richards, and the same magic that happened with “Spectrum” and “Animals” is here again.  “Synchronize” is a touching and beautiful song for the Spring months as it’s all about igniting love between two people and feeling it soar.  This kind of emotional bliss travels fast in the Dance/EDM world and I expect it to be a breakout for Hellberg and Aaron Richards.  Hellberg also posted a candid announcement (up top) that makes this success all the more appealing.   “Synchronize” is now on release, listen to it on the Soundcloud link above.

Sweet 80’s pop/R&B throwback: “Knock Me Off My Feet” by Toronto’s @DanTalevski

DAN TALEVSKI, “Knock Me Off My Feet”

Regular readers of this blog know that two songs from 2015 that I wrote about prominently were “Guilty As Sin” (which finished as my #10 song of the year) and “My Religion” by Toronto singer/songwriter Dan Talevski.  Dan’s talent can slide very easily into the list of many Canadian performers that broke out in 2015, but he will need a few more songs under his belt to find that wider audience that will eat up his songs.  “Knock Me Off My Feet” is simply sweet 80’s-influenced pop/R&B  (with obvious an obvious Michael Jackson reference point) that will have no problem getting national radio play across Canada and could easily turn heads outside of Canada.  It contains a universal message with another fine vocal that fits into the pop/R&B style so smoothly.  It’s not as spicy or edgy as his previous singles lyrically but Dan Talevski is well on his way with “Knock”, which should have some long legs and last through the summer.  Pick it up on iTunes.