@officialMaxR turns @JRJRmusic’s “Gone” into an #EDM Anthem

https://soundcloud.com/maxrmusic/gone-maxr-remix

JR JR, “Gone” (MaxR remix)

JR JR’s “Gone” is a recent Warner Brothers release that’s looking to expand its listenership through a remix contest.  One of the entries is this MaxR redux which has Avicii influence in its pocket and EDM anthems in its head.  MaxR takes the pop/folk qualities of the original and makes them soar uncharacteristically through powerful hi-end synths and rhythms.  MaxR (aka Max Weinik) is a Baltimore-based producer/DJ relatively new to the scene, and whether or not he wins the remix contest, this is a fine job that should turn some ears.  Download it for free at the Soundcloud link above.

Graham Alexander @Grahamsmusic launches new video for “Repeat Deceiver”

GRAHAM ALEXANDER, “Repeat Deceiver”

One of the best rock ‘n roll surprises I found out about last year was the Repeat Deceiver album by NYC’s Graham Alexander.  A key track on that album “She’s A Chameleon”, found its way to #5 on the BILLCS Top 30 and was on repeat on my own playlists for the better part of the year.  And with such a keen reverence to 60’s and 70’s rock, I later learned that Graham had in fact played Paul McCartney in a few Beatles productions on Broadway.  No matter that I think vocally he here sounds more like John Lennon or George Harrison at times… the new video for “Repeat Deceiver” will continue to attract new fans to Graham’s fun approach to a modern version of that classic rock sound.  The video gives him much more to do on camera this time than in the past, and I like the studio shots of the band, which remind me of an old-style American Bandstand kind of set.  Watch the video above and pick up the Repeat Deceiver album on iTunes.

Austin’s @DATABOYmusic return with refreshing and ear-popping “Top Of My Lungs”

https://soundcloud.com/databoy/databoy-top-of-my-lungs

DATABOY, “Top Of My Lungs”

Long a favourite of mine since I first heard them some five years ago, Austin duo DATABOY (aka Cameron and Adam) return after a bit of a quiet period that saw them in songwriting mode after last year’s “When It Rains, It Pours”.  The duo has the unique ability to tread in both pop and dance territory simultaneously, and if their songwriting break has brought more great tunes like “Top Of My Lungs” then we are the kind recipients!  In fact, the song won first place recently in the John Lennon songwriting contest (judges included Fergie, Red Hot Chili Peppers and American Authors)!!  “Top Of My Lungs” incorporates more voices than just the pair, and the production on this song shows a lot of growth beyond the charming EDM/pop of their songs on the 2012 album Dreams Are Gold.  Can’t wait to hear more DATABOY songs in 2016.

DATABOY perform a rare showcase at SXSW on March 15 and 17 🙂

@Parralox’s “Somebody II” gets a stunning remix by @MiDisguise

parralox7

PARRALOX, “Somebody II” (Mi Disguise remix)

Prolific Australian EDM/dance outfit Parralox recently released a 32 song (!) remix EP of tunes from last year’s Aeronaut album called Wildlife (excellent photo artwork above), containing not only the title song but 3 others from that album including one of my favourites, “Somebody II”.  Containing one of John von Ahlen’s best vocals, it’s an uptempo nod of the head to Depeche Mode, one of whose famous 80’s songs is a ballad called “Somebody”.  While Aeronaut was steeped in 80’s homage, producer and performer-on-the-rise Mi Disguise gets his young, contemporary thoughts all over the song.  He definitely keeps John’s voice in centre stage when it needs to be there, but later lets loose a scorching set of synths and builds the rest of the song around it.  This is immensely creative transformation at its best and is so complimentary to the original song.  Pick up the Mi Disguise remix of “Somebody II” on iTunes and check out the video below.

Join the “Marathon” by @weareLostKings with @CosmosnCreature

LOST KINGS featuring COSMOS & CREATURE, “Marathon”

L.A. production duo return following a lot of interest with last year’s EP The Bad with the gentle and uplifting “Marathon” on Spinnin’ Records.  Lost Kings really up their ante with “Marathon” in partnership with Cosmos & Creature, aka Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore, who also received wild notice for their collaboration with The Netherlands’ Vicetone on “Bright Side”, which I wrote about recently.  “Marathon” is a mid-tempo pop/dance song that tells a great story in the unique ways of Brandyn and Molly.  Life, love, friendship and more are all marathons that we’re in, and it’s better to be in them together.  The perfect place to celebrate this is on the dance floor or at a party.  Spin “Marathon” and watch your audience take notice.  It’s from Lost Kings’ upcoming EP The Good.  Watch the lyric video below.

#Toronto #EDM duo @Pairanoid teams up with @thisAlexandria for “Carry On”

PAIRANOID featuring ALEXANDRIA, “Carry On”

One aspect of a great song that will always attract listeners is the ability to relate to something we all have in common.  “Carry On” captures this so well and will immediately draw people to the dance floor as a result.  It’s by some talented fellow Torontonians, production duo Pairanoid and singer Alexandria, whose low and high ranges and power are all used to full effect in “Carry On”, and you’ll want to hear more from all of them as a result.  Next up for Pairanoid is a collaboration with Shaquille O’Neal!  You can download and stream “Carry On” from all platforms.  Always great to hear more local talent emerging in Toronto’s very active dance community 🙂  Watch the video below.

It’s Lit! @BobbyNourmand’s new original “Smokin’ Joe”

BOBBY NOURMAND, “Smokin’ Joe”

It’s already been about 4 weeks, and L.A.-based producer/DJ Bobby Nourmand is almost at 300,000 plays on Soundcloud with his debut original release on The Magician’s Potion imprint called “Smokin’ Joe”.  You may recall I wrote about Bobby’s other-worldly-sounding free download cover of The Beatles’ “Because” last summer.  That song has 350,000 plays, so dance music lovers obviously agree that the music of Bobby Nourmand is not a one time only deal.  “Smokin’ Joe” uses a similarly wonky percussion-and-keyboards driven rhythm as “Because” in this toe-tapper that draws as much from 1960’s early FM rock influences as it does early 1980’s post-punk era trappings (think David Bowie meets Peter Murphy/Bauhaus for the vocals).  “Smokin’ Joe” is alternative dance at its finest as it stands far out from the crowd.  Get it on iTunes.

Marco Foster @Marcomusicworld takes @Flumemusic’s “Never Be Like You” on an acoustic trip

MARCO FOSTER, “Never Be Like You”

In an interesting change of pace, an EDM song gradually turning into a left-of-centre pop hit gets an acoustic remake, courtesy of 22 year-old NYCer Marco Foster.  Yup, this is the same Marco that I wrote about back in 2012 when he had just climbed aboard Flo Rida’s bus.  And while he’s been keeping busy with Flo, timing is indeed everything:  Marco’s take on Flume & Kai’s “Never Be Like You” immediately brings to mind “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber in both vibe and appeal.  I suppose when the first song you think of is a huge worldwide #1 then that has to be a good thing.  While the cover has gritty values in acoustic format, Marco’s voice has gotten smoother and soulful, too… the kind that heartbreakers are made of… more good things are coming, I think!

Dutch duo @Vicetone pairs up with @CosmosnCreature for club smash-in-the-making “Bright Side”

https://soundcloud.com/yourmusicedm/vicetone-ft-cosmos-creature-bright-side-free-download

VICETONE featuring COSMOS & CREATURE, “Bright Side”

In what is one of the most unique pairings of 2016 so far, noted Dutch production duo Vicetone partners with American duo Cosmos & Creature – that’s Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore 😀 – for “Bright Side”, a new Spinnin’ Records release.  Brandyn and Molly are no strangers to dance music.  Molly wrote Dubvision’s 2014 hit “Hollow” and both have dabbled with some inventive remixes lately for his “Made Of Dreams” and her “Peace Of My Heart”.  The arrangement in “Bright Side” focuses on elegant strings and high end to create the appropriate gleaming pop sound that compliments the positive lyrics and lighter house rhythms of the track.  “Bright Side” was one of the first-ever written songs by Brandyn and Molly so it’s great to see it in the dance music realm.  Those looking for something a little different and chipper to play in their club mix will appreciate “Bright Side”.  Listen above and pick it up for free right here.

Heavenly, melodic R&B “West” from Toronto’s @RiverTiber and Daniel Caesar @Dannyixxi

RIVER TIBER featuring DANIEL CAESAR, “West”

Toronto’s River Tiber continues to release outstanding music that should pop big time in 2016.  With an album coming in Spring in follow up to last year’s When The Time Is Right EP, and after much praise in a NOW Magazine article this past week, Tommy Paxton-Beesley teams up with Toronto R&B singer Daniel Caesar for “West”.  This is sparse-sounding contagious ear candy that perhaps will ptompt Frank Ocean to release his next album earlier!  Both voices sound amazing together – think James Blake meets The Weeknd – and “West” just begs for more new songs from River Tiber.   For now pick up “West” on iTunes.