@Adakumusic finds herself “Standing In Love” from her album “PLASMA”

ADAKU, “Standing In Love”

Readers of this blog will recall that I’ve written about U.S.-based Nigeria-born pop/soul singer/songwriter Adaku a few times these past couple of years as she writes songs that suit her beautiful, unique voice, such as “And You Can” (very touching video below) and the evocative, hypnotic “Silent Treatment”.  Last year she released an album called PLASMA, which contains the former songs (including a remixed and tweaked “Silent Treatment” that tones down the original’s mysterious qualities), plus the lulling and thoughtful “Standing In Love” (video above).  So what does one do when we are in the state of said titled song?  We dream of soaring to bliss and sailing down to a safe landing.  And the video captures this by comparing the feeling of love to the specialized plight of the astronaut, both with high ideological states yet wanting the same outcome.  “Standing In Love” continues to present Adaku as a bright and upcoming yet overlooked talent quite deserving of your attention.  You can pick up PLASMA on iTunes.

@PenguinPrison previews new album with “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose”

PENGUIN PRISON, “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose”

It’s seemed like forever since DJ/producer/multi-instrmentalist Penguin Prison’s self-titled debut dropped in 2011, though Chris Glover has kept plenty busy with touring, remixing, and guesting on other performers’ songs (like RAC’s “Hollywood” for example).  Following up the delightful confection “Calling Out” are “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose” from PP’s sophomore album Lost In New York, due on May 5.  “Never Gets Old” plays just like a lost 70’s timeless pop gem, while “Try To Lose” has that slick funk groove that PP acquainted us with so well on songs like “Multi-Millionaire” or “Golden Train”.  With Chris’ engaging vocals, they all sound like they’re part of a logical continuation from PP’s first album, though as fans know, Chris is always full of surprises (and can transform them into club smashes too), so I definitely can’t wait to hear the full new album, which you can sample on his You Tube channel.  Right now, at least in Canada, you can purchase both “Never Gets Old” and “Calling Out” on iTunes.

Not Only Skin Deep: Serbian Eurovision Entry “Beauty Never Lies” by @BojanaStamenov

BOJANA STAMENOV, “Beauty Never Lies”

Don’t underestimate the Eurovision entry from Serbia, “Beauty Never Lies” by Bojana Stamenov.  It’s empowering and endearing lyrics are universal and meaningful to absolutely anyone.  They are matched with a powerful, rich new voice and a breathtaking melody, which make the song instantly recognizable.  Apparently the song was originally recorded in Serbian but the English lyrics send the song home for the rest of the world.  And the lyricist, the prolific Charlie Mason, knows what he does so well… he co-wrote last year’s Eurovision winner “Rise Like A Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst.  Will 2015 be a repeat year?  Don’t say I didn’t put the bug in your ear.

Telling It Like It Is: “Lottery” by @BrandynBurnette

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BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Lottery”

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette and his team (including his gal Molly Moore) keep creating songs that are straight up honest snapshots of everyday life.  And so many of us can relate in Brandyn’s new song “Lottery” – we don’t need to win the big prize to be happy, and while it might be nice, don’t get your hopes up.  “Lottery” gives Brandyn’s high notes a good workout and a winning summery-sounding chorus alongside a jaunty rhythm adds a cutting edge above other songs.  The prolific Brandyn is going to have a hard time determining what songs make the cut for his upcoming album – there may just have to be two 😛  Listen to “Lottery” and the rest of Brandyn’s recent songs, including “Sleeve”, currently #1 on my personal chart, on his Soundcloud page below.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/lottery

Always Fun, Always Naughty: Those @Janoskians take on Los Angeles with “L.A. Girl”

THE JANOSKIANS, “L.A. Girl”

Just keep telling yourself that it’s all in the name of fun, and you will enjoy both the music and the ongoing antics of Australia’s The Janoskians – which consists of the three Brooks bros – eldest Beau plus younger twins Jai and Luke – along with Daniel Sahyounie and James Yammouni.  It seems that every now and then we need a band that fills the gaps preceded by the likes of McFly, Busted, The Romantics, Blink-182, and so many others who create infectious and edgy punkish guitar pop/rock.  The difference with The Janoskians though is that they do not hold anything back, and in the video for the delightful “L.A. Girl” three of the band members proceed to alternately surprise and terrify Los Angeles denizens while garbed only in their skivvies, or even less (as you will/won’t see).  And I like what they do, in terms of slightly risqué but often slapsticky fun that will leave you smiling (or aghast) regardless.  Plus, from what I’ve seen online, the guys are extremely good to their fans, and only in this day and age could you have 1.5 million followers and no outright worldwide hit.  The Janoskians and their team know they have a good thing going for now, and their new EP Would You Love Me is now available on iTunes for your enjoyment.

Hitchin’ A Ride with @ConorMaynard and his new single “Talking About”

CONOR MAYNARD, “Talking About”

It’s quite clear with the arrival of “Talking About” by 22 year old Brighton, England native Conor Maynard that the singer who charmed teens and maybe some of us older types too a few years back with his natural presence and songs like “Can’t Say No” and “Turn Around” is here to stay.  Looking a bit like a young Andy Bell (from Erasure), Conor continues on with the immensely catchy pop/R&B style that attracted all of the interest in the first place, and the video, which finds Conor cruising in cars and trucks with all kinds of folks, is good-natured fun that gets even better in the last minute.  With a good solid push, “Talking About” could end up being one of the Spring’s unexpected radio pleasures.  Conor’s EP of the same name arrives in Canada on April 21 (not sure about the rest of the world).

The @SlowKnights All Stars Return with Soulful, Spicy “Just Kiss”

SLOW KNIGHTS, “Just Kiss”

The first single from the sophomore album by the all-star team collectively known as Slow Knights is “Just Kiss”, complete spicy pop-soul-electro bliss that could be a breakout for the group.  This can’t go wrong, led by Scissor Sisters’ Del Marquis and Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light Bright Light), and featuring the immensely talented voices of Bridget Barkan (who is stunning here), Mykal Kilgore (from BLx2’s “Feel It”) and Xavier Smith.  If “Just Kiss” was picked up by Rihanna or Beyoncé, it would be everywhere.  It’s exactly where contemporary soul-pop should be today and deserves every success.  The new Slow Knights album is called Living In A Dark World and not due till April 21 – so looking forward to hearing more.  Fantastic job with “Just Kiss”!

NYC Singer @Reigenmusic Shows His Versatility with “Another Dimension”… and Covering @Sia’s “Chandelier”

REIGEN, “Another Dimension” and “Chandelier” (Sia cover)

NYC singer/songwriter Reigen Miller isn’t looking to follow a conventional path with his blend of electronica and pop.  After the emotional electro-balled “Come Back To Me” (peaking recently at #2 on my personal chart), which has every potential to be a pop hit, Reigen returns with a funky slice of alternative dance music with “Another Dimension” (above).  It’s got this drunken, lazy kind of feel to it in somewhat contrast to Reigen’s sometimes breathy vocal which is peppered with the same kind of high notes found in “Come Back To Me”.  It’s an obvious example of how versatile Reigen is and shows how much he enjoys his craft.

As well, I will ask you to turn your ear to Reigen’s cover of Sia’s “Chandelier” (below), which he recorded last summer.  It’s as different as Sia’s original.  The song is meant to be almost ‘over the top’ but perhaps some of his vocal could be less exaggerated in spots.  Yet there is not a note out of place, and that makes it inspiring, captivating and worthy of your attention – Reigen can likely nail it in live performance.

There’s “No Tellin'” with @Drake: Must-Hear New Music from Toronto’s @RiverTiber with “No Talk”

RIVER TIBER, “No Talk”

A huge WOW event occurred in the past few weeks for Toronto’s River Tiber, a band that brings the music of the extremely humble and crazy-talented multi-instrumentalist Tommy Paxton-Beesley to life in concert, while Tommy usually handles all vocal, instrumental and production duties on the River Tiber records.  Drake unleashed his surprise album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.  That #1 album contains a song called “No Tellin'”.

Although neither Tommy nor River Tiber receives a credit for it, “No Tellin'” (which has already reached #81 on the Billboard Hot 100) samples the newly-released River Tiber song “No Talk”.  As regular readers know, I’ve been writing about River Tiber for the last two years, since the inauspicious independent debut From Now On, and River Tiber songs have graced the upper reaches of my personal chart.  What’s great about “No Talk” is that it’s one of Tommy’s most intriguing songs that will have you thinking about it as much as enjoying it.  Getting with its off-kilter rhythm is a challenge but fun. You’re then left to create your adventure and find your way through a busy jungle full of  layered instruments (including cello) and vocals.  

“No Talk” however has this sly groove underneath that would be more likely found on a hip hop record, which of course leads us back to Drake’s song and also to the Sour Soul album by BADBADNOTGOOD and Ghostface Killah (which I wrote about recently) – to which Tommy contributed strings and horns!   The door is suddenly opening wide for River Tiber and I couldn’t be happier.  Listen to “No Talk” above and get it on iTunes, and of course listen to Drake’s “No Tellin'” below.

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer: @SteveGrandmusic Serves Up “Whiskey Crime”

STEVE GRAND, “Whiskey Crime”

Chicago’s Steve Grand is now everyone’s All-American Boy and one of music’s hardest working new talents.  His All-American Boy album, funded by you, is set for release on March 23, and I have, happily, my own advance copy to write about closer to that time.  In the meantime, Steve’s new single “Whiskey Crime” dropped this week.  It aptly prepares you more for the classic pop/rock influences that pervade the album, but also carries on the good-natured fun led by his initial singles “All-American Boy” and “Stay”, both of which also had significant Country music flavour.  But really, with Steve, you’re going to have to learn to expect the unexpected.  “Whiskey Crime” is as much about George Thorogood and Bruce Springsteen as it might be about George Strait or Garth Brooks.  Steve’s got this winning, contagious, no-holds-barred delivery in this song that’s sure to make you smile whether or not you like the hard stuff or even an Appletini 🙂 Let your hair down, kick back, and pick up “Whiskey Crime” on iTunes.   Watch the lyric video above.