While we are awaiting new music from L.A.-based singer Travis Garland, who made some of my favourite music of 2013 including a #1 on my chart with “Blue Electric Roses”, you must quickly head over to You Tube to check out his LIVE (!!!) cover of The Weeknd’s “Earned It”. While I’ve been impressed with some recent covers of the song which I’ve learned about, this one is the pièce de résistance. Travis owns this cover so much that he should be invited to perform a duet with The Weeknd (nevermind frickin’ Kanye West dropping in on The Weeknd’s Coachella set 😛 ). Travis totally embraces everything that this song is about and of course has that beautiful voice of his to support it. Absolutely blown away and had to write about it on a moment’s notice. More please Travis 🙂 Goosebumps AND chills!!
Talented and prolific L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette took a brief pause with his output of recent original songs, which are all available on his Soundcloud page. What he was holding back in his pocket though until yesterday is a song that reaches way outside of the box in terms of what he’s created thus far. “I Wanna Be (Free)” is surely one of his most delightful, gorgeous songs. It’s a lighter European pop-inspired EDM record that will transport you to whatever sunny day on whatever beach you want, where you can just close your eyes and drift away to its blissful vocal arrangement and melody. It really makes me think of the Beach Boys or Phil Spector productions from when I was much younger, a bit heavier on atmosphere than your usual Brandyn Burnette song. Nonetheless, with contributions from producers/songwriters The Chemistri, Brandyn’s gal Molly Moore, and singer Miesa, “I Wanna Be (Free)” is a big WOW moment for the singer and should be one of the anchors of his upcoming album. It’s also the kind of song that will prompt instant reaction when performed in concert. I’m so pleased to see how much Brandyn continues to grow, and you can it plainly in “I Wanna Be (Free)” through the link above.
The first Giorgio Moroder album in 30 years, now called Deja Vu, is one of the most anticipated records for me for 2015, and it arrives in June, featuring contributions from Britney Spears, Mikky Ekko, Matthew Koma, Foxes, Charli XCX, and others. After the success of his pairing with Kylie Minogue on “Right Here Right Now” (which peaked at #4 on my chart) comes the title song with vocal by Sia. To me this is as much of a throwback to Giorgio’s classic records of the 70’s, and Sia sometimes has amazing flourishes in her voice that sound heavily inspired by Donna Summer. Perhaps it’s not as adventurous or over-the-top sounding as Sia’s songs from her own album, but like Chic’s “I’ll Be There”, “Deja Vu” is an airy, danceable paean to the happy era where people were content to dance the night away. I’m hoping that “Deja Vu” will light up radio station ears too – not to be missed!
You’ve already read my recent rave blog post about the New Order-meets-Human League flavoured title song from Australian duo Parralox’s latest Aeronaut (featuring backup vox by the other member of Parralox, singer Johanna Gervin). And John von Ahlen is one busy guy, with another record called Subculture coming later in the year. Wearing both 80’s inspiration and today’s technology on his sleeve, John incorporates his original style with far too many elements and sounds of the last three and a half decades or so to identify. And it makes Aeronaut a pleasure to hear (and dance to!) throughout.
Right after John’s remix of “Aeronaut” comes “Atmosphere”, which is going to take you back music and sound-wise to the days of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Trevor Horn indulgences. It’s got a huge boom to it and could easily mashup with “Relax” or “Two Tribes”! “Do You Feel What I Feel” happily channels industrial dance of the 80’s reminiscent of Front 242 or Nitzer Ebb, while the lighter “Mystery” is right up Thompson Twins territory. “Somebody II” (in original ballad or dance remix form) is a perfect companion to Depeche Mode’s own “Somebody”. And the album closes off with the innovative and progressive instrumental “Zero”, which stands beautifully next to such recent releases as Giorgio Moroder’s “74 Is The New 24” or Pet Shop Boys’ “Axis”.
So if you long for the halcyon 80’s days or are interested in hearing songs outside of the mainstream but essential for clubs, then Aeronaut is for you! Well done to John and Parralox, and Subculture will definitely have my attention when it arrives! Check out the beautifully shot video for “Aeronaut” above (ahhhhh Paris how I miss you!).
It’s a fine thing indeed when a fun remix makes you revisit the original song. In this case we have Grammy-nominated Norwegian duo Röyksopp from their album The Inevitable End with “I Had This Thing”, featuring vocal from Jamie from The Irrepressibles. It’s a haunting, sad song, and like so many wonderful dance records, when the rhythm kicks in, the song really pulls you in. In the original setting, I picture the singer looking out a rainy window while the rhythm gradually takes over. In the driving 80s remix from Australia’s The Presets, visualize the singer standing in a sparse discotheque that slowly begins to fill with people as the relentless rhythm continues. The Presets also adjust the vocal, making it seem a little remote, which actually brings out both the sadness (albeit to me under a bright disco ball) and sensuality. So a disconnected Depeche Mode feel from The Presets through Röyksopp works beautifully, if you follow me 😉 “I Had This Thing” is soon to be a new favourite, I do think so!
In some ways, it’s hard to believe that U.S.-based Swedish singer/songwriter Erik Hassle released his much-praised EP Somebody’s Party just shy of a year ago. And even despite lots of touring (most recently with Broods), it’s too bad that more attention wasn’t given to it in the busy summer months that followed. Erik returns with a lighter, more upbeat approach (albeit with a sad undertone) with “No Words”, and it’s a real ear-grabber and toe-tapper in the best of ways. The song scores where the diverse singer hadn’t really gone before – pure soulful pop with an entertaining video (I think Erik may be paying some kitchen visits in the future 😉 ) that could fit into any Top 40 playlist alongside Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams. That’s not at all to say that this was consciously written for radio, it certainly doesn’t seem like it, but the melody and production both seem to work in favour of it! So now’s the time to give Erik Hassle some due and pick up “No Words” on iTunes.
After the much heavier and deeper songs from the ‘A Side’ to their Sonic Aluzion record, I wasn’t really prepared for the anthemic “What It’s All About” from rising Toronto rock band Smashing Satellites. I don’t think this was intended but it fits: “What It’s All About” may be the first ‘graduation’ song for 2015. The great, sincere vibe of the song totally fits the moment for young people moving to the next level in their lives, and Salvatore Costa’s urgent vocal brings that across with vitality. You can get “What It’s All About” (listen above) on iTunes as a free download when you pre-order Sonic Aluzion, which will be a 12 song album that includes the entire ‘A Side’ EP (such as “Waterfall”, currently #4 on my personal chart). Smashing Satellites is one band whose growing fan base is making their time happen quickly, so now’s a great time to jump aboard 🙂
JASON PURCELL, “Modern Man”, with “West Coast” and “If You Could Read My Mind”
Alberta singer/songwriter Jason Purcell has got that unassailable ‘IT’, and I hope that the rest of the world will soon catch on!
From his recent EP I Want To Know comes “Modern Man”, which showcases a voice that falls somewhere between Nick Drake, Joshua Radin, and Jakob Dylan, with classic overtones from 60’s pop/folk and 80’s alternative pop, if ever a Peter Murphy song met up with one by Simon & Garfunkel. Jason’s taut “do not be alarmed” will stick around in your head long after the song is over.
And like a good pop introduction should do (and I found out about Jason through the Fluencesite on which I help curate some submissions), I had to hear more songs by Jason, so I listened to a few of many acoustic cover versions to choose from on You Tube. When I saw that he covered my very favourite Gordon Lightfoot song, “If You Could Read My Mind”, I had to watch, even a tad reluctantly. Slowing down Lightfoot’s jauntier melody, Jason draws you into every second of his rendition with his deliberate phrasing and how he plays to the camera. Like one of my other recent favourite singers, UK’s James Poole, the camera absolutely adores Jason.
This was made even more apparent in the more formally produced cover of Lana Del Rey’s “West Coast”. I’m not in love with the song, but Jason’s interpretation gave me goosebumps. Like with Lana, he has a vulnerable, fragile quality to his voice that totally suits the song. Plus, he can raise an eyebrow, crack a smile, or stare you down, and you are totally sold.
All in all, Jason Purcell is one you need to watch, and I look forward to new music from him soon! Listen to “Modern Man” above, and watch the videos for “West Coast” and “If You Could Read My Mind” below.
Following up last year’s album full of electropop delights, The Fairy Tale Of Zorro Blakk, the talented singer/songwriter brings us yet another confection, “Imagine The Future”, from the forthcoming album The Golden Years. The song serves as a fine introduction to what’s to come – gentle and melodic europop that sketches out an interesting story. Even better, an evocative tale is brought to life by tying in a remarkable, fascinating, and absorbing video by Brent Bonacorso. For many years I’ve always considered videos to be mere marketing tools, but every now and again one like this one comes along that it is so enthralling, and “Imagine The Future” is one of the best I’ve seen in recent years. I’m not going to give anything away – and have a few tissues handy – it will not take you to the point that a clip from “The Wizard Of Oz” is revealed to realize where the video may lead you. It transforms “Imagine The Future” into a story of adventure, love, loss, solitude, fear, and ultimately contentment. I can’t wait to hear more new Zorro Blakk songs from The Golden Years, and will keep you all posted 🙂
Well this fortunate pairing came somewhat out of the blue, but works like a dream. Italian producer DJ Mirko B features Sweden’s current golden boy Anton Ewald on “Higher”. The song has already made significant dents in the European dance market, and by all rights North America shouldn’t be far behind (though the song doesn’t appear to be available in Canada yet). It’s high arpeggio-laden progressive Italo-disco that will easily have dance club patrons jumping. But the song is more accessible than that – it will have you immediately recalling recent releases by the likes of Nervo, Nicky Romero, or even Calvin Harris. “Higher” deserves to be a smash – well done to both fine talents for putting it together. Watch the lyric video above.
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