It’s Time for @MikkyEkko with “Smile”

MIKKY EKKO, “Smile”

Only recently with his Michael Jackson throwback vocal on Chris Malinchak’s funky and fabulous “Stranger” (currently #14 on my chart) has Mikky Ekko been positioned better for more success, after breaking through on Rihanna’s “Stay” (which he co-wrote) almost two years ago.  His album Time is on deck this Fall, and “Smile” is the new, vibrant single that should be his solo breakthrough.  Not too far off the mark musically or vocally than previous single “Kids”, “Smile” is all about making first impressions no matter what the scenario – it always goes a long way.  It can not only lift you up but also the people around you.  And while the message of the song is also to live each moment until the end, living in the moment also goes a long way for self-esteem, pride, and ultimately love and affection.  Time should be on your must-listen list, and it looks like Mikky will be on a short tour (including Toronto, my city 🙂 ) in November and December.  Mikky Ekko has a diverse voice which makes him the chameleon go-to guy when you want something a little different but full of meaning and promise.  You can buy “Smile” on iTunes.

Retrotastic: “Classic” (@RAC remix) by @TheKnocks featuring Powers

 

THE KNOCKS featuring POWERS, “Classic” (RAC remix)

It’s the end-of-summer song that could still be an uncharacteristic hit.  And it’s esteemed DJ/producer RAC who has taken “Classic” by fellow dance music makers The Knocks (featuring duo Powers) to another level.  He strips away the song’s original funky edge in favour of a 70’s vibe whose piano riff screams Andrea True Connection.  The song’s easy going and jaunty melody make it a natural for the dance floor.  I loved The Knocks’ take on “Midnight City” (featuring vocalist Mandy Lee) so this collaboration with Powers goes down sooo smoothly.

 

Reach Out: “Shy Cry” by @Unbuttonedmusic

UNBUTTONED, “Shy Cry”

Unbuttoned is a Toronto area music project brought to you by Casey Manierka-Quaile, aka Casey MQ erstwhile member of the latest edition of long-time faves Spoons.  “Shy Cry” is a soft, unassuming and affecting song that will stay in your head, not unlike mid-80’s quieter songs by China Crisis or The Blue Nile, aided by a beautifully choreographed video.  The dancers all wear masks (not easy to dance with, either!) but long to be held and touched, or to hold and touch, to draw out whatever emotion might be residing inside your being.  Casey’s singing blends nicely with additional vocals by Kami Apong.  There’s more to hear than just “Shy Cry” though.  Unbuttoned has released their full album Planes, and you can hear (and purchase) it on their Bandcamp page.  “Shy Cry” is a promising start.

The Whimsical Melodies of @SaintMotel Take Off with “Cold Cold Man”

SAINT MOTEL, “Cold Cold Man”

L.A.-based quartet Saint Motel (who have recently scored a record deal with Parlophone-Warner) have attracted some unanticipated attention with the title song from their new EP “My Type”, which recently appeared in the UK Top 40 Singles chart.  Not bad at all for a band who often write complicated songs set to whimsical and wistful melodies.  “Cold Cold Man” prominently features the latter, reminiscent of the band’s “Puzzle Pieces” from their Voyeur album of two years ago (and I got to see their Toronto show).  But the lyrics this time are more direct and straight-forward, which could lead to more radio play for “Cold Cold Man” too.  Saint Motel usually creates intriguing videos (mainly directed by singer A/J Jackson) to promote their songs, going right back to their droll bizarreness in “Dear Dictator” (below) which became one of my favorites of 2010 and caught the attention of Sam Sparro for a remix, so I’m hoping we’ll be seeing more from Saint Motel.  Listen to the entire EP of My Type above; “Cold Cold Man” is three songs in.

MORE New Semi @preciousweapons with “Brando”

SEMI-PRECIOUS WEAPONS, “Brando”

Boy, was I glad to see even MORE new Semi-Precious Weapons music surface this year in the form of thoughtful and affecting but still very edgy “Brando”.  While I missed the raw-raw-raw, uninhibited new-glam rock sound of their older songs like “Magnetic Baby”, I definitely embraced the glossier, more pop-oriented and anthemic songs on their Aviation album, released earlier this year.  “Aviation High” still resonates as a mystical singalong that should have taken the band to greater heights.  While Aviation now seems like a transitional release, “Brando” reels back some of the eager-to-please and large sound for a sweeping and grandiose song with emotion on its sleeve.  Lead singer Justin Tranter scores big time with his vocal here, I can’t wait to hear him perform it in concert.  You’ll be humming “Brando”  for days!  And if a new album is on deck for later in the year, let’s hope for a North American tour to promote it.  Canada misses you SPW, well done!  

More Stage Fright: “Scared” by @iamJakeBarker

JAKE BARKER, “Scared”

As you’ve already read in these blog posts, Jake Barker was my underdog favourite on the last edition of “The Voice” with his on-point R&B/pop style, despite having never performed on stage before being on the show.  Well since then, he’s released his EP Stage Fright (on my regular iPod playlist 🙂 ), toured with “The Voice”, and proposed to his gal Alyse on stage when in New York City.  I’m looking for more to come from talented Jake, but in the meantime the lyric video for “Scared” will get you acquainted with another of the songs from Stage Fright and make you understand why he and his goosebumps-raising voice belong in the limelight.  Get Stage Fright on iTunes for a very reasonable price!

Say Cheese: “Love Song” by Piper Hayes @PiperCanSing

PIPER HAYES, “Love Song”

As you will tell from the delightful scenic backdrop in the video, singer/songwriter Piper Hayes hails from my city, Toronto!  And the video, with its carefree and impromptu style, is out to set you off into a good time in its tribute to the “Love Song”.   Of course it all wouldn’t work without being a brief but terrific song – and it’s hard to write briefly and succinctly! – accompanied by a gleeful, fun vocal.  Piper’s voice can be added to the cadre of similar singers who’ve put out great records – Jann Arden, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles (HER “Love Song” notwithstanding 😉 ).  Look for a full release coming very soon!

So So So Discofied: @PenguinPrison covers @SadeOfficial’s “Hang On To Your Love”

 

PENGUIN PRISON, “Hang On To Your Love”

Penguin Prison (aka New Yorker Chris Glover) has impeccable taste, as his choice in covering Sade’s first single “Hang On To Your Love” so aptly proves.  It’s been a while since we’ve had new Penguin music while Chris has been touring just about everywhere in the past three years, whether for a live performance or DJ set.  But something’s brewing, much needed after his marvelous and diverse self-titled 2010 album, featuring decade classics like “The Worse It Gets”, “Golden Train”, and “Don’t Fuck With My Money”, which dominated my personal chart in 2011-12.  When Sade arrived with this song (and I have the original 12″ vinyl (pic below), it sparked the trend of an “old club sound” in the mid-80’s, and I believe she and her Grammy-winning band were ultimately the only survivors of that niche-genre.  Penguin Prison has opted to bring out the urgency of the song through an early 80’s disco vibe – and you will be hooked, I guarantee.  Download it and dance away using the Soundcloud link above 🙂

You can also catch Penguin’s voice in the summery Caribbean-flavoured vibe of Viceroy’s “The Life” below.

 

sade

You Could Hear A Pin Drop: “Hate Me” (live acoustic version) by @Eurielle_music

EURIELLE, “Hate Me” (live acoustic version)

Yorkshire-born trained soprano Eurielle has been a constant pop music force to watch in 2014, since the debut of her EP The Incarnation last winter.  The last quarter of the year will bring us a full album.  So following the short film experience of the winning “Carry Me” comes a live acoustic performance of a new song, “Hate Me”, that should be sealing the deal for any disbelievers.  British singers like Eurielle are bringing the most rudimentary form of classically-based pop back to be reckoned with the busy electronic pop of today.  There is always room for beautiful music and voices that make you listen.  There’s often so much quiet in Eurielle’s performance of “Hate Me” that you really have to pay close attention.  But it’s worth it.  Amy Lee of Evanescence had better watch out – she’s in great company with the likes of Eurielle!  PS the outfit Eurielle is wearing is most befitting of the wicked queen in “Once Upon A Time” 🙂

Extreme Dayz: “To The Extreme” Video by @CarsCalories

CARS & CALORIES, “To The Extreme” (video)

It’s been a hot second since I helped bring Norwegian duo Cars & Calories to your attention with not only the power-poppy “To The Extreme” but also the heart-pounder “Runner Up”.  You get a look at look at the lads, Jim André and Michael – and Jim André looks as young as his voice 😉  The video for “To The Extreme” starts off a little dry, but stick with it, because everything comes together within about the last minute.  I don’t know about you, but being older than the average blogger, I found that its generational theme put a smile on my face.  And now I digress:  When I was much younger, short-lived Canadian troupe Boys Brigade – who I got to see in concert, horn section and all, along with lead singer (eventually well-known producer) Malcolm Burn – had snippets of a similar idea, albeit gender-bending – given away from the start – in their video for “The Passion Of Love” below.  And I had the same warm reaction then too!