British singer James Poole does have an EP release in the works, as he releases a third new treasure in advance for your listening pleasure, “Runaway”. The piano backdrop is very quiet as James sings about a guy who tries to win back his former love by wanting to have her stay, fix her, and then run away with her. Alas the story is well past its end by the time fixing her is raised, so “Runaway” is a retrospective story of could-have-been, possession, and regret. James’ high register gets a workout throughout committed to the heartache that the song conveys. But whether his voice is high or low, loud or soft – and his low register often has this gruff, recognizable sound to it – it carries “Runaway” through to a thoughtful piano break a minute before the end. Quiet power in British pop is definitely ‘in’, not only with big names like Sam Smith and Adele, but others who you find in my posts such as Harriet and Eurielle. As you know from past posts in these pages, James Poole’s stunning voice leads the way in 2014. Watch the lyric video above. Top notch artwork too, really reflects the mood of the song.
Wanna brighten your day? Maybe it’s time to take a little trip and slip away to wherever you want with the person you adore. Those are the sentiments that come across in the latest from New Jersey-based singer/actor Val Emmich with “Hey Hey Hey”. I like when songwriters can get right down to the basics and write an uncomplicated song that seals the deal in 3 minutes. And Val does just that, with a help from a fine vocal assist from fellow New Jersey performer Christina Alessi. Val’s no stranger to my personal chart as songs from his 2008 release Little Daggers reached the Top 10 (“Get On With It”, #3, and “Down”, #10). “Hey Hey Hey” comes from Val’s upcoming EP Pack Your Bags, Pack Your Heart.You’ll find from this linkthat you can download “Hey Hey Hey” for free, but also that you can only purchase the EP by buying a ticket to Val’s Stage It show on Tuesday September 30. Enjoy!
This edition of Songs Of Innocence is in fact an 11 song preview of the full album which is due for official release on October 13, also featuring acoustic sessions, two new songs, and alternate versions of two songs within (“The Troubles” and “Sleep Like A Baby Tonight”). So it’s a reverse promotion to what other performers have done recently – U2 has given us most of the album to enjoy, with the extras to follow instead. I was wondering what U2 would do next after their solid (and originally free) charity single from earlier this year, “Invisible”, didn’t really resonate with music fans.
I guess like many people, it would be interesting to know why the decision with iTunes to create the free download, for a band that has already made millions of dollars from records and touring. There are a number of other secure ways of creating a download that would have seemed less intrusive. I mean iTunes now creates a lot of people’s record collections, which of course have a deep personal attachment. Every artist has fans who would have been delighted with this. But imagine if it was Justin Bieber or One Direction? It would have been received even less, uh, warmly. And I’m hoping that iTunes will allow people who downloaded Songs Of Innocence to ‘complete the album’ rather than buy the entire package – that would be a nice gesture.
As for the album preview itself? It’s a fine release. I’m not sure if U2 will be able to surpass their classic era of late 80’s and early 90’s albums, but there are many songs on the Danger Mouse produced Songs Of Innocence which have lots of potential. In particular “The Troubles” (lyric video above), with featured vocals by Lykki Li, is an outstanding collaboration that should receive notice. At least five of the other songs – “Song For Someone”, “Raised By Wolves”, “Every Breaking Wave”, “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”, and “Cedarwood Road” – will all catch your attention with the ever-distinct guitar work by The Edge and some Bono vocal work which will remind you of that classic era of U2 that I already referenced.
Despite the way that its promotion has occurred, do be sure to give this preview of U2’s Songs Of Innocence a fair shot. Read more about iton U2’s website.
29 year old British singer Jessie Ware had many fine moments on her debut album Devotion two years back. But the songs that she’s been releasing thus far from her sophomore album Tough Love show that these songs are joining a new classic vocal era that was raised to new heights by Adele four years ago. Sam Smith is the male comparator, of course, and he and Adele and Jessie Ware can join forces and send us all into complete bliss. “Say You Love Me” is lilting and dreamy pop that is awoken with a choral climax that helps make the song memorable. The video showcase is simple and understated and all Jessie. Brilliant and chart bound internationally! North America gets Tough Love on October 21, eight days after the UK and other countries. I’m looking forward to seeing her show on October 26 in Toronto 🙂
TONY MORAN & DEEP INFLUENCE featuring JASON WALKER, “Ball Of Confusion”
Despite its origins as a Vietnam-era Motown smasheroo by The Temptations in 1970 (and noteworthy as an electronic comeback cover by Tina Turner in 1982 via BEF 🙂 ), “Ball Of Confusion” has never lost its relevance. And so we have a fierce new version in aoun tstanding creation from Grammy nominee and club veteran Tony Moran, frequent collaborator Deep Influence, and, with an extremely well-chosen vocal, New York club star Jason Walker, who just recently had another Billboard Top 10 club hit with his own blistering cover of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart”. Accolades all around – listen for it at your local club and watch it burn up the charts.
Hot on the Canada-wide vibe caused by his debut single “Tidal Wave”, which has received national (and New Zealand!) airplay as well as TV exposure for the British Columbian singer, comes a new video for “Mistaken”, from Tristan Thompson’s album Here For You. This time Tristan’s singing a story as the knowing voice of regret at the young age of 16, as set to an 80s inspired synth pop melody, and the song’s earworm of a chorus will have you humming “Mistaken” for days. Plus there are some good performance scenes with a cool vehicle 🙂 The bonus with Tristan having such a great voice at his age is that all of his songs come across as convincing and mature, making his music open for a wider audience than your average teenage pop star. If you’re in western Canada, look for Tristan as part of the TeenFest tour, and who knows maybe it will head eastward to the rest of the country. Be sure to support this fine talent and pick up any of his songs on iTunes for 99 cents each or buy the entire Here For You album (andyou can read my blog post about it here). “Mistaken” is a fine candidate for international radio play, and could also do well in clubs with remixes.
Just when you think that 5 Seconds Of Summer have the Aussie boy band market cornered, along come The Janoskians with a mighty silly but highly enjoyable video for their latest single “That’s What She Said”. The Janoskians I believe pre-date 5SOS by a year or so, known more initially as a teen troupe of pranksters, consisting of brothers Beau, Luke and Jai (who are twins), Daniel, and James . And the pop/rock world can always use a dose of prankster ideology to get your attention. Well the lifeguards-on-a-beach antics with a few racy twists may just be what the doctor ordered to help get us through the Fall months on these shores. The Janoskians should be playing somewhere near you (and me – in October) as they try to find favour in North America. But really what’s not to like? Take in that randomness people and enjoy “That’s What She Said” 🙂 After all the group’s name is an acronym for Just Another Name Of Silly Kids In Another Nation (+S).
Is there room for yet another UK all guy vocal quintet? Connor, Jay, Josh, Matt, and Thompson seem to think so as the London, England lads have released their first EP Dirty Dancer on iTunes as well as a dance mix EP of the title song. This follows a Top 10 placement in the UK’s “X Factor” last year. These guys have solid, less polished vocals than some of the other guy groups – put them halfway between Union J and The Wanted – and a raw, rock-tinged, anthemic sound. “Dirty Dancer” isn’t really naughty, in fact it’s more good time-y than anything, with a rollicking chorus that will find a place in your head. You can also check out their nod to Ellie Goulding with a fun and entertaining cover of “Burn” (below), particularly if firefighters are who you dig. Kingsland Road also have a Pledge Music campaign happening to finance their debut album, so pledge away if you so feel inspired!
I can’t believeI first wrote about Betty Who’s “Somebody Loves You” last frickin’ July!! The warm and inspiring dance record wasted no time in attracting listeners to the free download EP The Movement, becoming the emotional source for a viral Home Depot wedding proposal, succeeding as a #1 Billboard Dance Club Play single, and getting the Aussie-born NYC-based singer signed to RCA Records. So Betty’s upcoming debut album Take Me When You Go along with another club tour (which will bring her back to Toronto in October – and this time a power failure won’t cancel her show!) and new single “Runaways” will continue to let the singer blaze her contagious path. With Sia breaking through as a singer with “Chandelier”, “Runaways” could easily follow suit as an energetic dance/pop smash that’s full of bite and edge, so the gals at the top of the singles chart had better make room for the Who train to storm through!!
What better way to promote the immense talents of New York-based singer SVE than to dance up a “Riot”? I brought this second release to your attentionabout a month ago, and now we have a slick and well-choreographed video which beautifully gets across the energy and attitude of the song. If SVE’s voice hasn’t turned enough heads by now then the eye-catching visuals of the video will show she is a force waiting to happen. Don’t forget to pick up “Riot” on iTunes.
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