It’s hard to believe that it took to watching the video for “Instinctual” for my initial opinion to change on the latest song by Welsh sisters Kally and Tammy aka Electrovamp. What could have I been thinking? “Instinctual” is a bubbly and incredibly summery romp, trendy animal makeup notwithstanding! In no time it should rival if not surpass the sisters’ success on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart two years ago with internet sensation Keenan Cahill on “Hands Up”. While it’s quite the larger than life slice of EDM, I’d love to hear what some fantastic remixers could do with “Instinctual”. Just remember these are the gals who already brought you songs with titles such as “I Don’t Like The Vibe In The VIP” and “Drinks Taste Better When Their Free”, as well as supporting the EQ Music Blog with their theme song “Electoqueer”. Watch the video for “Instinctual” above and be prepared to have a lasting smile on your face and some bounce in your ounce!
CARS AND CALORIES, “To The Extreme” and “Runner Up”
Never underestimate the power of Norwegians, especially when a song so riveting like a-ha’s “Take On Me” became the classic it deserved in 1985 and evermore. Other Norwegian acts that come to mind include M2M (featuring Marion Raven, who duetted with Meat Loaf on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” in 2006), The Caesars (remember the iPod commercial set to “Jerk It Out”?), and Annie. Cars And Calories is a duo which has nothing in common with any of the above other than their native country. In fact upon hearing their songs you’re more apt to compare them to North American groups like Hot Chelle Rae, All Time Low, or Neon Trees, with emphasis on power(ful) synths. Michael Markussen and Jim André Bergsted comprise the duo, who perform “To The Extreme” equivalent to making power pop on the side of a cliff, whereas “Runner Up” (which I somehow didn’t write about last Fall) puts its heart right out on its sleeve still frantically beating. With a marvelous international cadre of help to put the pieces together behind the scenes, Cars And Calories creates music that stands out with full intent on leaving its mark behind. a-ha are in very good company indeed 🙂
From just north of where I live, in the Muskokas (Huntsville to be exact) comes duo Big East consisting of guitarist/vocalist James Jones and pianist/guitarist/vocalist Kip Daynard, supported by other expert musicians. They create passionate, earnest folk/pop on their new album Under Currents. But don’t let that basic description sway you, their influences from R&B, blues and jazz are much more far reaching, resulting in diverse and well-crafted songs. They are beautifully sung and tend to be on the softer side, but the results shine through and will make an impression. Opener “I Can’t Let Go” is easily my favourite and has hit potential for Adult Top 40 radio with its soulful edge. “Every Heart” and “I Die For You” (I’m waiting for the mashup with Jann Arden’s “I Would Die For You” 😉 ) also resonate, as does “Change Your Life” which poses lots of food for thought in its brief lyrics. I would pitch this album to fans who like Train, Five For Fighting, John Legend, Frank Ocean, Ms Arden, Anne Murray, and Neil Young. You can stream the entire album below. Check out all of the detail James and Kip have put into theirBandcamp page, including lyrics and chords! You can purchase the album there or on iTunes. Big East wants to engage and involve you and Under Currents is a great record on which you can get to know them.
RYAN STAR, “Bullet” and “Here Comes Your Man” (acoustic)
Ryan Star continues to promote his album independently released earlier this year called A N G E L S + A N I M A L S, which contains the singles “Stay Awhile” and “Impossible”. Like with his previously released EP America, one of Ryan’s great strengths is to take away the band and bring a song into acoustic form. I’ve seen his concert in full blown electric R&R and acoustic. So you’ll see in the video for “Bullet” (above) that the song trades intensities from the album version to a bare bones honest acoustic guitar version recorded in a park. Not one to hide his many influences, Ryan also strips away the post-new wave trappings of The Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” (below) to a more lyrical piano rendition that is capped by a classic Ryan Star powerful vocal moment around the 1:45 mark. Ryan continues to sell out shows in New York City, such as on June 20th at Rockwood Music Hall, but announced a second one at the same venue on July 10. Then he’s hosting and playing acoustic at the “Rockin’ To Save Babies’ Lives” benefit concert on July 23 at the Hammerstein Ballroom alongside A Great Big World, Mary Lambert, and DJ Cassidy (tickets start at $100). Do yourself a huge favour in the meantime and buy A N G E L S + A N I M A L S on iTunes.
A great Canadian voice has decided to step away from her Dance music roots and into smoky R&B ballad territory. The diverse and talented Toronto singer Simone Denny is back. You know her as the lead vocalist on Juno Award-winning #1 Dance records such as Love Inc’s “Broken Bones” (also a Canadian and UK Top 10 hit) and “Astroplane” by BKS, as well as Widelife’s “All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)” – the theme from TV’s Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. With the restrained power in Simone’s voice, you know that the roof is about to be blown off in whatever style she chooses. “Your Love Fades Away” combines heartache with self-realization and there is no question about Simone’s versatility. Because the Dance Club community never lets a great performer go too long without providing a new club hit, I know Simone will have us dancing up a storm again soon. But for now this preview of her upcoming album The Stereo Dynamite Sessions Volume 1 holds a lot of promise. Pick up “Your Love Fades Away” on iTunes!
Back on December 10, 2013, I wrote that Sam Smith’s “Money On My Mind” was the first great song of 2014. It went to #1 in the UK (and on my chart) upon release, and it’s hanging in at #27. Sam’s sung on every major TV talk show plus Saturday Night Live, toured all over the place, sometimes more than once (I caught him in concert in April 🙂 – his subsequent show at a bigger venue here for September sold out in a snap). 2014 is indeed a year of Sam Smith. And his album isn’t even on release yet in North America.
Number One!
It should not be any surprise to find Sam Smith at #1 on my chart for the third time this year, this time with “Stay With Me”, which is another UK #1 and a Top 20 hit thus far in North America. The world cannot get enough Sam Smith right now. “Not In That Way” pulls up to #10 this week, and “Stay With Me” has also been recorded as a duet with none other than Miss Mary J. Blige – and I kind of think that the Disclosure guys had something to do with that!
The Rest of the Top 10
This leaves fun songs like former #1 “Proxy” by Martin Garrix and “Electric Valentine” by Adam Tyler surrendering to our Sam. Just a reminder though that Adam’s deluxe version of Shattered Ice sees release on Tuesday, June 10! 31 songs!!
Rixton have just launched their tour of North America at what appear to be small-ish sized venues, so tickets will go fast! “Me and My Broken Heart” climbs to #4.
The fastest riser on the chart is Canadian 16 year old Tristan Thompson with “Tidal Wave”, a real throwback in styles in so many ways. Now I keep hearing late 70’s early 80’s L.A. pop/soul. It soars 15-5! Stream Tristan’s album Here For Youright here.
The official video for “Love Space” by Convulsic (below) has arrived as the song holds at #6. It’s an interesting trip for sure 🙂 And the dubstep performer’s other entry “The Day You Left” moves up to #11 too.
“Dear Nicole” by FrankMusik continues to stay in my head constantly after several months due to the singer’s fine vocal, which grows from storyteller mode to full throttle. From his latest album By Nicole, the song rises 9-7.
The third new entry to the Top 10 is from a group whose performance was a highlight of the Billboard Music Awards. 5 Seconds Of Summer are more than meets the underwear, and “She Looks So Perfect” climbs 14-9.
Moving Up… and One Debut
Last week’s two dance floor scorching debuts burn up the chart again as well. Jason Walker’s ultra-splendid Hi-NRG-styled Billboard Dance Club Play Top 10 remake of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart” jumps 20-13, while the triad of House Rockerz, Davis Redfield and singer Carl Man bound 22-16 with “Electrify The Night”.
Toronto-based vocalist Kendal Thompson has an ear-catching pop tune with “Be Mine”, which continues to move up the chart at #18.
“Good News (For People Who Love Bad News)” by Zorro Blakk & Deniz Olivieri is up to #19 and is also my Pick of the Week heard every three hours during the coming week on http://www.d-moos.com Canada’s National Internet Radio Station.
SIRPAUL’s steamy “Black Leather” is in control at #22, followed by “Teenager In Love” and poignant alt.pop from Neon Trees at #23, and bass-laden rock from those Kongos boys lands at #25 with “Hey I Don’t Know.
After last chart’s massive seven debuts, we’re back to a solitary one this time with “Miracle” by E-Mute at #24. It’s one of the more haunting alt.rock songs you will hear lately on which singer Theo Mak is both pianist and drummer.
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart.
04 01 STAY WITH ME Sam Smith 01 02 PROXY Martin Garrix 03 03 ELECTRIC VALENTINE Adam Tyler 05 04 ME AND MY BROKEN HEART Rixton 15 05 TIDAL WAVE Tristan Thompson 06 06 LOVE SPACE Convulsic 09 07 DEAR NICOLE FrankMusik 08 08 FALL INTO LOVE Wrathschild 14 09 SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT 5 Seconds Of Summer 11 10 NOT IN THAT WAY Sam Smith 12 11 THE DAY YOU LEFT Convulsic 02 12 LATCH Disclosure featuring Sam Smith 20 13 TELL IT TO MY HEART Jason Walker featuring Bimbo Jones 16 14 THIS IS DIRTY DVBBS & MOTi 17 15 BACK HOME Andy Grammer 22 16 ELECTRIFY THE NIGHT House Rockerz featuring Davis Redfield & Carl Man 10 17 I WISH WE WERE LEAVING Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John 21 18 BE MINE Kendal Thompson 25 19 GOOD NEWS (FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS) Zorro Blakk featuring Deniz Olivieri 07 20 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma 13 21 FINEST CLOTHES IN TOWN Nick Hagelin 28 22 BLACK LEATHER SIRPAUL 29 23 TEENAGER IN LOVE Neon Trees New 24 MIRACLE E-Mute 30 25 HEY I DON’T KNOW Kongos 19 26 BACK TO CALIFORNIA Steve Grand 23 27 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith 24 28 HORNY Lonnie Gordon 18 29 FIND YOU Zedd featuring Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant 27 30 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae
Ugochill has been making music for the last 15+ years in one form or another. After years of collaborating with others, Amsterdam-based Serbian/Dutch multi-instrumentalist Alex Radojcic decided to tackle an instrumental work, and the result is the diverse and entertaining EP Solitude. If you are a guitar fanatic you will thoroughly revel in the masterful playing, inspired by the best in the biz – Beck, Vaughan, Hendrix, Satriani. “Day By Day” is the theme song for a fantastic car race or sunny day at the beach or late nights cruising in a big city, it’s got a really joyful edge to it, and “Just In Time To Be Late” has a similar carefree road trip kind of vibe. It would be a damn shame if Ugochill’s music didn’t come to proper attention of fans and music professionals who will just be in awe of the big, tight, well-produced sound. Sometimes you just don’t need singing – add Ugochill to your list and pick up Solitude, which features “Day By Day”, on iTunes. You can stream songs from the EP below and hear snippets of the rest (including “Day By Day”).
MIKE BRAMBLE, “Never Tear Us Apart”, “Is It You”, “Her Lies”
Covering an INXS is always likely to attract my attention, so when I received word about Mike Bramble’s rendition, I had to check out his other songs as well. Mike is from Portugal, was schooled in music/guitar, and performs a creditable version of “Never Tear Us Apart”. It’s an ambitious, more acoustic, almost folky take on the powerful and anthemic rock ballad. Not what I’d quite expect but props to Mike for boldly tackling it in such a different arrangement. That song doesn’t prepare you though for the soulful power in Mike’s voice in the Seal-like jazzy/R&B flavour of “Is It You”, and the story-telling heartache of “Her Lies”, which features absolutely gorgeous guitar work. Even with these three songs to listen to, I think there is much more that we haven’t yet heard from Mike Bramble. Definitely a new talent to watch. Get your fix of all three below.
The only things Man On Earth and The Ugly Club have in common is that they are from New York City, they play solid rock ‘n roll, and have a determined journeyman style which just naturally generates a loyal following and praise from various sources.
MAN ON EARTH, self-titled album
Man On Earth have a solid, earnest rock style that will appeal to fans of Fall Out Boy, Marianas Trench, Hedley, and Theory Of A Deadman. While they clearly like to rock out hard, and don’t sacrifice melody in the process, there’s a fair bit of depth in their songs that will keep you listening. “If Not Now Then When” is a sea of thoughts amid power rock that’s well worth blasting out your car window on a summer’s day accompanied by a fine bass line. It’s probably the most immediately ear-catching song on the record, but also well done are “Bombs Around Me”, “On Our Way”, and “There”. The biggest surprise that shows this quartet’s versatility (and perhaps singer Stephen Nathan’s best vocal) is “We Are All Dreamers”, definitely a thoughtful ode of reassurance to that important art of dreaming. The band will continue playing some gigs in June, so if you geta chancecheck out their websiteand get out to see them. Man On Earth, the album, is available on iTunes.
THE UGLY CLUB, Loosen Up (EP)
The Ugly Club is another NYC quartet but one who draws their influences likely more from British psych/indie rock – Radiohead, Oasis, all that good stuff from the 90’s. The Ugly Club though bridge some very accessible moments on this three song EP with some experimental, danceable sounds that will please fans of the genre. Both “Loosen Up” and “David Foster Wallace” are rhythmic, sometimes R&B/funk influenced songs which definitely beg listening, while “Under the Great Wave” has an arrangement with some prominent synth work that reminds me of California’s Saint Motel but perhaps with some jazz influences. Overall, the EP (which you can stream below) is a pleasing, diverse surprise carried by another strong vocalist in guitarist Ryan Egan. All of the songs are repackaged from the band’s 2012 album You Belong To The Minutes, available on iTunes. Lend your eyes above to the snazzy vinyl album cover art and blue vinyl on limited release through the band’s website.
The Ugly Club play NXNE in Toronto at The Hideout on Friday, June 20.
It’s been about a year and a halfsince I last wrote aboutBritish singer/producer/remixer MNEK being someone to watch for, and 2014 could see that breakthrough given the quality of his new single “Every Single Word”. Back in 2011 he was somewhat of a whiz kid on the scene at only 17. Now at 19 and signed to Virgin, it looks like his own recordings and performances could be poised for great things. “Every Little Word”, supported by a colourful Lamar & Nik video, has a really 80’s new jack swing retro vibe but with a vocal quality that will put him in the same leagues as fellow Brit Sam Smith, but with more rhythmic songs. An equal joy to listen to, and as a free download available below, is his ‘refix’ of a song that would be considered now as a guilty pleasure to some – Lumidee’s 2003 Top 5 hit “Never Leave You”. But the singer nails it and brings out a convincingly fun vibe to make the song his own. You can get “Every Little Word” on iTunes now.
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