It’s strange sometimes when two songs arrive closely together with the same title, yet have nothing in common, except of course that they are both completely noteworthy 🙂
Readers of this blog know Swedish singer Andreas Moe all too well for his vocal appearances on dance hits by Tiesto and John de Sohn, as well as for an original EP from two years ago called Collecting Sunlight. “Ocean” continues in the acoustic, folk-influenced vein, but this time there seem to be more traditional folk elements about the song as its story unfolds into something on the mystical side, captured nicely by the free-spirited look of the video, below. Big things continue to happen for Andreas – such as opening recently for John Mayer! His four song EP Ocean is due July 14, but in the meantime you can buy the title song on iTunes.
It’s hard to imagine such a deep R&B flavoured sound coming from an Australian singer, but Vanessa Elisha is back with “Ocean”, which continues a similar style started by “Home To Me”, from her previous EP Don’t Go. Vanessa’s voice has all of the best qualities of the biggest name female R&B singers, but her style fits in more comfortably with those on the more alternative/hip hop side. When she sings “surround me like an ocean”, you will immediately want to do the same (especially if it means warm Aussie waters). She has a cool way of expressing longing and desire when missing her guy. It’s no surprise that Vanessa’s main audience is in North America, it’s just a matter of getting over here for the exposure, which I’m sure will happen one day. I’ve also heard that Vanessa wants to work with JMSN… would be a great pairing! Listen to “Ocean” below.
Jason Mraz and Joshua Radin are two performers who have proven that they can succeed with great lyrics and melodies, even if their music is on the softer side of pop. Well make room for Lyonn, otherwise known as Tyler Gelrud, who is based out of Knoxville TN but originally from California. What comes particularly to attention as you move through his four song EP Promenade is the warmth and sincerity of his songs. The music and vocals aren’t all quiet, and sound great when Tyler’s voice soars. The EP turns out to be a huge surprise, well arranged and produced, with my preferences going to “Midnight Mind”, where Tyler’s vocal most impresses, and “Just Say Hello”, which are the stronger of the four songs. “Sing You To Sleep” however is a delightful contemporary lullaby, and there aren’t many of those around. Only “Dancing Machine” seems perhaps a little too overly familiar. Promenade is a great effort and a fine introduction to Lyonn. And I’m sure we’re all waiting to find out more about Tyler’s fascination with Leonardo DiCaprio! 🙂 Promenade is available on iTunes for less than $4.00. You can download “Midnight Mind” for free at the link below, and stream the entire EP on Lyonn’s Bandcamp page.
If you’re in the Knoxville TN area, a video shoot for “Just Say Hello” is taking place on Sunday June 29. VisitLyonn’s Facebook page for more details.
“Play For Me” is the latest slice of rocking R&B/dance pop by the UK’s Chromatone, who has appeared in these blog post pages many times over the past few years. Taking cues from Justin Timberlake and Jamiroquai for this one, “Play For Me” has the benefit of an excellent, joyous video. He is a great hip hop dancer who is obviously more diverse than just that, as the video shows. I thoroughly enjoy the story that unfolds through dance in the video. The dancers feed off one another beautifully to make it work, especially at the partnering moments which are usually reserved for us on shows like “So You Think You Can Dance”. The song is breezy jazz-influenced and summery R&B pop that stands out from the rest. I’m not sure when it will be released exactly, but over 40,000 views of the video means that word is getting out. Chromatone definitely has the full package with “Play For Me”.
Some really great things just can’t wait. And I can understand so soon after releasing your most accessible, colourful, and fun video yet (for “Stabilizher”) might be seen as a tad risky. But who is Vincent Frank but to embrace risk!
So here it is, “2B” by FrankMusik, which doesn’t even appear on the singer’s recent By Nicole album. “2B” is unlike any other FrankMusik video or song. This is a complete throwback to 80’s/90’s house music, and my go to’s here would be Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from their own Tabu Records roster, as well of course as their Janet Jackson productions, plus perhaps Michael Jackson and Hall & Oates’ work with Diana Ross earlier on in the 80’s. I love the dirty groove which just slams hard enough.
The video, shot by Danny Land again, is simple and classy, with a fair bit of edits, but all FrankMusik. I can’t wait for “2B” to be officially released. It’s going to open a door back into clubland that the songs on By Nicole were not meant for. And the remixes… oh yes, I hope there will be some crazy remixes! I was completely taken aback – excellent job all around on this!!
Il l’a fait à nouveau! Pour nous encore 🙂 After having such a massive hit in French-speaking places a few years back with the jaunty “Elle Me Dit”, the ever-talented Mika once again looks to French culture and language for the entertaining “Boum Boum Boum” and its fun animated video. When I saw Mika’s stripped down acoustic piano show in Toronto last year, there were a lot of French speakers in the audience who knew every word to “Elle Me Dit”. So I’ll take Mika singing in either language any day, just no need to translate this one into English. The Origin Of Love was indeed a lovely but very deep album, which I think kept some older Mika fans away, so I’m hoping the singer goes for lighter fare this time as I think it will serve him well. You can buy “Boum Boum Boum” right now on iTunes.
“Stranger” is about to put that funky groove back into the hot summer months for you. On a totally 80’s/90’s retro tip, with particular reference to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Mary J. Blige, NYC producer/DJ Chris Malinchak follows up his worldwide smash “So Good To Me” with a song that will make heads turn. The song features the gifted voice of Mikky Ekko, the Louisiana-born singer who wowed us on Rihanna’s “Stay” and his own follow-up single “Kids”. “Stranger” is completely unlike those songs and is really a fresh start for Mikky. Look for “Stranger” to be one of the most welcome surprises of the summer. It’s an uncharacteristic collaboration but I think will be the start of more between Chris Malinchak and Mikky Ekko. It’s available on iTunes.
SAM DICKINSON, “When You Left Me” (official video)
One of the most pleasing debut albums I heard last year was Sam Dickinson’s The Stories That Occurred. It’s full of both traditional and 80s/90s soul influences much of which come from the unique sounds of his fellow Brits. It’s almost a year later, and The Stories That Occurred is about to get a reboot. “When You Left Me” is the emotional and energetic trigger, if you will, full of 80s-styled horns and rhythms that will send you back to records by Paul Young, Simply Red, Culture Club, and particularly to me, The Style Council. The video puts Sam back in front of you too, because this reboot involves a reissued 37 song album – with numerous remixes coming – due in August, as well as a number of upcoming opportunities to see Sam perform in and around the north east part of England. “When You Left Me” was just featured on BBC2’s The Graham Norton Show over the past few days, so there’s keen interest in Sam Dickinson and his many talents. You can purchase “When You Left Me” from the standard edition of The Stories That Occurred on iTunes, but watch for all the news to come atSam’s website!
I love it when a singer wants to be a game changer and take risks. UK singer James Poole has set aside his excellent viral cover version choices for an original this time, “The Clocks Of Our Lives”. James has already hinted at taking risks with his cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana”, which was a huge score with a decidedly different version of the song.
“The Clocks Of Our Lives” reminds me particularly of 1970’s Elton John, who also took many risks with long, classically-based songs. Here James incorporates Einaudi’s “Nuvole Bianchi” piece into the basis of the melody. So it takes me back to Elton’s best work such as “Tiny Dancer” or “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, but I would say comparisons could also go to Chris de Burgh and his early to mid 80’s works, as well as to Jim Steinman, who wrote such beautiful songs for Meat Loaf.
“The Clocks Of Our Lives” wants the singer to go back in time to start over, but he knows that he has to endure the heartache instead. By the 3 minute mark, when James’ voice soars, it is a heart-wrenching moment. Even though it’s over 5 minutes long, the song never seems that long as its resignation unfolds.
I think James is secretly trying to educate us all on classical music and opera in his music 😉 and he might succeed. This is a brilliant first original, but one that is so bold that I think it might take some time before it could catch on. Nonetheless, it only makes me want to hear more from James Poole and his amazing voice.
My new personal chart this week sees some longer lasting songs peaking with no shortage of great new songs to replace them down below. So while it’s an active chart, movement is slow and steady 😉
The Top 10
Tuesday June 17 is release day for Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour in North America at last!! So I’ve picked that up and will be listening, but in the meantime Sam’s “Stay With Me” gets a second appearance in at the top, while “Not In That Way” climbs to #8.
It’s looking highly like young B.C. native Tristan Thompson could succeed Sam Smith at the top in two weeks with his debut single “Tidal Wave” (below). It moves up significantly, from 5 to 2! I’ve also included a link to the new Boomtang mix radio edit!
Convulsic now has two of his songs in the Top 10, which is amazing for a new performer. “Love Space” still climbs up to #5, while “The Day You Left” enters the Top 10 at #9. Unique and infectious dubstep just waiting for your attention!
FrankMusik’s “Dear Nicole” rises to #6, as the third video from By Nicole is released. Watch “Stabilizher” below – such a well shot video, full of great colour and effects. Plus, it’s a feelgood video, harkening back to “No I.D” or “Do It In The A.M.” Well done to all!
Bounding into the Top 10 at full velocity is the massive cover of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart” by Jason Walker featuring Bimbo Jones. If you want a song to lift you up and make you feel great, Jason’s fierce rendition will do just that!! Below is a video re-edit featuring the Toy Armada and DJ GRIND club mix.
Moving On Up…
They’re from the nearby town to the north-west of me called Orangeville – the DVBBS brothers (with MOTi) are Top 10 bound with the powerful and rollicking “This Is Dirty” at #11.
“Electrify The Night” by the team of House Rockerz, Davis Redfield and singer Carl Man is a song that resonated with me out of the blue. It only has limited availability, but you can listen to it through the link below from Soundcloud. I predict great things coming for the song on the chart in the next few weeks, and it moves 16-12.
The pop culture references and the feel good vibe make Zorro Blakk & Deniz Olivieri’s “Good News (For People Who Love Bad News)” a treat for your ears and feet! The song is from the mysterious Zorro’s debut album The Fairy Tale of Zorro Blakk and climbs 19-15.
SIRPAUL smashed it last weekend at Long Island Pride (along with the likes of Debbie Gibson and Robin S!). The singer lays it all out bare 😉 with “Black Leather” rising 22-18 from his album Seventh Star.
The fastest riser belongs to the quartet of brothers who go by their last name of Kongos. The gritty and bassy “Hey I Don’t Know” moves up 25-19.
E-Mute’s “Miracle” gets easily stuck in your head with a compelling vocal and classical piano work. It climbs 24-20.
Debuts
I haven’t been a fan of their past efforts, but even months after its original release “Little Me” by Little Mix has won me over with the swirling carousel of a remix by Steve Smart and Westfunk. It gets down and deep but the keyboard melody and the vocals which build up the chorus are the selling points. Plus the song has a very important and positive message for young women about beauty and image. It debuts at #23.
Next at #24 is another great new female voice and songwriter – Charli XCX. Her song “Boom Clap” from “The Fault In Our Stars” will immediately remind you of a more pop-edged Lorde, but it’s immediately catchy and memorable, and certain to be a huge pop hit as we head into summer, given the singer’s success as appearing on Iggy Azalia’s “Fancy”.
I wrote about this next song recently and now here it is on my chart. Simone Denny was the voice behind great dance hits like Love Inc.’s “Broken Bones” and “You’re A Superstar”, as well as Wide Life’s “All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)”. She’s never been away and is back with something a little more subdued which is perfect for her wide-ranging voice. “Your Love Fades Away” bows at #25 from the upcoming album The Stereo Dynamite Sessions Volume 1.
The last debut belongs to Atlanta-based Nick Hagelin, with another choice song for summer from his free download EP City Lights. “Trust It” scores all the way around – great rhythm, story, and one of Nick’s best straight ahead pop vocals. It arrives at #26.
Extra, Extra… Give ‘Em A Listen (or Five)
HANNIS, “Time Has Come”
The more I hear songs like “Time Has Come”, the more I enjoy the EDM dubstep experience. This song by the Finland native, who got into listening and singing to EDM at the request of her boyfriend, starts off like many great European electro records of the early 2000’s with a soft introduction with Hannis’ inviting voice. And then right before the minute and a half mark, this huge layered wall of dubstep hits and lulls you in like it’s your best friend 🙂 This is truly amazing production work from Alwegs, who hails from Latvia. If his name gets out there, he’s gonna be noticed! “Time Has Come” is a terrific but unassuming start for Hannis, and big things could happen if word of mouth gets out about the song and its unique hybrid EDM style that totally works. You can download the song for free using a link from Hannis’ Soundcloud page.
TANYA THE SAVAGE, “We Were Once Built There”
It’s somewhat of an interesting recording name, but Tanya The Savage records songs which are guaranteed to embed a mark on your listening experience. She’s based out of Miami, and has been performing since she was a child violinist age 8! “We Were Once Built There” is gorgeous, emotional British/European-flavoured EDM that would be much different without her affecting and powerful vocal. It’s another song to hit you square right out of nowhere and then make you want much more. Tanya The Savage is currently recording an album with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Rodriguez. “We Were Once Built There” is available on iTunes.
And Now, 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.
01 01 STAY WITH ME Sam Smith 05 02 TIDAL WAVE Tristan Thompson 02 03 PROXY Martin Garrix 04 04 ME AND MY BROKEN HEART Rixton 06 05 LOVE SPACE Convulsic 07 06 DEAR NICOLE FrankMusik 09 07 SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT 5 Seconds Of Summer 10 08 NOT IN THAT WAY Sam Smith 11 09 THE DAY YOU LEFT Convulsic 13 10 TELL IT TO MY HEART Jason Walker featuring Bimbo Jones 14 11 THIS IS DIRTY DVBBS & MOTi 16 12 ELECTRIFY THE NIGHT House Rockerz featuring Davis Redfield & Carl Man 15 13 BACK HOME Andy Grammer 03 14 ELECTRIC VALENTINE Adam Tyler 19 15 GOOD NEWS (FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS) Zorro Blakk featuring Deniz Olivieri 18 16 BE MINE Kendal Thompson 08 17 FALL INTO LOVE Wrathschild 22 18 BLACK LEATHER SIRPAUL 25 19 HEY I DON’T KNOW Kongos 24 20 MIRACLE E-Mute 23 21 TEENAGER IN LOVE Neon Trees 12 22 LATCH Disclosure featuring Sam Smith New 23 LITTLE ME (Steve Smart & Wildfunk radio edit) Little Mix New 24 BOOM CLAP Charli XCX New 25 YOUR LOVE FADES AWAY Simone Denny New 26 TRUST IT Nick Hagelin 17 27 I WISH WE WERE LEAVING Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John 21 28 FINEST CLOTHES IN TOWN Nick Hagelin 26 29 BACK TO CALIFORNIA Steve Grand 27 30 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith
With this reboot of the almost 3 year old debut album by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Adam Tyler, Adam has shown impressive growth in the new songs, which makes your purchase (particularly if you don’t have the original) all the more worthwhile. He first came to my attention with the riveting single “Friction” in 2010, still one of my favourites from him. I posted about Shattered Ice way back when, and Adam is a frequent visitor to my personal chart. His voice has grown more versatile, and works best on infectious light electropop or darker EDM.
The new single “Knew You Better” (below) is a grower, along the lines of the singer’s “Music Freak” or last year’s “Fade Into The Light” (also included!). Even better is “Criminal”, with a catchy synth line and melody that sends me back to the 80’s, and I can’t wait to see what a video of this might look like. Extremely impressive is the Aron Friedman remix of Shattered Ice’s debut single “I Won’t Let You Go”, which strips away a lot of Adam’s high notes and matches his lower register against a slow house beat. This is a well thought out treat that can stand alone as if it was a brand new song! Single potential all over again!
The other new songs are the Paul Hetherington-produced “Only One” (which I’ve already written about), plus “Magic”, “Paradise”, and “Concrete”. “Music Freak” and “Emergency” see alternate 2.0 versions that are highly complimentary to the originals.
There are 31 songs, mostly produced by pop whiz Sky Felix, including all of the original 11 Shattered Ice tunes, 6 new ones (including “Electric Valentine”, plus the previously released Hetherington-produced “Waiting In Line”) and lots more fun remixes. This deluxe edition is a great strategy to rebrand the timeless songs from the original album, plus provide us with more than an EP’s worth of new ones and more than another EP’s worth of remixes. You will not be disappointed if you pick up Adam Tyler’s Shattered Ice – Deluxe Edition on iTunes, I will guarantee it!
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