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.
One of the most unique projects of the year thus far, for those of you who don’t mind hearing music in another language, is Mi Senti, a six song EP of songs sung in Italian by none other thanRóisínMurphy. Being married to an Italian I’m sure must have been an impetus for tackling songs in that language, but she apparently has been fascinated by it for a long time. The result is a lovely, moody, mainly chilled out and occasionally danceable release that will certainly please fans of the singer. Róisín is at her best and immersed in the songs, which, if you speak another language, you know is very hard to do. The best ones here are the opener “Ancora Ancora Ancora”, the laid back disco of “Ancora Tu”, and the mysterious cabaret-flavoured “Non Credere”. Open your ears folks and give a listen to the entire EP below. It’s available on iTunes on May 28. Give this terrific articlea read for more background.
When I wrote about his splendid cover of Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” a month ago, I promised to keep you all informed on what was next for “The Voice” contestant Jake Barker. So with the finale of this season’s show last night and some marvelous performances – including Jake performing with Christina Grimmie, Bria Kelly, and Tess Boyer on a warm rendition of Lorde’s “Team” – Jake immediately unleashed the video for his song “Oh So Simple”. The power of having a song that some people might think is understated is its ability to stay in your memory long after you hear it. Jake’s sweet voice rivals Robin Thicke (say on his “Lost Without U”) or John Legend, and I’m not using those names lightly, I think Jake could easily get into the big leagues with a start like “Oh So Simple”. The video is laid back and supports the easy going stage presence of the singer. Keep your eyes on your iTunes as it will be out soon along with Jake’s debut EP Stage Fright. Jake Barker is one of 2014’s new, amazing talents to watch!!
PS – If the song title is screaming song lyrics of the past to you, then you may be thinking of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were”. But I think it was Gladys Knight that sang “oh so simple” in her rendition instead of “all so simple” in Streisand’s version.
“Miracle” is one of those songs I’ve been listening to a lot over the last while, but not sure what to write about it! In any case, the more I listened, the more the song’s haunting melody will stay with you as it did me. E-Mute is the alias for London-based Theo Mak, who is not only the singer/songwriter, but also the drummer and pianist. And it’s those instruments that are in the forefront, with the drumming mixing it up over the gorgeously repetitious classical piano melody. Layered on top is E-Mute’s passionate, almost anguished vocal. It’s a dialogue to whatever higher power exists out there – almost in the same way as was “You Found Me” by The Fray – about making your life worth living and then seeking redemption later. Agree? Disagree? A great conversation piece 😉 E-Mute is heavily influenced by Nirvana (as you will see what he’s wearing in the video above) and the inspiration is clearly 90’s alternative rock. But blending that with his own talents, and you have one powerful and unique song, with a provocative message and compelling vocal. Get “Miracle” on iTunes, from the EP Too Proud To Say Loud.
The new chart is positively shaking! So much activity – a new #1, and 7 debuts smash onto the chart! And because of the latter I’ll be skipping over some songs that are making headway, and we’ll catch up with them in two weeks.
The Top 10
Yes, it’s 18 year old Martin Garrix who has scored his second consecutive #1 with the free download “Proxy”, following the so-amazing success of “Animals”. And there always seems to be Martin Garrix news to report on every few weeks. The latest is collaboration with Sander van Doorn and DVBBS featuring vocalist Aleesia on “Gold Skies”. The new song is a mix between Tegan & Sara’s “Closer” and Zedd & Foxes’ “Clarity”, and the video is day in the life of couple on a road trip. Could be a summer sleeper!
Adam Tyler has a personal best this week as “Electric Valentine” climbs to #3. His deluxe edition of his album Shattered Ice, featuring new songs and reduxes of songs from the album, plus last year’s “Fade Into The Light” and of course “Electric Valentine”, will be available on June 10. You can stream the new songs at the link below, and I draw your attention to a really infectious piece of business called “Criminal”, which will have you singing along and humming to a melody which is a bit of a throwback to the 80’s.
Happy 22nd Birthday to Sam Smith, who has three entries on the chart, two of which are on the rise – “Stay With Me” rises to #4, and “Not In That Way” is up to #11.
Rixton is turning out to be the pop flavour of May with “Me And My Broken Heart” now heard everywhere, and up to #5 on my chart!
“Love Space” continues on the rise for Convulsic at #6, while “The Day You Left” is also on fire at #12!
They were all destined for the Top 10 and arrive this week: “Fall Into Love” by Wrathschild at #8, FrankMusik’s “Dear Nicole” at #9, and “I Wish We Were Leaving” by Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John at #10. New videos are in the works for both FrankMusik (“Stabilizher”) and Wrathschild, while Bright Light x2’s sophomore album Life Is Easy is on deck for July 7.
The Fastest Risers
Last week’s debut by DVBBS & MOTi “This Is Dirty” is the one to watch as it climbs 23-16.
Right behind is Andy Grammer’s heart-tugger “Back Home”, moving up 22-17.
And Now, On To Those Debuts
I’ve written about them all, so their arrival on my chart proves they have staying power, and then some!
Most noteworthy is Tristan Thompson’s “Tidal Wave” from the Canadian singer’s debut album Here For You. Check out the rich, soulful style… and he’s only 15! It’s kind of appropriate (and totally unintentional) that “Tidal Wave” makes a huge bow at #15 🙂 Stream Tristan’s entire album including “Tidal Wave” right here.
I’ve been having such a good time with Jason Walker’s cover of Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It To My Heart” (featuring Bimbo Jones) that the club hit blasts on to my chart at #20!
It’s not really readily available, but since it’s released somewhere, the explosive “Electrify The Night” by House Rockerz, Davis Redfield and UK singer Carl Man charges on to the chart at #22. I’ve put the song on my Soundcloud site for now so you can hear it (hopefully it doesn’t get taken down) 🙂
One of the most inventive songs around with a contagious melody is “Good News (For People Who Love Bad News)” by Zorro Blakk (aka Daniel Volpe) featuring Deniz Oliveiri, which arrives at #25, from Zorro’s debut album The Fairy Tale Of Zorro Blakk.
Though I’ve been listening to SIRPAUL’s “Black Leather” for quite a while now, the arrival of its NSFW and limit-testing video in support of this latest single from the singer’s Seventh Star album sends it on to the chart at #28. WARNING: Uncensored version – discretion advised!
Pop Psychology by Neon Trees is one of the year’s best surprises for me in terms of a straight forward, well done pop album that still retains its alt.rock roots. I’m going off the beaten path though and the song that lands on my chart is “Teenager In Love” at #29.
Kongos’ diverse sound with South African roots has won me over with their rock album Lunatic, and the bass-laden “Hey I Don’t Know” debuts at #30.
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart.
02 01 PROXY Martin Garrix
01 02 LATCH Disclosure featuring Sam Smith
04 03 ELECTRIC VALENTINE Adam Tyler
06 04 STAY WITH ME Sam Smith
09 05 ME AND MY BROKEN HEART Rixton
07 06 LOVE SPACE Convulsic
03 07 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma
11 08 FALL INTO LOVE Wrathschild
13 09 DEAR NICOLE FrankMusik
12 10 I WISH WE WERE LEAVING Bright Light Bright Light & Elton John
15 11 NOT IN THAT WAY Sam Smith
17 12 THE DAY YOU LEFT Convulsic
05 13 FINEST CLOTHES IN TOWN Nick Hagelin
16 14 SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT 5 Seconds Of Summer
New 15 TIDAL WAVE Tristan Thompson
23 16 THIS IS DIRTY DVBBS & MOTi
22 17 BACK HOME Andy Grammer
08 18 FIND YOU Zedd featuring Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant
10 19 BACK TO CALIFORNIA Steve Grand
New 20 TELL IT TO MY HEART Jason Walker featuring Bimbo Jones
25 21 BE MINE Kendal Thompson
New 22 ELECTRIFY THE NIGHT House Rockerz featuring Davis Redfield & Carl Man
14 23 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith
18 24 HORNY Lonnie Gordon
New 25 GOOD NEWS (FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS) Zorro Blakk featuring Deniz Oliveiri
19 26 LOVE ME AGAIN John Newman
20 27 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae
New 28 BLACK LEATHER SIRPAUL
New 29 TEENAGER IN LOVE Neon Trees
New 30 HEY I DON’T KNOW Kongos
25 year old Swedish singer (but now L.A. based) Erik Hassle has received a fair amount of acclaim for his unique takes on pop/dance music over the last few years. But it’s finally coming into its own with the release of his 6 song EP Somebody’s Party. This time he veers more in the direction of US and UK R&B, and that the opener “Pathetic” and closer title song could have been borne out of Prince’s Diamonds And Pearls era is a fantastic reference point. Throw in flashes of Terence Trent D’Arby, Drake, Coldplay, Usher, combined with 90’s inspired European/UK pop and you have songs that will keep you listening. Erik’s voice soars similarly to Sam Smith and James Blake at some times and it will be interesting to see if Erik and his songs fall into similar success now that he’s signed to RCA. Every song is extremely well done, with often blunt lyrics that will sink in after a few listens, and I’ll give a nod to two very different duets – “Talk About It” with US rapper Vic Mensa, and “Innocence Lost” featuring an aching streetwise pairing with US R&B singer Tinashe (video below). Somebody’s Party is a stellar complete package. It’s a major score for Erik Hassle that should open doors everywhere. Stream the entire album above and get it on iTunes.
Erik Hassle plays Toronto’s small Wrongbar in an already sold-out show on May 26 – he obviously needs a bigger venue!
JASON WALKER featuring BIMBO JONES, “Tell It To My Heart”
You all may know New York singer Jason Walker best for a little ditty called “Set It Free”, which glided all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart in 2005. Jason’s had other songs do very well, but he’s back killing it (with UK DJ/remixers Bimbo Jones) with a cover of Taylor Dayne’s classic “Tell It To My Heart”. That I’m writing about a cover of that song says lots! This is a frenetic rave up that just won’t let up! Like Taylor’s original, the song requires a HUGE vocal and Jason absolutely takes no prisoners. It’s already Top 20 on the Dance Club Play chart and no wonder. It’s just plain gosh darned explosive! Get the 25 (!!) remix EP on iTunes (the Toy Armada & DJ Grind remix is particularly cool) and listen and dance to it in every shape and form possible 🙂 *out of breath*
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