New Haven, Connecticut’s Sean O’Reilly is a major talent worth watching for, if “Ready For You Now” from his Volume 1 album is any indication. In this song you have one truly original piano man package wrapped up with smatterings of Rufus Wainwright wordplay, Patrick Wolf attitude, Brandon Flowers vocalizing, and Mika playfulness. Plus “Ready For You Now” may remind you, at times, vocally, of “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes. I’m not sure what I like best, Sean’s piano thrashing that keeps the almost 5 minute song from faltering, or when he sings at the top of his lungs, which really drives “Ready For You Now” home. Sean even went out into pre-Hurricane Sandy weather to make the video (below) for this song. Talk about dedication to your craft! Though this record actually came out in 2012, 2014 is definitely the time for Sean O’Reilly to break through.
It’s been almost four years since Toronto singer Justin Nozuka’s second album, the well-received You I Wind Land & Sea, and I think the last time I heard him on record was singing on The Slaqadeliks’ “Love Controls The Sun” back in late ’11. Justin’s third album Ulysees is on deck soon (and available for pre-order on iTunes), and preceding it is “Right By You”. Initially, and to everyone but JN fans, it will appear like an odd duck of a song. But it works in the less-is-more aspect of making music, with minimal sounds in the background, allowing major focus on Justin’s flourishing and soulful vocal.
“Right By You” is the kind of song that will put an entire club audience into a hushed state with its bluesy sense of immediacy and closeness. Think of 70’s R&B songs like Major Harris’ “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”, “Why Can’t We Live Together” by Timmy Thomas, or “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” by Rose Royce, all of which thrive on their vocals and their messages. On a side note, I understand that our friends in Toronto band River Tiber have had a hand in Justin’s new songs – always a good thing. Watch for Ulysees on April 1.
No sooner thanI write about a new Nick Hagelin video and his recent acoustic forays two weeks ago, and our Atlanta-based R&B/pop singer announces a free EP coming your way on March 5 (his birthday) called City Lights. To tantalize you from the start, Nick is back to the funky business that he does so very well with “Finest Clothes In Town”. If you’re already cozy with recent efforts by Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke, then the songs on City Lights are going to smash it for you. “Finest Clothes” takes classic R&B elements both vocally and musically, gives it a dash of disco funk (with high five to the cowbell and the reference to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star”), adds vocal and harmonica samples, and makes it all a happy mix that would impress folks like Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers. Oh yeah, and Nick’s performance is one of his best and most earnest, and is bound to get, well, some foreplay going anyway. Listen above and watch for more words coming your way about City Lights closer to its release. And if you’re in Atlanta on Monday evening, check out Nick’s acoustic show at STK Atlanta on Peachtree.
Soft songs are often in so much competition with upbeat ones that a really strong one has to soar above the rest. “Fireworks” by Zorro Blakk & Lulu Bell does exactly that. Their two voices blend together fluidly which makes the emotion and sincerity in the song very real. But there’s more to this than just the song and performance (and despite kind of a plain-ish video). For Zorro Blakk’s alter ego is the marvelous Daniel Volpe, who along with co-writers Thomas Lipp and Charlie Mason, placed Kaden’s “Black Light” and “I Have A Name” by Osvaldo Supino in my 2013 year end at #2 and #38 respectively. And there’s more to come – the full album The Fairy Tale Of Zorro Blakk arrives (hopefully worldwide) tomorrow.
Soooo many new releases in one form or another for 14-02-14 (or 02-14-14 if you will) both today and yesterday!! In addition to last night’s Corey Niles snippet, seven have come to my attention for your pleasure 🙂 And they’re not necessarily all happy love songs either.
FRANKMUSIK, “Dear Nicole”
Even if’s a breakup song, there’s no one else right now that I would like to hear sing about the downside of love and that is Vincent Frank. And while FrankMusik usually dazzles us with his techno wizardry and his ability to craft amazing lyrics over sometimes frantic melodies, he’s an extremely captivating singer of ballads. So it’s always important not to dismiss the story of the first part of a song like “Dear Nicole” and listen closely. Musically the song absolutely bursts open at the three minute mark, with many soaring vocal moments for FrankMusik before it ends quietly like those times when you just know it’s over and have to walk away. Also “Dear Nicole” is one of the rare songs set in Stuttgart, Germany, where the pensive video was shot by FrankMusik pal Danny Land. All “Dear Nicole” does is make you want more, and as always, FrankMusik has so much to give. Get it on iTunes.
ADAM TYLER, “Electric Valentine” (free download)
While L.A. based singer Adam continues to work on songs for his next project – and some that I’ve had the pleasure of hearing are just smokin’ – he and producer Sky Felix manage to drop this pop confection in time for V-Day. If you haven’t heard Adam, this is a good one to start with, also having the bonus of being a free download for you too. Those of us who have had a hard winter need sunny, happy songs like “Electric Valentine” to bring that L.A. warmth our way, if briefly… 🙂 Watch Adam’s self-made lyrics video above.
HERSHEL YATOVITZ, “Say You Will”
Erstwhile guitarist for Chris Isaak’s band since 1995, as well as for a host of many, many other performers, Hershel Yatovitz has launched “Say You Will”on his Bandcamp page for purchase. It’s a heartfelt love song for all “wannabe heros” looking for the right gal who could be a “superhero’s wife”. Very nicely done, and it totally captures the essence of V-Day beautifully.
When the folks behind NYC-based Liquid Diet start “Looking For Love”, you never know where they will take you. But often it generally involves dance rhythms, and much like their last effort “Writing On The Wall”, grooves along in a mighty fine way until vocalist Billy lets you get stuck in his quest (you can finish the rest!). “Looking For Love” is another stalwart effort from Liquid Diet.
SIRPAUL, ” Be Mine”
Following up the amazing “Every Single Moment”, which got to #4 on my chart, is “Be Mine” from SIRPAUL’s Seventh Star album. Like “Moment”, “Be Mine” is one of the outright danceable pop songs on that album, straight forward and well sung, a strong followup choice from one of NYC’s finest 🙂 Don’t forget to check out the entire Seventh Star album, which will take you to deeper and sometimes darker, sexy places…
KENDAL THOMPSON, “Be Mine”
Toronto-based Kendal Thompson, who I wrote about recently, showcased the beautifully shot, intriguing, and sexy new video for “Be Mine” at a show in Toronto last night. This one has a dark side to it too but it’s also lighthearted (and glom that eye patch!). “Be Mine” could do for Kendal Thompson what Ivy Levan’s visuals have done for her stateside. Well done!
ANDY FRASER, “Beautiful” (free download)
It was a treat to find this new song by classic bassist/vocalist Andy Fraser in my email for V-Day. Yes, this is the same Andy Fraser who produced and co-wrote Free’s 1970 hit “All Right Now” and also wrote other songs for other performers like Robert Palmer’s “Every Kinda People”, as well as having his own major label releases well into the 80’s (like Fine Fine Line, which I still have on vinyl 🙂 ). “Beautiful” is a laid back, reflective song that goes well with a sunny day at the beach taking in all of the affiliated sights 🙂 Delightful, understated guitar work makes it soothing in a rock and roll way in what seems less than its 4 minutes. It’s afree download from Andy’s McTrax label page, where you can also view his video for the song.
Just when you might think Toronto’s Corey Niles is all about wild women, zombies, and the ‘Rollercoaster’ of love (his song of which just peaked at #12 on my chart), you will think 2wice when you hear his new single “Just The 2 Of Us”, due on February 25. Move over Drake and make some room for another Toronto R&B talent about to pop. Think of the softer tones of Drake’s “Over” and the pop flavour of Will Smith’s cover of “Just The Two Of Us” (which is a different song by the way) with a dash of romance and longing, and you’re almost there. Corey Niles is on his game 🙂 Listen to the exclusive snippet above.
The new chart sees another influx of fine dance-oriented pop or EDM songs… how long can it last? 🙂 Plus, one high-flying debut!
The Top 10
Martin Garrix’s North American tour comes to an end as “Animals” holds up top for a second appearance amid stiff competition.
Travis Garland is 2 for 2 as “Easy” gets second place, while “Motel Pool” sidles up to #4.
Incredible indies Eurielle and Carlos Nóbrega remain steady with “Gold” and “Breathe Me” at #5 and #7 respectively 🙂
Bright Light Bright Light rises up 10-8 with “In Your Care” while former #1 “An Open Heart” hangs tight at #3.
New to the Top 10 are the rollicking “Take Cover” by Toronto’s Neverest at #9, and “Collide” by Floridian heartbreaker Jake Miller at #10.
I reviewed this song late last year, I said it was the first great song of 2014. I stick to that phrasing as “Money On My Mind” by new UK sensation Sam Smith (video up top) vaults onto the chart at #6. Sam’s already been #1 in the UK with Naughty Boy on “La La La” – can the top of the national charts be within sight for Sam? His new EP Nirvana – already released in Canada (shock me – we’re ahead of the UK) – is all kinds of melodic and vocal magnificence, whether it be an acoustic cover of “Latch”, more EDM foolery with “Safe With Me”, or the gorgeous live recording “I’ve Told You Now”. By the end of 2014, Sam Smith will be one of the international stories of the year.
Move On Up…
Up…
Up…
Last chart’s pair of “featuring Matthew Koma” releases make their presence known: Showtek & Justin Prime’s supremely irresistible “Cannonball (Earthquake)” soars 17-11, while Matthew’s pairing with Hardwell “Dare You” jumps 25-19 as new remixes are unleashed this week. Not to be outdone, a third “featuring Matthew Koma” bows at #26 – it’s his “Spectrum” buddy, Grammy-winner Zedd with new and very distinct vocalist Miriam Bryant on this kinetic threesome “Find You”.
While Lady GaGa’s next single is apparently the more pop-inflected “Gypsy”, the more raucous strutter “MANiCURE” climbs 15-12.
He’s opening his own Avicii Hotel in Miami next month, but will success spoil Tim Bergling? Not if songs like “Addicted To You”, featuring Audra Mae on gritty, emotional vocal duty, keep coming. It’s the fastest riser, moving 20-13.
With each week, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that many people will be grooving to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” while they walk down the street. The international hit continues to climb, 21-15.
Své’s moody and beautifully sung “Talking To The Walls”, complete with a scenic sci-fi-ish video, rises 22-20.
The Rest of the Debuts
While I’m still totally sold on Kylie Minogue’s recent EDM-influenced forays that are “Timebomb” and “Skirt” (which both got to #4 on my chart, her highest rankings yet), her return to pure pop on “Into The Blue” is a stunner, and arrives on the chart at #17. The video’s a bit fluffy, but it all feels good so who cares?
I am such a latehead on some songs that DUH I would have liked had I paid attention in the first place. After all this one was only a UK #1 last July. I’m talking about “Love Me Again” by North Yorkshire’s John Newman, which belatedly bows at #24. John’s got such a killer set of pipes, and the song musically is a cousin to Haddaway’s “What Is Love” – so does that make John this generation’s Rick Astley? 😛
It’s so, so easy to like the inventive dance music that Grammy nominees Disclosure have been making. But when they decide to remake “F For You” with none other than Mary J. Blige, and have it turn out this well, it looks like international pop hitdom is on its way. “F For You” premieres at #25. It’s La Blige’s first appearance in these parts since 2008 when she got to #7 in a duet with Robin Thicke on a remix of his “Magic”.
Extree, Extree
The suspense unfolds from two weeks ago is revealed in the full, entertaining video for People Like You’s “Have Some Pride” 🙂
Preview the latest dance hit in the making from Texas-based singer Blare Levoir with “Waiting For Love”right here on Twitter music. Watch for my official review and the full release within the next two weeks!
He looks a bit like Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw, has a soft Enrique Iglesias quality to his voice, and makes French ungrammatical just for emphasis. It’s Baptiste Giabiconi with “Je te aime”.
Heads will turn with the secrets kept in the new video for “Aviation High” by Semi-Precious Weapons (which got to #9 on my chart last year), from their new EP Aviation.
As “Can’t Hold Back” is about to leave the chart, along comes the new video for Anton Ewald’s latest single “Close Up”.
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.
01 01 ANIMALS Martin Garrix 02 02 EASY Travis Garland 03 03 AN OPEN HEART Bright Light Bright Light 06 04 MOTEL POOL Travis Garland 05 05 GOLD Eurielle New 06 MONEY ON MY MIND Sam Smith 07 07 BREATHE ME Carlos Nóbrega 10 08 IN YOUR CARE Bright Light Bright Light 11 09 TAKE COVER Neverest 13 10 COLLIDE Jake Miller 17 11 CANNONBALL (EARTHQUAKE) Showtek & Justin Prime featuring Matthew Koma 15 12 MANiCURE Lady Gaga 20 13 ADDICTED TO YOU Avicii featuring Audra Mae 04 14 EVERY SINGLE MOMENT SIRPAUL 21 15 HAPPY Pharrell Williams 09 16 MARRY THE NIGHT Glee Cast featuring Adam Lambert New 17 INTO THE BLUE Kylie Minogue 08 18 WHAT’S GOING ON Monsieur Adi featuring A*M*E 25 19 DARE YOU Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma 22 20 TALKING TO THE WALLS Své 12 21 ROLLERCOASTER Corey Niles featuring Dru 14 22 DO WHAT U WANT Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly 16 23 I CAN’T HELP IT Dangerous Muse New 24 LOVE ME AGAIN John Newman New 25 F FOR YOU Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige New 26 FIND YOU Zedd featuring Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant 18 27 COME A LITTLE CLOSER Cage The Elephant 19 28 CAN’T HOLD BACK Anton Ewald 23 29 4TH OF JULY Jarell Perry 24 30 DO I HAVE TO DANCE Simon Curtis
The Presets toured the hell out of their 2012 album Pacifica, so it’s amazing that they found the time to record new music. Thus we have “Goodbye Future”, which is a house-flavoured EDM song with a warmer set of lyrics that recalls songs like “If I Were You”. It’s in a bit of a contrast to the music on Pacifica which was often anthemic and futuristic, but ultimately somewhat distant. “Goodbye Future” bodes very well for Jules and Kim, who are currently in the throes of touring just about everywhere in Australia imaginable (Aussie readers, if you haven’t seen their high energy and often intense show, please go!). I would gather that another album is in the works, and hopefully that will arrive when the duo makes their next roundabout in North America.
“Lights On” is a big powerhouse of a song that should take its positive message around the world, courtesy of Latvian singer Markus Riva. Readers of this blog already know the talented singer/producer/model/DJ from his BILLCS Top 30 Top 10’s “How It Feels To Be A Man” and “We Dance 4 Reason”, and his gritty vocal captures the presence of the underdog rising to the top. It’s a very different follow up to his last single/video for “Fire”,which I wrote about recently. I learned last night that “Lights On” is a contender to represent Latvia at Eurovision. Don’t be surprised – songs with big choruses and inspirational lyrics go over big with judges. Side note: He’s competing against his “We Dance 4 Reason” buddy Ralph Eilands! If “Lights On” gets to Eurovision, it has a real shot at winning. If not, then no time should be wasted in marketing it globally. I sense that it will also be played at soccer/football games 😉
There aren’t that many records by British women vocalists that have a softer sound set to a danceable beat. On the North American front, I can think of Sky Ferreira, and she and Polly Scattergood could make a great double bill at that 🙂 Signed to the classic Mute label, you can’t help but think her voice recalled some of the 80’s alternative groups featuring women, perhaps like some on the 4AD label. So, match made in heaven right? Polly’s latest album Arrows was issued last Fall, and from it now is the poignant and memorable “Subsequently Lost”, which should turn ears in dance clubs and perhaps even at alt.rock radio receptive to playing EDM. Polly is part of a great show happening on Friday at The Workshop in Hoxton, London, brought to you by my very good friends atEQ Music Blog, and also featuring Parralox and Daniel Robinson among others. If you’re in London, do check it out!
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