Be Moved by @CaseyStratton’s “Grace”

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CASEY STRATTON, “Grace”

You can’t help but be moved by the feel-good determination of the lyrics and the sweeping and uplifting melody of Casey Stratton’s “Grace”.  The song, originally featured on Casey’s Sea Into Sky album from last year, now has its own generous 7 song EP on release.  A simple, well-defined video (below), set in a Grand Rapids, Michigan church, is a fine showcase for Casey to accompany the song.  “Grace” is long at 6:18 but do stick with it to enjoy all of the lyrics sung by Casey’s far-reaching voice as the melody soars to display all of its power.  You can buy the Grace EP at Casey’s store right here.

Invigorating the Dancefloor: @Showtekmusic & @JustinPrime featuring @MatthewKoma with “Cannonball (Earthquake)”

SHOWTEK & JUSTIN PRIME featuring MATTHEW KOMA, “Cannonball (Earthquake)”

Dutch DJ/Producer brothers Showtek (Wouter and Sjoerd Janssen) and Justin Prime shook up dancefloors in Europe with their instrumental “Cannonball” back in 2012.  What better way to remarket the song than with stunning vocals by Matthew Koma as “Cannonball (Earthquake)”, particularly as “Dare You”, Matthew’s collaboration with Hardwell (which I wrote about earlier), has landed in the UK Top 20 Singles this week!  The rework packs a magic three-tiered punch – amazing slamming house rhythms, lyrics, and Matthew’s voice – which should send clubs around the world into a tizzy.  Watch the lyric video above.  Here’s hoping it sees North American release soon.

Classic New Pop from @Harrietsmusic with “Afterglow”

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HARRIET, “Afterglow”

The raves are pouring in, and you can count me among the believers of new singer Harriet based on this one gorgeous song “Afterglow”.  For she is another protégé of the magnificent Steve Anderson (Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Elouise), and they have co-written this song, which is a star-maker for sure.  What will strike you initially is a Karen Carpenter-like resonance to her voice, whether intended or not, which sounds fresh in 2014.  But the song itself builds and takes you away from that likeness, and before you know it you can visualize Harriet singing “Afterglow” as if it was a solo number in a Broadway play.  Elegant and electrifying, “Afterglow” is definitely one of the best new songs out of the gate in 2014 and Harriet looks to have a bright year ahead.

Listen to “Afterglow” right here.

Fine New Voices: @UnionJWorld with “Loving You Is Easy”

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UNION J, “Loving You Is Easy”

There’s often so many boy bands to choose from, but the ones that always rise to the top are those with fine, fine voices and the songs to go with them.  So UK quartet Union J scores with “Loving You Is Easy”, and it’s the range of vocal talent between Jaymi, JJ, Josh, and George that set them apart from One Direction, The Wanted, and others.  “Loving You Is Easy” is instantly memorable and could score internationally – but right now their self-titled album isn’t even released in North America; only their first two singles and this video are available for purchase on iTunes.  Union J have already attracted quite a following, having signed a major label deal with RCA after placing fourth in season 9 of X Factor, and their website is a teen fan mag fan’s dream.  The video is a little clichéd – all that bloody water 😉 – but give it a watch below.

Quiet Power Works: Bullying Is the Theme of “Defined” by @RonanParke

RONAN PARKE, “Defined”

I just had a feeling after watching the preview for “Defined” last month that there is something big brewing very quietly here.  “Defined” is a beautiful and powerful song sung by 15 year old UK singer Ronan Parke, whose British audiences will know from appearing as an outstanding 12 year old contestant on X Factor.  Ronan has developed into quite a vocalist – I can picture him performing smoky cabaret as an adult, but that’s for another conversation.  His assured vocal blends so well with the storyboard about bullying, and definitely hits every emotional peg possible without being maudlin.  “Defined” also has the bonus of a co-writer in pop/R&B singer Pierre Lewis, who is well known to readers of this blog.  The video was made in conjunction with Kidscape, which is a charity that prevents bullying and protects children.  “Defined” is such a winner!!  Get it on iTunes.

The Future’s Gleaming for @JakeMiller with “Collide”

JAKE MILLER, “Collide”

If there’s anything right about the pop world right now, then Jake Miller’s “Collide” will be a chart hit.  The 20 year old Florida native effortlessly combines rap flavour with a bright and big pop sound that just begs attention.  The singer himself has a laid back, fun presence in the accompanying video, and refers to his fans as the “Millertary”.  “Collide” – which appears to be mainly about kissing, ain’t nuthin’ wrong about that 🙂 – is taken from Jake’s album Us Against Them which is available on iTunes.  Jake announced today that he’s moving to L.A. on January 22, and then playing a show with Tori Kelly and Fifth Harmony there the next day.  L.A. watch out!  Thank you David J for the endorsement!!

Keep Tissues At Hand for “Goodbye” by @OsvaldoSupino

OSVALDO SUPINO, “Goodbye”

The bottom has yet to fall out of Osvaldo Supino’s recent album Exposed.  Last year we had “I Have A Name” and “Ma Radio”, two very different and enjoyable songs which reached #5 and #11 on my personal chart respectively.  Now we have “Goodbye”, and you best be ready for some wet eyes.  Regardless of your orientation, this song and video is about a dashed dream, and with each frame of the video you can feel the weight of what’s coming.  The point of reference in my head that keeps popping up is the ending of the Woody Allen film “The Purple Rose of Cairo”.  It’s crushing.  Leading to the inevitable finale, you can enjoy Osvaldo’s poignant and spot-on vocal.

Meet New Canadian Singer @KendalThompson – “It’s Time” and “Love”

KENDAL THOMPSON, “It’s Time” and “Love” (videos)

Alliston, Ontario native Kendal Thompson has one of those ages-old sometimes bluesy voices that can flip into any musical style she chooses.  So it’s not surprising that her voice can sound like Jewel, Lauryn Hill, or Amy Winehouse, depending on the song.  “It’s Time” and “Love” are both originals, and you can hear the care and emotion that has gone into the writing as well as performance.  You can find both songs on iTunes.  Kendal is also an apt interpreter – my choice would be her cover of Jessie Ware’s “Wildest Moments”.  Watch the performance video of  “Love” (above) and the lyric video of “It’s Time” (below) to hear what I’m talking about.  She is rumoured to have a wicked live set, and if you’re in Toronto tomorrow night (January 7) you can catch her show at The Painted Lady at Ossington and Dundas West.


“Dare You” to Party Hard with @Hardwell and @Matthew Koma

HARDWELL featuring MATTHEW KOMA, “Dare You”

Ready now for imminent takeover of the worldwide dance club charts is “Dare You”, combining the many talents of Dutch DJ/producer Robbert Hardwell and the always splendid Matthew Koma, who copped two of my Top 10 Songs of 2013 with “1998” and “Parachute”.  It’s great to see Matthew’s continued connection to the dance community with such a strong song, which sets out its lyrical intentions early on so you can jump and bounce and do whatever after the first minute or so.  Bound to be one of the biggest dance records of the year, I hope it crosses over to pop like Matthew’s work with Zedd.

Wander Away with @MTNSmusic “Lost Track of Time”

MTNS, “Lost Track of Time”

“Lost Track Of Time” is a breezy slice of pop from Australian trio MTNS (pronounced ‘mountains’) comprising Joseph, Tom, and Robbie.  And it’s scenic video might cause you to do just that while you relish the song’s tight melody and fine vocal.  It’s not so much about forgetting about time and doing nothing, as it is about moving on to… something.  And the video confirms that the day’s events are not over.  “Lost Track of Time” is culled from the band’s recent EP called Salvage, available on iTunes.