Keeping up with prolific NYC singer/songwriter @RobbieRosenlive: “Purpose” with Florida-based producer @TedBello777, and “D.A.M.N.” with German producer Rolipso and mystery producer Booty Leak

 

TED BELLO and ROBBIE ROSEN, “Purpose”

ROLIPSO, ROBBIE ROSEN and BOOTY LEAK, “D.A.M.N.”

Former “American Idol” contestant and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen, is someone who lives and breathes music every day. With multiple dance music releases happening all the time, it’s almost impossible to keep up with him, and I do try to catch most of his releases. Today I’ve got two of his best recent ones for you.

“Purpose” is not only a splendid piece of songwriting, but it’s an exceptionally tight collaboration with veteran Florida-based producer Ted Bello. In a timely coincidence, Shawn Mendes echoed the theme of this song with his touching and eloquent speech at Canada’s Juno Awards this past week. “Purpose” is an uplifting song with a bubbly, friendly pop/dance melody with tropical flourishes that reassures the listener that they are enough and have a purpose. It’s one of Robbie’s best recent vocals too.

“D.A.M.N.” is simply too short at only 2 minutes long but Robbie makes the most of it in a crisp, rich deep house production by German producer Rolipso and mystery producer Booty Leak. This one’s about that deep down fascination with someone when they tweak that special spark that you want to pursue. Robbie’s convincing vocal and a concise story keep “D.A.M.N.” crammed with intrigue, but then… it’s over and you mutter to yourself “now, wait a minute”…

NYC’s @JakLizard crafts positive R&B vibes with “Young Americana”

JAK LIZARD, “Young Americana”

I recently introduced you to Jak Lizard with “Ride Home”, some down-home easy going R&B that reminds me a lot of 90’s well-remembered group Arrested Development.  Jak’s recently released a six song EP, Young Americana, that includes “Ride Home” as well as the equally fine title song. About the EP, Jak says, “The six-track release is a love letter to optimism in a time of strife and the idea that when we stick together, we cannot be stopped”. And that is certainly a powerful, much-needed message especially for the young people who listen to this record. It fuses 70’s Motown and Stax flavours with 90’s R&B, along with a bevy of horns and beats that keeps the melody busy while Jak sings his optimistic message. As someone who through his songs is outspoken about love and positivity, Jak Lizard is definitely one to watch.

L.A.’s @TwoFriendsmusic team up with @Johnk for the sentimental dance/pop of “Wish You Were Here”

TWO FRIENDS and JOHN.k, “Wish You Were Here”

Two Friends (Eli and Matt) have been touring relentlessly in 2022, so in-between that and making Big Bootie mixes, we have their first release of the year, “Wish You Were Here”. It features and is co-written with singer John.k, known for his thoughtful acoustic hit “If We Never Met”. “Wish You Were Here” is an unexpected and interesting collaboration, a few steps away from the party-hard elements of many of Two Friends’ more recent singles, with a softer, reflective vocal by John.k that doesn’t feel out of place at all. In fact, although it’s not an anthem like past Two Friends’ songs like “Just A Kid” or “With My Homies”, it contains similar relatable sentiments and a bubbly synth melody which would make it fit tight in a Two Friends set. I’m looking forward to hearing this one in concert. PS:  the video is a heart-tugger (keep a tissue handy)!

Two Friends perform at History in Toronto on June 30 and July 1.

Meet new L.A.-based indie pop/rock singer/songwriter @JJBravesmusic with “Starrdust (I Am Human)”

JJ BRAVES, “Starrdust (I Am Human)”

“Starrdust (I Am Human)” by JJ Braves will grab your attention for two very good reasons. First, its tidy arrangement is packed with nostalgia circa 1986 – think John Parr, Mr. Mister, Heart, Bon Jovi. Second, it’s got a provocative set of lyrics which make you think about your limited time in this world and what you want out of your life. It’s all brought to you by new L.A. singer/songwriter JJ Braves, the performing name of Josh Keever, who has a big, earnest and convincing voice that reminds me of NYC rocker Ryan Star. While “Starrdust” may initially seem anachronistic, it ends up being fresh and bold, reminding us to be mindful not to place artists in closed boxes.

Enjoy the sultry R&B and jazz flavours of Kosovo’s @SYTE___ with “Where Did The Love Go”

SYTË, “Where Did The Love Go”

SYTË (which means “eyes” in Albanian) is a promising new duo from Kosovo with their sultry R&B and jazz flavored released “Where Did The Love Go”. The arrangement is very inviting, which makes it easy to enjoy the song. Singer Nita Kaja conveys her sentiments in writing through this song after reuniting with a friend after months of isolation. “Where Did The Love Go” cautions us not to second guess our feelings even during tough times. Its vibrant melody and catchy rhythm along with Nita’s crisp vocal make SYTË’s “Where Did The Love Go” a great song for quiet Sundays or long pensive drives.

The evolution of @Trivectamusic continues with “Back To The Start” from new album “The Way Back Up”

TRIVECTA and ISAAC WARBURTON, “Back To The Start”

On the eve of the release of his album The Way Back Up, Florida-based producer Trivecta continues to show why he is someone to always keep your eyes and ears on for solid music. “Back To The Start” is an optimistic ode to starting over and not giving up, and it’s bound to be a festival favourite. The focus this time is not on dubstep or future bass, but melodic and euphoric progressive electronic sounds. Aided by a top notch vocal by Isaac Warburton, “Back To The Start” immediately draws you in and leaves you wanting more, and that’s your clue to dive deeper into The Way Back Up. It has already been preceded by three singles and features stalwarts like Rico & Miella with strong assists.

Dance music favourite @BrightLightx2 revisits stirring early single “Moves” with @IanHWatkins of @Stepsofficial

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT and IAN “H” WATKINS, “Moves”

One of my favourite albums of the 2010’s hands down is Bright Light Bright Light’s debut indie pop/dance album Make Me Believe In Hope, which includes a collection of his brilliant early singles like “Love Part II”, “Disco Moment” and “Feel It”, which were all written up in the very early pages of this blog.   “Moves” remains an adoring highlight of the album as its final single, reaching #6 on my personal chart in 2012 (original video below).  To celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary deluxe re-release of Make Me Believe In Hope, BLx2 (Rod Thomas) has revisited “Moves” in a clever duet with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins. It works beautifully, adding not only another layer of voice but meaning in the lyrics as two people struggle to move on in their lives instead of one. I’m sure Rod has more surprises up his sleeve and you owe it to yourself to check out the anniversary edition of Make Me Believe In Hope, particularly if you missed it the first time around.

Bright Light Bright Light is hosting a EuroVision viewing party in New York City at Club Cumming at 2pm on Saturday, May 14, 2022, along with co-host Ana Matronic (of Scissor Sisters), followed by a Best Of EuroVision dance party. It’s is also a Ukraine fundraiser so donate generously!

Dig deeper into Australia-based quintet @MOONWOODmusic’s EP “Everything We Once Knew” with emotional rocker “Notice Me”

MOONWOOD, “Notice Me”

Not long ago, I introduced you to Sydney, Australia-based quintet Moonwood and their deft, deeply personal style of alternative rock. Comprised of members from Australia, the USA and Canada, Moonwood have released a six song EP called Everything We Once Knew, and perhaps the most dynamic track from it is “Notice Me”. So many people will tap into its earnest lyrics about being not only misunderstood, but also ignored and unseen, and its refrain of “scream my lungs out” resonates deeply. With a fluid mix anchored by a fluid mix of guitar, bass, drums and keys that supports singer Jake McCullough’s affecting, charming vocal, “Notice Me” is a slice of indie alt.rock that rises way up above other bands. I think that Moonwood’s music will find its way to rock music lovers across the world, and “Notice Me” should lead the way. Fans of bands like Powderfinger, Lifehouse, The Calling, and Eve 6 should take note!

Meet rising Toronto R&B singer R. Flex @FlexRFlex with 90’s house flavours in jam “Too Late” featuring @Desiirenow and @TafariAnthony

R. FLEX, DESIIRE and TAFARI ANTHONY, “Too Late”

R. Flex is a Toronto-based queer (they/them) R&B singer who is breaking out more and more with every release in what could be called a new wave of fine local R&B talent. Following their debut EP In & Out is the six song EP Flex With Benefits, and “Too Late” is the opening track. It’s one helluva fusion of contemporary R&B and 90’s house music, an upfront invitation to prospective suitors to “come and get some of my lovin'” before the singer is taken. R. Flex has a familiar tone that reminds me of 70’s disco icon Sylvester, and it’s perfectly in sync with the harmonies of fellow Toronto artists and co-writers Desiire – who has a nice solo showcase with a crisp, defined vocal that doesn’t sound like anyone else – and Tafari Anthony, a 2022 Juno Awards nominee with indelible deeper tones whose songs have been written up in these blog pages in recent past. “Too Late” is one fun R&B jam session that you don’t want to miss, and watch it come to life in the above video.

Meet L.A.-based electronic dance producer @MRKOmusic with hypnotic deep house track “Dark Ocean”

MRKO and SOPHIA ILYS, “Dark Ocean”

MRKO is an ambitious electronic dance producer from L.A. who will grab your immediate attention with the striking deep house of “Dark Ocean”.  It’s a taut mix featuring an inviting vocal by Sophia Ilys that builds steadily with its haunting melody. What’s lovely about “Dark Ocean” is that MRKO doesn’t overwhelm the song with huge synths and saves them for their own showcase later in the song. As someone who grew up with a myriad of musical influences from James Brown to The Police to Justice to Lane 8, the reference points in “Dark Ocean” have been disguised well, though a nod to 2000’s trance of Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond could be factored in. “Dark Ocean” is a great introduction to MRKO’s world. You can often find him spinning tunes on Neon Owl Radio on Twitch, and any record label wanting to invest in a surefire hit needs to check out his recent release “Gotta Good Thing”.