L.A. pop/dance singer/songwriter @TylerGarrettusa releases new album “Mirage” featuring “My Life”

TYLER GARRETT, “My Life”

Following last year’s album release Runaway, L.A. prolific singer/songwriter Tyler Garrett quickly follows it up with a 15 song alternative dance album called Mirage, which includes the song “My Life”.  The album will please dance music fans who like their music brisk and intense, though the album has its diverse, downtempo moments too. “My Life” is one of the aforementioned powerful tracks, about taking back control of one’s life, more of a straight up alternative dance song with rock elements when compared with some of Runaway’s more R&B flavoured jams. It’s got a late 90’s aggressive electronic dance flair that strangely reminds me of Underworld’s “Born Slippy”, though it’s nowhere near as over-the-top. For more tastes of Tyler’s Mirage album, I can steer you to the title song, “Resurface” and “Expedite (My Love)”. 

Meet @EminEMINZADA with unique alt.pop release “Bloodline”

EMINZADA, “Bloodline”

“Bloodline” isone of the most unique alt.pop releases you’ll hear this year, a thought-provoking song from new London-based, Azerbaijan-born singer/songwriter EMINZADA. As easy as the song goes down melodically, the song’s message remains profound, carried by EMINZADA’s own simple and likeable vocal with its tidy British accent. It’s about that time in one’s life where family tradition, as honoured and pronounced as it might be in some cultures, must come to an end in order for someone to live the life they choose. As a person with a disability that affects him as a singer – with a sunken breast bone that can impact his heart and lungs – and as a disabled member of the LGBTQIA+ community, EMINZADA experiences daily hurdles which he shares through his music. “Bloodline” is also rich with Azerbaijan traditional instrumentation, which is rarely heard in the global pop world. “Bloodline” gently commands your attention and makes you look forward to what EMINZADA will deliver on his  forthcoming EP.

“You” by UK/Irish production duo @Menrvamusic and vocal powerhouse @MOYAangela is a house-pop delight

MENRVA and MOYA, “You”

“You” is a delightful slice of pop-house brought to you by UK-Irish production duo (and brothers ) Menrva and American powerhouse R&B/pop vocalist MOYA. Being led by examples of smashes like Joel Corry’s “Head and Heart” and Elton John & Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart”, “You” has pop and dance radio hit written all over it, not necessarily because it follows a formula, but because its execution is so on point. Menrva’s uplifting production gives MOYA lots of room to play with and flourish. Its melody is instantly memorable and the lyrics are full of welcome positives for the summer months. Although titled the same as Regard’s pop and dance hit of last year, that’s where the comparison ends, but you can expect “You” to find similar success.

UK pop singer @SeanSmithsolo returns with an anthem for romance “In Love With The Night”

SEAN SMITH, “In Love With The Night”

British singer Sean Smith’s versatility allows him to move seamlessly between pop sub-genres as diverse as swing and electronic dance music. He’s back with his first solo outing in a while with “In Love With The Night”, a dynamic pop anthem for romance in the wee hours. Whether it’s going to a club or grabbing a coffee, “In Love With The Night” is about celebrating romance in the nighttime setting. Songwriter and producer Justin Busch has tapped into a solid, danceable sound for Sean, who has previously seen action on my chart with “Magic”, and duets with Peter Wilson (“Verona” – which reached #2 – and “One and One”), and Ben Davidson (“Dirty Mirrors”).  “In Love With The Night” is an endearing and festive anthem for the night.

Memphis singer/songwriter @NickBlackmusic releases jaunty and thoughtful “Filler” featuring rapper @DazRinko

NICK BLACK and DAZ RINKO, “Filler”

With a penchant for bright melodies and thoughtful, personable lyrics, Memphis singer/songwriter Nick Black releases his new single “Filler” which features a well-placed rap interlude from fellow Memphis resident Daz Rinko.  “Filler” is about finding balance in life, not looking too far ahead to forget about who and what is currently around you. Nick’s vocal style reminds me of Jason Mraz or Mokita with a dash or two of one of his major influences, John Mayer.  “Filler” follows the release of his fourth album Twitch #1, a result of using Twitch.tv over the past few years to formulate songs in real time in front of a virtual audience. So Nick not only has many obvious talents musically, but he’s done well to market himself with a brand for like-minded people. “Filler” is bright and unconventional, and could find favour on alternative or college radio.

Washington DC area indie singer/songwriter @Steven_Thad releases new EP “Pop Man” including original “Husband Material” and a cover of @Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”

STEVEN THAD, “Husband Material” and “Irreplaceable”

Steven Thad’s enthusiasm for his releases is contagious, from his You Tube videos promoting the songs and EP’s to his social media posts, and he’s only just getting started. Give Steven a budget and a good producer and we will have next level recordings to hear. But in the meantime, on his new indie EP “Pop Man”, he offers up the original “Husband Material” and a winning cover of Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable”.

“Husband Material” (above) is especially good as an original because Steven has a gentle way of telling a story about a gal he likes, but who is really only looking to find a guy to marry. And Steven has a mouthful to sing about, so the song isn’t really conventional songwriting, though its melody and brief hook will find their ways into your head. It’s unabashedly pop – as his EP title implies – but with a few different strokes.

Steven’s take on “Irreplaceable” (below) is intended to be a singalong from the get-go, and because Steven doesn’t have Beyoncé’s power and pipes, his far less intimidating version also works. Knowing that this is an empowerment anthem for women in its original form, Steven scales it back vocally while retaining its message and intent, and offers up in the process a more forgiving rendition that we can comfortably sing with because most of us can relate to it all too well.

Pop Man also includes the previously released cover of Michael Bublé’s “Everything”, another take on a Bublé tune recorded with Charlie Puth called “Love You Anymore”, and a stab at Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license”.

Toronto singer/guitarist @FrancescoYates dazzles with exuberant and entertaining “Jimi”

FRANCESCO YATES, “Jimi”

After releasing the criminally overlooked EP Superbad and risqué follow-up single “Late Night Love” in 2020, Toronto singer/songwriter/guitarist Francesco Yates continues in top form with his new indie single “Jimi”. The song is really an ode to multiple passions, whether you’re head over heels for someone, obsessed with a favourite performer, or mad about music and guitar-playing, and ultimately how they can all fuse together. “Jimi” is one hell of an entertaining record, with Francesco pulling out all stops with his amazing guitar work – which should be witnessed in concert, where he truly dazzles – and even lets loose with a sensational scream. Francesco has an awesome party going on in “Jimi” and we’re all invited.

Toronto/Dusseldorf-based pop/dance duo @LolaDutronic return with sparkling “Let’s All Dance (Our Last Summer)”

LOLA DUTRONIC, “Let’s All Dance (Our Last Summer)”

Following their jab at the world’s biggest song contest with “Get Us To the EuroVision”, Toronto/Dusseldorf-based veteran indie pop/dance duo Lola Dutronic return with some sparkling and playful ear candy called “Let’s All Dance (Our Last Summer)”. The duo have an unique legacy, working in the past with artists as diverse as Tom Tom Club, Leona Lewis, Imagine Dragons, and Ozzy Osbourne! With melody firmly planted in the early 80’s, the duo want you to strike a pose like you were on a holiday, getting into that groove as you cause a commotion for the last time on the dance floor in the summer. Stephanie B-Yen’s inviting, whispery vocal totally suits the dreamy vibe of the song while Richard Citroen’s clearly having too much fun with this production, adding twist after twist to keep you listening. 

A gentle tale of romance unfolds in @AashMehtamusic’s electronic ballad “When I Saw You In A Crowded Room”

AASH MEHTA, CAPELLE and ANDY SANDRICK, “When I Saw You In A Crowded Room”

After an outstanding trek into house music last year with “Back To You” (which reached #5 on my personal chart), Chicago-based electronic producer Aash Mehta returns to the electronic ballad landscape with the gentle “When I Saw You In A Crowded Room”. This quiet tale of romance is carried by a striking and yearning melody, and brings together singers/songwriters Capelle and Andy Sandrick, both with contrasting vocals, who were featured separately on Aash’s debut album Discover Infinity. The song starts a bit slow but gradually gels as the story unfolds and the vocalists make their love at first sight believable. “Crowded Room” will be featured on Aash’s sophomore album The Moments In Between, which is due in August.

Meet Connecticut-based pop singer/songwriter @JULSspo, who navigates young love in “Summer Thing”

JULS, “Summer Thing”

You’ll get Joni Mitchell and Lana Del Rey feels when listening to “Summer Thing” by Connecticut-based singer-songwriter Julia Sposito, otherwise known as Juls. It’s all about navigating young love through the summer months, trying to determine if it’s the real thing or just a short-term romance destined to be a memory. The instrumentation is dreamy and deliberate as Juls’ polished vocal glides over top while her ruminations are brought to the fore. “Summer Thing” is a relatable introduction to the music of Juls from whom I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more.