“Sunflower” is slick, sparkling mid-tempo house by L.A. based dance producer #Pillows

PILLOWS, “Sunflower”

The L.A. based (but Hungary born) mysterious and masked dance producer Pillows is on a roll with her latest single, an original called “Sunflower”, which follows up her unique spin on Justin Timberlake’s “My Love”. “Sunflower” contains a lot of high synth notes and effects which make it sparkle, something that dance music radio stations should be listening for these days rather than just playing songs by bigger named producers because of their marquee value. What makes it even better is Pillows’ fresh vocal, which has a grittiness like Alison Wonderland or Lights, and instantly gives “Sunflower” more substance in a dance music biz increasingly full of same-sounding Splice vocals. With songs like this, Pillows is certain to capture the attention of radio station programmers, club DJ’s and listeners alike, with a bright rest of 2022 ahead.

Revisit Toronto singer/songwriter @5CMagic CMagic5’s “Dancing On My Heart” through a punchy dance redux by Russian duo @_GoingDeeper_

CMAGIC5 & GOING DEEPER, “Dancing On My Heart”

Regular readers of this blog know that I don’t revisit songs that I’ve written about without good reason.  Toronto’s CMagic5 is a promising singer/songwriter out of Toronto about whom I’ve written before, including my original post about her single “Dancing On My Heart” last Fall. Since then the song has received some remixes, but this redux by veteran Russian electronic dance producers Going Deeper gives an already strong song an immense lift. It’s been transformed into a punchy, biting (albeit very short) deep house track which I enjoy more than the original. I’m always big on remixes and reduxes if they can take a song to another level, and this one is a very good way indeed to promote the talents of CMagic5.

L.A. singer/songwriter Raye Robinson @itsjustraye returns with bubbly song about self-confidence “Prince Charming”

RAYE ROBINSON, “Prince Charming”

Like in last summer’s “Daisies”, L.A.’s Raye Robinson uses whimsy and personality to their best effect in her recent pop single “Prince Charming”. And with a modern take on the fable, the song in fact is not about someone’s Prince Charming, but about the protagonist’s ability and self-confidence to do whatever she wants without needing someone to come into her life and change it. All of this is set to a compelling, jaunty and bubbly melody that will have you smiling along as you root for Raye’s character to keep going and being who she is. Raye is loaded with talent as a singer and songwriter, and “Prince Charming” is a refreshing slice-of-life tale.

Italy’s @DeepChillsmusic is back with the vibrant summery house of “Slipping Away” with vocalist @realPolinaGrace

DEEP CHILLS & POLINA GRACE, “Slipping Away”

“Slipping Away” features vibrant, house rhythms that immediately bring summer nights and good times in dance clubs to mind. It’s brought to you by Italy’s Deep Chills, who comes off of a highly prolific 2021 and four songs streaming over 10 million on Spotify at this time. This time he partners with Argentina-based singer/songwriter Polina Grace, who has seen success with her own solo releases as well as recent ones with producers such as Damon Sharpe. The song offers little that’s new lyrically – about a neglected lover who is gradually drifting out of a fading relationship – but Polina’s uplifting performance and Deep Chills’ rich synths and beats make “Slipping Away” a solid, distinct release to keep you dancing the night away.

Boston’s @AlmostOwenmusic returns with wistful and reflective “Ordinary Day”

ALMOST OWEN, “Ordinary Day”

We get to hear another side of Boston indie DIY talent Almost Owen with “Ordinary Day”. The song is a quietly provocative musing on recognizing when the fast paced world slows down and you don’t quite know what to do with it.  Instead, it’s time to soak it all in, take a breath, and enjoy those moments. The lilting mid-tempo melody captures the mood of the lyrics, and Almost Owen offers up another fine vocal, set against a stripped-back production where every sound counts. “Ordinary Day” is easy to enjoy and as such, you’ll find that you’ll have it on repeat in due course.

 

Maryland-based Asian-American singer/songwriter @BINNYiscoming returns with the idyllic story “After Hours”

BINNY, “After Hours”

“After Hours” is the kind of alt.pop song that is written when you’re high on romance and your 9-5 suddenly just becomes a job. Maryland-based Asian-American singer/songwriter BINNY is back with a carefully crafted song that sets the type of romantic evening in motion when the world stops and you don’t want it to end. It’s set to a gentle melody that plays against a ticking clock and a soothing vocal, knowing in earnest that at some point that special evening will be over, but the memories will linger on. BINNY has found a nice sweet, soft spot with his narrative in “After Hours” that listeners will enjoy, helping us relive past events and create new ones too. Because our lives often get in the way, even if we all can’t have regular idyllic times like in “After Hours”, we can be a little bit more cognizant of when they are needed, and take away how they can continue to play big parts in our lives. Check out the partially animated video up top.

Meet new SoCal pop/rock singer/songwriter @CearaCavalieri with her bop “Radio Silence”

CEARA CAVALIERI, “Radio Silence”

To counter a pop market that is led by Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, with far too many similar singer/songwriters out there that have followed in their steps, it’s refreshing to hear Ceara Cavalieri and her new bop “Radio Silence”. Following a handful of initial singles, “Radio Silence” is an Avril Lavigne-styled post-relationship song about being ghosted after an eight month courtship. This kind of pop-rock mix for women doesn’t surface too often, and even Avril herself has dug out a new path for the style that gave her success 20 years ago with her recent releases. “Radio Silence” is sharply produced and Ceara, a recent UCLA grad, can fashion relatable lyrics out of a painful situation against a fun, exuberant backdrop that will sound fab in live performance.

“Fall Into Me” is an anthemic EDM heartbreaker from the powerhouse trio of @NGHTMRE @Slanderofficial and @itsDylanMatthew

NGHTMRE & SLANDER and DYLAN MATTHEW, “Fall Into Me”

Heartbreak and desperation are often popular themes in the electronic dance music world because they so suit the intensity of complex synth arrangements and huge beats. Spawned during lockdown times in the pandemic, “Fall Into Me” is by the American dream team of NGHTMRE, production duo Slander, and singer/songwriter Dylan Matthew, is destined to be a classic for festival season which is now upon us. The arrangement doesn’t go too heavy, which makes a lot of the detailed synth work really sparkle, and Dylan’s driven, weary vocal perfectly suits the backdrop. NGHTMRE and Slander have worked together several times before and the ongoing symmetry in their songs is obvious, and Dylan has worked with Slander – their song together, “Love Is Gone”, just was certified Gold. “Fall Into Me” is a powerful electronic dance release that you’ll be hearing for the rest of the year. NGHTMRE is coming off of his set at Ultra Miami, and the song is the first single from his upcoming album.

“Punching Bag” is top notch straight-up solo pop by NYC’s Victor Perry @wallflowerperry

VICTOR PERRY, “Punching Bag”

NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry launches a new phase of his solo career with the straight-up pop of “Punching Bag”. Continuing to be a go-to vocalist for numerous dance music producers, Victor releases “Punching Bag” in follow up to his well-received 2020 solo EP Rewind, whose songs (such as “What I Deserve”, which reached #2 on my personal chart) were more in the alternative R&B vein. “Punching Bag” contains a story to which we can all relate, with Victor’s pristine vocal ever-listenable. What really helps flesh out this song are the distinct harmonies, which is something that is often missing in dance releases. Produced and co-written with Brett Castro, “Punching Bag” sounds more accomplished than any of Victor’s previous solo releases, and I’m excited to hear what’s next.

Bedroom pop/R&B singer and producer @Steven_Thad returns with ballad “Waiting” and EP “The Rock Boy”

STEVEN THAD, “Waiting”

I introduced you to Washington DC-area-based pop/R&B singer/songwriter Steven Thad earlier this year. His sweet and confident tones are back in the ballad “Waiting”, which is culled from his new EP The Rock Boy, and it also includes previous single “(Sometimes I Feel Like) Nothing”. Like the latter song, “Waiting” is all about the vocal and songwriting, and Steven proves that he can handle the softer side of pop/R&B with ease. “Waiting” exudes personality and charm amid a bedroom production that sometimes overpowers Steven’s lead vocal with his own harmonies. In his EP, he tackles 2000’s favourites “This Love” (Maroon 5), “Still Into You” (Paramore), “Paranoid” (Jonas Brothers) and “Since U Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson) so you can get a taste of his pop/rock sensibility, and where he wants to head with his music. I admire an indie performer with such positive ambitions, so be sure to check out Steven’s music and you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Steven discusses “Waiting” in the video below.