“Marco Polo” is fanciful alt.pop by musical chameleon @missMollyMoore and German-born @NoMBemusic from the EP Escapism

MOLLY MOORE and NoMBe, “Marco Polo”

Over the last few years, L.A. based singer/songwriter Molly Moore has been honing a chill alt.pop style heavily influenced by jazz, hip hop and R&B, and even pre-rock era pop, that suits her to an “M”! Her recent four-song EP Escapism truly shows a pop chameleon now at work, someone who is taking risks while sounding creatively immersed too. This is several steps away from her past electronic pop and her songs with former beau Brandyn Burnette as duo Cosmos & Creature which I’ve written about over the last 7 years or so. “Marco Polo” is eclectic and entertaining, highly representative of the Escapism title in terms of discovering someone who is mutually interested in enjoying a fun, light-hearted time with one another. It features a nicely matched, carefree-sounding vocal interjection by co-writer, German-born singer/songwriter NoMBe. The vibe is original and catchy and Molly is definitely at her best here. Do check out the full EP for a well-rounded picture of Molly Moore’s current sound.

Groove away to the fast-paced house rhythms of “Spend Time” by L.A. producer @Shuhandz with vocalist @JoshRubinmusic in a @Provsounds remix

SHUHANDZ and JOSH RUBIN, “Spend Time” (Prov remix)

“Spend Time” is the kind of song you might expect to hear in a key, taut scene in a TV or film mystery that helps set the tone for the story. It’s brought to you by L.A. producer Shuhandz and Austin-based singer Josh Rubin in a splendid remix by Chicago producer Prov. It also happens to be an immediate draw as a post-midnight deep house track, with a rigorous rhythm that will send late night club goers into liftoff mode. The alternately chill and slick mood of the song with the enigmatic, echoey effect on Josh’s voice really stands out. But it’s that pulsating rhythm track which drives “Spend Time” and the proof will be to hear it pounding on huge club speakers for all to enjoy.

“Hold Me Down” is irresistible 90’s-flavoured house by Italy’s @LucaandGiam and Florida-based singer Sam Merkin @merkinsam

LUCA & GIAM and SAM MERKIN, “Hold Me Down”

You know those sneaky songs that make you want to spontaneously try to bust a move the best way that you can at the time, even if it’s all stuck in your head? Well “Hold Me Down” by Italian production duo Luca and Giam and Florida-based singer/songwriter Sam Merkin is one of them! It’s the kind of song that can easily switch the mood in a club set from familiar and mundane, to zesty and fun. The insistent 90’s piano house riffs, which recall a lot of Eurohouse that came out of Germany at the time like “What Is Love” and “Another Night”, along with Sam’s urgent but playful vocal give the straight-forward song instantly defining moments to make it memorable. “Hold Me Down” follows up Luca and Giam’s impressive recent work on Danny Dearden’s “Keep Me By Your Side”, which you read about here a short while ago.

Canadian electronic musician @iamDabinLee has radio hit in the making with “Holding On” with fellow Canadian singer/songwriter Lowell

DABIN and LOWELL, “Holding On”

Toronto’s Dabin Lee currently works double time, on his own releases as well as being one of Illenium’s right hand stars on record and in performance for the last five years. Somehow, his latest single “Holding On” from his recent album Between Broken, has cut through the red tape and landed on Canadian radio. And it couldn’t happen to a nicer song to bring some electronic flavour and wizardry to radio after Illenium’s own brilliant collaboration with Jon Bellion, “Good Things Fall Apart”, cracked through in 2019. It’s a poignant but unsettling song about finding oneself back with or wanting the same lover even after you’ve broken up. Singer Lowell is a fellow Canadian and, like Dabin, hardly a newcomer, having released two albums of her own, and shows her strong songwriting skills on “Holding On”. She co-wrote last year’s “La Di Die” by Nessa Barrett and jxdn (which got to #8 on my chart), and has also written for Bülow, Madison Beer, Hailee Steinfeld, Tate McRae, and several others over the last few years. It’s a super collaboration that I hope American radio will also recognize soon.

UK indie pop/rock indie performer @AlfieTempleman kickstarts a busy 2022 with relatable “Broken”

ALFIE TEMPLEMAN, “Broken”

“Broken” is a great way to start of 2022 for 19 year old Alfie Templeman, who has a busy year ahead of him. It’s a bright and chipper-sounding song whose melodies belie its more serious but relatable lyrics. We all sometimes feel broken and used up, and simply can’t give anymore. “Broken” wraps up those anxious feelings in a gentle story that’s given a positive spin by Alfie’s energetic vocal and a much more polished sound than past releases. Coming from the DIY world, it’s refreshing to hear someone grow quickly since I first wrote about him two years ago, and having new fans like Nile Rodgers can’t hurt.  Alfie starts a few months of touring in March, releases his debut album Mellow Moon on May 27, and plays the Tramlines festival in Sheffield on July. There’s much more to come from Alfie so keep your ears ready during the next while!

Get to know London-based Australian pop/rock singer/songwriter @RyanMeeking with “Better!”

RYAN MEEKING, “Better!”

“Better!”, the new single by London-based Australian singer/songwriter Ryan Meeking, is a song that leaps out at you from your speakers thanks to a winning melody that keeps building until it reaches a very catchy chorus. It’s an anthemic pop song that captures the state of two people who decide to get together as a couple after knowing each other for forever. Its positive vibe is refreshing and uniting as we continue to come out of the pandemic and snap out of the browbeaten mood we’ve all been in for two years. The song doesn’t mince any words and Ryan’s enthusiastic performance keeps you intrigued. Check out the amusing animated video for “Better!” above.

SoCal’s resident disco dad Michael Medrano @stachepapi will keep those butts shaking with “Do Your Thing” (Dance Floor version) with @FunkLeBlanc

MICHAEL MEDRANO and FUNK LeBLANC, “Do Your Thing” (Dance Floor version)

Michael Medrano, gradually becoming everyone’s favourite disco dad, is channeling 70’s disco at its best (take it from someone who lived through that era), and he might have a corner on that market in the indie US scene. Taking some cues from artists like The Knocks and Sofi Tukker, “Do Your Thing” in its dance floor version with Funk LeBlanc, is a joyous butt-shaking celebration of you being you wherever you want to just be you. A dance floor in a club is always a safe and welcoming environment for exactly this, and Michael’s R&B-flavoured graceful tones have a field day with “Do Your Thing”.  It’s a great follow-up to recent singles “i don’t wanna talk about love” (currently Top 5 on my personal chart) and “Personal Heaven”.

The longtime queen of British clubs, Hazell Dean @HazellHD, will keep you dancing with “Out Of Control” (Back In Control Mix)

HAZELL DEAN, “Out Of Control” (Back In Control mix)

Singer/songwriter Hazell Dean has left an indelible mark on the UK Top 40 pop charts and dance music charts worldwide with her memorable 80’s smashes “Searchin’ (I Gotta Find A Man”, “Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)” (an early Stock-Aitken-Waterman production), and “Who’s Leaving Who”. She continues to be a highly popular draw in the UK, and last year released two albums, Parts 1 & 2 of The Dean & Ware Collection, as well as a vibrant cover of ABBA’s “Happy New Year” to usher in 2022. “Out Of Control” is an original from Part 1 of The Dean & Ware Collection which has been elevated with a “Back In Control” remix. While geared towards clubs due to its length, “Out Of Control” is a whole lotta fun. The 80’s elements recall S-A-W and other producers in their heyday but it’s the euphoric and dynamically sung chorus, zippy melody and soulful rhythm that all stand out. My wish would be for a tight edit of this song, but Hazell’s many fans and lovers of 80’s dance music will make the utmost of “Out Of Control”.

Meet Belgian newcomer Bloodkorp with a new space age love song “Elle veut ma vie”

BLOODKORP, “Elle veut ma vie”

Bloodkorp is a new Belgian singer-songwriter-producer otherwise known as Chayene, who was signed to a development deal with Sony ATV France when he was 16.  And the bells and whistles haven’t been spared for his new single “Elle veut ma vie” (which means “she wants my life”), which is mastered by none other than Randy Merrill, known for his work with Adele and The Weeknd. And The Weeknd is the likely comparison you’ll have here, right down to the Bloodkorp artist name and the mystery behind this talented young man. The chorus of “Elle veut ma vie” translates as “She wants my life and I want her body / just for a night / a honeymoon under a blood moon”, which gives you a flavour of what you’re getting into in this entertaining song. It’s accompanied by an expensive-looking, video-game inspired video, which lends the song its space-age love song appeal. Bloodkorp joins his fellow Belgian artist Stromae as having the ability to crossover to the English language market with a song in French. He’s someone you’ll be hearing much more from in 2022.

Check out NYC newcomer Amaya Santos with the soulful and reflective pop of “Carousel”

AMAYA SANTOS, “Carousel”

A great voice always needs an equally fine song as its match, and that is achieved by NYC newcomer Amaya Santos with “Carousel”. Her voice effortlessly glides over the funky bass and soulful melody which you would sometimes find in an old Doobie Brothers or Chicago song. But Amaya’s voice is all about the 2000’s, influenced by singers such as Aaliyah and Alicia Keys and with precision like Mariah Carey. “Carousel” is about being trapped in, and still fascinated by a relationship even after it’s over, but with a reflective side to encourage yourself and others to recognize the warning signs while it’s in play in order to avoid the same results. The buoyant melody indeed moves like a “Carousel” which helps keep the song stuck in your head long after it’s over.