Norway’s @Matomaofficial returns with effervescent pop of “Summer Feeling” with vocalist Jonah Kagen

MATOMA and JONAH KAGEN, “Summer Feeling”

After a flood of releases in 2019-20, Matoma is back with his first release in a new chapter of music called “Summer Feeling”. Breaking away for now from a heavier dance style, it’s a sweet electronic pop ode (co-written by Nashville’s Mokita, aka John-Luke Carter) to those special times in the great weather that you will always remember, sung effortlessly and gracefully by US vocalist Jonah Kagen. Check out the video above with its earnest showcase of two lovers enjoying time together while summer lasts.  Whether he’s making a party anthem like “The Bender” or recording with the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Snoop Dogg, MAX, Noah Cyrus or Becky Hill, Matoma’s music always shows you a good time, and now with loads of fans all over the world and songs that have been streamed hundreds of millions of times over the last several years, “Summer Feeling” should find a welcome place on many playlists over the next few months, making it a fine, enduring end-of-summer song.

Check out 90’s inspired alt.rock from Toronto-based singer/songwriter @PaulManchin with “Gratification”

PAUL MANCHIN, “Gratification”

Post-grunge 90’s rock influences seem to be in store for a revival lately, and “Gratification” by Toronto-based singer/songwriter Paul Manchin is part of that inspiration.  Often working in the background as a songwriter or musician, Paul has also released a number of his own albums over the years too, and many of his songs have received placements on TV. While it contains Beatles vibes particularly through the piano melody, “Gratification” also gives nods to artists like Smashing Pumpkins and Beck in terms of vocal style and guitar work.  It’s certainly helped by crisp production by co-writer and Grammy winner David Bottrill, who has worked with not only the Pumpkins, but also Peter Gabriel and Rush. Paul’s voice has a laid back Billy Corgan-meets-John Lennon-esque tone with a soulful side, and even with a myriad of influences, “Gratification” sounds fresh and could easily find a place on alt.rock or college radio station playlists.

Meet Las Vegas singer/songwriter @iamJennaJay with the touching pop of “Someone Real”

JENNA JAY, “Someone Real”

Jenna Jay is a new singer/songwriter from Las Vegas who you can get to know with her latest single “Someone Real”. It’s a well-written and touching pop song that zeroes in on finding that soulmate or special person with whom you can share your life. The song is relatable to young people who have had a constant and frustrating struggle with self-worth, thinking that they are the reason why they can’t find someone to love, sometimes setting unrealistic ideals about themselves and of others. But “Someone Real” offers hope that your lover is out there and may just find you, too. The video above is well shot with beautiful imagery, colours and wardrobe. Jenna has a pleasing and affecting voice, and she knows how to write songs that suit it well.

“Could’ve Should’ve Would’ve” is another inspired pairing of German producers @Saxity and NYC singer/songwriter Victor Perry @wallflowerperry

SAXITY and VICTOR PERRY, “Could’ve Should’ve Would’ve”

Every release together is always such a welcome surprise, so I’m always happy to write about another teaming of Saxity and Victor Perry, this time on “Could’ve Should’ve Would’ve”.  The German producers always make Victor’s voice and lyrics shine, and this time it’s in some funky Michael Jackson/Usher/George Michael territory that allows Victor to let loose.  Throw in some gorgeous high notes for harmony as well as slick instrumentation including some well-placed saxophone against a chugging groove and “Could’ve Should’ve Would’ve” is a fine addition for your anytime playlist!

Here’s another from @CheatCodesmusic as they team up with Swedish star @ToveStyrke and @TravisBarker for “All Things $ Can Do”

CHEAT CODES, TRAVIS BARKER and TOVE STYRKE, “All Things $ Can Do”

Quickly following up their collaboration with Little Big Town and Bryn Christopher on “Never Love You Again” is another radio-friendly earworm from the trio Cheat Codes called “All Things $ Can Do”. And this song is another collaboration too, marking a return of Swedish singer Tove Styrke after three years (she has a new solo single too called “Mood Swings”), and featuring Blink 182’s Travis Barker, who also co-produced the song and has been popping up on other people’s songs while shepherding new artists such as teen sensation jxdn.  Long an alternative pop fave, Tove’s vocal would sound great next to singers like Zara Larsson, Sigrid or Astrid S. on the radio, the production is smooth and tidy, and the song certainly spells out a truth for a lot of listeners.  “All Things $ Can Do” (co-written by Canada’s bülow, too!) doesn’t get lost in the shuffle which is good news for Cheat Codes as their songs veer away from the more electronic dance pop of a few years ago.

Amsterdam-based California R&B/pop producer/songwriter @_BlackSands takes you on an emotional journey with “Used To It” from the EP “Afterglow”

BLACK SANDS and MARTINO, “Used To It”

In “Used To It”, California electronic/pop producer/songwriter Black Sands (aka Andrew Balfour) concludes that while life will not be the same after an unfortunate and tragic event, he must move on, and thus takes us on an emotional foray with The Weeknd as his clear inspiration for his new music. The song comes to a stylized fruition thanks to L.A. R&B/pop vocalist Martino. Because of his voice, “Used To It” reminds me of The Weeknd’s music circa Starboy and My Dear Melancholy, which is some of my favourite music of The Weeknd’s career, all recorded in the aftermath of a breakup. The synths sparkle and create their own kind of twilight. Black Sands recorded his new EP Afterglow following the sudden death of his sister.  And while the stories are bleak, they never come across that way at a distant listen.  Listen closely though and you’ll grasp that Black Sands has achieved something far from ordinary with his new songs. 

 

“Nonchalant” is the latest deep house treat by @DuckSauceNYC featuring a fun, prominent sample from the 80’s

DUCK SAUCE, “Nonchalant”

After a long hiatus, A-Trak and Armand Van Helden reunited on record as Duck Sauce last year with two delightfully quirky singles in “Captain Duck” (which prominently sampled Captain Sensible’s “Wot”) and “Mesmerize” (which has one of the strangest animated videos).  “Nonchalant” isn’t as much of a novelty as either “Barbra Streisand” or “Captain Duck”, as it builds an extremely catchy, soulful vocal chorus around a retro-sounding Latin melody that is lifted from British group Modern Romance’s 1981 disco/dance release “Queen of The Rapping Scene (Nothing Ever Goes The Way You Planned)”, a minor but memorable dance record (I still am proud to have my original 12″ import of it!!).  That makes it a sure dance floor draw, with the slick-sounding sample in direct contrast to the fierce vocal. “Nonchalant” is a pretty irresistible, highly creative slice of fun.  You can peruse the ‘duck takeover’ in the odd video above, or check out the track below. Quack!

Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt @Boye_Sigvardt have two striking back-to-back dance singles with “Microdose” and “Over Till It’s Over”

BOYE & SIGVARDT and JORDAN SHAW, “Microdose”

BOYE & SIGVARDT, “Over Till It’s Over”

These days, releases come by so quickly that I’m thinking it’s sometimes better to wait and write about a pair of back-to-back top drawer songs than by themselves. Danish producers Christian Boye and Christian Sigvardt are names well known to readers of this blog, and their two recent releases of “Microdose” and “Over Till It’s Over” can’t go unnoticed. Both are uptempo house tracks, with “Microdose” having the added bonus of a tremendous vocal by Jordan Shaw that gives the song all kinds of dimension on its own.  Add that to an engaging hook and melody and “Microdose” is well worth your time and attention. “Over Till It’s Over” is a little more familiar and more of a Top 40 dance/pop record than “Microdose”, but its zesty bounce and quieter, thoughtful moments, along with its soulful uncredited male vocal make it well above average for the genre. 

I wish sometimes that some major label releases weren’t so compartmentalized to focus on the country of origin. Both of these songs are released by Warner Denmark, but have such wide appeal that Warner itself should really focus on them worldwide!  There, I’ve said it!

California pop singer @KaceyFifield returns with poignant “Ghost” with South Korea’s Little Rain, and synth-washed @AlessVanco remix of “Confused”

KACEY FIFIELD and LITTLE RAIN, “Ghost”

KACEY FIFIELD, “Confused” (Aless Vanco remix)

Through her ongoing work with singer/songwriter/producer Robbie Rosen, California’s Kacey Fifield is finding a nice niche with genuine-sounding alternative electronic pop that will appeal wholeheartedly to teens and young adults.  Her most recent release, “Ghost” finds her teamed up with South Korean producer Little Rain, who has demonstrated his flair for beautiful synth melodies, such as in “Moonlight” (with vocalist/songwriter Devyn Rush). It’s a delightful pairing as Little Rain taps into the emotion of “Ghost” that allows the song to shine without being maudlin. Kacey’s down-to-earth vocal is appealing and will touch those young folks who can relate to the feelings expressed in this post-relationship story.  

I previously wrote about Kacey’s Spring solo release “Confused”, which gets an engaging lift from Belgian producer Aless Vanco and makes the familiar sentiments of Kacey’s song sparkle with the addition of synth flourishes in all the right places.  It’s easy to bury a vocal under effects but Aless Vanco capably balances the vocal, melodies and rhythm, and his remix helps to accentuate all of the fine features about the singer and her song.

British producer @ZenDubmusic brings drum and bass dance music to the fore again with “Invoke” from the new album “Enigma”

ZEN DUB, “Invoke”

“Invoke” is dance music for creative thinkers, as British producer Zen Dub pulls drum and bass melody and beats front and centre for the first time in a long while. Culled from his ambitious 10 track album Enigma, “Invoke” reminds me a bit of what Tritonal were trying to achieve with their Sanskrit mantra “Shivohum” last year.  Zen Dub uses Asian influences to help make “Invoke” a unique experience, and the compelling vocal makes it more than just the average drum and bass electronic release. It’s as challenging as Disclosure’s recent releases, and the album title reminds me of the same-named 90’s project by German producer Michael Cretu which brought other styles and cultures to Top 40 radio with tracks like “Return To Innocence”. “Invoke” is a highly recommended step away from the big beats of today’s dance music and demonstrates enjoyable alternate flavours that are available for more progressive electronic music fans.