With future house rhythms and from-the-heart lyrics, “Don’t Want Perfect” by @Kayliox and @RobbieRosenlive is a winner

KAYLIOX x ROBBIE ROSEN, “Don’t Want Perfect”

If you’re looking for that great dance song that will ultimately let you end up in a warm embrace, then “Don’t Want Perfect” by Kayliox and Robbie Rosen is just for you! Its fast-paced future house rhythms and pulsating synths are just itching to make you groove, while Robbie’s sincere lyrics and golden vocal performance will pull those heart strings. Both artists are on a roll, with Quebec City’s Kayliox following up his late Spring release “Lighter” with Jessica Chertock, while NYC’s Robbie continues to release at least one song per week in a variety of dance styles, with two songs appearing concurrently recently on my personal chart (“When I Lost You” and/or “Waves” and/or “Habits”). Both artists continue to bring you high quality releases but “Don’t Want Perfect” is definitely among the very best of them.

Meet new electronic dance producer @weareNightro with “Don’t Like It” teaming with @PhilPhauler and @AleksandarVida

NIGHTRO, PHIL PHAULER and ALEKSANDAR VIDA, “Don’t Like It”

“Don’t Like It” is a short but notable new dance release by NYC-based Indian producer Nightro in collaboration with fellow producers Phil Phauler and Alexandar Vida.  It’s got moody, dirty rhythms and dark, edgy vocal effects which surround a well-sung vocal by an uncredited female singer. “Don’t Like It” doesn’t waste time in packing musical punches early on in the song, and it could lift up just about any set during a club evening.  Nightro is receiving particularly strong reaction to “Don’t Like It” in India, so it’s now time for the rest of the world to show up and embrace this one.

UK vocalist @NatalieShay_ returns with pop radio-worthy “Medicine Boy”

NATALIE SHAY, “Medicine Boy”

Natalie Shay has a sharp, powerful voice that screams Taylor Swift-meets-Haim (and yes I know they have recorded together hehe), and she’s back with a super-catchy pop song called “Medicine Boy”.  The UK singer/songwriter often skews country flavours with her songs but has a diverse voice that has also graced some electronic dance releases. But “Medicine Boy” goes for the gusto, a song that compares having a relationship with recreational drug use, with the main point being that even a mediocre relationship can have addictive qualities about it that you will ultimately have to break in order to get something (and someone) better for yourself.  “Medicine Boy” has a striking, energetic arrangement full of bright synths and a memorable melody that should continue to help Natalie Shay move to the next level.

Get to know new Dutch singer/songwriter @NanaMRose with “4 AM” from her EP “Morning Drops & Lemon Seeds”

NANA M. ROSE, “4 AM”

With such a beautiful pitch-perfect voice, it’s no wonder that Nana M. Rose is receiving lots of her attention in her native country of The Netherlands, including with radio play.  Her song “4 AM” from her brand new EP Morning Drops & Lemon Seeds is a delightful pop showcase in which the singer longs for the memorable times being out with friends till the wee hours. It’s a common theme among young people during the pandemic, and as some of the world starts to emerge from its shadow, we’ll be able to make more memories. While the song is relatable, it does take a few listens to stir you inside because all of your attention is on Nana’s lovely vocal. In fact, she has been selected for this year’s “Popronde” in The Netherlands, a prestigious showcase festival with various shows happening between September and November this year. While she’s already played in the UK and New York City, let’s hope that will be a springboard for touring additional cities once that is possible later this year or in 2022.

 

Two years later, “Feels Like Summer” by South Africa’s @SamuelJackmusic is a social media sensation

SAMUEL JACK, “Feels Like Summer”

With social media, you can never predict what will happen that will suddenly engage the public.  I wrote about Samuel Jack’s “Feels Like Summer” on June 30, 2019 and in the excerpt below, indicated that it was a summer winner:

Recently, the song became a sensation on Instagram reels, which snowballed into Tik Tok, and since then the song has started appearing not only on viral streaming charts, but sales charts too (I checked iTunes Canada today and the single was #82 today, which is quite good for an independent release). Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer song, and I hope the Instagram and Tik Tok attention will parlay into radio play for “Feels Like Summer”, which would be well-deserved. Watch Samuel sing it live (above), and now there’s are two remixes (below) too!

 

 

 

The soulful voice of UK singer/songwriter @SamDickinson is back with a deep house remix of his cover of Mica Paris’ “Carefree”

SAM DICKINSON, “Carefree” (Blackjack remix)

Following up his fine album release from last year called Off Script, Sam Dickinson is back to bridge the gap between his next original release with some remixes of songs from Off Script.  I’ve been writing about Sam’s music since his first album released in 2013, and first up is a fantastic choice – his cover of Mica Paris’ 1998 single “Carefree”.  Sam’s a huge fan of Mica as well as British soul music of the 80’s and 90’s, and his rendition is a tantilizing homage. Remixed for the dance floor, Blackjack gives it a deep and dirty house redolent in bass, and it’s right on point without taking anything away from Sam’s original execution.  This remix of “Carefree” is a great start in reintroducing listeners to songs from Off Script – more to come!

Check out the earnest pop flavours of “Let’s Stay Up” by Ireland’s @iamFourNights from the EP “Bed”

FOUR NIGHTS, “Let’s Stay Up”

Four Nights is the recording name for Ireland’s Tommy Buckley, and he has a refreshing, earnest pop sound for 2021. He writes direct, easy-to-digest songs without sugar-coating his ideas or compromising his storytelling ability. “Let’s Stay Up” is his latest song that appears on his new EP Bed. You can hear him confidently sing about what might be an otherwise awkward time for some when getting to know someone a bit better and pulling what hopefully might be a romantic all-nighter. “Let’s Stay Up” is a gracious tribute to those times which will become memorable even if they don’t turn out to be special.  I enjoy Tommy’s commitment to his pop style and encourage you not only to check out “Let’s Stay Up” but also the Bed EP, which also features my favourite song of his to date, “Want You Always”, which recently reached #8 on my personal chart.

Get to know the dance vibes of producer #Pillows with her vibrant release “Wasted” in partnership with @JamesMercymusic

PILLOWS and JAMES MERCY, “Wasted”

“Wasted” is a vibrant and fun original slap house track that is ready for the dance parties to begin. It comes from Hungary-born, California-based producer/DJ Pillows and collaborating producer James Mercy.  Pillows (aka Anna Negyesi) caught the attention of Forbes Magazine earlier this year after her electronic cover (again with James Mercy) and video of Hall & Oates “I Can’t Go For That” showcased her as a mystery DJ with a pillow helmet. But like Marshmello, Electric Polar Bears and a few others who have decided to remain “masked”, there is certainly much talent underneath the quirky exterior. “Wasted” doesn’t show off any new tricks but it is a solid deep house release that can compete with the best of them. With or without the gimmick, Pillows is one to watch and any ongoing collaborations with James – who has had his fair share of dance successes like “Fractures” a few years back – should continue to be fruitful.

Meet South Korea’s Little Rain with beautiful melodic dance track “Moonlight” featuring “American Idol”‘s Devyn Rush

LITTLE RAIN and DEVYN RUSH, “Moonlight”

I am a sucker for a song with a super melodic structure, especially when it’s grounded with thoughtful lyrics, divine synths, and a catchy vocal like “Moonlight”, the latest release by South Korean producer Little Rain in collaboration with former “American Idol” contestant Devyn Rush.  It’s ear candy of the best kind without giving you an unwelcome sugar high. All of the details in this production give it an elegance that you don’t hear every day in electronic dance pop. Devyn wrote a true feel-good song which her vocal then takes right to heart. “Moonlight” indeed is one of the loveliest songs you will hear this summer, perfect for late night fun on the beach.

Listen to “Thinking About You” by deep house producer @officialDimiL and White Trumpet

DIMI L and WHITE TRUMPET, “Thinking About You”

Dimi L released his first single back in 2018 called “Nature”, and I wrote about it then, so it makes sense that a fresh start three years later also gets its due!  The Greece-born, England-based producer/musician returns on LoudKult no less with “Thinking About You”, which like “Nature” employs the resonant sound of White Trumpet (otherwise known as Romania-based Eugeniu Albu).  It’s a rich, sophisticated deep house track with future house elements and plenty of bounce, as well as a cool uncredited female vocal.  Dimi L combines it all in an ear-pleasing, infectious way that would work equally well on the dance floor. As lovely as it is, “Thinking About You” doesn’t take too many risks, so I’d recommend some remixes which might help support this  release.