“Better Day” is a short but sweet surprise from UK producers @thisisWh0, the amazing @NileRodgers and vocalist @JoshBarrymusic

WH0, NILE RODGERS and JOSH BARRY, “Better Day”

“Better Day” is a cool surprise for dance music fans.  Although it seems like only a taste at 2:30, it is in fact a redux of a Nile Rodgers production by CHIC’s Norma Jean called “High Society”.  To boot, Nile has been such a fan of British producers WH0 (known so far mainly for their remixes as well as wearing masks in performance) during their short three year existence, that he invited them to revisit and transform “High Society”, at Abbey Road Studios no less.  Bringing in one-time touring vocalist for Gorgon City, British singer Josh Barry, “Better Day” is a shiny treat of positivity, decked out in classic Nile Rodgers rhythm guitar while Josh’s soulful vocal takes it to even another level.  “Better Day” is proof that you never know who is listening.  Like Elton John and a few other veterans, Nile has maintained his buzz for new music and paying it forward since CHIC’s heyday 40 years ago, and as a result now we’ll be hearing a lot more new music from WH0 too.

#TheVoice’s @ChrisBluelive returns with the infectious soul-pop of “Moon”

CHRIS BLUE, “Moon”

Although he hasn’t been away from releasing music since he won “The Voice” with coach Alicia Keys in 2017, his latest single “Moon” is a restart in a sense.  “Moon” returns Knoxville, Tennessee-based Chris Blue to the soul-pop that enticed “The Voice” audience to vote him as the winner of season 12, after performing such diverse songs as Motown classic “The Tracks Of My Tears”, Prince’s “Diamonds and Pearls”, Miguel’s “Adorn”, Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic”, R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts”, and more.  He continued to show his versatility after the show with the top notch, ages-old-soulful but risky “Blue Blood Blues”, as well as a holiday EP.  He’s in excellent form in “Moon”, which is a solid original composition that moves along briskly with a memorable lead up to its infectious chorus.  It may have taken four years, but with songs like “Moon”, it looks like 2021 will be a very good year indeed for Chris Blue.

Canada’s @TheBoomtangBoys return with their spin on @FleetwoodMac’s “Everywhere” with vocalist @KatrinaAstasia

THE BOOMTANG BOYS and KATRINA ANASTASIA, “Everywhere”

It’s been a long while since we’ve heard from Canadian dance producers The Boomtang Boys, though Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace have worked on other projects under other names.  But you’ll have to go back to the late 90’s and early 2000’s for songs such as their biggest hit “Squeeze Toy”, their cover of “Popcorn”, and the inimitable “Hamster Dance”.  Abandoning novelties for their return, they instead put their spin on Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 pop hit “Everywhere”.  I’m not a lover of cover versions, but “Everywhere” works just fine on its own and stands firmly outside of Fleetwood Mac’s shadow, thanks to a well-chosen and delightful vocal by new Toronto singer Katrina Anastasia.  The video for the song is a gentle, feel-good effort (particularly for dog lovers), and one can only wonder where music will take The Boomtang Boys next.

Australia’s @NeedsNoSleep and Jeremy Beamish team up for irresistible house track “Unnatural”

NEEDS NO SLEEP and JEREMY BEAMISH, “Unnatural”

“Unnatural” wastes no time crawling between your ears and getting stuck inside for repeat plays.  It’s brought to you by Australian producer Needs No Sleep in collaboration with vocalist/songwriter Jeremy Beamish, one half of The Beamish Brothers, who have already graced these blog pages with their great songs.  “Unnatural” projects appropriately dark atmosphere, in a moody but cool house track that meshes the pan-European sound of a Nora En Pure with an inward-facing anthem that might fit fellow Aussies The Presets.  Jeremy Beamish turns the page successfully into new territory with a deeper, hypnotic vocal than we are used to hearing with The Beamish Brothers. Needless to say, “Unnatural” is a simply marvelous track and I’m delighted that it’s making its way up the the ARIA club chart into the Top 30.

Russian production duo M.O.O.N. Pro and British singer @JoeJurymusic team up for zesty, emotional pop/dance of “Feel”

M.O.O.N. Pro and Joe Jury, “Feel”

“Feel” is the collaboration of Russian production duo M.O.O.N. Pro and British singer/songwriter Joe Jury, who have created an emotional  pop/dance track that’s very deserving of your attention.  Its a timely plea for us not to conceal our emotions when you’ve found someone special and want to hang on to them.  Certainly it’s about enjoying the ride and escaping, but it’s all about keeping it real.  Joe has a spectacular vocal range in this deep house setting, considering his halcyon days were more associated with rock and folk styles.  His voice glides over the warm synths and memorable melody (note too that M.O.O.N. happens to be an acronym for “melody of our night”), allowing all of the positives in the message to be front and centre.  “Feel” has also been released in a more fluid club mix, below, that will keep those toes tapping.

Meet new British/American singer @Mearamusica with baroque-flavoured pop of “Blackbird”

MEARA, “Blackbird”

Although Meara McIntyre Train is not a new name for those who have seen her perform on Broadway, The Today Show, or at Madison Square Garden. But unveiled as pop singer MEARA, she offers a commanding introduction with her debut single “Blackbird”.  Co-written with producer Max Mostley and Norma Jean Martine, the song’s sweet introduction leads into a dark tale as the protagonist is led on an adventure of self-discovery by the title character.  MEARA’s beautifully controlled voice is offset by a baroque-flavoured arrangement reminiscent of songs from Florence & The Machine’s first album.  Though there are similarities to other gifted performers, MEARA makes this quasi-supernatural but uplifting style her own – a strange, almost whispered vocal later in the song will catch you off guard.  “Blackbird” speeds by in its four minutes and that itself is a tribute to the fine songwriting and compelling performance.

“Hey You” is hot deep house out of the gate by French producer @SaintLanvain

SAINT LANVAIN, “Hey You”

With so much music out there and everyone claiming to be the next-big-thing-in-waiting, sometimes songs till come along and grab you right out of the blue.  Such is the case with French producer Saint Lanvain’s “Hey You”, and I’m excited about its potential.  It’s classy deep house with a touching story and great chemistry between male and female vocalists who alas remain uncredited.  Saint Lanvain co-wrote and co-produced this song while isolated in Brazil during the early days of the pandemic.  His wish to make this song “fly” – and “we’ll fly together”, he says in his Spotify profile – has indeed allowed “Hey You” to sprout its own invisible wings.  Already achieving success with his remixes including for the likes of The Avener, along with support from fellow Frenchman David Guetta, “Hey You” should quickly attract dance radio play in North America for Saint Lanvain until clubs can have it in their grasp.

Sweden’s @MansZelmerlow has a new pop gem with “Come Over Love”

MANS ZELMERLOW, “Come Over Love”

Sweden’s Måns Zelmerlöw came to international prominence in 2015 when his one-of-a-kind song “Heroes” won EuroVision and Melodifestivalen that year.  I was fortunate to know about this charming, hard-working singer years before when he competed on Melodifestivalen in 2009 with a performance of “Hope and Glory” (below) that just floored me, though the song itself finished fourth.  “Come Over Love” follows up Måns’ recent hosting appearance on this year’s Melodifestivalen, where he performed “Come Over Love” (above), as well as his song for the World Figure Skating Championships, “Circles And Squares”, and the 2019 album Time.   “Come Over Love” is an engaging and uplifting radio-ready midtempo pop song released independently by Swedish label ART:ERY Music Group, which features one of his best vocal performances in years.  His compelling voice is filled with the urgency that this well-written and produced song needs, and I hope that “Come Over Love” will be another international kickstart for Måns so that more music fans will hear his songs.

Get to know diverse and unique new British talent @SC_Undercover with “Deeper Love”

SC.UNDERCOVER, “Deeper Love”

I first wrote about British alternative pop singer/songwriter SC.Undercover last year at the time of the release of his infectious and quirky “Morals” and its eye-catching video. He returns to show off his vocal dynamics again with “Deeper Love”.  This time, his song is led by an acoustic guitar melody and an even bigger focus on the soulful side of his voice, deliberately intimate in homage to the kind of music he says that he grew up with.  Several falsetto moments definitely create unexpected chills to help take this tender ballad to the next level. “Deeper Love” is a song that easily carves out its own path and draws listeners with its gentle magnetism.  

L.A.-based teen pop singer/songwriter @KaceyFifield is back with thoughtful solo release “Confused”

KACEY FIFIELD, “Confused”

Kacey Fifield is a 16 year old singer/songwriter from L.A. whose burgeoning talent is popping in 2021.  “Confused” is her second release for Tipsy Records, following up last year’s uncharacteristic and unique duet with Robbie Rosen called “Last Breath”.  “Confused” is a thoughtful electronic ballad that should capture the ears of many listeners within her age range. Its relatable words pinpoint the feelings of many teens and young adults in these unusual times who are trying their best to cope with the demands of relationships, social media, puberty, school, work, and more. Kacey sings right from the heart, there is no embellishing, and she is fortunate to have ongoing guidance with her music from friend, occasional co-writer and producer Robbie.  Kacey is well-established in social media circles and her fans should flock to the authenticity of “Confused”.