After 2020, the music world needs some fun and Toronto’s @ShuffleDemons have got it with “Crazy Time”

SHUFFLE DEMONS, “Crazy Time”

As I witnessed at a free live show in Toronto in summer 2019, Toronto’s alt-jazz troupe Shuffle Demons are still going as strong as ever some 35 years after the seminal “Spadina Bus” became an alternative radio and video channel favourite across Canada.  The bleakness of 2020 has given the guys perfect ammunition to look on the brighter, sillier side of things with “Crazy Time”, the title song and video (above, directed by Kurt Swinghammer) from their latest album.  They choose to skewer fake news and social media stories in particular, and surround it all with their trademark three-saxophone sound, supported by drums and stand-up bass.  If you’re looking for something off the beaten path that will put a smile on your face, then seize the moment and check out “Crazy Time”.

Arizona’s @Devoramusicxo lives life fast and furious in rocking “Not Dead Yet”

DEVORA, “Not Dead Yet”

If you like your guitar-filled rock fast and furious but outside of the heavy/death/speed metal sub-genres, then you’ll find a treat in “Not Dead Yet” by Arizona singer/songwriter Devora.  She coins the phrase “outlaw pop” to describe her music, and in “Not Dead Yet” if you don’t keep up you’ll be left in the dust. It’s about living life fast and furious, and not giving up – you can still keep going because you’re not dead yet. It’s a challenge for you as the listener to buy into this philosophy and enjoy the ride, but to think about what you really want and keep striving to attain those goals even if it means travelling into the dark unknown.  Devora’s voice is Joan Jett-meets-Suzi Quatro with a dash of Gwen Stefani in her No Doubt days, and is definitely a tad left of centre from what other women are recording in pop music.  Devora’s ambitious style and the zeal in her messages should continue to attract attention in the coming year.

Meet London-based Ukrainian electronic producer/songwriter @Sleep_woka with “Together We Are”

SLEEPWOKA, “Together We Are”

“Together We Are” calls for a united, loving front for all music listeners around the world during these strange times.  Its passionate lyrics are brought to you by new London-based Ukrainian producer Sleepwoka, who creates retrotastic soundscapes using analog synthesizers that take you back to the early 80’s new wave days of Depeche Mode and Simple Minds. He plays on the rock elements of that style rather than fusing it with more contemporary dance or house flavours.  The vocal tones are rather simple but expressive at times in order to stress the important message of the song, which gives it kind of a ‘root for the underdog’ appeal. With only a handful of singles on release since 2019, Sleepwoka has latched onto a good thing that is worth following.

Savour the sweet and sensual soul vibes of “Arms Around Me” by Toronto’s @officialDixon

D!XON, “Arms Around Me”

“Arms Around Me” is a new pop-R&B hybrid that will have you swaying to its irresistible rhythm, while you enjoy its sensual, lush, all-embracing message of love.  It’s performed by non-conforming 2SLGBTQ+ multi-talent D!XON, a Torontonian of Trinidadian and Guyanese descent who is already noteable as the creator of the City of Toronto’s Drag Masterclass which featured Priyanka, the winner of Drag Race Canada. D!XON has amazing presence as a performer, as you will see in the video above for “Arms Around Me”.  His soft tones are reminiscent of an amalgam of Michael Jackson, Prince, and The Weeknd, while his striking appearance recalls Janet Jackson, Ginuwine and the late Jermaine Stewart. In the video, you’ll see a variety of cameos, including celebrity director Dan Lemoyne, Hollywood Jade (Drag Race Canada resident choreographer) and Marc Andrew Smith (Drag Race resident stylist). “Arms Around Me” succeeds with D!XON’s inspiring intentions with his music.  I’m hoping in the new year it may ind its way to Canadian radio stations.  D!XON is a dynamic and diverse performer to watch.

“B4U” offers a glimpse of another side of L.A.-based performer @KINGMALAmusic

KING MALA, “B4U”

I’ve written a few times this past year about L.A.-based singer/songwriter KING MALA, who I’ve described as having a tough exterior and aggressive alt.rock style (“KING MALA” means “bad bitch” in Spanish).  “B4U” sheds some new light on that persona, and it’s culled from her recent EP Gemini, whose title offers somewhat of a giveaway (and being a Gemini myself, I know a lot about it!).  “B4U” is softer in vocal approach – kind of Suzanne Vega meets Amy Winehouse at times – but doesn’t hesitate to make deliberate choices in harsher words that create some vivid imagery, which delivers a song that is both vulnerable and unapologetic.  KING MALA’s unconventional, thought-provoking approach is something to continue to watch in 2021.

Italy’s @DJMirkoB reworks his own “Let Me In” for a 2020 techno-inspired eurohouse rave up

DJ MIRKO B and GRETA, “Let Me In 2020”

It’s not often that DJ/producers look back into their own repertoires with a view to making one of their older songs sound fresh and new. Italy’s DJ Mirko B chose “Let Me In” (featuring vocalist Greta) from 2013 to rework its anthemic, arpeggio-laden backdrop into something a little different. So he’s lifted a lot of the techno flavours from the original to make it the focus of “Let Me In 2020”, giving it enticing early 90’s eurohouse feels.  It works like a charm, still full of what I call ‘festival power’ but with wider appeal for pop audiences.

Seminal UK electronic music group @Faithless returns with “Synthesizer” featuring @NathanBallHQ in a @cometoButch remix

FAITHLESS and NATHAN BALL, “Synthesizer” (original and Butch remix)

Their music has lived on in dance clubs for over 20 years, but British electronic music legends Faithless hadn’t released an album of new songs for 13 years until All Blessed surfaced this year.  It’s an adventurous and atypical record which, like Inner City, brings back strong techno flavours to the 2020 music scene.  l had to go back to “Synthesizer” (original mix and video edit, both above) a few times before I realized it was the highlight of the album.  Led by a wicked vocal by British singer Nathan Ball, it’s accompanied by a droll sense of humour in its lyrics, an unconventional arrangement, and luminous synths that show that Faithless continue to be electronic wizards of the best order.  Its recent remix by Butch (below) strips away some of its unconventional layers in favour perhaps of a tight, fluid mix more suited to dance music radio.  Both versions stand on their own merits and are most worth of dance music fans’ attention.

Philadelphia duo @NiGHTSofficial unveil themselves and call out a lover in “Selfish”

N i G H T S, “Selfish”

During the past four years or so, Philadelphia duo N i G H T S have released a series of sometimes intriguing singles that are often rooted in R&B and pop of yesteryear.  2018’s stunner “Eyes” recalled mid-90’s R&B ballads, while 2017’s “Party” had wry lyrics set to an alternately sultry and offbeat arrangement.  Their latest single “Selfish” discovers out a lover who spends too much money and doesn’t care about anyone else.  The ever-distinct vocal and some humorous lyrics make this one a real kiss-off at only 2:04.  And finally, the mystery guys in N i G H T S unveil themselves, of sorts, coming out of the shadows of their photos in a basic, nicely silhouetted live performance above for you to watch and hear.

“Love Again” is the striking R&B-influenced single from Las Vegas singer/songwriter @Sabrielmusic

SABRIEL, “Love Again”

“Love Again” as sung by Las Vegas indie songwriter Sabriel (pronounced ‘shä brē el’) captures the essence of all-girl R&B groups of the 60’s (The Ronettes, The Shangri-Las, and of course The Supremes) and inserts it into the more contemporary, bolder world of Erykah Badu, Macy Gray, and H.E.R.  Sabriel creates a dreamy, wondrous world of self-discovery as she comes to terms with healing herself in order to move forward into other relationships.  Her voice is unique and touching, and by the end of the song you may sense that a butterfly is now taking flight.  There’s plenty to enjoy in “Love Again” and I look forward to more new songs from Sabriel.

Introducing Maryland’s @BINNYiscoming with the bedroom indie R&B/pop of “Prime”

BINNY, “Prime”

BINNY is a new Asian-American bedroom indie singer/songwriter from Maryland who pulls from contemporary pop and R&B influences to deliver a snappy sound that relies heavily on his vocal delivery.  The production in “Prime” is pretty minimal, with beats that have been heard in countless other recordings.  But BINNY makes the most of these basic trappings to showcase his smooth, clever vocals.  Justin Timberlake is an obvious reference in this song, particularly from his “SexyBack” era, though BINNY has a richer, deeper tone.  A brief sung/spoken interlude immediately brings BTS to mind, and some vocal effects are inserted to bring the song to a close.  BINNY clearly intends to take you on a journey with his music and “Prime” is a great starting point.