Leap of faith: “Jump With You” is by up-and-coming teen producers Kai Stevens & Catchphrase with vocalist Kate Klein

KAI STEVENS & CATCHPHRASE and KATE KLEIN, “Jump With You”

NYC-based producer/remixer and multi-instrumentalist Kai Stevens follows up his electronic ballad from this past summer, “Hero”, with “Jump With You”.  The song should also appeal to fans of Illenium, Galantis and Adventure Club in terms of melody and emotional qualities, rather than bigness of production.  It’s promising work in collaboration with two other newcomers, 19 year old Buffalo NY producer Catchphrase and the touching voice of Kate Klein.  The song’s story about taking an unexpected leap of faith when you fall for someone will resonate easily with fans of any progressive electronic dance music including the ‘sadboi’ sub-genre.

Meet newcomer @iamFourNights from Dublin, Ireland with the 80’s pop flair of “Want You Always”

FOUR NIGHTS, “Want You Always”

Although he has recorded as a part of the rock trio Tanjier, which has had solid local success in his native Dublin, Four Nights (aka Tommy Buckley) has branched out on his own with the 80’s pop flair of “Want You Always”. Self-described as influenced by alt.pop groups like The1975 and LANY, it’s one of two new Four Nights singles (the other being “Nothing To Say”) that have just been released.  “Want You Always” immediately grabs you with that ever-so-familiar drum beat, which pervaded 80’s hits like Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and in particular “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals.  But that’s where similarities end – “Want You Always” draws you in with Tommy’s earnest vocal which unfolds the story of being wounded by the end of a relationship that may have finished prematurely, at least through the eyes of the songwriter.  The additional instrumentation comes together nicely, making “Want You Always” a warm, easy listen and a promising start for Four Nights.

Swedish production duo @NOTD return to deep house beats with “Nobody” with @officialCatello

NOTD and CATELLO, “Nobody”

After the great success of last year’s “So Close” – with over 400 million streams worldwide and being the #1 played song at Dance Radio – as well as “I Wanna Know”, Tobi and Sam, aka Sweden’s NOTD return to their dance roots with “Nobody”, and bring along mysterious newcomer Catello for the fun.  This is darker deep house than usual for the boys and it’s led by a smouldering and rich male vocal which distinguishes it from NOTD’s more recent pop flavoured releases.  Club DJ’s would be wise to add this one to any deep house playlists they are curating.  “Nobody” will resonate best in dance clubs once they resume business.  That’s not to say that Dance Radio won’t warm up to “Nobody”, which would go over best in late evening programming.

 

An early present for you: “This Christmas” by L.A.-based Canadian singer/songwriter @PeterFoldy

PETER FOLDY, “This Christmas”

Want to put some cheer and joy into your life and surroundings?  Then take this lovely early present from L.A.-based Canadian singer/songwriter Peter Foldy called “This Christmas”.  It’s a contemporary and uplifting Christmas song that wraps you up in a warm, fuzzy, loving blanket in advance of the holidays.  Peter’s timeless vocal goes down easy and leads the way, and there’s no reason why any radio station shouldn’t include this next to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and other originals, next to the usual golden standards.  “This Christmas” is another treat following the recent success (and foreshadowing!) of Peter’s “Toxic World”, which has over 25K streams on Spotify alone and reached #5 of my personal chart.  Check out the lyric video for “This Christmas” above or listen to it at the Spotify link below.

Loaded with hooks: “Tell Me” by UK producer @iamBobbyHarvey and singer @DannyDeardenuk

BOBBY HARVEY x DANNY DEARDEN, “Tell Me”

“Tell Me” in its original version may only be 2:30, but it’s completely loaded with hooks, courtesy of UK producer Bobby Harvey and singer Danny Dearden.  Bobby makes the 90’s-tinged deep house bass flavours friendly enough for radio – which remind me of Gusto’s “Disco’s Revenge” – and they are stretched out in the Extended Mix in the EP.  Danny is on a bit of a streak after the rollicking recent “Can’t Stop Me Now” (which I wrote about in the Spring) and especially his work with Michael Calfan on “It’s Wrong” and the more recent “Could Be You”, which I even heard in a local department store!  His urgent vocal distinguishes itself from the bassy grooves and “Tell Me” melds together beautifully.

“Part Of This” is poignant pop that wears its emotions on its sleeve, from UK singer/songwriter @Jazz__Mino

JAZZ MINO, “Part Of This”

Following “New Girlfriend” and particularly the outstanding “Like A Drunk Girl” (which peaked at #11 on my personal chart) is “Part Of This” by British singer/songwriter Jazz Mino.  It’s theme is about being excluded, which hits home in particular in the last part of the song, which touches on being on the receiving end of a crumbling relationship.  The song relies on Jazz Mino’s gentle, personable, but direct vocal to tell her story over a minimal mainly electronic arrangement with some well-placed guitar work.  Despite its story, “Part Of This” doesn’t come off as a downer.  Like several of her other songs, Jazz Mino offers well-meaning perspective to which many listeners will relate, and this makes her songs easily stand out from the rest.

“Let You Down” by SoCal dance/electronic producer @JayB1rdmusic and @DanniCarra gets a re-release!

https://open.spotify.com/track/3AdN6RPk2NmnMRjsV3JbMp?si=Noijw5swSkS6e7FJr3Jclg

JAY BIRD and DANNI CARRA, “Let You Down”

This is a rare occasion when I can post about a song that I previously wrote about, to inform you all of its re-release!  I’m particularly pleased for SoCal producer Jay Bird, about whom I’ve written several times, whose “Let You Down” is now available again through Adept Records.  As you’ll see from my original blog post below, the song was released initially as a free download about a year and a half ago.  This is one of my favourites by Jay, and I’m pleased that others have had the vision to provide it with a more official release.  Give it a listen at the Spotify link above.

In “You’re Mine” by @Cobimusic, the subject is finding a relationship’s middle ground

COBI, “You’re Mine”

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Cobi continues to release affecting and personal songs such as his latest, “You’re Mine”.  This one documents the struggle to find a relationship’s middle ground, when the singer’s own struggles prevent it from moving on to the next level, and put the relationship at risk.  “You’re Mine” is about wanting someone so much, and not knowing what to do about it.  Cobi’s powerful vocal resonates from deep within, but what could be a morose song is boosted by a fervid, sometimes bluesy rock arrangement that keeps you captivated instead of pushing you away.  I can’t wait to hear what Cobi’s songs will sound like when he has the opportunity to play them in a live concert.  And so above is a live clip that will give you a taste, with the studio version below.

Go deep with “Time Pass” by Florida-based electronic dance producer @Kaufaudio

KAUF, “Time Pass”

A few years back, a series of well-received singles led to the progressive electronic album release Regrowth by Florida-based producer/remixer Kauf (aka Ron Kaufman).  Kauf continues his dreamy, deep synth soundscapes with “Time Pass”, one of several singles which I note that he has released this year.  This one is soothing for the electronic soul in all of us, almost a theme from another time in music (the 1970’s perhaps?) when whiling away the time seemed like a great idea.  In today’s world, we take it for granted, and time slips just slips away because we’re too busy to enjoy it.  So find yourself a quiet place, put your headphones on, close your eyes, and go deep into Kauf’s “Time Pass”.

“If I Try To Find You” bares all about a past relationship, according to L.A.-based indie singer/songwriter @KINGMALAmusic

KING MALA, “If I Try To Find You”

Finding a happy, edgy ground somewhere between Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish isn’t easy, but L.A.-based indie singer/songwriter KING MALA (aka Areli Castro) seems to have achieved it in “If I Try To Find You”.  It’s a follow up to her complex single “sugarblind”, which I wrote about in the Summer.  The song pulls open wounds from a long-ago relationship, when given thought about where that person might be now, with the realization that the enduring pain from it was much deeper.  The song truly comes alive with an in-your-face chorus that might prove to be a trademark of KING MALA’s “king bad bitch” persona.  “If I Try To Find You” is aggressive and not always an easy listen, but your time in getting to know the music of KING MALA will be very well spent.