UK whiz kid @AlfieTempleman knows his way around a catchy pop song with “Happiness In Liquid Form”

 

ALFIE TEMPLEMAN, “Happiness In Liquid Form”

I first encountered music by UK singer/songwriter Alfie Templeman in a department store earlier this year, where I heard “Circles”, and was taken by such a clean burst of danceable power-pop.  He continues with his catchy EP which includes the quirky title song “Happiness In Liquid Form”.  It’s amazing what can be done as an indie bedroom producer these days, and “Happiness” is as infectious as they come.  There’s a bit of 80’s UK retro appeal in the song, reminiscent sometimes of styles from the new wave tunes by the likes of Kajagoogoo or Altered Images.  Whether or not, at only 17 years old, the multi-instrumentalist has any connection to that era of music remains to be seen, though I never put anything past artists for what might inspire them.  And to think from his bio that being a vocalist never was really first and foremost – his bright, uncharacteristic tones are a big highlight of his songs for me.  You’ll be hearing a lot more of Alfie Templeman as his music continues to evolve. So far, over 10 million Spotify streams can’t be wrong.

US electronic production duo @itsCrystalSkies follows up last year’s EP “Constellations” with vocals by @hernameisLuma in touching new single “Lullaby”

CRYSTAL SKIES and LUMA, “Lullaby”

Crystal Skies continues to find a successful, pleasing balance of big synths, drops and melody in their new single “Lullaby”, which once again features the co-writing and vocal talents of the Nashville-based Luma.  It’s a gorgeous, affecting song, awash in lots of synths that you probably won’t be able to wait to hear on big speakers with lasers flashing at a concert venue once they resume safely.  In the meantime, crank up those stereo speakers to obtain the maximum effect of Luma’s soaring voice.  “Lullaby” will not disappoint, even if it isn’t as hard core heavy dubstep as some of Crystal Skies’ previous songs.  As a big bonus, all proceeds for purchase of the song go to the NAACP legal defense fund and Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB).

New Danish producer Toby Rose arrives with the melodic deep house of “Chance To Run”

TOBY ROSE, “Chance To Run”

Denmark’s Toby Rose is a new name to get to know in the electronic dance world.  “Chance To Run” is his second single, a mid-tempo melodic deep house track with a sexy, lusty undercurrent which will help make the rest of the summer months whirr along.  The uncredited male vocal pleads to the object of his affection as he gets caught up in the complex game of love.  Toby Rose has spent most of the last part of the decade writing and producing for others.  With strong songs like “Chance To Run” now under his own name, you can expect him to find many more new fans itching for that house music fix.

UK singer/songwriter @BenedictCork tries to sing “One Last Song” gracefully, which makes it hard to move on

BENEDICT CORK, “One Last Song”

“One Last Song” is a recent release by UK singer/songwriter Benedict Cork, one of many performers who has taken advantage of the shutdown to perform and celebrate his songs online for his fans and make tighter connections.  Although this one isn’t an immediate grabber, with repeated listens you appreciate the grace and honesty in the story about moving on, knowing that the other person in the relationship will always be part of your life, through song or otherwise, long after you say “the end”.  Benedict taps into a smooth and sometimes soulful vocal that often leaves you hanging on each verse.  Benedict has more new music coming (including this week) and continues to grow with his many talents with each release.

In “New Girlfriend” is better to be the bigger person, according to UK singer/songwriter @JazzMino

JAZZ MINO, “New Girlfriend”

While I’m still immensely enjoying her last single, “Like A Drunk Girl”, British singer/songwriter Jazz Mino has followed it up quickly with “New Girlfriend”.  Always stepping outside the situation to take an objective observer stance, Jazz Mino writes and sings about how to be the bigger person when a relation ends.  So instead of creating gossip and a toxic environment, don’t divulge a lot of crap to the new person in your ex’s life.  There’s certainly nothing wrong with thinking about what you might like to do (and there are plenty of songs about that!), but you’ll only serve yourself better to separate yourself from the situation.  There’s no doubt that love and relationships can be an emotional battleground.  Jazz Mino puts forward friendly but direct ideas along with a great vocal and well-balanced production. That all makes “New Girlfriend” well worth adding on your playlist next to those new songs by Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding.

When things fall apart, rising Buffalo NY singer/songwriter @Hvnnibvl wants you to know “Who’s Gotcha”

HVNNIBVL, “Who’s Gotcha”

“Who’s Gotcha” is a likeable new release from Buffalo native Hvnnibvl, who has substituted ‘v’s for ‘a’s in his name, as he’s John Jacob Hannibal V in his clan.  He’s had some success with recent releases with producers It’s Different and KDrew, as well as opening for shows by Lil Uzi Vert and blackbear among others.  “Who’s Gotcha” is a slice-of-life tune that reassures you that there may just be someone you can lean on when a relationship comes to an end.  Hvnnibvl’s voice reminds me at times of Bryce Vine, and I think it might be showcased better in a less produced setting, which sometimes overwhelms this particular release with vocal effects.  But it’s a great song with a convincing performance, which are all the more reasons why we should get to know the music of Hvnnibvl more.

The unexpected team of @Whethan and @KFlay brings it with “Hurting On Purpose”

WHETHAN and K-FLAY, “Hurting On Purpose”

Whenever it’s released, it looks like Whethan’s upcoming album Fantasy still has plenty of surprises to come our way, with his latest single “Hurting On Purpose” featuring the voice of Grammy-nominated artist K-Flay.  Like my favourite single release of his to date, “All In My Head” (featuring grandson), “Hurting On Purpose” is another one with cross-over rock radio potential that college radio stations would also enjoy.  Despite the serious topic matter of not knowing when to stop doing what’s bad for yourself, K-Flay’s vocal is surprisingly bright and playful.  This contract makes the song go down really easy, short as it is (only 2:10!).  Whethan’s production seamlessly fuses rock and electronic genres, and so many of us can’t wait to hear what else is to come. “Hurting On Purpose” is a great lead-in to the album release, which hopefully will be soon!

According to singer/songwriter @ChazCardigan, you’re still fine even if “Everything’s Wrong”

CHAZ CARDIGAN, “Everything’s Wrong”

After previously releasing a full-length album and his recent major label EP Vulnerabilia, Nashville’s Chaz Cardigan is back with an indie single follow-up called “Everything’s Wrong”.  This is one that really should have been part of Vulnerabilia.  The song is a cousin to Chaz’s alt.rock radio hit “Not OK!” using similar reverse psychology in its lyrics versus its title.  So just because “Everything’s Wrong” doesn’t mean that you can’t be just fine and dandy, thank you.  There’s more to life than what goes on around you; be creative and shake those ideas out to make things happen!  The song has another very direct and powerful vocal from Chaz which sounds at times like The Killers’ Brandon Flowers and at others like Keane’s Tom Chaplin.  “Everything’s Wrong” is pretty entertaining if you’re listening to Chaz’s music for the first time, and if you enjoyed “Not OK!” then this one will resonate with you too.  Check out the video above.

“Dear Music” is a unique ode to song from Chicago’s @AashMehtamusic and vocalist Capelle

AASH MEHTA and CAPELLE, “Dear Music”

I tend to write a lot about uptempo, upbeat music, but every now and again an intriguing slower song creeps into my mix.  “Dear Music” is a beautiful electronic ode to song, personified like being in a relationship, courtesy of the much-respected producer from Chicago, Aash Mehta, about whose music I’ve written numerous times.  The vocalist Capelle has sang on other songs by Aash in the past, and her rich tones embody one side of the relationship as she wistfully sings “where do you go when the music’s gone?”.  “Dear Music” is a fine song for slow dancing by a small fire on a beach as the sun sets – *big deep sigh* – and it’s hard not to enjoy.

UK singer/songwriter @KarenHarding unleashes pulsating house track “Undo My Heart” with @DigiFarmAnimals

Karen Harding x Digital Farm Animals - Undo My Heart

KAREN HARDING and DIGITAL FARM ANIMALS, “Undo My Heart”

Since her breakthrough in 2015 with the UK Top 10 smash “Say Something”, London-based singer/songwriter Karen Harding has worked with some of the best of today’s producers and hitmakers, including (coincidentally) Joel Corry and MNEK (separately), Tom Ferry, Todd Terry, Blonde, and even Giorgio Moroder for 2016’s “Good For Me”.  The powerhouse vocalist, who cites Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey among her biggest influences, has unleashed “Undo My Heart” (video below) in partnership with the well-respected Digital Farm Animals (aka Nick Gale), known for his work with Shaun Frank, Dragonette, Alan Walker, Noah Cyrus, and R3HAB among others.  “Undo My Heart” is by all rights a song from the heart that simply should not miss.  Karen’s majestic vocal is carried by a riveting deep house production that could cross over to pop in the same way that “Head & Heart”.  Don’t miss (out on) this one!  It’s also available in a zippy remix by GotSome, below.