Be sure to listen to @ChesneyHawkes’ touching song “John Lennon Lived Here”, co-written with @NikKershaw

CHESNEY HAWKES, “John Lennon Lived Here”

I enjoy songs that capture unique perspectives in life. Appropriately obtaining attention just before John Lennon’s 80th birthday was “John Lennon Lived Here” by L.A.-based UK-born singer/songwriter Chesney Hawkes. The song, co-written by one of my long time faves, Nik Kershaw (who wrote Chesney’s 1991 UK #1 and US Top 10 hit “The One And Only”), was originally included on Chesney’s 2012 album Real Life Love. It takes the viewpoint of a wide-eyed tourist in NYC who is also a John Lennon fan. NYC can be terribly intimidating to some, but to others (like me!) it’s extremely welcoming. The song’s title represents the ability to reconcile with the facts that John Lennon not only lived in but died in NYC, but that it was also where he wanted and needed to be. The subtle arrangement has several Beatle-esque moments and Chesney’s voice is in great form. Although North American audiences would see Chesney as a one-hit wonder, he is not in the UK, and has kept busy over the years with acting and reality show gigs. He belatedly and perhaps unexpectedly resurfaces again through this song and it’s most welcome indeed. It is currently in the Top 10 of the United DJ’s Heritage chart.

“Heart Stop” is an infectious bass-laden rocker by Boston’s @AlmostOwenmusic

ALMOST OWEN, “Heart Stop”

Boston indie singer/songwriter Almost Owen (aka Isaac Haselkorn) has had a busy, prolific last year, releasing several singles, then two amply-filled EP’s, leading to his latest 3-song effort Felt Cute…Might Delete. “Heart Stop” is the stand out track, with its infectious chugga-chugga bass line that rides underneath a positive message about finding inspiration in yourself again and again to keep your heart beating. I find Almost Owen’s songs usually to be chock-filled with a myriad of thoughts when they hover around the three minute mark. “Heart Stop” takes a slightly different less-is-more approach and comes out a winner.

Check out the breezy and danceable “Forever Free” by South Africa’s @GoldFishlive

GOLDFISH, “Forever Free”

The venerable and Award-winning South African production duo GoldFish are due to release an album sometime soon, since their last one was now three years ago, Late Night People (followed more recently by a remix album of it). Dominic and David continue to tease us with a new single every now and then, and their latest, “Forever Free”, is a timeless and positive ode to something that’s important to everyone. Co-written with and sung by L.A.-based vocalist Nate Highfield, “Forever Free” soars to similar happy places that songs like Tritonal & Henry Dark’s “Shivohum” and Porter Robinson’s “Get Your Wish” have transported us this year. GoldFish’s production is effortless and Nate’s voice just lets “Forever Free” soar. Watch the entertaining animated video above, directed by Matt Torode – and yes, Dominic and David get the cartoon treatment!

Denmark’s @Boye_Sigvardt continue to mix up those dance grooves with “The Feelings” featuring Canada’s own @Kiesza

BOYE & SIGVARDT and KIESZA, “The Feelings”

Continuing to show off their diversity within the electronic dance music genre, Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt return with their latest, “The Feelings”. This one sways away from the wacky but fun antics of this past summer’s “Party Sucks” for an accessible, radio-friendly deep house song that showcases the robust tones of Canada’s own Kiesza. The producers neatly balance the heavier bass rhythms and far-reaching synths with Kiesza’s fierce vocal, with the results being that “The Feelings” is one tidy and convincing three minute earworm. I’d definitely suggest a repeat collaboration!

New Dutch electronic dance producer @Antummusic brings catchy retro flavours with “Worldwide”

ANTUM, “Worldwide”

Dutch producer Antum (aka Sam Jansen) is a new name to the electronic dance music scene, whose initial releases through Showtek’s Skink label have already received support from the likes of Tiësto and Timmy Trumpet. His recent single “Worldwide” is a grabber that club DJ’s should remember once venues reopen. It’s a good song for mid-evenings with its early 2000’s retro vibes. But it’s the rhythm here that Antum’s gonna get’cha with – it’s got a bounce and shuffle mix that won’t let you stay still. Keep your ears out for Antum for future releases.

Look out 2021, Alison Wonderland @awonderland is about to take over the electronic dance music world with songs like “Bad Things”

ALISON WONDERLAND, “Bad Things”

There is no denying that Alison Wonderland has paid her dues in her 11 years in the music business to become the superstar producer and performer that she is today. The L.A.-based, Sydney, Australia-born producer is the benchmark for fellow women in electronic dance music, thanks to scoring two #1 electronic dance albums and giving numerous well-received (by fans and critics) performances at festivals over the past few years. With 2020 being a transitional year for music, it was refreshing to hear her surface in the atypical duet with Chet Porter on “bummed” earlier this year, and take part online in performance to the delight of her fans as well – her excellent Digital Mirage set is below. Enter her new single “Bad Things”, and you can just envision a new festival set in your mind. The song features magnificent synth work and production, and a chorus that will have you swaying. I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for Alison Wonderland next year. Check out the intriguing video above.

Respected electronic dance music vocalist @_watchmeRUNN shines solo with “Handle With Care”

RUNN, “Handle With Care”

“Handle With Care” is a melodic delight from L.A.-based singer RUNN. If you don’t know her by name, you definitely know her by voice through notable songs recorded with Illenium, Wooli, Dabin, William Black, We Are Fury, and numerous others over the last two years or so. Solo songs were inevitable with all of her vocal and songwriting talents, and “Handle With Care” also serves as the title of her 5 track EP. The song itself is much gentler than the settings in which you’ve heard her, and the crisp, on-point vocal really shines with less heavy production. I hope that we continue to hear RUNN on electronic dance music tracks recorded by others too, because she is a part of that soundtrack, but with songs like “Handle With Care” she can successfully hold a concurrent path too.

Pittsburgh’s @ASummerHigh returns with the playful bop “London”

A SUMMER HIGH, “London”

After starting to make waves a few years ago (when I first wrote about them) with relentless touring, which included gigs in the U.K., Pittsburgh rockers A Summer High have returned somewhat weathered but not beaten – but pared down to the duo of Mason Levi and James Anthony. “London” is as good a relaunch as any. A Summer High were massive fans of 5 Seconds Of Summer, and “London” moves their sound even closer to the music of that band, albeit with early 2000’s inspiration from Blink 182 and others apparent too. “London” is about crushing on a girl in that city and hoping she feels the same way. It’s an energetic, playful bop that shows that A Summer High is back and means business – in the most entertaining way possible.

US producers @itsCrystalSkies continue with consistent melodic approach to electronic dance music with “Collide”

CRYSTAL SKIES, “Collide”

“Collide” is the title song from the US production duo Crystal Skies’ latest EP. Britian and Aaron are definitely on a roll with a variety of melodic results in the EP to keep their increasingly large fan base very happy. Although the heavier, future bass-driven “Requiem” comes close, and “This Moment” features a beautiful vocal by now-regular Gallie Fisher, it’s “Collide” that stands out the most on the EP. It’s a neat companion piece to Porter Robinson’s latest music with its dreamy vocal approach which leads up to some brilliant big synths and beats. Though perhaps not as razor-sharp as last year’s Constellations EP, Crystal Skies consistently prove themselves to be leaders of their genre who grow with each release.

Miami’s @Egzodmusic continues to prove himself one of the best in the electronic dance genre with “Don’t Surrender” and stunning vocal by @EMMinreallife

EGZOD and EMM, “Don’t Surrender”

I’ve been pleased to write about the progress of EGZOD over the years. The Miami-based electronic dance music producer otherwise known as Carlos Carvalho-Martins seals the deal with his latest EP The Revolution, proving himself to be one of the best of his genre. He clearly lives by his music to keep inspiring and empowering others. And while the other songs in the EP do well to feature highly listenable tracks featuring Neoni and (once again) Wasiu, it’s “Don’t Surrender” that adds up the sum of all the parts. It’s an energizing, vital-sounding, futuristic house song totally suited for our times. It is co-crafted with L.A.-based vocalist EMM, about whom I’ve also written several times. Her potent vocal is front and centre, leading their emotional charge. With amazing streaming numbers of over 20 million that really started to show early last year, the only way is up and up for EGZOD.