Following up his recent release I Can Pay For It, UK-based singer/pianist/drummer E-Mute delivers his cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. And before you start shaking your head, muttering “why”, and so on, do give this piano-driven rendition a few listens. E-Mute presents this as a classic story, perhaps a bit theatrical in a few vocal inflections, but nonetheless perfectly suited to the anguished, tortured soul of the song. There is absolutely no vocal like Ian Curtis’ original, and I’ve heard some terrible covers over the years. But E-Mute has it in the bag – purchase it on Bandcampright here.
“Second Chances” is deliberately paced, progressive electronica by Minneapolis-based performer d.notive, currently on release with his album Sentinel. “Second Chances” is a compelling listen thanks to d.notive’s dark vocal style and inspiration that immediately conjure up your favourite songs by the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order, Nine Inch Nails or Sisters of Mercy. There is an ongoing hungry market in the pop world for revisiting the post new wave era of the 80’s, which has contributed to Pet Shop Boys’ ongoing success, and d.notive does this with his own flourishes. In his album Sentinel you’ll hear a number of fine instrumentals, such as the fast-paced “Back In The Saddle”, some with some definite R&B/funk influences, but other songs with his vocals like “One Way Trip” or “Martyr” really stand out. Check out “Second Chances” above and pick up Sentinel on iTunes.
For some reason, this is the first time that I’ve written about 27 year old British electronica wizard James Blake, whose far-outside-the-box songs and melodies got enough attention to turn Grammy Awards nominators’ heads a few years back when he received a nom for Best New Artist. James’ new song “Modern Soul” has a very telling title – it is indeed soulful electronic music for the modern world. Like songs in his past releases, “Modern Soul” shifts gears melodically several times. This by no means jolts you, but instead it dazzles as you begin to take trip within trip inside James’ new sounds. His disembodied or distant vocal style is beginning to be a trademark and he writes his songs to suit that style. All in all this is fascinating new stuff which should do very well with in the alt.rock radio world and in dance clubs sophisticated enough to feed patrons’ heads as well as their feet. “Modern Soul” makes awaiting more James Blake songs a very exciting prospect.
20 year-old L.A.-based EDM/dance performer, remixer, and producer Mi Disguise is no stranger to this blog post. Last year’s idiosyncratic and infectious “East Side Bay” got to #10 on my chart, and a previous collaboration with singer Adam Tyler called “Alive” reached #15. But the mysterious Mi Disguise (aka Louie Garcia) has got some of the most exciting EDM for the first quarter of 2016 in store for us with lead-ins to his upcoming release.
First up is the haunting earworm “Years Ago”. I’ve already been predisposed to this song and it’s so easy to put it on repeat. Mi Disguise’s vocals are pure California beach, anyone can relate to the wistful story line, the chorus is completely contagious, and just when you think all of his tricks are done, he adds in some hard rock guitar which fleshes out the atmosphere of the song. “Years Ago” is a unique, bonafide contender, don’t miss it.
Almost equally as good is “Be My Desire”, a song that you might think is about to become an emotional EDM dance track, and then shifts gears into a seductive, late night driving song that could be the unwritten theme for a movie or TV show. It’s a huge, versatile song that stands out.
So as you can tell, I can’t wait till Mi Disguise’s music is available for you to purchase. In the meantime give a close listen to “Years Ago” and “Be My Desire”. It’s cutting edge EDM/dance that does not disappoint.
Late last year you may have witnessed Connecticut-born 24 year old Witt Lowry’s arrival on the hip hop scene with nice chart numbers for his debut release Dreaming With Our Eyes Open. Hot on the heels of that album comes something completely new for your attention called “Around Your Heart”. It’s an intensely genuine song which will immediately call to mind some of Eminem’s best earlier songs. Witt has a similar delivery that can be just as fast and jammed pack with thoughts and emotions. “Around Your Heart” will certainly take a few listens before you can immerse yourself in Witt’s style. But what helps is the vocal arrangement. So many performers and producers are recognizing contrast as a focal point of their songs. Here the two different vocals totally bring that to the table and either accentuate the edginess of the song or bring it back down. It’s very well done indeed. Give a listen below. I’m hoping “Around Your Heart” will see some kind of official release.
The great appeal about Minnesota native and hip hop performer Karizma is his ability to get inside common themes in the teen and young adult minds. “I’m Alive, but I’m Not Here” may seem on the surface like it’s just about being down and out, with a style that focuses less on hip hop this time and more on an acoustic Green Day-meets-Beck-meets-Blink 182 narrative, but it’s not. It’s also about not being alone with who and what you are, there is always someone else, and hey that person may be even worse off. Karizma is big on empathy and outreach, qualities that you don’t find in many performers these days, and they resonate with his audience of ‘losers’. Karizma’s album Loser arrives on Saturday January 30 so be sure to pick it up. Listen above to “I’m Alive, but I’m Not Here” as well as “u suck” and “Euphoria” (both of which I’ve recently written about).
When I write an initial blog post about a performer, it’s with every intent on sticking with him or her to see what’s next. As readers of this blog know, Little Rock native Clinton Washington’s recent single “Hearts Beat Loud” is one of my current favourites (it will forever be a companion song to Adele’s “Hello” for me). “Frozen” also looks to rank right up there too, featuring an equally remarkable vocal performance that makes it seem like Clinton has been performing songs like this well beyond his young years. “The Voice” Season 8 contestant not only has superlative range but the control in his voice that’s needed to bring a song back into perspective. “Frozen” glides by so easily, laden with emotion, that you cannot help but want more from Clinton Washington. The gracefully directed video brings out the stark feelings of loneliness and isolation without leaving you in a puddle on the floor. You can pick it up on iTunes as one of the songs on his recent album release called Clinton.
A R I Z ON A “Let Me Touch Your Fire” (Snøwmass remix)
I enjoy finding out about new songs through remixes. New Jersey trio A R I Z O N A has just signed to Atlantic Records and are off to a great start with “Let Me Touch Your Fire”. I call this one a ‘hit-in-waiting’ because it’s not the kind of song that will strike you as being perfect for radio, it sort of sneaks up on you! Songs like this create a slow burn at the start and then BOOM! Look at Mako’s “Smoke-Filled Room”, one of my favourites which I found out about through Elephante’s great remix, a Top 5 Dance Radio Airplay hit out of nowhere. “Let Me Touch Your Fire” has an 80’s flavour to it that reminds me of synth ballads like Mike + The Mechanics’ “Silent Running” or Cutting Crew’s “I’ve Been In Love Before”. And remixer Snøwmass is on a roll, taking “Let Me Touch Your Fire” into a chilled out future trap direction featuring a break that will make dancers glitter under the strobe lights. It’s a terrific remix to break up a busy set which will lead to some always welcome romance on the dance floor. Pick up the original on iTunes and download Snøwmass’ remix for free on Soundcloud above. And remember where you read about it if you hear it on the radio!
NYC singer Reigen previews upcoming new music with his unique take on Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is”. It’s a bold move, considering that this was a massive Grammy-nominated 1985 hit that’s much loved today. I probably appreciate the song more now than back then. Reigen, whose aching EDM ballad “Come Back To Me” was my #13 song of 2015, manages to keep the same wonder and fascination about love intact with his interpretation. But he takes away the big, almost over-the-top choral power of the original, and breaks the song into pieces, rendering a subtler vocal here, and a more emphatic one there. The arrangement poses many questions on first listen, so Reigen succeeds at making you listen a few more times to figure out how he’s restructured this classic. To me it works beautifully, though I think the casual listener in love with the original will probably not appreciate this kind of reimaging. Reigen is a versatile and creative talent whose music challenges you every time, which makes his upcoming project well worth the wait. You can buy “I Want To Know What Love Is” on iTunes.
Is there a mini-revival going on am I just imagining it? I’m talking about British electroPOP. Granted performers from other countries also did well in this dance music genre, but no one did it like the Brits in the 80’s.
DAVE AUDE featuring ANDY BELL, “True Original”
There are too many performers to mention, but electroPOP came along during the New Wave era, and stayed long past. Erasure is one of the originators of this style, and the duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell came back big time last year with The Violet Flame album, yielding three Top 10 club hits with “Elevation”, “Reason”, and “Sacred”. In a side partnership with the renown producer deluxe Dave Audé (who seemingly remixed just about everything in 2015) , Andy was the vocalist on Dave’s #1 club smash “Aftermath” as well. And so this pair are back with pure, no-nonsense electroPOP with “True Original”, which has already vaulted into Billboard’s Top 25 Dance Club Play songs. It’s a splendid, happy song for the mid-winter blahs and should quickly soar to the top of the dance club charts. Like with “Aftermath”, Dave’s production has brought out the best in Andy’s voice as in Erasure’s halcyon days. Though I’m not crazy about its video, “True Original” is slick, bouncing, beautiful, electroPOP bliss.
SPRAY + KID KASIO, “It’s Not Enough”
Although this other duo hasn’t been around as long as Erasure and haven’t had chart success like them or Dave Audé, the bold and prolific Spray – Jenny McLaren and Ricardo Autobahn, noted for songs such as “I Am Gothic”, “You Can Always Go Home” and even “Everything’s Better With Muppets” – can ride this electroPOP train with one of their best efforts to date called “It’s Not Enough”. Featuring fellow Brit Kid Kasio, this partnership also sounds just fab together. Great vocals, a powerhouse chorus, and enough high-end to leap out of the speakers make “It’s Not Enough” memorable enough to grab you by the feet and keep them glued to the dance floor. Pick it up on iTunes.
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