Tag Archives: electronica

Cool sounds and story in “Under The Covers” by @Wolfenchill featuring @Emma_Sameth

WOLFE featuring EMMA SAMETH, “Under The Covers”

If you like a balance of really cool futuristic trap sounds balanced by lyrics with a different perspective about relationships then “Under The Covers” is for you.  It’s brought to you by new producer/remixer Wolfe and sultry L.A. singer Emma Sameth.  Yes, there’s a guy using sex as a controlling weapon while cheating on her, and the singer is about to ditch him big time, then along comes all of these wild sounds to represent what’s new and amazing around the corner if she does.  “Under The Covers” is where the relationship ends – taut and interesting, and Wolfe’s fine production really transforms the song, until it comes to this weird unfinished stop.  No matter, there’s much hear to enjoy so be sure to listen at the above link.

Surprise!! The @Stranger_Things theme receives a slick drum & bass remix from @Korbian1 #KyleDixon #MichaelStein

KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN, “Stranger Things” (Korbian remix) (free DL)

“Stranger Things” fans do not fear!  UK remixer Korbian has clearly taken the joy that he has for what turned out to be a favourite show for a lot of us this past summer, and channeled it into his own take on it for the dance floor.  While staying mainly reverent to the sinewy synth line that pervades the theme music, Korbian does break away into some unexpected drum and bass and dubsteppy rhythms that work quite well.  With the show set in 1983 and incorporating some great 80’s music into its soundtrack, Korbian has – knowingly or not – tapped into a lot of change that happened in music back then, particularly with influences that inspired the new wave genre of the time.  So making the “Stranger Things” theme club-worthy seems as right as when Tiësto transformed the “Pirates Of The Caribbean” theme into “He’s A Pirate” in the early 2000’s.  Download this fun remix at the link above.

Shake your groove thang: “Fixed On You” by @HotelGaruda featuring @VioletDaysband

HOTEL GARUDA featuring VIOLET DAYS, “Fixed On You”

Like the best songs this year that leave their groove all over the dance floor, rising duo Hotel Garuda are out to slay with “Fixed On You”.  Featuring a vocal by Violet Days that also leaves no prisoners, “Fixed On You” is all about that burbling bass synth undercurrent which will empower even the loftiest of dancers to strike a pose or two.  In some ways this one reminds me musically of Madonna’s “Into The Groove” – for inspiration 😛  It’s no wonder that Hotel Garuda – consisting of Manila Killa and Candleweather – are getting rave reviews from audiences and peers alike.  Listen above to “Fixed On You”, it’s a hard one to resist, so you best click that mouse on over to your favourite digital store to get it.

Snazzy jazzy future bass rhythms carry “Halo” by @SMLEmusic featuring @HelenTessmusic

SMLE featuring HELEN TESS, “Halo”

“Halo” is a flirty, playful track that takes different sidesteps into hip hop-tinged jazzy future bass rhythms for an ear-catching experience.  It’s brought to you by new Miami duo SMLE, who like to ensure that you have a feast for your ears happening, and fellow Floridian Helen Tess provides a sometimes sassy pop vocal that totally suits the song.  This means that it’s easy to get wrapped up in “Halo” and the song flows by so quickly you’ll just want to hear it more than a few more times.  Check out “Halo” above and pick it up on any digital platform.

Another Canadian to watch: @Fambamusic nails classic house with a twist with “Right Here Right Now”

FAMBA, “Right Here Right Now” (extended version)

The folks at Armada have brought us some great new talent this year, and one is under my own Canadian doorstep, although in Halifax.  Famba’s extended version of “Right Here Right Now” is a real treat that club DJ’s should immediately embrace.  It’s definitely rooted in 90’s and early 2000’s house music but if any influence might be prominent it’s Armand Van Helden.  The groove in “Right Here” kicks in early but it’s got these cool spoken word passages that will really draw people in.  And not only this, but the extended version sustains its 7 minute + length, allowing DJ’s to watch the fun that unfolds in front of them.  Famba’s “Right Here Right Now” is one of those finds you’ll want to put on repeat as hear more from what the young producer/DJ has coming up.  Give a solid listen at the link above.

“Key To Life” is a unique floor-filler from L.A.’s @Kaufaudio

KAUF, “Key To Life”

L.A.’s Ronald Kaufman is definitely on the upward swing these days, having held a recent residency at an L.A. club which saw capacity crowds.  Shifting from more experimental cinematic sounds, Kauf’s latest is a dance-floor filler called “Key To Life”.  And that’s not to say that he’s leaving what he’s built behind for something simple.  On the contrary – “Key To Life” is beautifully complex electronica, full of percussive and slighter sounds along with a prominent bass undercurrent, drawing from influences like Björk and James Blake, but embracing a resilient groove that his audiences have appreciated in his live performances.  So here we have a vivid variation of progressive disco, continuing to be well-suited to his voice and yet more accessible at the same time.  That’s a hard place to find and be successful at it but Kauf has nailed it with this one.  “Key To Life” comes from Kauf’s forthcoming album Regrowth and I’m looking forward to hearing more.  Check it out at the link above.

On a roll: @theDiscoFries and @Shanahanmusic bring us “Is It Over” featuring #ShyMartin

THE DISCO FRIES & SHANAHAN featuring SHY MARTIN, “Is It Over”

Following up the effervescent and anthemic “Born Ready” and “Day By Day”, NYC duo The Disco Fries are back to offer up “Is It Over”.  The song is in partnership with US trio Shanahan and featuring vocalist Shy Martin, who is best known as the voice behind Mike Perry’s recent international hit “The Ocean”.  It perhaps is slighter overall lyrically from other Disco Fries songs, and goes by in a flash at only 3:16, but with their work with Shanahan they have found a more happy marriage to the pop/dance side of the electronic genre.  And as always the quality here is immense, with ear-catching and buoyant rhythms and a stellar vocal to make “Is It Over” well worth your while.  It’s The Disco Fries’ first for Tritonal’s new label Enhanced too, and you can check it out at the link above.

“Under The Grave” is another pop score for @ROZESsounds

ROZES, “Under The Grave”

About a year ago, “Roses” by The Chainsmokers featuring Rozes started a slow journey to become one of 2016’s biggest and most surprising worldwide pop hits.  And the singer of that song of course has continued with a number of most worthy pop and EDM records that spiral out of that journey with her now highly recognizable voice and style.  “Under The Grave” is most reminiscent of Pink from Rozes’ other songs, a song about disillusionment with a relationship to the point that you’re numb.  It’s a winning performance right up to the last note that has the makings of a pop radio hit, following Rozes’ earlier EP Burn Wild and a recent featured vocal for Electric Bodega in “Hangin’ On”.  When 2016 is over, pop fans will not forget about Rozes any time soon!  Listen to “Under The Grave” at the above link.

90’s vibes run through “Taking Chances” by @officialFlush featuring @AvaGoldworld

FLUSH featuring AVA GOLD, “Taking Chances”

It’s a common theme in music about learning lessons in relationships and doing things differently next time.  So “Taking Chances”, which is the debut release from producers Flush featuring singer Ava Gold, adds to the long list of many other songs but with a bright and empowering backdrop.  The influences here seem to range from 70’s disco to 90’s Daft Punk – that guitar riff recalls Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You”.  And vocalist Ava has a way with those words to not only make them meaningful but sound great against the refreshing melody.  Ebullient horns round it all out well.  Give it a listen at the link above.

Get to know the far-reaching voice of @StefanAlxndr with “Skeleton”

STEFAN ALEXANDER, “Skeleton”

It may take a few listens, but it’s well worth it to discover the far-reaching powerful voice of NYC’s Stefan Alexander.  “Skeleton” is the perfect introduction as he marries a slick, kicking R&B style with classic pop roots and percussive layers that will appeal to those who enjoy a diversity of dance music from Usher through to Mika.  He also fits in nicely with the progressive soul style currently being popularized by the likes of Brandyn Burnette, Crywolf, and RKCB.  Be sure to fit “Skeleton” into your Hallowe’en playlists and mixes – give it a listen above.