Tag Archives: electronica

@Jenauxmusic puts @3Lau’s “Is It Love” on the funk train

3LAU, “Is It Love” (Jenaux remix)

NYC producer/remixer Jenaux continues on the funk tip after his currently-blowing up original “Get It On” (which just bowed on the BILLCSTop30 at #23) with his alternate take on the always busy Las Vegas-based 3Lau’s “Is It Love”.  He strips away Justin Blau’s lyrical EDM and the original vocal in favour of a hard-hitting 80’s oriented funk ride that blends with futuristic effects quite happily.  It’s one of those short but potent remixes that when dropped in the middle of the set will make you wonder what the hell is going on and you’ll just want more.  Download it for free at the link above.

 

This one’s for the gamerz! @Smiledkmusic returns with “Koko Soko” redux

SMILE.DK, “Koko Soko” (2k16 Radio Mix)

If you know DanceDanceRevolution then you definitely know Smile.dk!  The Swedish group has been producing bouncy, infectious dance music since the 90’s, and really now there’s only one member remaining (singer Veronica Almqvist).  Smile.dk became immensely popular in Japan which culminated with “Koko Soko” back in 2008.  Now the song has received a bigger, sparkling ‘bubblegum house’ redux courtesy of Jamie Thompson and Dave Phaneuf of J-Mi and Midi-D Productions who have literally been living this song since back then, so who better to reignite it?  It’s also available in an extended mix, a “Back to the 90’s” mix, and a frenetic “Panik” mix.  If you loved The Vengaboys and Alice Deejay songs of yesteryear than you will immediately take to this feel good update of “Koko Soko”.  Take a taste above and pick up the entire EP on iTunes.

“All In The Name” is new and uniquely @BrightLightx2 featuring @Eltonofficial

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT featuring ELTON JOHN, “All In The Name”

After the long-lasting songs from the success that was Bright Light Bright Light’s 2014 album Life Is Easy comes “All In The Name”, from his upcoming third album Choreography.  All you need to do is search these blog pages to find the countless raves about Rod Thomas’ music since I first encountered it in late 2009!  “All In The Name” is no exception to the high quality of songwriting.  It’s a cheery danceable pop song for sunny summer days, featuring another appearance from his friend and mentor Elton John, after 2014’s “I Wish We Were Leaving” (Elton appears on two more songs on Choreography).  So that you remember the title of the album, the video (above) for “All In The Name” is a highly stylized affair, full of eye-catching pastel colours, fine editing, and nifty choreography (my daughter danced for 10 years so I have some insight here!).   “All In The Name” is light and memorable – with a cast featuring Alan Cumming, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, Ana Matronic & Del Marquis, and that soulful vocal near the end by Mykal Kilgore (who recently co-sang the Billboard Top 20 Club Chart hit “Wait” with Vinny Vero) – and everything a fine pop song should be (now onto the remixes?).

@BobbyNourmand pays homage to an Idol with “S I S T E R”

BOBBY NOURMAND, “S I S T E R”

Following up his hot original track from earlier this year called “S M O K I N’  J O E”, producer/DJ Bobby Nourmand gives us another taste of his personal catalogue of music with “S I S T E R”.  Starting off with deliberate pacing as he did to draw us into his other-worldly rework of The Beatles’ “B E C A U S E”, everything changes when this powerful, familiar but isolated vocal joins in:  Billy Idol!!  “S I S T E R” refashions Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” in no way that you could have possibly imagined.  The original was meant to be powerful and seductive; with Billy’s vocals so isolated, the tone is aggressive and commanding, perfectly suiting the pulsating, dark deep house rhythm.  It’s a song I would love to see played while a club audience is in complete darkness during the vocals.  DJ’s will have loads of fun with “S I S T E R” – personal best for Bobby Nourmand thus far!  Download it for free above.

La danse va continuer: Le retour de @MonsieurAdi with “All My Life” (featuring Tyson)

MONSIEUR ADI featuring TYSON, “All My Life”

French producer/DJ/performer Monsieur Adi is back, somewhat inauspiciously after his remix of Years & Years’ “Desire” earlier this year, with an original song called “All My Life” featuring powerhouse R&B vocalist Tyson.  Monsieur Adi, about whom I’ve written many times, you will recall, opened for many dates for Beyoncé on her Mrs. Carter tour in the UK in 2014 (he had previously remixed her “Grown Woman” to much acclaim).  And how is it exactly that you beat that?  You don’t – you sequester yourself away for a while and work on your next project, which in this case is his upcoming album After Hours.  “All My Life” is definitely much more of a personal record than Monsieur Adi has recorded before.  It has the same universal effect as K-Ci and JoJo’s 90’s hit of the same name, except with a fierce Tina Turner-esque vocal, but the rhythm is going to get you here.  I hear the music in “All My Life” as the most immediate tribute musically to Prince, and if so, not entirely coincidental since Monsieur Adi bases himself in Minneapolis when stateside and I couldn’t imagine the effect of being nearby after his loss.  “All My Life” is a great introduction to the next phase of Monsieur Adi songs, and you’ll simply want to hear more.  

Right backatcha: “Karma” by @BrandynBurnette

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/karma

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Karma”

I’m loving the previews from Brandyn Burnette’s upcoming EP State I’m In.  Preview #3 is “Karma”, in which Brandyn continues to posit his older-than-his-years-wisdom through song.  What I also enjoy about “Karma” is an arrangement that switches it up several times and keeps you guessing as to where it might be heading.  What starts as what might seem like a fairly straight forward pop song segues into an electronic backdrop with subsequent additions of some streetwise R&B vocals from Brandyn, and ultimately ends with a slight synthpop flourish.    The flavours and vibes are all here folks, keeping you entertained as you chill.  Even if you have your own definition of “Karma” you’ll definitely appreciate how Brandyn can make you relate.  While State I’m In is not long to arrive, you can pick up “Karma” right now on iTunes.

Drop that bass: @KatKrazymusic remixes “Magnetised”by UK sensation @TompeterOdell

TOM ODELL, “Magnetised” (Kat Krazy remix)

Just when I’m not quite yet getting enough of Kat Krazy’s recent collab with Johnny Stimson called “Run Run” then along comes his remix of Tom Odell’s “Magnetised” from Tom’s upcoming second album Wrong Crowd.  The challenge here is not to take anything away from the UK singer’s pensive songwriting which has won him heaps of praise over the last few years.  The result here is Coldplay-meets-The 1975 but with an awe-inspiring bass synth drop hook that you’ll feel deep in your gut when played really loud.  And that’s always a good thing because club DJ’s know what parts of a song will work their crowd.  Plus it’s quite refreshing to hear Tom’s voice in a dance music setting.  Pick this one up on iTunes as a part of the three song single of “Magnetised”.

The Sunny side: @TwoFriendsmusic reinterpret “Bright Side” by @Vicetone & @CosmosnCreature

VICETONE featuring COSMOS & CREATURE, “Bright Side” (Two Friends remix)

The prolific production/remix/performing duo of Matt and Eli, aka Two Friends, offers a warm and summery interpretation of the recently released Spinnin’ Records hit “Bright Side” by Dutch producer/DJ’s Vicetone in a collaboration with Cosmos & Creature (who are Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore).  These kinds of musical pairings are sheer bliss.  While I’m still caught up in the shiny synth hook of the original (#9 on the latest BILLCS Top 30), which always makes me feel good, Two Friends replace it with house rhythms perfect for a beach party theme, with or without the beach 😛  This remix is already #1 all over Hype Machine’s charts and I’m happy to add to the mix 🙂  It’s one of three remixes on the “Bright Side” single, now available on all platforms.

*Republished* WORLD PREMIERE – @youareYouandMe’s dark, trance remix of “Dancing On My Own” by @Robynkonichiwa

https://soundcloud.com/youandmebootlegs/dancingonmyownbside

ROBYN, “Dancing On My Own” (You&Me Remix) [B-side]

NYC duo You&Me have given me the esteemed pleasure of giving you the world premiere of their second remix of “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn.  I was happy to bring you the ebullient progressive house “A-side” remix a few weeks ago.  The “B-side” shows You&Me’s keen interest in the darker side of trance music – the first thing you’ll wonder about is the vocal and it is indeed Robyn!!  The guys essential build the EDM equivalent of a dub version of “Dancing On My Own” around the key chorus turns a peppy pop/dance anthem into a slick mirror image that will click with alternative dance clubs.  Open-minded Robyn fans and DJ’s will totally get it.  As much as you can spin the “A-side” remix and fill a dance floor, the “B-side” remix will also generate some positive reaction and commentary.  What’s your flavour, “A-side” or “B-side”?  Let the revival continue 🙂  Listen to the “B-side” at the link above.

Glistening synths: “Turnin'” is the latest from @Frankmusik

FRANKMUSIK, “Turnin'”

Following up from last year’s release For You is “Turnin'”, ahead of Frankmusik’s upcoming new album, which will be his seventh since 2011.  After a series of deeply personal and wildly creative records, Frankmusik steps back into some familiar and fun territory with “Turnin'”.  It reminds me of the carefree storytelling of  By Nicole’s “These Streets” while paired with the synthpop of his earlier “Confusion Girl”, yet somehow all married to classic 80’s electronica of Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, and other innovators.  This can only be a good thing as the synth melody he uses in “Turnin'” will stand out with cool appeal in clubs and even perhaps on radio. Frankmusik’s vocal floats admirably in his high register most of the time instead of flexing his back-and-forth that we have appreciated on so many songs to date.  Frankmusik always draws you into his songs because you never know what to expect – and in the case of “Turnin'” from its first notes – which makes listening an ever-intriguing ride.  Watch the video above.