Tag Archives: electronica

A festival of the 6 in the mix: @KeysNKrates return with @ToryLanez in “Music To My Ears”

KEYS N KRATES featuring TORY LANEZ, “Music To My Ears”

Long-time staples on the international dance scene who always draw a sizeable crowd, Toronto’s Keys N Krates are back stronger than ever and perhaps more on a pop tip with “Music To My Ears” from their new album Cura.  It was wise to bring in multiple award winner R&B/pop singer Tory Lanez, also hailing from the greater Toronto area, who provides a recognizable and playful vocal to “Music To My Ears”, which certainly doesn’t sound like what we’ve heard from K N K before.  This is really fresh-sounding, standing out amid so much sound-alike dance music in 2018.  Listen for “Music To My Ears” in clubs and on radio, which by all rights should not miss out on playing what is an obvious hit in the making!!

He’s back! @AdamTylerx is now @McEwenofficial with beautiful new original “Neon”

McEWEN, “Neon”

With his first original song in more than 3 years, L.A. based singer/songwriter Adam Tyler has returned as McEwen – previewed here last year with his EP of cover songs 90’s Kid – with a beautiful new original called “Neon”.  It’s a logical extension of Adam’s fine earlier album Shattered Ice, with pristine production by Aron Friedman.  It features a passionate vocal by McEwen, definitely one of his best, full of positive words about the person/people around him that make him how he is today.  “Neon” is pure pop heaven, that also comes to you in EP format with two remixes, by McEwen as well as his buddy The Wookie, along with an a cappella version on McEwen’s Bandcamp page right here (with additional artwork featuring his 3 month old twin daughters!).  Add it too your pure pop bliss playlist using the Spotify link above and pick up your own copy of “Neon” on iTunes.

Good times with Miami’s @ParaDocmusic and jaunty “Saying Things”

PARA DOC, “Saying Things” (free DL)

24 year old Miami producer Para Doc (aka Wesley Luttrell) has a rhythmic winner with “Saying Things”.  With a prominent tropical vibe, well placed claps, and a refrain that will have you thinking of Madonna’s “Holiday”, “Saying Things” also includes some pretty honest and direct lyrics.  So Para Doc has created a well-shaped, multi-dimensional song that happens to be pretty damn catchy, and should spice things up when it’s dropped in a set of breezy islands-tinged music.  Best of all it’s available for free at the above link so don’t waste time and add this one to your party playlist pronto 🙂

“Long Way Home” is a thoughtful R&B electropop slice of life by @weareTwoLanes featuring #HYM

https://soundcloud.com/wearetwolanes/longwayhome

TWO LANES featuring HYM, “Long Way Home”

It may just be me, but the first artists I thought of after listening to “Long Way Home” by Two Lanes featuring Berlin-based vocalist HYM were Daryl Hall & John Oates.  This warm and thoughtful slice of life has the same R&B/pop flavour, particularly in HYM’s vocal, as many of the duo’s classic songs, particularly in the 70’s.  The chipper melodic electronics by Two Lanes – NYC producers and brothers Leo and Rafael following up their remix of San Holo’s “The Future” – enhance the rhythm for some close-together dance floor action.  You’ll be humming this one a lot, which will help make it a perfect song for a  long late night drive in summery weather.  “Long Way Home” is yours for the listening at the link above.

Sometimes, it works out: “Save Us” holds hope for relationships from @Koniofficial

KONI, “Save Us” (free DL)

Even with its underlying wistful melody, Koni’s “Save Us” wants us all to still believe in the power of a good relationship.  And even though the one which this song reflects upon for the German producer/guitarist didn’t work out, the song works well as a universal message.  Its uncredited vocalists, James Delaney and Gabriella, sing on our behalf, making an appealing audio couple to gently convey the importance of hope.  The rhythm is bright and sunny, in deliberate contrast to the tone of the song but in sync with the wishful message.  You can enjoy “Save Us” as a free download at the link above.

Producers @Nazariff_ and @RoseThrone_ provide atmospheric ‘witch house’ remix to @SoBelowsound’s “Close”

https://soundcloud.com/rosethrone/so-below-close-nazariff-x-rose-throne-remix

SO BELOW, “Close” (Nazariff x Rosé Throne remix)

When a relationship gets past the point of no return, it’s time to move on, even if the other party wants it to get deeper.  So is the message of “Close” by Kiwi alt.pop singer So Below.  I wrote not long ago about Nazariff and Rosé Throne’s rather splendid update on “Cities In Dust”, the 80’s new wave hit by Siouxsie & The Banshees.  The guys are back with their atmospheric ‘witch house’ remix for So Below which adds ongoing mystery to her heartfelt story.  There’s an almost classically repetitive backdrop in the song’s middle verses which sticks in your head like an unobtrusive ticking clock, as well as an unexpected but gentle drop later on with some dazzling keyboards that follow.  Overall this remix of “Close” is easy on the ears but soul food for your head.  Check it out at the link above.

L.A.’s @djTeffler has a potential floor-filler with future bass of “The Spectre”

TEFFLER, “The Spectre”

“The Spectre” is an easy add into the mix for club DJ’s looking for a daunting future bass instrumental to rev up a set.  It’s brought to you by L.A.’s Teffler, who most recently offered up a piano-driven slice of classic house with pop potential called “Never Let You Go”.  “The Spectre” definitely deserves to be revisited at Hallowe’en for the party circuit at that time.  While you’ll wait for that key drop, it doesn’t get too down and dirty, and has a sly underlying 90’s flavour recalling German Eurodisco of the day.  I think some remixes would be beneficial to add to the mystery of the song.  Add it to your playlist of dark electro-dance instrumentals at the Spotify link above.

German producer @Blinded_Hearts returns with emotional reflection of “Brand New” featuring Sweden’s @LouiseCSmusic

BLINDED HEARTS featuring LOUISE CS, “Brand New”

German producer Blinded Hearts continues to offer genuine and big-hearted electronic dance pop which first came to our attention with last year’s “Human”.  “Brand New” goes back to the time when relationships are fresh, a time which most of us want to recapture but is unfortunately in the past, so we have to rely on our memories and are sentiments to continue to invest in our time with our special someone.  Swedish singer Louise CS offers a memorable and suitably affecting vocal while the melody tugs at our hearts as we get drawn to its lilting rhythm.  “Brand New” also is the first release to kick off 2018 anew for Tipsy Records.  Check out Blinding Hearts’ “Brand New” at the link above.

“Prisoner” is red, hot and new electronic soul from @BobbyNourmand featuring @MrLaurentJohn

BOBBY NOURMAND featuring LAURENT JOHN, “Prisoner”

You know that when L.A.-based producer Bobby Nourmand drops a new song that it’s going to be solid as well as unpredictable.  After flirting with some dynamic hip hop last year, this time “Prisoner” taps into a British soul vibe courtesy of a potent vocal by Laurent John.  The dark theme of the song totally suits Laurent’s urgent and gritty vocal.  Bobby never ceases to amaze with his creative deep house arrangements, carefully weaving his keyboard work while fusing it with his layered trademark futuristic synth backdrop.  Bobby was only a handful of performers to have three songs on my 2017 year end list, and “Prisoner” is destined to become another favourite.  Club DJ’s can’t miss with it, perfect for a late night set.  Add it to your playlist of gritty, soulful dance tunes using the Spotify link above.

“Everyday, Everyday” is radio-worthy pop/dance from @ManilaKilla featuring #Nevve

MANILA KILLA featuring NEVVE, “Everyday, Everyday”

“Everyday, Everyday” is certainly a bit more of a pop-oriented affair than what might expect from one half of Hotel Garuda, Manila Killa.  But his ears are definitely glued to the right places as he employs the versatile voice of Nevve – who we just heard on Robotaki’s “Together We’re Screwed” – to bring the some home.  “Everyday, Everyday” therefore goes for the gusto, and I would expect no less than dance music radio stations – and I’m calling it, since they helped turn a song like Sofi Tukker’s “Best Friend” into a massive hit – to jump on it soon.  2018 does appear to be a year for solid midtempo, emotional pop/dance and “Everyday, Everyday” finds its place in that mix.  It’s a gentle pop song at its roots that slams big when it should, very reminiscent of the same appeal as San Holo’s “Light”.  Add it to your favourites using the Spotify link above.