Michael Canitrot - "Desire" - Courtesy Aime Music
Listening to his debut single "Desire" and reading about DJ/Producer Michael Canitrot, it appears to be the making of another superstar French DJ in the David Guetta mold. Let's count the similarities. Gorgeous male model looks, check (work with Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada - bonus point.) Co-produced tracks with underground producers, check - Hardsoul "Feel the Spirit." Mixed CD on credible independent dance label, check - Mezzanine de l'Alcazar Volume 5 on Defected. Launch of his own successful party series, check - "So, Happy in Paris." Record label, check - Aime Music. Uplifting house track with electro undertones and hit potential, check - "Desire." Remixes by excellent producers, check - Richard Earnshaw, Syke'n'Sugarstarr, Tuccillo, , Mitch LJ & Mark Alston. Check out "Desire" and hear the next big French DJ on the rise.
Audio - YouTube
Pocho featuring Sandy Chambers - "Brighter" - Courtesy of Off Limits-Italy
Marco Soncini, the producer of pop dance classics "Tu Es Fouto" (by In-Grid) and "2 Times" (by Ann Lee), is back with a new name, Poncho, and a hot new electropop track "Brighter." The track starts with keyboard stabs that build with a few loops and then explode into powerful electropop beats. Remixes by HeavyGrinder, Fedo Mora & Camurri and Favretto range from trancey to progressive to harder pounding electro. You might recognize the voice of Sandy Chambers from her work with 90s europop acts Corona, JK and Netwerk as well as her recent hit with the Benassi Brothers "Illusion."
Audio - YouTube
La Roux - "Bulletproof" - Courtesy of Cherrytree/Interscope
Two months ago we mentioned "In For the Kill" by La Roux and we referred to them as an electropop duo. With the release of "Bulletproof," I think its more fair to call them a synthpop duo as it sounds like a modern day Human League/Vince Clark/Flock of Seagulls track. No matter what you call them, they've created one of the most brilliant pop records of the year which debuted at #1 on the UK pop chart. The video is incredibly eye catching - almost like a modern day Swatch commercial art that was directed by Piet Mondrian. For the US, label Cherrytree has wisely enlisted Dave Aude and Morgan Page for some incredibly strong club remixes.
Video - YouTube
Noisettes - "Don't Upset the Rhythm" - Courtesy of Mercury Records
"Don't Upset the Rhythm" might sound really familiar to you as it was used in a Mazda commercial and hit #2 in the UK pop charts. Their electronic/rock/hybrid sound recalls Goldfrapp, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Garbage with a little taste of Eartha Kitt. The "Go Baby Go Baby Go" chant is instantly catchy and makes the track pretty much unforgettable. The smokey t video features singer Shingai Shoniwa channeling her inner Grace Jones. With remixes by Dave Aude and Soul Seekerz, watch for this one to explode on US dancefloors.
Video - YouTube
Tina Sugandh - "You Without Me" - Courtesy of Razor and Tie
When you hear the word Bollywood, many things come to mind. Add to that the word pop, and you've got the focus of Tina Sugandh. "Break Me," Tina's first single, stormed the club charts with a multitude of remixes and caught our attention with its catchy hooks and striking video. The video showcased her challenge to balance a pop sensibility with Bollywood/Indian traditions. The follow up, "You Without Me," is a more straightforward love song about a bond that some might consider bordering on codependent. Remixes by Chris Cox, Jerome Farley, and Jeff Barringer pump up the tempo and energy making it a club staple. In this world of manufactured pop, its wonderful to see a self styled singer/songwriter chasing her dreams and controlling her destiny. Imagine Nadia Ali with a Bollywood twist and you've got an idea.
Audio - YouTube
Moby - "Pale Horses" - Courtesy of Mute
Moby is back with the first of two lead off singles (the other being "Shot in the Back of the Head") from his upcoming Wait for Me CD. Featuring the vocals of cabaret singer Amelia Zirin-Brown, the track is reminiscent of work from his CD Play - somber and downbeat yet somehow uplifting. The video features a cartoon character trying to create companions yet the weather conspires to keep him in solitude. "Pale Horses" as well as the rest of the songs on Wait For Me are reportedly inspired by a speech given by David Lynch that encouraged creativity instead of commercialism. Moby is putting this into practice by donating proceeds of the CD sold by Humane Domain to benefit farm animals.
Video - YouTube
