Juvelen - "For Only U" - Courtesy of Hyrbis
The sweet voice behind "Don't Mess" and "Hanna" comes back with the cutest video ever. It's like that commercial where Jennifer Aniston tries to do everything to make her video go viral. Juvelen needs that kind of help, because everyone needs to know this talented singer. "For Only U" picks up where he left off on his last album, melodic emotional synth pop laden with hooks and beats, and throws a cute kitten on top. As the lead single to his next effort, all I can really say is "Bravo!" And...you know, bring more kittens. Whatever it takes, man!
Video- Youtube
Funkerman - "Blow" - Courtesy of Flamingo
As a journalist and a DJ, I listen to a lot of music on a daily basis. It takes a lot for a track to stand up and get my attention, something I call a WTF track. As in, WTF was that. "Blow" starts off with a melodic groove and a constant beat that is a bit more subtle and somber than you might expect from Funkerman. Just as the groove starts to seem like it could become a filler track, the drop out hits. All you hear is the loop, almost like an EKG blip in the distance. The loops gradually gets louder and speeds up as does the beat. The massive crescendo climaxes to a beat of silence and then the track comes back a half step more insistent than the first part. I keep going back and listening to the track, like when you watch a mystery movie for a second time, trying to find the clues that foreshadow what is about to happen. "Blow" is reminiscent of the classic "French Kiss" by Lil Louis with the slow down/speed up and a similar vibey loop. Although "Blow" is already strong in its current state, I can only imagine how much more massive it could be with a great topline vocal on it. Maybe they should call in Mitch Crown, Camille Jones, I-Fan or Shermanology?
Audio - Youtube
Neon Hitch - "F U Betta" - Courtesy of Reprise
As label contrivances go, Neon Hitch switches between "tolerable" and "terrible". Capitalism never sounded so confusing, as Hitch's style goes all over the place in an effort to find what people actually like her doing. "F U Betta" is a above-average attempt, although it's basically a Wynter Gordon song. The nature pixie/raunchy vixen approach is also a little insincere, and it's hard to find exactly what Hitch is trying to do with her music, outside of sell records. At the end of the day, "F U Betta" is consumable dance pop and something we'd (probably) listen to again. Mixes by Chuckie and Dave Aude give the track a more palatable format, Chuckie's mix getting down and dirty while Aude gives the original some much needed dance floor energy. Both are improvements on the original, so give 'em a spin and find out if they work for you.
Audio - Youtube
Emma Hewitt - "Colours" - Courtesy of Armada
It proves true for many a vocalist, that showcasing your talents outside of the genre that you found your start in is just the way to prove your merit. Emma Hewitt, long time dance and trance vocalist, releases the single "Colours" off of her 2012 debut artist album, and for anyone expecting a strong trance single to lead her album on Armada records, well...you'd be disappointed. If it wasn't for how good "Colours" actually is. The track isn't pop, it isn't quirky, it isn't anything you'd expect. It's smooth, melodic, and beautiful. Like an Enya track you don't hate to listen to. Now in the grand scheme of things, Emma IS a trance singer, so of course Armin Van Buuren got all up in there and remixed the heck out of the track. So for anyone who desperately needs "Colours" on the dance floor, there you go. You're welcome.
Audio - Youtube
Armin Van Buuren Remix - Youtube
Flo Rida ft Sia - "Wild Ones" - Courtesy of Atlantic
Is it wrong to wish that Sia gets rented out as a singer more often just so we have MORE of her amazing voice? Her contribution on Flo Rida's "Wild Ones" is delivered similarly to the way a country song's chorus would sound, before the beat drops and Flo Rida begins his rapping again. The track is full of energy but personally I don't think we'd care if Sia wasn't on the track at all. Her voice is a beacon of hope to the banality of the mainstream electronic genre. And the production credits include a welcome name to the commercial mainstream: Axwell. The total result is something that will hopefully yield a few top notch remixes that forget Flo Rida is involved (although to his credit, he isn't terrible at all) and emphasize the beauty of Sia's voice.
Audio - Youtube
Delilah - "Love You So" - Courtesy of Warner UK
This song is pure grit, visceral, beat-driven pop music in the best possible way. Sounding like a gutsier version of Lykke Li, Delilah delivers "Love You So" with a one-two percussion knock out to the psyche, dripping her soulful voice into every hit. Up for MTV's best brand new of 2012, regardless if she wins or not, she's already won us over. And hey, there's remixes to boot! Lenzman drops by with a drum n bass remix while Joe Goddard jazzes his house up outside of Delilah's chopped vocals. While neither is that "hands in the air" mix the track deserves, both are great interpretations of "Love You So" and should be enjoyed for what they are. We are on the edge of our seats to see where Delilah's career takes her, because we think she'll go far.
Video - Youtube
Wonder Girls ft School Gyrlz - "The DJ is Mine" - Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
We're taking a moment to give you an update on this K-Pop group, the Wonder Girls. Last time we saw them stateside, it was with the cutesy ditty "Nobody" and it was in 2008. Since then, unless you've been an ardent follower, you probably haven't taken note of them. Thankfully this new track, combining pure pop with dubstep a la Britney Spears, called "The DJ is Mine" is a fun track to reintroduce you to the group while also flaunting their new style right in your face. It's not cutesy anymore, and the girls certainly aren't aiming for a niche in the Asian invasion we anticipated in '08. If they succeed with this track, more power to them. If not, thanks for the fun track to bump our bass to!
Video - Youtube
Cosmic Gate ft Emma Hewitt - "Be Your Sound" - Courtesy of Black Hole
I was talking to a friend the other day about the recent rerelease of Utah Saint's "What Can You Do For Me." The original version sampled Annie Lennox and conversation turned to their massive hit "Something Good" which sampled Kate Bush. We wondered what it would sound like if Kate Bush was making electronic records today? "Be Your Song" by Cosmic Gate and Emma Hewitt might just be the answer. "In a world gone silent, I'll be your sound" sung by Emma in her ethereal yet powerful voice over the thumping track with the gorgeous breakdown is just about magical. If you haven't listened to Cosmic Gate's album Wake Your Mind, you don't know what you're missing.
Video - Youtube
