The Scissor Sisters have released a cute video of them dancing and performing this Summer's sleeper hit "Let's Have A Kiki." Remixes were serviced to DJs last week.
July 27, 2012
The Veronicas - Lolita
The Australian twin sisters are back with their highly anticipated new single. The Dance-oriented track features a hard thumping beat reminiscent of the Eurodance of the 90s coupled with a bit of dubstep electro. Vocally and lyrically, this doesn't deviate much from their usual but it's nice to hear after so long. The main version feels a bit shorter than it should be. It leaves one wanting more. Hopefully this is indicative of their upcoming third album. This should be another big hit for the ladies.
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
Grade: A
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
Grade: A
GooGoosha - Round Run
Originally from Uzbekistan, the singer is all set to make her U.S. debut with "Round Run". It is an electropop track with lush pianos and synths. The mysterious-sounding breathy vocals give the song an unusual feel. It has remixes by DJ White Shadow and Razor N Guido. DJ White Shadow's mix is basically a souped up version of the original making it a bit faster and more suited for the dancefloor. Razor N Guido's mix is really hard and a bit darker. Their Duhb is the more exciting version.
Grade: A-
Grade: A-
July 26, 2012
Glamrock Brothers & Sunloverz feat Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On 2K12
The House classic was originally released in 1992. It was a full vocal midtempo Disco-inflected Pop song in its original version. It was the dub remix by Marc Kinchen (The Dub Of Doom) that used only a small bit of vocals and a distinctive loop that became the most famous version. Some had speculated about what the actual lyrics were because they were seemingly indecipherable, but the original version will clear up any questions one has. An updated version of the dub version with additional vocals came out in 1995, topping the charts once again. A further revisit happened in 2003-2004 with remixes by JCA and Rosabel.
This new one has some interesting mixes. All of the mixes use the elements and vocals from the MK mix from 1992, however the main vocal mix has some additional vocals making this a totally new track with the Nightcrawlers song serving as the hook. The Big Room mix is mostly instrumental with just some vocals. The new production doesn't really fit that well. The SL Bootleg Version is circuit-oriented and is mostly based around the MK version and the beats from the Steve Angello & Laidback Luke track "Be" which was notably mashed up with Robin S' "Show Me Love" acapella few years back.
Listen to the clips of the new versions here (SoundCloud)
Grade: A- (for the SL Bootleg Version)
This new one has some interesting mixes. All of the mixes use the elements and vocals from the MK mix from 1992, however the main vocal mix has some additional vocals making this a totally new track with the Nightcrawlers song serving as the hook. The Big Room mix is mostly instrumental with just some vocals. The new production doesn't really fit that well. The SL Bootleg Version is circuit-oriented and is mostly based around the MK version and the beats from the Steve Angello & Laidback Luke track "Be" which was notably mashed up with Robin S' "Show Me Love" acapella few years back.
Listen to the clips of the new versions here (SoundCloud)
Grade: A- (for the SL Bootleg Version)
July 19, 2012
Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki
Taken from the glampop band's 4th album Magic Hour, this has been a fan favorite and underground club hit. It is a throwback to the runway and bitch tracks that were a mainstay of the NYC circuit scene in the 90s. It's a cute tribal romp that you just can't help but smile and dance along to.
There are remixes for this by 2 Bears, Almighty, Danny Verde, DJ Nita, and Olugbenga. The 2 Bears mix is a lower tempo, minimal electro house one. It would work well as a transition record. Almighty's big room electro house treatment feels too pretty for such a sleazy, naughty song. Danny Verde nails it with his dark tribal circuit mix. This is every bit the tear-off-your-shirt anthem that fans and DJs have been waiting for. DJ Nita gives the song a hot runway feel. Olugbenga's mix is very downtempo and almost romantic-sounding, but such a production doesn't work with the song. Overall, Danny Verde takes the prize with this one.
Watch the bootleg music video here (a little NSFW)
Grade: A
There are remixes for this by 2 Bears, Almighty, Danny Verde, DJ Nita, and Olugbenga. The 2 Bears mix is a lower tempo, minimal electro house one. It would work well as a transition record. Almighty's big room electro house treatment feels too pretty for such a sleazy, naughty song. Danny Verde nails it with his dark tribal circuit mix. This is every bit the tear-off-your-shirt anthem that fans and DJs have been waiting for. DJ Nita gives the song a hot runway feel. Olugbenga's mix is very downtempo and almost romantic-sounding, but such a production doesn't work with the song. Overall, Danny Verde takes the prize with this one.
Watch the bootleg music video here (a little NSFW)
Grade: A
July 14, 2012
Madonna - Turn Up The Radio (Remixes)
This is the 3rd single off of her MDNA album. Produced by Martin Solveig, this is another fun retro track. It is in a similar win as last year's hit "Hello." This could be thought of as a cousin of that song. Perfect for radio and the clubs, there is also a full remix package including mixes by Leo Zero, Marco V, Offer Nissim, R3hab, and Richard Vission. The remixes by Offer and R3hab are new while the other three were previously released on the special Smirnoff edition of MDNA a few months back. Leo's mix has a Giorgio Moroder-esque sound with the "I Feel Love" type production. Marco and Richard's mixes lack melody and direction and feel like a vacuum cleaner set to beats. There are some good sections in both mixes, but the bad parts overshadow the good. Offer's mix is mostly light and airy with nearly all of the vocals. The original melody is retained for the most part. It has its darker moments, however, they fit in quite well. R3hab also delivers a surprise with his mix. It is rather melodic and complements the original quite well. Offer and R3hab's mixes are the best of the bunch.
Grade: C (for the Marco V, Richard Vission mixes), B (for the Leo zero mix), A (for the Offer Nissim and R3hab mixes)
Grade: C (for the Marco V, Richard Vission mixes), B (for the Leo zero mix), A (for the Offer Nissim and R3hab mixes)
Warren Nomi - This Summer I
Newcomer Warren Nomi's single "The Rush" has just begun its ascent on the Billboard Hot Club Play chart. He has just released "This Summer I." The original is a lovely Rock-tinged uptempo. Warren's vocals evoke images of Dance/Pop singer-songwriter Darren Hayes. There are some remixes by Björn Bodin and Mike Bordes vs. Klubjumpers. The main Björn Bodin mixes call to mind ATB's early work with that distinct synth guitar hook mixed with the big room sound of today. It's a euphoric hands-in-the-air type of mix. The radio edit feels a little softer while the other versions are harder. The Mike Bordes vs. Klubjumpers mix has some of the Rock vibe of the original with some Electro elements. The Björn Bodin Summer Of Club mix is the best of the bunch. This is a great track just waiting to be heard.
Listen and download the original version here (the artist has made the original available for free: Listen to the Björn Bodin radio edit here:
The digital EP with remixes is available for purchase here (iTunes)
Grade: A
Listen and download the original version here (the artist has made the original available for free: Listen to the Björn Bodin radio edit here:
The digital EP with remixes is available for purchase here (iTunes)
Grade: A
July 10, 2012
Sky Santos feat. Carlos Nóbrega - I Miss You
This is a collaboration between DJ Sky Santos and singer Carlos Nóbrega. The uptempo is a big room House track with an Erasure-esque melancholy vocal mourning the loss of a love. The lyrics are great. Carlos delivers one of his strongest vocal performances to date. With the right promotional push, this could be a good sized hit. The single will be released on July 16 for purchase.
Listen to a preview of the song:
Grade: A
Listen to a preview of the song:
Grade: A
Fader Lima - South Beach Free
This is her latest single. Just in time for the Summer, this song is an ode to one of the clubbing capitals of the U.S. Though a slight departure from the softer sounds she is known for, this song goes to illustrate that she is a versatile artist. The hard beats and synths swirl under her soaring vocals. Certain parts of the chorus are autotuned slightly giving it a club feel. Overall, this is great song.
Listen to the song and download it here:
Grade: A
Listen to the song and download it here:
Grade: A
July 3, 2012
Olly Murs - Heart Skips A Beat
Another UK X-Factor alum is trying his hand at success in the U.S. This former UK number one originally featured rappers Rizzle Kicks, however, the U.S. version features Chiddy Bang redoing their verse. The joyful uptempo is almost like a softer version of "Moves Like Jagger". Those who loved that song will most likely love this too. The song's hook is absolutely incredible. Olly's vocals are quite good as well.
Listen to the song here:
Buy the song here (iTunes)
Listen to the song here:
Buy the song here (iTunes)
Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
The singer/rapper was a fan favorite on the UK edition of The X-Factor last year. Her label is now attempting to cross her over in the U.S. with this super catchy song. Though lyrically banal, it is a great example of bubblegum Pop with a great hook. It might wear thin on one's nerves after too many listens, but the song is cute. There seems to be too much autotune used on the vocals which doesn't really seem necessary. Compared to her other UK singles, this one has the greatest chance of bringing her international success.
-Watch the music video here
-Buy the song from iTunes here
Grade: B
-Watch the music video here
-Buy the song from iTunes here
Grade: B
Chris Rene - Trouble
After the breakout success of "Young Homie" during the Spring comes the Reggae-infused "Trouble" just in time for the Summer. Chris sings about a girl that he might want to be wary of but can't quite stay away from. The song is almost like the lovechild of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and Bruno Mars' recent work and the result is an ultra catchy song. Chris shows further growth vocally on this one and his fun delivery makes it even better. With the right push this could be an even bigger hit than his first single.
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
-Buy the song from iTunes here
Grade: A-
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
-Buy the song from iTunes here
Grade: A-
P!nk - Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
The wait is finally over and P!nk is back with the lead single off of her next album. The title is a tad racy, but isn't really indicative of the content of the song. Produced by Greg Kurstin, this is a very relatable song with the breakup subject. P!nk brings it with her signature attitude and air of humor. The only part of the song that may be a turnoff for some is the second half of the chorus with the "just when it can't get worse I've had a shit day, you had a shit day, we've had a shit day" part. Overall, this is another strong start to what is sure to be another massive album for her.
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
Buy the song from iTunes in Explicit or Clean versions
Grade: A-
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)
Buy the song from iTunes in Explicit or Clean versions
Grade: A-