Ty Dolla $ign feat. Charli XCX & Tinashe - Drop That Kitty

This unlikely collaboration of a rapper, a Dance/Pop siren, and R&B songstress may sound strange, but it all somehow works on this Stargate and Cashmere Cat produced club banger. It is super sexy with its hypnotic beat and synths. Charl XCX chants the naughty hook while Tinashe sings the bridge. The overly autotune rap is surprisingly tame for a song about this subject. Overall, this is a fun song that should be everywhere in the next few months.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Calvin Harris feat. HAIM - Pray To God

This is the 6th single from the Scottish DJ/producer's latest album Motion. Pop/Rock trio HAIM provides the vocals on this rousing song. The song does not deviate that much from the group's own material but it has a slightly harder edge that is characteristic of Calvin's usual. There is an alternate remix co-produced by Calvin Harris and Mike Pickering (formerly of British Dance/Pop group M People). The remix is cut from the same cloth as M People's brand of mainstream yet underground House music in the mid 90s. The song lends itself well to that style of production and is a joy to listen to. Part of the alternate hook from the bridge is brought out in the remix and used as a loop. This is brought out further in the extended version.

-Watch the music video for the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to the Calvin Harris vs Mike Pickering remix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Tony Moran feat. Martha Wash - Free People (Vol 1)

The legendary big voiced diva has teamed up with Tony Moran once again for another uplifting club track. The main version produced by Tony Moran and longtime collaborator Warren Rigg is big room-oriented with big synths. Martha's vocals are fantastic. The first of two volumes of remixes has been released and features an all star lineup including Antony Reale, Cruelty, Funky Junction, Giuseppe D, The Noisemakers, Rene Ablaze, Splashfunk, Laera & Jeyjon, Victor Dinaire & Bissen, and Yinon Yahel. Antony Reale & Funky Junction deliver a big room-oriented House mix which feels like a meatier Freemasons remix. Cruelty provides a 90s Rave meets Handbag House remix. Giuseppe D's piano-heavy is especially hard-hitting and beautiful. The Noisemakers mix is in a soft House style. Coming out of left field is Rene Ablaze's epic big room Trance remix which uses only a limited amount of vocals. Splashfunk, Laera, and Jeyjon's mix is also piano-heavy. Victor Dinaire & Bissen deliver something techy. Yinon Yahel's mix is dark and dramatic. Overall, Giuseppe D and Rene Ablaze's mixes are the best of the bunch.

Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Novaspace feat. Drea Delacruz - Gravity

The Swedish producer/DJ has a brand new single out. It is in a similar vein as earlier singles. The Electro/Pop track has a stellar vocal by singer Drea Delacruz. The big room production will make this one a floorfiller in the coming months.

Listen to the song here:
Grade: A

Amor Kismet - Radar

This is the debut single from the sister trio. It is a delightful throwback to 90s House music with Pop sensibilities. They showcase their gorgeous vocals over the lush piano-laden production. This one is super catchy and has the potential to be a big hit in the clubs and eventually cross over to radio.

Listen to the song here:


The group has an EP which can be previewed here (YouTube) and the songs can be heard in full here (Soundcloud)

Grade: A

Madonna - Rebel Heart (Review)

The highly anticipated 13th studio album from the Queen Of Pop is slated to be released next month, and there are rumors it may be moved up to next week to coincide with her Grammy Awards performance on Sunday.

Madonna began work on this album last year. She was very active on Instagram throughout that year documenting her process with many collaborators including Alicia Keys, Avicii, Diplo, Kanye West, Mozella, Nas, Natalia Kills, Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, Toby Gad, and many others.

Nearly a week before Christmas, a number of unfinished demos and work in progress versions of songs from the album leaked online forcing Madonna and her team to release the first 6 songs as 'instant downloads' when fans pre-ordered the album on iTunes. The lead single "Living For Love" was one of the songs to be released then. A full remix package has also been released and a music video is in the works. The album was originally envisioned as a concept project with two discs each containing a particular them with one being "Rebel Heart" with the more socially conscious and emotional songs and then "Unapologetic Bitch" with the more playful and light-hearted songs. That concept was abandoned due to the leaks and it is now one album going back and forth between the themes.

Here is a track by track writeup.

Deborah Cox - Kinda Miss You

This is the lead single from the R&B and Dance diva's new album Work Of Art due later this year. It is a lovely fusion of all the styles Deborah has showcased in the past. It has the soulfulness of her R&B work with the accessibility of her club-oriented material. It begins with a "Rumour Has It" style marching band beat before a short dropout change into a "Latch" style beat that continues after that. Deborah sounds fantastic. It's a cute and catchy song that is just waiting to crossover. This will lend itself well to club remixes.

Listen to the original here:


Purchase the song on iTunes here

Grade: A