Sergey Lazarev - You Are The Only One

This is the official entry for Russia in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. It is in a similar style as Sergey's own Electro styled Dance/Pop material. It has the feel of a BWO or Alcazar song from the mid 2000s coupled with a contemporary swing beat. The song has been an early favorite to win the contest when it happens in a few weeks. The hook and the chorus coupled with the dramatic production make for a fun track.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Tony Valor feat. Li Na - To The Top

Released earlier this year, this infectious R&B/Dance/Pop song has begun to get some attention. This is the teen singer's latest single. It is a collaboration with Chinese singer Li Na. The song is super catchy in its original version. The song truly shines via its remixes. Giuseppe D's remix with its chunky bassline is at a similar tempo as the original and takes some of Li Na's ad libs and backing vocals and turns them into an alternate hook. James Anthony's mix is more club-oriented.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to Giuseppe D's mix here (YouTube)
-Listen to James Anthony's remix here (YouTube)
-Purchase the single here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Alex Newell & DJ Cassidy - Kill The Lights (with Nile Rodgers)

This was created especially for the HBO show Vinyl. The Disco-drenched song sounds straight out of the late 70s. Everything about the song from the fabulous vocals and the lush orchestral production are divine. Alex's vocal performance evokes traces of Donna Summer and Sylvester. DJ Cassidy and Nile Rodgers deliver a perfect thumping, layered production.

There are some additional remixes for the club release by Audien, Chuckie, Dimitri From Paris, and Yolanda Be Cool. The Dimitri From Paris remix is the best of the bunch as it is done in the style of those extended 12" mixes of the late 70s with certain elements played up and the whole thing just hits harder. The other versions are all variations of Electro House. Jess Glynne provides additional vocals on these remixes which complement Alex's vocals.

-Purchase the single here (Amazon)
-Purchase the remixes here (Amazon)
-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A+

Zedd & Kesha - True Colors

This is a rework of a song which appeared on Zedd's album of the same name. A different vocalist was on the album version. This brand new version was performed for the first time at Coachella. The Electro Pop song is in the style of a power ballad with the building production. Kesha's vocals have a haunting feel to them. The lyrics are really poignant in light of Kesha's ongoing legal proceedings. This new version is absolutely stunning and is shaping up to be a big hit.

-Listen to the song here (VEVO)
-Purchase the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Vernessa Mitchell - This Joy (2016 Remixes)

Originally released in 1998, this song went on to be a major club classic. The original version was produced by Junior Vasquez and Gomi and the main remix was by Razor N Guido. That remix went on to be the most well known version of the ferocious Gospel/House anthem. Rosabel revisited this track a short time back, however, the new mixes remained unreleased until now. Due to the sudden, unexpected passing of Guido from the duo of Razor N Guido, the new versions have been released as a tribute. Their main mix does contain some melodic elements from the Razor N Guido mix, particularly the signature riff. The mix is Rosabel's usual big room-oriented peak hour style which is effective here. Their dub centers around the riff and lots of well-timed buildups and breakdowns and just enough of the vocals. These new mixes are extremely well done.

Listen to the mixes here:


Purchase the single here (iTunes)

Grade: A