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

Darren Hayes - Talk Talk Talk (Remixes)

There are plenty of remixes, as can be expected for the lead single off of Darren's new album. 7th Heaven, Club Junkies, Fred Falke, and Penguin Prison provide remixes. 7th Heaven pumps up the energy and tempo, staying true to the original. The Club Junkies mix is similar, but a little harder. Fred Falke's is a lush, euphoric electro mix. The Penguin Prison mix is funky, bassline driven 80's sounding mix. Also included is an extended version of the original. Overall, every mix is well done.

Also, look for the Hall & Oates version (aka "Out Of Talk") which is a mashup using the song "Out Of Touch."

The remixes are expected to be released on July 31.

Grade: A

Darren Hayes - Talk Talk Talk

The much-awaited new single from his forthcoming new album Secret Codes & Battleships was recently released. The midtempo Dance/Pop number is very much in line with the material from his critically acclaimed This Delicate Thing We've Made. Darren's crystal clear vocals are as beautiful as they usually are. The chorus is pure perfection. This is practically tailormade for the Adult Contemporary radio format and would be a surefire hit.

The B-side to this is a cover of Madonna's "Angel" from her Like A Virgin album. The chilled synthpop production is exquisite. Darren changes up the melody slightly with the vocals in a way only he could giving it a fresh take. This is excellent as well.

-Purchase the single (including both "Talk Talk Talk" and "Angel" here (iTunes)
-Check out the beautiful music video for "Talk Talk Talk" here (YouTube)
-Listen to the B-side "Angel" here (YouTube)

Grade: A+

Vibelicious and Dean Boudreau - Love Sick

This is the latest collaboration between producer/remixer Vibelicious (a.k.a. Jared Jones) and singer Dean Boudreau. "Love Sick" is a modern electro take on 80's synth-pop. It has that same aesthetic that many of New Order and Erasure's classics had both in terms of production and mood. Dean's vocals bear a striking resemblance to Darren Hayes. He sounds great here. This is a great track. Additional remixes will be coming soon.

Purchase the original version here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Darren Hayes - Dress You Up

Having been considered a gay icon for some time now, Darren takes on one of the most visible icons, the Material Girl herself, Madonna. A couple weeks back, he posted a little "gift" to fans in the form of a cover of "Dress You Up" from her Like A Virgin album. Madonna was going to do that song during her 2004 ReInvention Tour, but the song was replaced with the steamy "Burning Up." A demo of the version she was going to perform on tour leaked and it is the inspiration behind the production on Darren's cover. Darren's vocals really shine. He hits every note ever so effortlessly. It's a must-listen for any fan of Darren and Madonna.

Grade: A

Christian George - Strangers

Christian George has been on the scene for some time now as a model, dancer, stylist, occasional actor and now singer. His first single is the sexy "Strangers." He sings about staying anonymous when meeting a potential lover for the night. The lyrics flow rather well. Despite the mature subject matter, the lyrics are not vulgar. The main version is Electro-Dance/Pop. Although Christian may not have the strongest vocals, he manages fairly well. Over time, he could grow further and then be lumped into the same category as other R&B/Dance/Pop singers Craig David, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake and Darren Hayes.

This one is currently being promoted to the Dance clubs with a plethora of remixes. Jack Rokka, Thomas Gold, Speakerbox, The Wideboys, Funk Generation, and Rod Carillo provide the mixes. All the mixes are House-oriented. The Wideboys and Thomas Gold ones are a bit more Electro than the others. All the mixes have a "classic" feel to them, with the exception of the Rod Carillo one. His is a bit more modern. Slightly tribal.

Twisted Dee and Alyson Calagna have also done mixes which were not a part of the first set. These ones are a bit more hard-hitting and are Circuit-oriented. These would make a great addition to the already strong package.

There is a music video for this song. It's pretty racy. NSFW.

Listen to full previews of the original and some of the remixes on his official website.

Purchase the mixes here.

Original
Grade: B+

Remixes
Grade: A-

Darren Hayes - Me, Myself And (I)

This is 3rd single off of his latest double album This Delicate Thing We've Made. This is one of several songs on the album with a recurring theme about time and time machines, however, the theme is utilized very well. It's a bit unusual, but it works. Darren's falsetto-tinged vocals on this one are perfect. And his little rap in the middle actually doesn't sound out of place. The video for this one is quite appropriate and straightforward. Very colorful.

There are plenty of remixes for this one. The Wayne G. & Andy Allder 80's Mix is very retro-electro and immediately calls to mind Madonna's "Lucky Star." It's a very appropriate use of those styled elements. The 7th Heaven Mix has elements that call to mind "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" by Dead Or Alive. It's also a lot of fun.

Album version
Grade: A

80's Mix
Grade: A+

7th Heaven Mix
Grade: A+