Pet Shop Boys - The Pop Kids

This is the first proper single from the English duo's upcoming 13th album Super. This is the second song to be heard from the album after the mostly instrumental "Inner Sanctum" was released as a teaser for the new direction of the album. The song's lyrics tell a story of two friends who met at university and shared a friendship during that time through their mutual love of the club scene. The story is given a proper conclusion in longer The Full Story remix which has an additional verse. The song's production is in a 90s House style. It has the deep tribal beats and the characteristic pianos. Some parts of the piano hook recall the main riff in Bizarre Inc's rave classic "Playing With Knives". This element is played up to great effect in the PSB Deep Dub version. Marc Kinchen and Offer Nissim provide the remixes. MK's take is in a similar vein as the original but in his usual straightforward classic House style. Offer Nissim's mix is dark and dramatic just as the remix name indicates. It contains most of the vocals and they have been spread out a bit. Both are really well done.

Listen to the remixes here:


Grade: A

Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece (Idol Version)

This is the 3rd single from her album of the same name. The powerful song is autobiographical and is a big ballad in its original version. A remixed version was produced for the radio release which has an 80s synthpop feel. It could be thought of as a Dance mix. Kelly made an appearance on American Idol last week and performed this in a stripped arrangement. The performance received a lot of attention as Kelly got really emotional during it, as did much of the audience. Kelly has since gone into the studio to re-record the vocals and with that same arrangement. The result is absolutely stunning. This new version is easily the best version of the song. It was released today and will be appearing on a special remixed re-release of the album which is due for release on March 3.

Listen here and purchase on iTunes

Grade: A

Blind Colors feat. Melonie Daniels Walker - Found Love (Remixes)

This is a new release from the Def Mix record label which is owned by the legendary David Morales. The vocals are by Melonie Daniels Walker who is best known for her distinct background work on many of Mariah Carey's songs, and of course on those re-sung remixes by David Morales which featured radically different vocal arrangements. Melonie delivers an excellent vocal here. Her lead vocals are controlled and restrained, and then she really lets loose with the ad libs and backing vocals. The first two remixes are by David himself. The first one is in David's traditional classic House style whereas the second one has a stronger Disco flavor. The R&D mixes are in a Deep House style echoing the glory days of Masters At Work. Sami Dee's remix is softer than all of the others but it is still quite effective.

-Listen to clips and purchase the single here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Bit Error + Country Club Martini Crew feat. Inaya Day - Do What We Do

This is the first original track from DJ/producer/remixer Bit Error and Country Club Martini Crew. It features the vocals of Dance diva Inaya Day. The song has a distinct 80s flavor to it with the synths and beats, but it sounds contemporary. It is dancefloor and radio ready. The main versions are out now, but a full remix package will be released on March 4.

-Listen to clips and purchase the original mixes here (Beatport)

Grade: A

Sudad G feat. Tascha Johnson - Won't Give Up

Melodic House in the vein of stuff from the early 90s has made a huge comeback in the last year or so. This new release sounds like it could have been made back then, but it fits in nicely with all the current ones. "Won't Give Up" is a soulful song of positivity sung beautifully by Tascha Johnson. The main version has a deep bassline and a nice piano loop. The Nu Disco mix is exactly what the name indicates--it's a modern take on the sensibilities of the Disco era. Last but not least is the Yuichi Inoue remix which is a little lighter and more uplifting. All 3 versions are excellent.

Listen to clips and purchase the single here (TraxSource)

Grade: A

Jason DeRulo - Naked

This is the lead single from an upcoming re-release of his most recent album Everything Is 4. It marks a major change in musical direction for the mostly R&B and Pop singer. The production is spartse and sensual. Lyrically speaking, the lyrics are far more brazen and sexually explicit than those heard in any song he has released to date. They are very much in line with R. Kelly's recent output. The song has the feel of Future's recent work and The Weeknd's "Often" and "The Hills". Despite all that, the song is intriguing and sexy. The almost NSFW music video leaves almost nothing to the imagination as it shows Jason doing his best D'Angelo "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" impression for the camera, showing off his toned and buff body.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube) NSFW
-Purchase the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Justin Bieber - Sorry (Barry Harris remix)

The song has already been a big success all over the world in its original version. Now it is all set to fill the dancefloors at the clubs with this fierce tribal remix by Barry Harris. He maintains the melodic structure of the original but makes it hard and driving. The Unapologetic Bitch version incorporates some apropos vocal samples from Madonna's "Sorry" and OneRepublic's "Apologize." The Mixshow version only uses the OneRepublic samples. Both are incredible.

Grade: A

Jay Sean - Make My Love Go (feat. Sean Paul)

The British Indian R&B star is back with a brand new single which features Sean Paul. It is a fun fusion of contemporary R&B and Dancehall with a hint of Tropical House. Jay's vocal delivery has more of a Dancehall style The pre-chorus is actually an interpolation of Maxi Priest's early 90s hit "Close To You." It's an unlikely choice for reviving right now but it works so well. Sean Paul is a nice addition. Overall, this has the potential to re-establish Jay on the scene.

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

Grade: A

Justin Bieber - Sorry

This is the second single from his upcoming album Purpose. It follows the trend of 80s Synthpop inspired songs that began during the Spring. This is even stronger than the previous single "What Do You Mean" which is in the Tropical House style. It has the makings of another hit and could surpass the previous single success-wise. The new album is shaping up to be one of his best ones to date.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean (Barry Harris Remixes)

This is the #1 hit single from his upcoming Purpose album. It has been a mainstay at clubs and on radio throughout the last couple of months after a major social media campaign to hype it up. The song marked a change in sound from the singer as this is in the Tropical House style which has recently begun to gain favor in the mainstream. The song has a melancholy undertone to it. It is easily one of the strongest singles he has released to date.

Barry Harris, formerly of the legendary remix duo Thunderpuss has remixed this. He gives it some of that signature Thunderpuss drama while maintaining the lightness of the original. It's nicely balanced.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to and download the Barry Harris remix here (HearThis)

Grade: A

Pino Firmani & Stefano Capasso Feat.Kyn Mahone II - Movin On (Remixes)

With the recent resurgence of Soulful House which stylistically bears a resemblance to its Disco beginnings, there have been many strong releases. This is one of the latest ones. If one were not told this was a new release, it could have easily come out during the heyday of Disco. Kyn Mahone II's vocals are unforgettable and the lyrics are so relatable. Coupled with the fantastic production, the result is fantastic. The majority of the remixes are in the same style. The Extended club mix has a deep bassline and rich orchestral elements. The Original mix has a harder drum track but is similar to the Extended version. The Classic Philly version has a softer, uplifting feel. The Seventy mix is funkier. The Corvino Traxx version is slightly techy. The Autodub mix is minimal but it is bassline-driven. The Peter De Girolamo remix has a harder beat with a techy undercurrent. Overall, the Extended club mix and Classic Philly versions are the best of the bunch though every one of these mixes is well produced.

-Listen to clips and purchase the single here (TraxSource)

Grade: A

Manika - I Might Go Lesbian (feat. Tyga)

This is the latest from the singer-songwriter. It is an Electro/Pop midtempo club banger about being tired of men. The lyrics are a little over the top and hilarious, but that's what makes the song memorable. Coupled with the DJ White Shadow-esque production, the song is super catchy. Tyga is a good accompaniment to Manika's rapid fire lyrics. There is a club remix by the Jump Smokers which plays up the Electro aspect of the song.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to the Jump Smokers remix here (YouTube)

Grade: B+

Madonna - Vogue (Barry Harris Remix)

To mark the start of Madonna's new Rebel Heart tour, Barry Harris (formerly of duo Thunderpuss) has produced a brand new remix of the club classic which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The song has been a staple of Madonna's tours (it appears in the current tour in abbreviated form) and is routinely updated and reinvented. Barry got ahold of the original vocal stems and made a fresh production which is faithful to the melody of the original, but he changes it up for today's dancefloors. He thankfully has used all the vocals. The result is a booming dancefloor anthem which brings this song into the 21st century.

Listen to the mix and download it here:


Grade: A

Rita Ora feat Chris Brown - Body On Me (Remixes)

This is a new collaboration involving the two Pop and R&B singers. It is a sensual midtempo that contains one of Rita's strongest vocals to date and is one of Chris Brown's best features in a while. Their vocals complement one another perfectly. There are remixes by Dave Aude and Zac Samuel. Dave Aude has delivered a mix that is faster than the original, but isn't quite at a traditional House tempo. It's in the style of the Tropical House that has been popular. The vibe of the original translates extremely well with this remix. Zac Samuel's Disco-lite remix is at a higher tempo and also works well. Both remixes are exquisite.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to Dave Aude's remix here (YouTube)
-Listen to Zac Samuel's remix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Paris Hilton - High Off My Love (Remixes)

The reality star and socialite released an album in 2006 and had a string of moderate club hits with remixes of the singles. Her second album is due later this year. The lead single features rapper Birdman and is a hybrid of Eurodance and Dubstep. The song is fun and is perfect for the dancefloor. Paris' spoken-sung style of singing is effective here. Dany Cohiba, Dirty Pop, Division 4 & Matt Consola, Mike Rizzo, Mindskap, and Tracy Young have provided the first set of remixes. Dirty Pop's mix is in a similar direction as the original but harder and more Electro. Dany Cohiba delivers a softer Deep House mix. Division 4 & Matt Consola deliver a hard, anthemic treatment that is perfect for peak hour play. Mike Rizzo's mix is the most mainstream of the bunch, however, it would be great for peak hour too. Mindskap's mix is also in a Deep House direction but it is more chill. Last but not least is Tracy Young's hard, synthy big room mix. Overall, all of these mixes are really well-done, but the best of the bunch are Division 4 & Matt Consola, Mike Rizzo, and Tracy Young's.

Grade: A-