Monday, April 30, 2018

New Music Fridays, April 27th, 2018 - Hot Stuff!

This is the kind of week in new music that I love!  I bookmarked so many new tracks this week, it was hard to narrow the field down to just five.  The best part is, no big names.  All of the tracks listed here are by obscure (at least to me) artists, or newer ones who've just fallen under my radar recently.  Check out this week's picks:

Believer - Cyn

Katy Perry signed artist Cyn, who made an appearance on last year's Top 50 Dance Tracks of 2017, is back with an easy breezy dance pop tune that's pretty damned hpnotic.  Check out Believer...


Too Many Colors - Twin Shadow

L.A.-based Dominican-American artist returns to the spotlight with his first effort since 2015's Eclipse.  Though I hadn't come across him until this song from his new record, Caer, I am digging his sound.  This upbeat one gets immediate likability for its' upbeat rhythms that kinda sorta remind me of something out of the 70's.  Love Is In the Air perhaps?  Check out Too Many Colors...


Got You - Michael Calfan

The award for this week's best dance jam goes to EDM artist Michael Calfan, who drops this tasty little dance floor gem.  Check out the fast n funky Got You...


I Can't Hold On - GTA, Anna Lunce, Dillon Francis. Wax Motif

It feels like it's been a long time since we've had some new juicy dance beats to grab on to, but here's a second, hot house jam, this time from the likes of Miami-based duo GTA, with a little help from their friends.  Check out I Can't Hold On...


Can I Get Your Number - Anne-Marie

British singer Ann-Marie released her debut album, Speak Your Mind, this week.  Now she's been on my radar for sometime now, providing guest vocals on Clean Bandit's Rockabye Baby, Marshmello's Friends, and even her own Then.  Well needless to say I love her sound and this song is pure pop joy.  Check out Can I Get Your Number...


Since I had mentioned bookmarking so many new tracks, of course there several honorable mentions you should all check out if you have the chance.  You won't be disappointed!

Still Want U - Zhu, Karnaval Blues
I Got the Juice - Janelle Monàe, Pharrell Williams
I Am Free - Cosmos & Creature
California - Hot Shade, Mike Perry, Karlyn
Melody - Lost Frequencies, James Blunt
Over & Over - Jack White
Keisha Complexion - Shea Diamond
Ocean - Alok, Zeeba, IRO
Roll (Burbank Funk) - The Internet

Song of the Day - Wish You Would - Marian Hill

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I once posted Philly-based duo Marian Hill, and that was a long long time ago, back when I made these posts on John's World.  Well ever since that time, I've always had my ears pricked up to new stuff from these two with a unique sense of style, blending jazzy sounds into  pop styling, and this recent tune of theirs is fantastic!  Check out Wish You Would...

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Song of the Day - Pynk - Janelle Monáe

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I am digging Janelle Monàe's new album, Dirty Computer.  With a wide variety of genres and styles, all done superbly, this record is a must have.  Both her earlier single, Make Me Feel, and this one hearken back to the sounds of the 80's, but in very different ways.  Check out this slow-moving gem, Pynk...

Friday, April 27, 2018

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - American Life - Madonna

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April 21st marked the 15th anniversary of one of Madonna's most underrated albums, American Life and we mark the anniversary with the title cut, which was controversial because of its' criticism of the Bush Administration.  In fact, two videos were made for the song, the first of which featured Madonna throwing a hand grenade at the former Commander in Chief.  That one got scrapped!  Here's the second vid for a song that many didn't love, but for whatever reason I do.  Check out American Life... 

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Song of the Day - Lonely Together - Avicii, feat. Rita Ora

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We finish off our week-long tribute to Avicii with one of his latest, a dance/pop gem featuring the beautiful and talented Rita Ora.  Check out Lonely Together...

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Song of the Day - Heaven - Avicii, with Chris Martin

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About three years ago, Avicii worked with Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin on this sweet, but little-known track.  Check out Heaven...

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Song of the Day - Levels - Avicii

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Here's Avicii's very first huge hit, a song that was inspired by Etta James' Something's Got a Hold On Me and then went on to inspire Flo Rida's anthemic Good Feeling.  It was the one song I knew of his when he opened up for Madonna at her Yankee Stadium MDNA Tour and it was awesome!  Check out Levels...  

Monday, April 23, 2018

Song of the Day - Wash Over Me (Avicii Mix) - Madonna

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One of my favorite songs ever is Madonna's Wash Over Me, but not the version from the Rebel Heart album, the Avicii remix which was tragically never released.  Our honoree of the week, the late Avicii, took a drab, but beautifully written song and turned it into an inspirational dance masterpiece.  I don't know how long this will stay up here because many previous incarnations of the mysteriously guarded tune have disappeared, so take a listen while you can...

Sunday, April 22, 2018

New Music Fridays, April 20th, 2018


Hello and welcome back to New Music Fridays.  It felt like I was swiping away a lot of the  new songs that were released this week and that I would have nothing to share with you all, but of course even amongst the vast emptiness of bad music come a few gems.  There were so few songs I bookmarked this week, I could only really find four that I could really sink my teeth into.  So, for what it's worth, here goes...

No Tears Left to Cry - Ariana Grande

The biggest new music story of the week is the return of Ariana Grande.  No Tears Left to Cry is the singer's first single since the tragic bombing at her concert n Manchester last year and is an ear-pleasing and reflective pop/dance tune that is already a smash.  Check it out right here...


Familiar - Liam Payne, J. Balvin

Other than Harry Styles, I would say that I enjoy Liam Payne's solo stuff second best to any of the One Direction boys.  Familiar is yet another quality, catchy pop/dance tune by Payne, much in the same style as his hits Get Low and Strip That Down.  Check out Familiar...


Bad Dreams - Pete Yorn, Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson reunites with singer Pete Yorn for a brand new EP, Apart, due out in June.  Like their previous 2009 collaboration, Bad Dreams is a great, quality pop song.  Check it out...



Controller - Channel Tres

One of my top picks this weeks comes from an artist I'd never heard of before.  Channel Tres is a Compton-based rapper and producer and he's just released a hypnotic, bass-heavy, dance rap house production that had me moving the first time I heard it.  Check out Controller...

Song of the Day - The Days - Avicii, feat. Robbie Wiliams

Under the tree where the grass don't grow
We made a promise to never get old
You had a chance and you took it on me
And I made a promise that I couldn't keep

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Back in 2014, Avicii released a two-track EP called The Days/The Nights, and this first of two songs is one of my favorite Avicii tunes ever.  It features British singer Robbie Williams on vocals and the arrangement is splendid, with acoustic guitars and a melancholic synth rhythm to accompany the verses and a crescendo at the chorus.  Great song!  Check out The Days...

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Song of the Day - Wake Me Up - Avicii, feat. Aloe Blacc

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I first heard the news on Madonna's Instagram feed of all places.  Beneath a picture of the singer, who I didn't recognize at first, and Madonna read the caption, 

So sad...so tragic.  Goodbye Dear Sweet Tim. Gone too soon. #avicii

Like any other fan of popular and dance music, I was stunned.  I immediately headed to Twitter to verify the news and sure enough, Tim Bergling, otherwise known as superstar deejay and producer, Avicii, had been found dead in Oman.  He was only 28 years old.

Anyone who follows this blog on a regular basis knows that I am a big fan of Avicii and his music.  I've posted him at least a dozen times or so and have spent countless hours listening to his music, especially his breakthrough debut album, True.  He put his own great spins on tunes for Madonna, Coldplay, Flo Rida, and many many more and he will surely be missed in the dance music world.  

Avicii was such an important force in music that I don't think that one day's tribute is enough.  Thus I hereby declare the coming week in his honor.  First up is his first, and one of his biggest, hits.  It's a dance song with country inspired sounds and a wonderful set of lyrics masterfully sung by the soulful and melancholic voice of singer Aloe Blacc.  Here's Wake Me Up... 

Friday, April 20, 2018

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Poker Face - Lady Gaga

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It's been awhile since I've posted Gaga.  Here's one of the best from early times.  Check out Poker Face and enjoy!

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Song of the Day - Out My Mind - Tritonal, feat. Riley Clemmons

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Austin-based duo Tritonal pt out this pop dance gem just a couple of weeks ago, one of those new sings I missed while I was away.  It's a great tune, so check out Out My Mind...

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Hump Day Song of the Day - One Kiss - Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa

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Calvin Harris' latest single is a nice dance pop collaboration with the fabulous Dua Lipa, who has co-writing credits on the tune.  Check out One Kiss...

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Song of the Day - Be Easy - Timeflies

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I don't know much about this artist, but I am so digging this track for its feel-good vibes.  Check out Be Easy...

Monday, April 16, 2018

New Music Fridays, April 13th, 2018


I'm back from Europe and all ready to go.  I'm sorry that I missed two weeks of new music tracks, but I did manage to check some stuff out which I will hopefully be sharing on Song of the Day posts in the days and weeks ahead.  I the meantime, we've got five new songs to get through...all good stuff:

Barbie Tingz - Nicki Minaj

It's been about three and a half years since Nicki Minaj released a studio album, and for all of you Nicki fans out there, your long wait is over.  On Thursday, Minaj released two new tracks from an upcoming fourth studio album, Chun-Li and Barbie Tingz.  Both songs are old school Nicki and should definitely bring some excitement back to fans who may have strayed in Nicki's solo magnificence.  Of the two, I prefer Barbie Tingz, so check it out...


Sky Full of Song - Florence + The Machine

In another pleasant return, Florence + The Machine is back with a vintage ballad replete with strings, piano and Flo.  Great stuff!  Check out Sky Full of Song...  


That's It (I'm Crazy) - Sofi Tukker

Sofi Tukker's debut album, Treehouse, is out and the newest single to pop the charts is yet another fast and funky jam which hearkens back to Wild Cherry.  Check out That's It (I'm Crazy)...


Good Thing - Kideko

Dance artist Kideko is out with a brand new cut of discoey goodness for Ministry of Sound.  With a funky backbeat and some hot vocals, this one'll be on my playlist for some time to come.  Check out Good Thing...   


Pynk - Janelle Monae, feat. Grimes

Janelle Monae's newest single from her forthcoming album, Dirty Computer, is a multi-dimensional collaboration with singer Grimes.  The tune begins slowly and deliberately, with a nice, steady bet, then opens up with a lil bit of funk on the chorus.  I'd consider the song a ballad, but it is one heck of a ballad!  Check out Pynk... 


Well, there you have it, my top five picks for new music tracks of the week.  Stay tuned for more in the weeks ahead and in the meantime, also check out this week's honorable mentions...

Miracle - Chvrches
Let Me - Zayn
Better Not - Louis the Child, feat. Wafia
Desperate - REMMI

Song of the Day - The Good Side - Troye Sivan

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The second single from Troye Sivan's upcoming sophomore album is an acoustic and melancholy song that serves as an open letter to an ex-boyfriend who was on the rougher side of things during their relationship.  The tune shows off Sivan's rich voice and is pretty catchy for a ballad.  Here he is performing The Good Side on SNL...

Sunday, April 15, 2018

P!nk's beautiful Trauma Tour

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When P!nk first announced the dates for her beautiful Trauma Tour, I didn't think I was going to be able to see it.  Her dates at New York's Madison Square Garden came smack dab in the middle of my trip to Europe, but luckily enough the New York metropolitan area is full of people, and I nabbed a ticket to last night's show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and had a kick ass time!

Upon the release of beautiful Trauma, I was as excited as excited could be.  P!nk's 2012 The Truth About Love record was a game changer for me.  Until that time, I'd been strictly a one diva guy with Madonna for all of these years, but suddenly there was P!nk and this album.  I found myself making videos (see here and here), teaching lessons from the songs, and I spread P!nkmania just about everywhere I could.  

I should have known that beautiful Trauma wasn't as great as I expected it was going to be.  It's really hard to top perfection.   Not to say that the record is bad.  In fact, it's pretty darned stellar, but it's just not the same as Truth and the same can be said for the show I watched last night.  Stellar, absolutely, but this show just doesn't quite capture the same magic as the last one.  For what it's worth, here are some highlights:



The Stage and Opening

I absolutely loved the stage and the set for this show!  Surrounding the main stage was an abstract heart/ramp, complete with trap doors, steps, and a people mover straight down the middle, all of which got plenty of use during the two hour show.  

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With great fanfare, the show began promptly at 9 o'clock, and our heroine entered stage top via a grand chandelier and Got the Party Started.  As it would be throughout the evening, her voice was magnificent and her moves beautiful and often breathtaking.  Check out these notes on the opening from Phoenix New Times' Amy Young:

Clad in sparkles and suspended above her band and dance crew, Pink glided up and down with the aerial flair that fans have come to love as one of her skills.

Her team below created a booming sonic foundation as she twirled about, singing. Their energy was palpable, making it clear they were polished to perfection and ready to deliver the goods on this opening night.

Once she lowered herself and untethered from her sky ropes, Pink utilized as much of the stage as she could – strutting and dancing on and across every space, from a movable walkway to stairs on either side.

Her voice was booming, solid with that combo of rawness and power that sold her to so many fans. Though the backup singers pick up a lot of the slack while she is in continuous motion, she gets major kudos for maintaining singing strength while she’s flying through the air in pretzel-like positions. Her voice never wavered.

Humbleness

Without ever meeting her, it becomes obvious from early on that P!nk is a special kind of star.  She's gracious, well-spoken and she seems to realize that her gifts have brought her to a place in life that she treasures.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you and you and you and you...

...she was pointedly thanking us all for being there in much the same way we all thanked her for a great evening.  Throughout, she interacted with her fans, stooping down for selfies and photographs, acknowledging gifts thrown up onto the stage, and getting as personal as one could get in such a setting.  Love her!   

Duets

P!nk performed two duets last night, but not in the usual way,  First up was her latest collaboration with Eminem, who appeared as a larger than life parade float on the light-hearted, yet seriously serious Revenge.  Next up was P!nk's huge smash from Truth About Love, with Nate Reuss appearing on the large screen from the video for Give Me Just A Reason.  Both numbers were definite showstoppers!

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Madonnaesque

I said in my review of beautiful Trauma that the song Secret sounded a lot like something Madonna might have done.  This point was obviously as she performed the tune live.  The vocals, the mood, the music...this one's got Madge written all over it!  

In the lead up to her latest great track, What About Us?, we see another Madonna-inspired, politically charged introductory video that at times had the audience cheering wildly.  I once heard P!nk say that Madonna was one of her inspirations growing up, and I'm happy to see that finally she's beginning to take a page from Madge's book.  Approve!

High Flying P!nk

As we've all come to expect, from that beautiful, aerial performance of Glitter In the Air at the Grammys to the spectacular side-of-a-building whopper to the title cut of beautiful Trauma on the AMA's this year, P!nk loves her acrobatics, and there was plenty of it last night, from the opening number throughout.  For any of you who saw the Truth About Love Tour, P!nk duplicated the ending with a high-flying, up close and personal performance of So What. I swear I was watching the real Tinkerbell!

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All in all, P!nk's beautiful Trauma show was a night full of great music, awesome vocals, fantastic aesthetics and a super duper superstar!  Like I said earlier, even though it's not as magical as her previous tour, it's still a great show.  You should definitely check it out if you have the chance.  I highly recommend it!

Song of the Day - What About Us? - P!nk

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Good morning and Happy Sunday!  I am basking in a P!nk afterglow after watching P!nk's Beautiful trauma Tour at Prudential Center in Newark last night.  As expected, P!nk proved once again that she is one of those rare artists who has got it all, great voice, great stage presence, great showmanship and she is the humblest singer I've ever witnessed.  Great show!  Here's one of the best from the album, What About Us...

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Song of the Day - It's All Your Fault - P!nk

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Since I was in Europe during the Easter break, I missed my chance at seeing P!nk at Madison Square Garden, but luckily the New York area has so many people that she's returning to the Prudential Center in Jersey and that's where I'll be in just a few short hours.  In the meantime, here's one of my favorites from her 2008 Funhouse album.  Check out It's All Your Fault...

Friday, April 13, 2018

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Can't Get You Outta My Head - Kylie Minogue

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Hey guys, Kylie Minogue's got a brand new album out, Golden, which I'll be taking a closer look at soon enough.  In the meantime, here's one of her best...

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Song of the Day - Flames - David Guetta, Sia

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Good morning.  After almost two weeks abroad, I am back and finally a little refreshed.  I'm returning to Song of the Day with a track I reviewed on the last New Music Fridays.  Here's a brand new, on the softer side, collaboration between David Guetta and SIa.  Check out Flames...