May 2 2011

Howard Jones reMix project

Following the release of his “12” Album/Action Replay” box set SynthPop legend Howard Jones is now embarking on a project to open up the stems to many of his classic track to the public.

Starting with ‘Automaton’ from 1985’s ‘Dream Into Action’ album the Rework Howard Jones website will be offering the audio parts to a succession of Howard’s hits for any-one to reMix. If it takes your fancy you can reMix the tracks for your own usage or submit them for inclusion on a forthcoming Howard Jones reMix album.

Could you out synth-Fuck ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ though?

♫ Howard Jones – Things Can Only Get Better

Buy Howard Jones’s music from:

May 2 2011

Kimbra’s new video

This is the video for Kimbra’s forthcoming new single ‘Cameo Lover’ from her soon-to-be-released début album ‘Vows’. You may remember Kimbra as the voice of Miami Horror’s awesome ‘I Look To You’.

This new single of hers has a weird, but pleasing, Electro 60’s thing going on which is carried over into the Guy Franklin directed video.

Buy Kimbra’s music from:

Apr 28 2011

Florrie’s new video

Here is the video for the lead track from Florrie’s new EP.

‘Begging Me’ isn’t quite as catchy as some of her previous tunes but it is a fun a slick slice of Xenomania mid-tempo Pop that I can already feel worming it’s way into my brain.

The video was directed by Price James.

‘Begging Me’ is out now.

Buy Florrie’s music from:

Apr 28 2011

Monarchy mix up ‘Gold In The Fire’ and ‘Eternal Flame’

Here’s a pretty odd track, but it really works.

Monarchy, true to their name, in celebration of the impending royal wedding have recorded this piano mashup between their ‘Gold In The Fire’ and The Bangles’ ‘Eternal Flame’. The two seem to go together perfectly and it reminds you what an immense Pop song.

‘Eternal Flame’ is.

♫ Monarchy – Gold In The Eternal Fire

I’m not bothered about the royal wedding in the slightest, save for the fact that I have to travel into London tomorrow and it’s going to be a nightmare! Other than that it just seems to be a be a massive financial burden on we, the public. We’re not even invited!

Buy Monarchy’s music from:

Apr 18 2011

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s new album

Just a quick one today, lot’s going on, but most of the day I’ve been listening to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s forthcoming album and I have to say it’s sounding pretty damn good.

‘Make A Scene’, Sophie’s forth album will be released in June and in amongst the tracklisting are most of her singles from the past two years (including the collaborations with the likes of Freemasons, Armin van Buuren and Junior Caldera) and a whole host of new tracks. Working with not only the aforementioned producers and writers but names such as Richard X, Metronomy, Calvin Harris, Cathy Dennis, and Greg Kurstin the album seems to swing from massive Pop-Trance tracks to cooler DiscoPop and classic ElectroPop tunes. The first lead single from the album will be ‘Starlight’, I tend to almost universally disagree with labels choices for lead in singles from albums, but in this case I think ‘Starlight’ is the perfect choice. Not as hands-in-the-air Trance as a couple of the album tracks (the only tracks on the album that are slightly dated) ‘Starlight’ has got more of a DiscoPop groove. And you’ve got to love Sophie’s voice, that posh-with-a-slight-cockney-twang thing just slays me.

♫ Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Starlight

‘Make A Scene’ is released 6th June. You can stream the album here.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ Beatport

Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ Juno

Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ 7Digital

Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ Amazon

Apr 16 2011

Vanbot’s début album

It’s been quite the week for Sweden’s Vanbot. Her first album was finally released after a couple of months of build up.

Vanbot’s self titled début is a pretty stunning entrance. The internet has been full of comparisons to Robyn, but I swear if you compare Vanbot to Robyn, then I expect Robyn is probably the only other female ElectroPop artist you’ve ever heard ‘cos other than being Swedish, Female and producing ElectroPop the comparison ends there.

Vanbot (A.K.A. Ester Isdekog)’s tunes are smooth Dancefloor Pop, replacing Robyn’s edgy cool with DiscoPop savvy and a sound that owes more to Sweden’s ElectroPop heritage than her fellow Scandinavian’s. Packed with direct 80’s musical references the record reminds me so much of all those excellent late 90’s/early 00’s Swedish Pop acts that flooded the SynthPop scene, but with a distinct understanding of contemporary Electro music. Top that with Ester’s sweet sweet vocals and you’ve got a winning combination.

♫ Vanbot – Make Me, Break Me

♫ Vanbot – Lost Without You

‘Vanbot’ is out now.

Vanbot @ 7Digital

Vanbot @ Amazon

Apr 14 2011

It’s She’s The Queen Thursday!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

There is legitimate news from the She’s The Queen camp though. Emily and Drew have released their début EP to the public. it’s four tracks of the slickly produce ElectroPop that has so enamoured us this month. They’ve just dropped the third track ‘Plead To The DJ’ on SoundCloud and while it may not be as catchy as ‘Waiting Game’, the EP’s lead track, it is probably the best example to date of how technically impressive the duo are, both in terms of programming and vocal ability. The track shows Drew to be just as talented outside of the straight-up DancePop arena as he brings in some Hip-Hop beats and intricate melodies and shows off a new, deep, level of passion and soul in Emily’s voice.

♫ She’s The Queen – Plead to the DJ

She’s the Queen’s ‘EP’ is available now on iTunes, or for the slightly more discerning independent shopper on CD Baby

She’s The Queen @ CD Baby

Apr 8 2011

James Varnish (+ Lifelike & Murder One)

James Varnish is a newcomer to this thing we call ElectroPop. the Australian has just released his first single, ‘Compare’.

It’s a strong début, a little rough round the edges but shows a lot of promise. It’s sometimes hard to tell with premier singles, especially full of reMixes, but when Mr. Varnish finds his own voice, his own sound, he could defiantly be a player in the Electro game. He’s got quite a 90’s vocal style with a nice 80’s flair to the music, produced by fellow Melbourne resident Murder One, that combines to form a classic SynthPop sound. All-in-all is a pretty powerful first offering. Even more so is the reMix by Lifelike which is fairly low-down-dirty for a Lifelike reMix with a grungy groove and cut-up vocals.

♫ James Varnish – Compare (Murder One reMix)

♫ James Varnish – Compare (Lifelike reMix)

Check Mr. Varnish’s Facebook page for details of where to purchase the single.

James Varnish @ Facebook

Apr 6 2011

Fear Of Tigers reMixes Queen Of Hearts…all hail Queen Of Tigers!

I’m starting to think that Fear Of Tigers tracks are like busses. You wait ages for one then a few come along at once!

The anthemic sweeping Pop of Queen Of Hearts’ ‘Where Are You Now?’ has had a Fear Of Tigers going over. There are a few acts out there that seem to be destined to be reMixed by FOT (I’m still waiting for a FOT reMix of Bright Light Bright Light’s ‘Love Part II’!!!) and Queen Of Hearts feels like one of them. Her accessible classic Pop voice is the perfect accompaniment for Fear Of Tigers’ sparkling retro power Pop. The track is pure ElectroPop genius with an added sprinkling of Disco licks to give it that funky edge before bringing you back to the huge Pop chorus.

Y’all know how much I love Diamond Cut and StardonE? Well, don’t tell them, but this might be my favourite version of ‘Where Are You Now?’…

♫ Queen Of Hearts – Where Are You Now? (Fear Of Tigers reMix)

I’d also like to add that last time I wrote about Queen Of Hearts I questioned both her authenticity and the hype surrounding her. These were comments she took in the spirit in which they were intended and was pretty, well…regal, about it (i.e. she didn’t get shitty about it). People who can take not-necessarily-100%-positive comments about themselves in good humour are people I immediately warm to. She seems like good peeps.

She’s playing her début show tonight at Madame Jo-Jo’s in Soho. So good luck to her and continued good luck to Ben Fear Of Tigers in his charity marathon run.

Props to Robot & Pigeon for getting the premier on this one.

Queen Of Hearts @ Beatport

Apr 6 2011

Shine 2009’s ‘So Free’ video

Shine 2009 are Cascine’s latest offering. This Finnish duo have just released their single ‘So Free’ (Featuring Paula Abdul). It’s a totally late 80’s/early 90’s Pop track that makes me feel so nostalgic, both in look and feel, for a period I didn’t know I felt nostalgic about!

The house piano, the square wave bass sound, the strings, the Hip Hop drums, the synth horns…the haircuts. Love it!

There’s even an M1 in the video!

The clip was directed by Santtu Mustonen.