Times EP - Nikolay Cranner (Dance/Funk) Alright, so there’s no reason Nikolay Cranner’s two track EP shouldn’t be on the playlists of this summer’s dance DJs. A multi-talented musician—giving you both a strong vocal performance and soaring sax solos—Nikolay’s Times EP is a neo funk/EDM bop melding an impressive amount of eras into a sharp, cohesive package. “Sunshine Living” gives us Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat” with its late 90s R&B/Funk vibes, also boasting a late 80s Herbie Hancock style horn solo. Add to that the 90s house snares and hats with a modern EDM kick and you get quite a melting pot of goodness ready for a summer dance party. Moving to “Times”, this track centers on late 2010s EDM vibes (think “Take Me Home” by Cash Cash or “Clarity” by Zedd) with another sax line that really soars—Lady Gaga “Edge of Glory” territory. Catchy, dancy and impeccably produced, Nikolay Cranner should be a staple of every outdoor dance party this summer.
The Connecting Dots - In The Arms Of A Stranger
In The Arms of a Stranger - The Connecting Dots (Soft Rock) In “In The Arms of a Stranger”, The Connecting Dots deliver a moody ballad that feels straight out of the 80s. The retro cut has some Kate Bush vibes, with a unique and distinctive vocal that is very reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper. With a retro song structure, our favorite moment is certainly the key change of the bridge, leading right into a lovely guitar solo. Careful listeners will also notice that the instrumentation is incredibly lush—constantly building with new additions—including everything from the light touch of a few bongos to a bevy of retro synths, which elevate the song to anthem status. Definitely blast this one on your commute, it’s a good one to sing along to in the car.
Best Lyrics: “This is a broken arrow.”
The Labra Brothers - Be Cool (EP)
Be Cool (EP) - The Labra Brothers (Soft Rock) On The Labra Brothers’ three-song EP, “Be Cool”, we get quite a jam session, delivering chill vibes, musical versatility and a bilingual flair. The brother band, comprising Adrian Labra on vocals and guitar, Cristian Labra on vocals and bass, David Labra on vocals, guitar, and sax, Antonio Labra on percussion, Danny Svenson on keys, and Matt Hayes on drums, has developed a distinct sound for their latest project after some prior experimentation—predecessor LP “Colder Weather” from 2019 leaned more into classical rock & roll. What results is quite a cohesive project—chill, low key and easy breezy. It was difficult to peg a genre here as “Be Cool” is a melting pot of soft rock, latin, funk and R&B/Soul—so we think it’s best to call this “grown folks” or “crowd pleaser” music. Light on modern day production tricks and gimmicks, the EP relies on traditional live band musicality, which has convinced us that The Labra Brothers would give an audience one hell of a live show.
Perhaps it’s the family dynamic, but you can tell when listing to the EP that this bevy of musical talent really gels, delivering a product more than the sum of its constituent parts. The three-part sibling vocal harmonies are lush (we had to read the press release to realize this just wasn’t one person dubbing as they were that well blended), and guitars and horns are given plenty of room to show off—again, The Labra Brothers must really turn an audience.
So let’s dig in. The title track, “Be Cool”, is a great intro to the project, and we agree with their choice to make this the lead single. It’s a song about kindness and good vibes, which you get from feel of the instrumental alone. The vocal performance is very strong, and we love the choice of the tight reverb which we think heightens the song and gives it a unique identity amongst its peers (this effect will return in closer “Not Far From Home”). Overall, “Be Cool” introduces you immediately to the brothers’ style for the project—these are jam sessions featuring robust instrumentations and an R&B sensibility in the lead melodies (we specifically got some Bruno Mars in this track).
The brothers slow things down in “Los Dias” and dive into some latin island vibes that evoke the feeling of the beach at dusk—rolling waves and sunset. The production is particularly crisp with a tight, punchy percussion cutting through the otherwise dreamy track. While a guitar solo featured in “Be Cool”, this time the sax is given its due, once again turning a catchy, radio-friendly track into a jam session.
Finally, “Not Far From Home” feels almost like a meld of the two prior tracks in terms of style, making it the perfect closer. Here, it’s the lyrics that stand out to us most—certainly the most memorable of the collection—delivered with a lilting melody in this midtempo affair. “How are you supposed to get home when you can’t face yourself?” will stick with us for a while.
Overall, “Be Cool” is an all ages affair, perfect for a day on the beach, or better, a The Labras Brothers concert..
J Cru - You're A Dumbass Motherfucking Piece of Shit (feat Toddy Smith)
You’re A Dumbass Motherfucking Piece of Shit (ft Toddy Smith) - J Cru (Pop) Whelp, our favorite goofball kid brothers are back, and as always we’re thankful for it. Ever since J Cru served us some man cakes, we’ve been big fans of their 20 Fingers/LMFAO vibe of delivering hilarious lyrics in expertly crafted productions. This time, despite its vulgarity, what we have here is actually a very sweet love song to J Cru’s idiot best friend who, despite all their failings, is always there for them in tough times (particularly heartbreak). It’s extremely relatable subject matter, shockingly vulnerable and touching, while still giving us the chuckles we expect from a J Cru number. Add onto it, J Cru’s got a pretty great sung vocal here along with a catchy folky guitar riff—a departure from their past high octane club efforts which shows some great versatility—these are not one note musicians. They are idiots…and we fucking love them. (And they should be pop stars).
Best Lyrics: “You should’ve paid your loans instead of buying a boat.”
Chance The Closer - I'm N Luv Wit Da Reefer
I’m N Luv Wit Da Reefer - Chance The Closer (Pop) What a curiously intoxicating song Chance The Closer delivers with their latest track “I’m N Luv Wit Da Reefer” where we get, what we can only assume, is a whimsical duet between Chance and his reefer. Using vocal distortions and modulations to sell an undying and devoted love between a man and his weed, we get a sharp yet trippy production, occasionally giving us a T-Pain moment (did we hear an “i’m in luv with a stripper” reference?). The instrumentation is a modern dance affair, with elements of retro including that iconic 80s cowbell, and plenty of sound effects (most notably the sound of toking on a bong). All in all, it’s a hip winder with a sense of humor.
Mick J. Clark - Born To Party
Born to Party - Mick J. Clark (Dance) Mick J. Clark’s latest track tells you exactly what it is—a party track. A dance floor affair meant for all ages affair, “Born To Party” feels like a staple track for a private party DJ meant to get folks of all persuasions moving. Lead by a 90s dance drumkit, Mick’s voice gives us a Tom Petty feel in its tone, bringing an easiness and gentleness. This mass appeal and unoffensiveness of the record—lacking from most modern dance tracks—means you won’t have any issues adding this to any playlist; it’s corporate friendly, it’s kid friendly, it’s everyone friendly. Catchy and upbeat, Mick’s latest tune is a no-brainer playlist add.
Best Lyric: “Raising the heat from hot to burning.“
Eva No - Bring Me Flowers
Bring Me Flowers - Eva No (Pop) We welcome Eva No to the blog with her latest track “Bring Me Flowers”—a jazzy affair with healthy dose of theatrical flair. Throughout the record, Eva requests her unrequited love to bring her flowers everyday, a metaphor for requiring a steady stream of affection in order to win her love. She does so to a catchy and sing-along-able melody that we imagine gets an audience going when Eva performs it live—it’s definitely a number begging for audience participation. The composition is a great combo of moods—at first glance, the song feels upbeat and dancey, but the descending melodic line in the lead vocal during the chorus adds a melancholy to it that perfectly encapsulates the bittersweetness of the song’s overall message. A message to the object of Eva’s affection—say YES to Eva No.
Clare Easdown - Not Ready To Die
Not Ready To Die - Clare Easdown (Dream Pop) Today we’re treated to the latest from Clare Easdown, an artist frequently featured on this blog, with her most avant-garde track we have reviewed to date. In “Not Ready To Die”, Clare brings her new wave sensibilities to a meditative chant that proclaims she is not ready to give up, yet still immersed in melancholy. Though we’ve said it before, the timbre and tone of Clare’s voice reminds us a lot of Mel C, and in this track Clare is at the peak of vulnerability—her voice a fragile soprano floating above the fray and swirling in the reverb. As with the other tracks from Clare we have had the fortune to review, “Not Ready To Die” is another track that is poetry to music.
Best Lyric: “Although the end is in sight, I’m holding on tight.”
KØASH - Somebody
Somebody - KØASH (Pop) In their latest track, "Somebody,” KØASH delivers an uptempo dance bop flush with 80s synth wave vibes. Overall, the sound reminds us a lot of the Weeknd’s recent work, and we think it would slide very easily into today’s Top 40. Centered by a strong vocal performance, the production is lush with glistening synth keys and a driving bass that kicks off from the first second—from the moment you hit play on “Somebody”, the train hass already left the station. The melody, showcasing a falsetto as clear and pure as a bell, is extremely sing-along-able (if you can hit those notes) and is ceratinly an earworm with staying power. We think this is the perfect jam for your happy hour or pre-game playlist, it’ll certainly get you moving.
Best Lyric: “It’s a cycle that we can’t break, but I wouldn’t say a mistake.”
Illuzions - Back & Forth
Back & Forth - Illuzions (House) Illuzions’ latest track, “Back & Forth” is simply a must for DJs gigging this summer. What we have here is a straight up dance floor track, full of all the rises and falls and the swirly melancholy of moody synths with a lilting vocal performance expected of today’s club tracks. It’s also one of those songs that would feel right at home on a chillwave playlist, and one that would grab your attention for a Shazaam when popping up on a daily music mix. The lead vocalist shines on this record, at times giving us some Dua Lipa vibes but with much, much more of an ethereal touch. The production really pumps—a crisp production with some brilliant FX touches that enhance, not distract, from the overall vibe of the track. There’s no reason to not hear this one everywhere while bar and club hopping this summer.
Elina Filice - Don't Let Me Fall
Don’t Let Me Fall - Elina Filice (Pop) Elina Filice’s “Don’t Let Me Fall” is a quite a bop, what more can we say. While maintaining a modern sensibility, the track has a retro appeal which gives it a timeless quality—there’s no expiration date on this record. Delivering emotive and passionate Top 40 worthy vocals, Elina reminds us a bit of Duffy’s “Mercy” complimented brilliantly by an instrumental that gives us that alt rock/pop feeling of the late 90s. Led by a driving kick and an infectious little psychedelic guitar lick, the compliment of 90s house snare hits help this crossover track slide into dance club territory—we could certainly envision a bevy of dance remixes to “Dont Let Me Fall.” Overall, this is a record you’d expect to find on any “Indie Artist Spotlight” list.
Best Lyric: “I swear I’ll jump if you don’t love me, promise I’ll die if you’re not here.”
Karmic Neighborhood - I Don't Want To Walk Away (radio remix)
I Don’t Want To Walk Away (radio remix) - Karmic Neighborhood (Easy Listening) Karmic Neighborhood’s latest track is an easy-breezy one, a mid tempo trot that you can’t help but shimmy to. The song is distinguished by the strength of the lead vocal performance. Intimate and close, perfectly balanced into the mix, the vocal is left mostly untouched by modern day vocal tricks, leaving the performer to shine on their own. The added backgrounds give a lushness, especially towards the end, which crescendo into quite the finale. Overall, the track is very sing-along-able—the chorus in particular is quite the earworm—and the production is crisp and clean. Smile inducing for sure, this track would sit nicely on your work from home playlist, delivering good vibes and a calm to lighten your day.
Best Lyric: “I gave you a flower from a tree, that’s how we met.”
Viscula - When I Go To Find You
When I Go To Find You - Viscula (Pop) As soon as the house keys start on Viscula’s “When I Go To Find You”, you know you’re about to be spun around the dance floor. The song has a bright and sunny feel, mostly delivered by the light touch of the verbed guitar, injecting a summer haze that makes this track a great addition to any outdoor tea dance. The song takes some interesting turns with a few unexpected chord progressions, which keep the listener on their toes, as well as some unexpected instrumentation that help give the track uniqueness. Overall, the song is most defined by its build—the constant addition of new and more complex instrumentals as the lilting soprano vocalist soars over the track—and the carefreeness coming from the close of the record where the piano is given free range to just jam. This one’s for a daytime outdoor dance.
Jay Roecker - Electronic Symphonic (LP)
PHOTO: Evie McNeil
Electronic Symphonic (LP) - Jay Roecker (Synth Pop) With Electronic Symphonic, Jay Roecker delivers a versatile, eclectic and well-sequenced album heavy on the 80s synth pop references but with more than meets the eye. His sophomore album, Jay puts both vulnerability and introspection on display, often to high octane, club-ready productions.
Overall, the album is thoughtfully produced, as if every track could be a radio single. It is complex and always delivers something unique. We have found that synthwave albums can often fall into the trap of sameness throughout the project, a wall of big synth sounds that never gives the listener time to breathe. Not so with Electronic Symphonic, which loses its predictability with each new track, delivering a pleasant surprise behind every corner.
Before digging into the specific tracks, we should take a moment to praise Jay Roecker’s vocal performance and production. A strong, resonant baritone, Jay’s voice is commanding yet emotive. His layering techniques are top notch and his understanding of counterpoint and weaving in multiple musical phrases is what elevates this entire project into Top 40 territory—which decade depending on the song.
The album begins with reverence for 80s synth pop. Pour On Me, the remix of which we had the privilege to review previously, evokes New Order’s True Faith, and we defy you to not think this was a chart topper of the 80s. It’s a perfect introduction to Jay’s world—a straight up anthem.
The House and A New Day For You complete the introductory trio of 80s-styled songs. The former, which is given the remix treatment later in the album to put the bittersweet song to a more uptempo and modern club beat, has the standout lyrics of the entire project, and is a prime example of Jay’s masterful vocal layering. The complexity of the instrumental adds a richness to the track, our favorite part being the twinkling keys which add a goosebumps factor. It also displays a mounting bridge of callbacks to prior musical motifs throughout the song which puts Jay’s musicality on full display.
The House then seamlessly transitions into A New Day For You, and helps distinguish that “loud wall of synth” sound we mentioned above with great level cuts that keep listeners engaged.
Sus is a surprisingly modern song considering what has come before. While certainly synth pop inspired, the track feels more like a recent Weeknd number, say Blinding Lights. Complete with a catchy hook and a title using modern slang, this is the one to lead Electronic Symphonic’s marketing and promotion for sure. Further ahead on the album, Thicker Than Blood is also extremely modern and radio friendly, with an incredible guest vocalist VALIMOOR helping craft a real “get your lighters out” 80s/90s inspired pop ballad. The synth-guitar line is an earworm and in addition to showing off Jay’s versatility in soundscapes, there’s just something special about this one. This track feels at home with the album’s slight nod to R&B on the Let’s Run Away Together (Remix), which reminds us of Apologize by Timbaland and OneRepublic.
Don’t Give Up On Love (The Perry Twins Mix) takes us to the dark, after hours nightclub with a track made for club DJs, with Mi Amor / I Have A Dream pivoting us back to the 80s inspirations with an immediately recognizable synth sound from Running Up That Hill. Considering the resurgence of that Kate Bush classic thanks to Stranger Things, we also recommend pushing Mi Amor.
Finally, Electronic Symphonic and covers Chances Are (Johnny Mathis) and My Way (Frank Sinatra) display a much more theatrical side to Jay. The former has a very jazzy feel, evoking a speakeasy with the verbed keys and R&B drumkit, only going back to the synthwave sound in the choruses. The covers are done with a classic songbook flare, with My Way serving as a perfect curtain call to the record.
While certainly a synthwave album, Jay Roecker’s Electronic Symphonic does much more than time travel. With modern twists and surprising left turns, the album is an excellent example of musicality, mixed genre referencing and eclectic style.
Alan Dreezer - 99 Percent
99 Percent - Alan Dreezer (Pop) The early-90s are calling with Alan Dreezer’s 99 Percent, ready for all your retro-tinged playlists. The song is bookended by a phone call/voicemail scene, starting with an apology from a former lover and ending with a full inbox, which gives a great structure and completion of storytelling to the track. In the middle of this sandwich, Alan tells the listener that he’s over her, by just about 99%. That message is delivered with Alan’s silky baritone, carrying the song with little of today’s modern vocal tricks, only using the occasional background and layering to let the strength of his performance do all of the work. The song has great 90s crossover R&B vibe complete with a motown style chant and a funk guitar driving the song along. It’s a classic sounding song with great movement, one we know you’ll be singing along with.
Best Lyric: “I still taste your scent”
Adik Angel - Saved Time (Remix)
Saved Time (Remix) - Adik Angel (EDM) In the Saved Time (Remix), Adik Angel delivers an EDM instrumental that conjures images of summer sun and outdoor tea dance. As with the original, the song is driven by spunky guitar plucks—a very current trend—punctuated with a verbed vocal effect. Importantly, Adik continues to introduce new musical elements to keep the listener engaged. Our favorite moment is when the guitar plucks handoff to a more bluesy, verbed guitar that really leans on a descending melodic progression, before handing it back off to the plucky guitar, whose line gets more and more complex. Poppy and fresh, Adik Angel’s “Saved Time (Remix)” is a must have for DJs, especially for summer rooftop and beach dance parties.