Secondhand Dreamcar - Eight of Spades

Eight of Spades - Secondhand Dreamcar (Soul) Today on the blog we had the pleasure of listening to Secondhand Dreamcar’s very first release, “Eight of Spades,” the title of which refers to a tarot card that encompasses the joy that can be taken in the mundane of everyday life. Secondhand Dreamcar creates a funky soulful sound through live instrumentation performed by a nine-piece superband, which gives the track a timeless feel. The message is delivered by a strong, belty female vocalist full of character and maturity, an emotive storyteller who takes on the role of a guru imparting wisdom to a wayward listener. We’d love to hear this group, who journalist Peter North called the most exciting thing to come out of Edmonton since KD Lang and The Reclines, live.

Best Lyric: “Whatever you got to do, you do it where you are.“

Proklaim - BIENENIDOS

BIENVENIDOS - Proklaim (Rap) A staple on our blog, Proklaim returns this week with latest single “BIENVENIDOS”, on which he takes his critical eye to the dynamics of the rap industry itself. On “BIENVENIDOS”, Proklaim discusses rappers who love the perks of the game but not necessarily the craft, proverbially eye rolling at artist beef and its entertainment value (timely in this Kendrick v Drake climate), and proselytizes his common theme of focusing on creative expression in music. He does so over a sultry salsa beat, with latin infusion from the smoky jazz club horn and guitar cruising in the background, as the seductive bongos carry you through the track.

Best Lyric: “Really no surprise when you think about it deep.“

Debo Ray - Feelin' Lucky

Feelin’ Lucky - Debo Ray (Pop/Soul) We think we are the lucky ones, having had the chance to listen to a new track from Debo Ray, “Feelin’ Lucky". Paired with a slickly produced music video, Debo is delivering a timeless retro sound akin to, say, Bruno Mars, in which she lets her ex know that she’s moving on, and with plenty of confidence and optimism for her future. We’re hearing some Prince funk influences, especially in the guitar riffs and synth punches. But what sells the song is Debo’s vibrant personality which boasts all over the track—she performs the hell out of this song with a strong vocal that reminds us a bit of Jill Scott’s more uptempo numbers. We can imagine this is a real crowd pleaser at live performances.

Best Lyric: “You were my latest mistake.“

Raw Talent - Rain

Rain - Raw Talent (Hip-Hop). Raw Talent does a good job of living up to his name in his latest pop/hip-hop crossover track, “Rain.” The North Carolina native rapper/songwriter delivers a sexy dance track about staying inside during bad weather to have a little fun, the title “Rain” having a double meaning that we think you’ll pick up listening to the track. The 90s R&B influences are abound in the track, reminding us a lot of the Blackstreet and 112 days, with a buttery vocal feature from Jake Reddin while Raw Talent brings a reedy baritone to his flow. Overall, the track hits all the nostalgia vibes of 90s and early 00s R&B with a production that keeps a modern sensibility.

Best Lyric: “We stuck in the house cuz it’s nasty outside, what else is there to do but get nasty inside.”

Angel - Slighted

Slighted - Angel (Retro Soul/Pop) There’s a ticking clock in Angel’s new track “Slighted”, in which she makes it very clear that if her lover doesn’t step it up, she’s heading out the door. The production is one of those timeless, retro motown swings, but instead of begging for her baby, Angel flips the typical script by letting her person know that they are going to be sorry if they don’t start showing the love and affection Angel deserves. Angel’s vocal is strong and evocative, sitting front and center in the mix, with a few moments that give us an almost Alicia Keys kind of vibe. Angel is a great storyteller and excels in this classic genre, which is made fresh in the way that Amy Winehouse did with this sound all those years ago. This would be a great track for a vinyl release.

Best Lyric: “Believe me, I’ve got options.“

Rebecca Helen - Tranquilize

Tranquilize - Rebecca Helen (Synth Pop). Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Rebecca Helen makes her first appearance on our blog with the mysterious synth pop banger “Tranquilize”. Her new record has a retro appeal for sure with some 80s synth work, casting some ominous darkness onto the track. Rebecca’s vocals are smooth and hypnotic, a sultry siren song which melts over the punchy percussion and plucky synth hits. Working with all star team Vinyl DJ Mick Evans, Rebeka Rain, Duncan Mackay and Alan Roy, “Tranquilize” was built for club DJs. Evocative and stirring, “Tranquilize” is a whirlwind of retro goodness that is sure to have crowds moving on the dance floor.

Best Lyric: “It’s too late, too late, when you’re calling my name.”

Carson Ferris - Ghosts

Ghosts - Carson Ferris (Pop). Pop prince Carson Ferris is back for the fifth time on our blog with new release “Ghosts.” We can always count on Carson to deliver a bop and “Ghosts” is no different. On the track, Carson stands in his confidence about walking away from his ex girl, leaving her with only the ghost of him and their former relationship. No regrets here. In delivering his message, Carson’s vocal shines, especially in the bridge where his strong tenor soars. The production, as is the case with all of Carson’s productions, is top notch, giving us that Top 40 Ed Sheeran feel. It’s yet another home run from this young prodigy who is destined for the charts.

Best Lyric: “There’s a spring in my step today, I feel better now that things have changed.”

Sugar Nova - Darkness Turns to Dawn

Darkness Turns to Dawn - Sugar Nova (Pop) Today, Sugar Nova returns to our blog with latest track “Darkness Turns to Dawn.” Last year, we had the opportunity to review “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream, Pt 2”, a dancey midtempo with disco influence. On “Darkness Turns to Dawn”, we return to the the funky disco dance floor, which kept reminding us of the retro tinged “Canned Heat” of the 90s. The vocals are refreshingly smooth and dynamic, avoiding the epidemic of over processing we see in so much new music—they waft through the track like fresh air. The funky guitar plucks give great ear candy as the sweeping disco strings provide momentum. It’s a certified dance floor spinner.

Best Lyric: “Take up the fight, choose black or white.”

Proklaim - LIFE

LIFE - Proklaim (Rap) Proklaim blesses us with a new track this week with “LIFE”, which is a sonic departure for our most featured artist. In “LIFE”, Proklaim chooses a soulful electro-funk backing that took us back to the days of watching videos on VH1 Soul. To this new funky sound, Proklaim brings his expected wisdom about positivity and setting yourself with the right frame of mind to move through the world—encapsulated in the Proklaim style of the vocal chant in the chorus. But when he’s not driving home his message in the chorus, he’s displaying his expert lyricism in the verses, with nuggets of knowledge buried throughout the thoughtful prose.

Best Lyric: “Never recognize your heart’s voice when the mind is full of noise.“

Diya Shanmugaraj - Blow the Blue Away

Blow The Blue Away - Diya Shanmugaraj (Soul/R&B) Diya Shanmugaraj delivers a complex, mature and soulful R&B number with the intoxicating “Blow The Blue Away.” The track is doused in melancholy, as the synths paint a mystical picture accented with eastern influences. Diya’s strong pop vocal cuts through easily—it’s the weighty and world weary voice of someone wise beyond their years. The melody is incredibly catchy, and when we hit the chorus, Diya bleeds into her heavenly backing vocals which make the listener feel as if they are being pulled along down a stream. This is the song of a woman on the brink, seduced by love, who finds it within herself to brush aside her worries and carry on. Seductive, soothing and potent, “Blow The Blue Away” is a must listen.

B-MACK - Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse

Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse - B-Mack featuring MsLarayne (Soul) B-Mack paints a vivid picture of late night eats and dance in “Duckgrease Burning at The Crabhouse”, a track about hitting the dance floor and having a good time. Written, performed and mixed at his home studio in Staten Island, the track has an old school soul feel with blues inspiration, where our vocalists emote over an instrumental lathered in the sounds of a crowd enjoying the crabhouse. It’s quite a quirky number, with an almost retro hiphop feeling drum kit, as free floating synth and piano leads add an element of funk. Overall, we think this track is all about atmosphere, you certainly feel like you’re at the crabhouse when listening to it, and in that way is a nice piece of musical art.

Adam Wedd - WONT YA?

WONT YA? - Adam Wedd (Indie Rock/Pop) In his new single, “WONT YA?”, Adam Wedd has simply had enough of all of the chaos going on in the world. In a very “We Didn’t Start The Fire” kind of way, Adam lists all of the ways that the world ignores the everyday lives of people in favor of political and social chaos. It takes aim at people in power who tell lies for support, with the truth hidden under a facade. The song’s message is conveyed through a tub thumper of a track, with angst and tension mirrored in the guitar lines. Paired with Alex Marchisone on the drums, Adam Wedd’s emotive vocals sell the track, which is surely relatable to anyone paying attention to the world today.

Best Lyric: “Missiles keep exploding, orange man’s on TV.”

Nolo Grace - Eyes of the Dragon

Eyes Of The Dragon - Nolo Grace (Electro/Pop) Nolo Grace delivers an electro pop jam with “Eyes of The Dragon”, an other worldly track about introspection. There’s a darkness to the track, a sense of foreboding, as the song shifts through multiple movements, including a stirring string section at the close. When listening, we were immediately reminded of Robyn’s “Body Talk” era, specifically the track “Little Star”. The instrumentation is lush, with Nolo’s heavenly vocals sitting above the slippery bass line and fuzzy synths, even breaking through with some very Jackson-esque breaths. Overall, it’s a trippy wall of sound that permeates the body, emotive and ethereal.

Denise Marse - Rainbow - Until Dawn Remix

Rainbow (Until Dawn Remix) - Denise Marse (Pop/Funk) Denise Marse is giving us a funky pop number right in time for summer with the Until Dawn remix of “Rainbow”. The track is made for the dance clubs—a funky NuDisco sound with a steady groove propelled by the punchy percussion and ear candy guitar licks. The professionalism of the track is demonstrated by how dynamic it is—it’s not afraid to take a moment to let you breathe before getting you back to dancing. We also get treated to a spanish guitar feature towards the end of the track, which gave us some real retro vibes. With a catchy chorus and strong production, we can clearly hear this as part of summer DJ sets. Certified dance floor spinner.

Best Lyric: “Love has always been the greatest inspiration on this earth.“

Nissu - Connection

Nissu - Connection (Pop) Nissu delivers new track “Connection”—paired with a clever music video—a catchy pop-funk track that’s all positive vibes. In “Connection”, Nissu is delivering a message about making the most of life, picking yourself back up to return to the light and be better than you were before. That life is all about connection. Nissu delivers this positivity through a plucky pop funk dance number, lead by a slamming percussion, driving chords and a groovy funk guitar that gives some real ear candy moments—a real NuDisco vibe. In a world that today seems plagued in darkness, “Connection” is pure escapism, and will equally get you moving and hopeful for the future.

Best Lyric: “We can value all the things that we took for granted.“

Destiny Imani - Girl's Girl

Girl’s Girl - Destiny Imani (Pop/Funk) DO THE HUSTLE! That’s the vibe we got when listening to Destiny’s Imani brand new track “Girl’s Girl.” A celebration of womanhood, friendship, freedom and fun, “Girl’s Girl” relishes in self-love and proud embrace of the feminine. It’s upbeat and plucky production housed firmly in the pop/funk genre. What stands out the most is the catchiness of the chorus and the glorious slowed down R&B tinged bridge, allowing space for Destiny’s silky smooth vocals to really shine. Sparkling piano synths, tight hats and funky claps make this track really move—this is certainly a dancefloor spinner. It’s a perfect track for summertime fun.

Best Lyric: “There’s no limit to your control and it’s time that you just let go.“