Vancouver-based producer Kelland has teamed up with singer/songwriter Vaus on their new electronic pop single "Now" released on Strix Records. Vaus' vocals alternate between strength and tenderness, like an emotional confession, leading the verses towards a bouncing future bass-esque chorus. The production also makes use of vinyl crackling giving the track an intimate feel.
"Vaus is a singer/songwriter who reached out to me and asked if we could make something more electronic together. So I made the beat and within a day he already had lyrics written. It was a really cool experience to collab with someone in a completely different genre and push them out of their comfort zone," wrote Kelland on SoundCloud. He added on Facebook: "this is my first time getting signed and releasing with a label. i made it a goal of mine since i was a kid to get signed by a label by the time i was 20 and i'm so happy i achieved that and how this song turned out! thank you so much @strixrecords for everything!"
Producer Max Rowat and vocalist Katie Boyle of London-based duo Koven​ have a released a dramatic new electronic single called "Never Have I Felt This" that plays like an action movie punctuated with big percussion, brass, hard-hitting bass and a cinematic dynamic that will have you begging for more. Adding to the action is Katie Boyle's fantastic vocals that slay the first verse and keep the tension throughout.
This month marks 5 years since the duo burst onto the scene with their "Wake You Up" EP, attracting the attention of tastemakers UKF and Inspector Dubplate. Katie wrote on their Facebook: "It's weird when you first start making music with someone you've only really known through the internet, so we were lucky it worked out so well :) and along side our awesome team we can't wait to bring you even more music in 2019 and play some incredible shows".
Belgian DnB producer Netsky has released a new pop-leaning 5-track EP called "Abbot Kinney" collaborating with Stargate, Toulouse, KYLE, 1991 and Jozzy. The second-last track "Nobody" with Stargate is a fantastic feel-good track with super funky talkbox vocals over an electronic soundscape that builds to a dancey, wubby chorus. Netsky wrote of the EP: "Collaborating with Stargate in their incredible studio was an amazing experience, it's not far from Abbot Kinney Blvd and that area inspired so much of this music. It is my absolute favorite spot in LA and felt like the perfect title for this EP, matching the vibes we all felt while in the studio during that time. Working with Stargate helped open me sonically to new sounds I had never tried. This is just a taste of what's to come, I'm excited to share more with you in the new year!" I highly recommend checking out the last track "Thank You" too, it's such a jam. 2019 promises to be an exciting year for Netsky who is currently working on a project called Palmtrees & Powerlines, keep an ear out!
Two Lanes have remixed Sasha Sloan's emotional acoustic song "The One", maintaining the tense, dark feels but raising the production intensity as a trap remake. Sloan's arresting vocals lead the track initially over a scratchy vinyl and piano soundscape before Two Lanes introduce electronic bass, percussion and build to a heavy bass and vocal chop drop. The duo burst onto the scene in December 2017 with their popular remix of ZHU, Skrillex and THEY's song "Working For It". They wrote alongside the new remix on SoundCloud: "it's been only 1 year since we uploaded our first remix to soundcloud and we are so grateful for all the support you have shown over this past year. we wanted to end this year by sharing this remix with you and hope you all like it. new original music will be out in the beginning of 2019. thank you all for your support" [...]
He's been compared to The Streets with his spoken-rap style of vocals. He's Dom Champ, the Brighton-based artist making waves with his down to earth yet poetic lyrics and chilled out sound. His latest single "What You Want // What You Need" dropped on New Year's Day and takes the time to reflect on life and getting through it underpinned by a warm old-school choir and urban lofi sound. He wears his heart on his sleeve and speaks what he knows. You may not be able to turn back time but at least you can hit replay on this tune. Champ is currently working on his debut EP and will be gigging in support of it after its release. He'll also be working towards an album after that, both of which we look forward to hearing!
Not to be confused with his latest remix of N-Chased and Emy Smith's electro pop single "Falling", US-based producer N3WPORT has dropped a gorgeous new melodic future bass track called "Falling For You"; a love song with sweet honeyed vocals over glittering production and lush synths. With influences ranging from Blink-182 to Illenium, his productions are consistently full of delightfully emotive melodies and well crafted production. Earning over half a million streams on Spotify in 2018, he's on the rise and we can't wait to see where the new year takes him!
Mask wearing LA-based indie pop band Animal Island have released a new EP called "It Gets Better" following in their style of catchy, summery indie sounds. The final track "No Worries" has a great dancey beat and lives up to its name with uplifting vibes and youthful charm. Their music has been featured on a number of TV shows including MTV's "Are You The One?", AwesomenessTV's "This Is Summer" and Vanderpump Rules.
Netherlands-based electronic duo Sick Individuals have released an uplifting melodic banger called "Symphony" with beautiful vocals from the prolific and talented Nevve. Building from piano, the bridge will make your heart soar as the energy rises into the chorus to transport you to another place. The two, Rinze 'Ray' Hofstee and Joep 'Jim' Smeele, met at the conservatory for music in The Netherlands and since then have dominated the electronic scene with their infectious beats and progressive house melodies. They are currently on tour in support of Symphony with upcoming dates in Heifei, China tonight, Houston, New York, Edinburgh, London and Toulouse, France. We wish them and everyone out there a "sick" 2019, filled with lots of music and love!
With sugary pop vocals and a super funky beat, Canadian producer Sleepy Tom and LA-based artist Sophia Black are sure to get you moving on their new single. And if it's not hot enough already, there's even a sexy sax solo from Steve Hilliam turning up the heat. Speaking on genre, Sleepy Tom explains: "I started to feel confined to making strictly dance music. I wanted to explore pop song structures, more real instruments, more hooks - basically, to create a more accessible and intimate experience for people listening." Sleepy Tom is currently working on his debut EP "The Times".
Cappa has a released a confident new pop anthem titled "Sux" which stems from the lyrics: "now you're at a party / don't want anybody / 'cause everybody else sucks". As she explains, "It's a pretty honest song. I went through a rough breakup after a long term relationship. I wanted the song to feel empowering though and encouraging that you can come out on the other side of it." The track has a tight electro pop production and her striking vocals shine in the spotlight. She will be releasing a remix of the track soon and then a number of singles leading up to a brand new EP.