SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "CURTAIN CALL" - Steed Lord

And so the wait is over. Icelandic synth-pop trio Steed Lord, the band I have been persistently obsessed for the past few years, have just dropped the first single announcing the release of "The Prophecy part 2" a follow-up to the exuberant nu disco journey that was its predecessor back in 2012. "Curtain Call" electrifies with their idiosyncratic electronic sound, retro-meets-future production, vocoder galore and their very own recipe for some of POP music's most endearing melodies. "Curtain Call" is a shiver-inducing electro pop symphony which blows away with the same vitality as their previous efforts "Emotional Machinery", "Bed Of Needles", "Hear Me Now" or "Ghost Of Sky" to name just a few. Kali, Eddie and Mega really make the most beautiful sounds out there, don't they?

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "CRYSTAL LAKE" - Professor Possessor

The first thing that came up to my mind when I heard this extraordinary track (thanks Ivana!) is that is sounded as if my beloved house project The Miracles Club took on a challenge to revive the nu romantic sound of the 80's with their own twist. Not entirely sure how am I only discovering this fascinating Los Angeles based quartet now but I know I shall be studying Professor Possessor's back catalogue very carefully to explore some more of this wondrously kitschy sounds. "Crystal Lake" is taken off of Professor Possessor's forthcoming EP: "Mystics & Passions". It's cacophonic, it's genre-bending, it's extravagant and it fits into my Club Bizarre scheme 110%.

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "CURIOUS" - Alison Valentine

How delightful and idyllic is this little pure pop perfection by the lovely Alison Valentine? This New York chanteuse continues to impress with a stream of solid synth-pop recordings, here's hoping we'll receive a whole album at some stage in 2014. Out now on iTunes or below as a generously given away free download. And all of a sudden the summer is here in the middle of this gloomy wintertime. Tune!

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "MEMORIES" + "NO END" - Jaakko Eino Kalevi

Jaakko Eino Kalevi comes from Helsinki and was recently signed by Weird World Records. His aptly titled EP "Dreamzone" was out in the busy month of December last year and it includes "Memories" a song which stole my heart completely with its whimsical aura, understated yet sophisticated production and captivating vocals. I haven't really stopped playing it since the day I purchased it. No wonder he's so original and eclectic when he lists Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Chris Rea or Jimi Tenor among his influences. An otherwordly beautiful collection of songs, 2 of which I am delighted to present to you below.

Here's what we also read in the official press release:

"Already something of a cult figure in Helsinki, where he lives and works part-time as a tram driver, Jaakko's (pronounced "Yah-koh") debut release for the label is an alluring introduction to a charismatic artist whose softly psychedelic pop blends funk and folk in an intriguing and highly satisfying manner. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist who is happiest behind the drums, Jaakko plays, sings and produces all his own material. Having released a steady stream of diverse music on local labels for several years, Jaakko has long been considered one of Finland's most promising young artists and with his signing to Weird World becomes the first ever Nordic artist to work with Domino or its subsidiaries in the label's 20-year history."

Jaakko Eino Kalevi - "Memories" (Weird World Record Co) by SHREM

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SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "Neheb N3ch Hayati" - Medusa [produced by Olof Dreijer]

Olof Dreijer from The Knife has produced Medusa’s "Neheb N3ch Hayati" for the astonishing compilation of young Arab female talents called "Sawtuha" which includes fresh Middle Eastern sounds coming from Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria. Medusa is a young MC from Tunis (Tunisia), one of the members of the the vital Tunisian hip hop scene. Tickling my fancy the same exotic way as Débruit & Alsarah's collaboration last year. In awe!

Medusa - Neheb N3ch Hayati (prod. Olof Dreijer) by Jakarta Records

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "HIDEAWAY" - Kiesza

What a week for future house anthems!!! There's a new girl in town, her name is Kiesza and she just stirred up a dancefloor sensation with this euphorically ecstatic tune around the whole blogosphere including Pitchfork and Pop Justice. "Hideaway" contains all the most magical early 90's diva house moments bringing the reminiscences of the likes of Ce Ce Peniston, Kym Sims, Cathy Dennis, Jomanda or Crystal Waters and is probably the most authentic ode to oldskool clubbing since Tensnake's wondrous joint effort with Syron with "Mainline" back in 2012. Oh yeah and she looks a little bit like Lisa Stansfield back in her heydays. "Hideaway" is pop-tastic, it's sparkly, it's flamboyant and it's extremely addictive too. The single's out 9th February via Lokal Legend.

Kiesza - Hideaway by Lokal Legend

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SHREM'S ACADEMY OF ALL TIME BEST SINGLES: "DOGGY DOGG WORLD" - Snoop Dogg ft. The Dogg Pound & The Dramatics

RELEASE DATE: 1994
CHART PEAK: UK #32



19 Snoop Dogg  Doggy Dogg World (Perfecto Remix) by Arianna Pulido

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "TRISTEZA" - Empress Off + Remixes

3 Spanish artists: Delorean, El Guincho and Pional, remixed Empress Of's ethereal "Tristeza" for her latest single dropping soon via Terrible Records. Empress Of is the solo project of 23 years old artist Lorely Rodriguez who swept us off our feet last year with her "Systems" 12" which included the mesmerising "Hat Trick" - one of the best tracks in 2013. Her debut album is on my "most-wanted" list for 2014 already.

Empress Of - Tristeza EP by Terrible Records

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LA MURPHY SAGA CONTINUES: "LEVIATHAN (DO IT YOURSELF)" - Freeform Five feat. Róisín Murphy + "GAMBLE ON YOU" - Solomun feat. Róisín Murphy

There are two fresh club collaborations on the horizon, two joint efforts featuring my #1 diva, Irish empress of dance Róisín Murphy, the most blogged about artist here on my carousel. "Leviathan (Do It Yourself)", which all the die-hard fans like myself have been waiting for for years at this stage since La Murphy performed it during her dj shows back in 2011, will finally be out with Freeform Five for "The Blue Collection" that drops on February 24th via Eskimo Recordings. As for the second track, the +8 minute long electro odyssey with the Hamburg based Croatian DJ and producer from Bosnia-Herzegovina Solomun, there's very little detail about it so far. In fact the title of this track wasn't even officially confirmed yet. 2 solid additions to our Ró-collections.

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "F FOR YOU" - Disclosure feat. Mary J Blige

This is what you call a monster of a diva house anthem! Disclosure re-release their haunting "F For You" featuring very special vocal performance by Mary J Blige and it's a sensation!!! Needless to say this will be HUGE!!!

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "FLICKER" - Shivum Sharma

I think I might have just fallen in love with another voice... London based Shivum Sharma's vocals electrify with an exuberant mixture of those by Jamie Woon, James Blake and Thom Yorke with its own unique twist. This little masterpiece is called "Flicker", it was produced by Kwes and it will be out via National Anthem on 3rd March. A marvellous "avalanche of goosebumps" as I call such exceptional songs!

FLICKER by Shivum Sharma

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SHREM'S LIST OBSESSION: Top 10 Most Underrated Gems by Kylie Minogue

I do love a bit of Kylie me... Miss Minogue has just announced the premiere of her long anticipated new single "Into The Blue" on 27th January which inspired me to go over her almost 3-decade spanning career and cherry pick all those wonderful recordings which are sadly forgotten, lost or hidden behind her best selling singles. There's a few delicious collaborations here too...

10 "Nothing Can Stop Us" - with Saint Etienne from "Confide In Me" single (1994)

09 "Breathe" - 3rd single from "Impossible Princess" (1998)

08 "Promises" - non-single track from "Body Language" produced by Kurtis Mantronik (2003)

07 "Come Into My World (Fischerspooner Remix)" - from "Come Into My World" single (2002)

06 "Look My Way" - non-single track from "Kylie" (1988)

05 "Nu-Di-Ty" - non-single track from "X" produced by Bloodshy & Avant (2007)

04 "Where Is The Feeling?" - 3rd single from "Kylie Minogue", re-recorded for single release by Brothers in Rhythm (1995)

03 "Closer" - non-single track from "Aphrodite" produced by Stuart Price (2010)

02 "Chocolate" - 3rd single from "Body Language" (2004)

01 "G.B.I. (German Bold Italic) - with Towa Tei (1997)

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "IT'S ONLY LOVE" /// "JEREMIAH (THE DENIER)" - Ejecta

The ever so slightly enigmatic duo Ejecta are Leanne Macomber and Joel Ford. They make the kind of pop music which is a perfect bridge between synth-laden indie stuff, nu and italo disco. Their solid debut album "Dominae" was released in November 2013 and somehow escaped my attention. While catching up on it now I have come to the realisation it is packed with the most charming melodies and wonderfully kitschy arrangements. A new favourite big time. Here are 2 stand-out tracks from Ejecta's record which is out now via Driftless Recordings in US and Happy Death in UK.

Ejecta - It's Only Love by driftlessrecordings

Ejecta - Jeremiah (The Denier) by driftlessrecordings

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SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "GRAB HER!" + "VOICES" [feat. Sasha Keable] + "JANUARY (Kaytranada Remix)" [feat. Jamie Woon] - Disclosure

So Disclosure have just released 7th video from their gargantuan debut album "The Settle". They've also just been deservedly nominated for 4 Brit Awards and celebrate the immensely impressive year they had with an expanded and action packed re-edition of their Mercury Prize nominated record. Now if we could just get one more video for that sensational track with Jessie Ware I would be fully content. Here's "Grab Her!", "Voices" featuring Sasha Keable which I forgot to share with you in the middle of the whole December madness of year-end rankings and Kaytranada's summery mix of Disclosure's joint effort with the velvet-voiced Jamie Woon "January".





Disclosure - January (Kaytranada Edition) by KAYTRANADA

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "REBOUND" - Dornik

An anthem indeed. Among the warmest, most melodic and sweetest R&B songs in months. Dornik's follow-up single to the astonishing "Something About You" (#22 among Top 100 Best Tracks of 2013 HERE) emerged first back in November last year but now with the arrival of the official video for "Rebound" we can almost feel the release of the track via PMR Records being just around the corner. T U N E!

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "NEVER CAN DECIDE" - Anushka

The ever so slightly stagnant beginning of January is really picking with new music. Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings have just treated us to Anushka's latest single "Never Can Decide". This Brighton-based duo caught my attention 3 times already with "The Constant", "I Have Love 4 You" and "Yes Guess" and their very own, hugely distinctive blend of nu jazz, funk, soul and house. A truly delectable musical recipe, particularly impressive considering Anushka's around for just over a year and already managed to make a statement with their recognisable sound. Here's to more coming from Max Wheeler & Victoria Port in 2014.

Never Can Decide by AnushkaUK

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CHOONS OF THE DAY: "WRONG OR RIGHT" EP - Kwabs [produced by SOHN]

Kwabena Adjepong who goes under the artistic pseudonym of Kwabs is about to release his lush new EP "Wrong or Right" produced by SOHN on 3rd February. Soulful vibes in an exquisitely crafted electronic environment. This gentleman is to be kept close watch on. A sumptuous selection of songs with "Wrong Or Right" having a big hit written all over it.

Wrong or Right EP by Kwabs.

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "CAN'T GET ENOUGH" - Tiombe Lockhart

Slappy Josephine is back! Cubic Zirconia's brazen front-woman, Tiombe Lockhart is back with a killer solo single produced by the mighty Glaswegian producer Hudson Mohawke. It's an eclectic affair of funk, urban poetry, afro-beats, electronica all served with layers of saucy vocal harmonies. This is the flamboyant future sound of R&B.



CAn't Get EnOUgh (prod Hudson Mohawke) by Tiombe Lockhart

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "THE BEACH" - Femme En Fourrure

Femme En Fourrure, Finnish wizards of all sounds eerie and enthralling, have just dropped their latest EP "The Beach" which also includes a fascinating re-work of the title track by the Estonian mistress of underground electronica Maria Minerva. "The Beach" EP is available now digitally and on a limited edition cassette via Cocoa Music. Uncompromising, unique and wonderfully twisted.



The Beach EP by Femme En Fourrure

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SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "I NEVER LOVED THIS HARD THIS FAST BEFORE" + "VIA PIERO GOBETTI 15" - Tami Tamaki

The first time I had an undeniable pleasure to encounter Tami Tamaki's mind-blowing "I Never Loved This Hard This Fast Before" was thanks to one of my most favourite blogs out there Catch Fire. It left me flabbergasted, speechless and in "an avalanche of goosebumps" as I like to describe this rare sensation... Every next time I came back to listen to it this week, it had an almost opposite effect on me. All I wanted was to talk about it, spread the word, share it and make everyone I know, everyone that cares about uniqueness in music as deeply as myself, listen to it at least once. I don't know anything about the enigmatic Tami Tamaki but this track completely swept me off my feet. "I Never Loved This Hard This Fast Before" electrifies with its rawness, honesty, simplicity, minimalism while still managing to be an elaborate, powerful, unforgettable piece of music. The melody and the production have absolutely stolen my heart, I must admit... "Cute lovesong performed totally live with beatboxing and looping and stuff" as Tamaki describes herself (himself?). Fucking genius indeed.

Tami Tamaki welcomes 2014 with a new, future R&B song too "Via Piero Gobetti 15" which she generously gives away for free on her Soundcloud (you can also download it below). One of a kind, exhilarating, staggering and raunchy.



Via Piero Gobetti 15 by Tami Tamaki

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "INNOCENCE" - Electric Youth

 

Was this wondrous single from Electric Youth really released back in November? I have completely missed out on it if it really was and tend to treat is as a 2014 track. Another superb synth-pop odyssey courtesy of this gifted "future 80's" Canadian duo. Let's hope we get to hear Electric Youth's full length album sometime this year.

Electric Youth - Innocence by Electric Youth (Official)

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