I am reviving my "Newbies But To-Be's" thread today with the arrival of the enigmatic Otha. Otha follows Smerz, Sassy 009, Lekende Lett, or ARY in the recent invasion of independent Norwegian female artists. Norway has enjoyed a really prolific club and electronica scene for way over 2 decades at this stage, yet each one of these new talents is bringing something fresh to the table. Othalie Husøy's self-released "One of the Girls" has it all. The seductive collage of ambient and deep house, that uncannily crisp Scandinavian synth-pop production, haunting melody and flawless vocal harmonies. It is an instantly captivating composition, complete in every respect. I have lost the play count of "One of the Girls" at this stage as I remain completely mesmerised by the song.
Sheila and the Kit is a fresh new Dutch synth-pop band emerging with their bouncy, unpretentious and instantly catchy debut single "Homeschool Sweethearts". All band-members have earned their stripes in the music industry but now they come together under one umbrella to brighten up the end of the summer season with this irresistible and old-skool flavoured slice of Pop. Impossibly infectious!
As they say themselves: "Put on your sturdiest kicks and dance!".
A delicious slice of Scandinavian soul on a winter evening anyone? Daggi Zegreat comes from Stockholm and her sumptuous debut single "Sommar I December" is an impossibly attractive medley of nu jazz, neo soul and funk. To spice things up, this aptly titled "summer gem for the winter" is sung in Swedish as the artist herself loves exploring and experimenting with languages, genres and artistic expressions. Please enjoy and share this effortlessly cool groove made in Sweden. I adore surprises like this arriving in the last month of the year. Daggi Zegreat certainly is one to keep an eye on.
The stylish video for the song was directed by Malaika Holmén and Henrik Rinaldo.
One can never have enough of new Scandinavian synth pop acts right? One of my favourite fellow bloggers - Disco Naïveté was singing this new Danish trio's praises the other day. "Love To Hate It" is a richly produced slice of Nordic Pop and places Off Bloom confidently on the map of European POP. Catchy yet alternative, this effervescent, unpretentious song may just be the remedy we need in yet another mediocre week for POP new releases.
Are you ready for some more of those sweet 80's Boogie and Modern Funk grooves? Sugarz is a collaborative project launched by Sydney-based multi-instrumentalist and soul and jazz singer/songwriter Kimberly Aviso who pairs up with Benny Badge aka FREEKWENCY for her debut "Natural High" EP. Think analog, think vintage synthesisers, mid-80's Soul Train shows, post-disco, electronic R&B, freestyle. Think D'Train, Joyce Sims, Loose Ends, Mtume, early Janet Jackson... With the latest releases by Jamie Lidell, Dornik, GL and The Galleria feat. Jessy Lanza, another ravishing revival of the 1980's sounds is definitely on the horizon. Sugarz' debut EP is hedonistic escapism to the sweetest sounds of the pre-house and electro era. Filled with dazzling oldskool melodies and productional tricks, the 4-tracker is an immediate favourite.
Here's what we read in an official press release about each one of the songs:
"Sugarz first single 'City Of Light' transports listeners to another world, delivering a vivid narrative where the past and the present merge as Sugarz discovers the rich city of Paris. Benny Badge's production mimics the adventure with rolling basslines and hard hitting drum patterns.
'Hold On' is a candid song about her mother. What would - in its original acoustic form - probably be a slow deeply moving song is upbeat and soulful in production that reflects a distinct early 90's R&B sound.
'Natural High' is another candid song that talks about the search for life's positive light. Benny's production takes on the form of another 90's R&B song akin to Anita Baker.
'Do You?' centres on relationship dynamics - 'Do you believe in me?', closing the 4 track EP with an energetic number, hard bass drums and lots of melodic instrumentation."
"Natural High" EP is available now on Bandcamp, for physical copies head to Sugarz' official site.
P.S. On top of all of the retro aspects of this compelling release, is it just me or does Kimberly resemble Ce Ce Peniston from her heydays a little bit in the video?
Electro funk, freestyle and 80's R&B at its most uncannily retro! Melbourne’s cosmic-funk revivalists and their soundtrack to eternal leisure, as GL introduce themselves on their official Facebook page, is a dream come true for all of you who crave those sweet 80's rare grooves as ravenously as me. The Australian duo's freshly released self-titled EP brings the ever-present fashion for 80's music to its peak with its irresistible melodies reminiscent of those flavoursome Janet Jackson, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam and D'Train gems from back in the day. Passed on to me by my muso-friend Pyrotek from No Snobs Allowed, GL enter a high spot on my personal lists of the ones to watch in the upcoming months. Here's the impossibly delicious "Take Me Back" for an appetiser before you get that 12" into your basket.
"Never Enough" sounds both current and retro. The song's aesthetics lie comfortably somewhere between Zoot Woman, Cut Copy and Penguin Prison. This pure jewel of a pop track comes from a new London duo Fantastic Fantastic and it's actually a b-side to their 1st single "Houses". The blissful melody, the flawless production, the uplifting aura around the track, it's what makes it an instant summer anthem. Check it out below, it pretty much guarantees to improve your Monday "back-to-work" mood.
"A Globally tinged Summer pop sound from a duo with the ability to glide seamlessly over decades and borders, song by song." as we read on their Facebook page.
"Daughters of the great Cuban percussionist Anga Diaz, the twin sisters of IBEYI quickly seduced the producer of Asa's albums. Lisa-Kaïndé plays the piano and sings. She's only 21 but her voice evokes the greatest ones. Her sister Naomi backs her vocals and plays percussions. They write their own material in Spanish, French or English." This is the info I gathered about the enigmatic Cuban sisters based in France from their official Facebook page. Ibeyi's "Oya" EP truly is an alternative delicacy, balancing mysteriously between the electronic soul, unconventional folk from the unidentified lands with some tribal beats to spice things up even more. Truly original and with this haunting video "River" will most likely stay with you for long!
These two singing ladies Billie Black and Nao are about to share their debut shows in London's Electrowerkz this coming Tuesday. Nao's sexy take-on modern funk "So Good" really is so good and it is a joint effort with A.K. Paul who apparently is Jai Paul's brother. Billie Black's slickly produced "I Don't Need Another Lover" on the other hand blends the ever so trendy future R&B beats with a beguiling melody worth an "instant underground classic" label. Really digging these fresh new British electronic soul sounds spicing things up on the rather stale contemporary R&B scene. Two talents, two exceptional voices, two chanteuses to keep an eye on big time. Superb!
Somewhere between the Washed Out's mellowness and Austra's eerie vocals lies an intriguing mélange of witch house, suspensful dub and experimental POP that's called NAVVI. The mysterious duo from Seattle featured on "Kitsuné AMERICA 3" compilation last month and has been haunting me with this track "Speak" ever since. Going through NAVVI's Soundcloud I have just discovered more of those similarly hypnotising, moody electro pop tunes. A pleasurable discovery indeed.
It's such a pleasure to introduce brand new promising musical acts at the very beginning of their artistic paths. I have just discovered a Norwegian trio called Musique Le Pop whose very own sweet synth-pop sound with a tropical twist is right up my alley. Their self-defined lo-fi-licious summer disco EP aptly called "l’été" is all things hedonistic, light-hearted and effervescent in a magical aura of Casio, sunshine and glamorous kitsch. This jolly selection of summery songs is out now via Cafe Superstar Recordings, an independent label based in their homeland, Norway. Musique Le Pop are yet another delightful band to keep an eye on from the land of the midnight sun, the fjords and an exceptional amount of quality synth-pop, dance & electronica music of the past few years. Oh yeah and they made a track called "Mateo" which is the name of my beloved nephew, an additional sentimental reason for me to fall for them almost instantly. Check the video for "Mateo" and the rest of the EP below:
