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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