SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "LABYRINTH" - Tuff City Kids with Annie

"The A&R EP" and "Endless Vacation" might have been the pinnacle of Annie's synth pop journey so far but the Norwegian electro pop artist is back with another musical surprise. This time joining forces with Gerd Janson and Phillip Lauer, better known as Berlin based house duo Tuff City Kids. "Labyrinth" dropped quietly on a 12" White Label via Permanent Vacation to instant and unanimous acclaim from the whole dance & electronica part of the blogosphere. After all Miss Anne Lilia Berge Strand has enjoyed a devoted following among us bloggers for way over a decade at this stage... "Labyrinth" is an Italo disco flavoured club stomper, a vibrant addition to Annie's catalogue of some of the most charming moments in contemporary Pop Music and another successful collaborative effort on her account following the singles with Designer Drugs, Ercola, Skatebård, The Toxic Avenger and Ralph Myerz to name just a few of her previous teamworks. A year without at least one Annie gem just doesn't count, right?

[Photo of Annie by Nina Rangoy]

Tweet

SHREM'S TRIP-HOP RETROSPECTIVE: "Flame (Freakniks Remix)" - Crustation feat. Bronagh Slevin

ARTIST: Crustation feat. Bronagh Slevin
TITLE: "Flame (Freakniks Remix)"
RELEASE DATE: 1997
LABEL: Jive
LOCATION: Bristol, UK
ALBUM: "Bloom"

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "WORK" - Rainbow Chan

Rainbow Chan's metamorphosis from quasi-folk alternative songstress to a striking future pop artist is quite staggering. It's the ever so vibrant and unpredictable blend of genres, styles and electrifying vocals that makes this Sydney-based Hong Kongese producer's music so fresh and distinctive. The hypnotisingly intense, frenetic beat laden "Work", arguably her most accomplished single to date, follows the curiously off-the-beaten-track synth pop moment of "Last" and the kooky R'N'B groove "Nest". All those 3 gems can be found on Rainbow Chan's eclecticism-redefining debut album "Spacings" which is out now via Silo Arts & Records.

Tweet

SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "LOVE INVADERS (Breakbot Remix)" - Fatima Yamaha /// "ONE IN A MILLION (Com Truise Remix)" - Midnight To Monaco

For today I've selected two tracks which have already appeared on my blog earlier on this year. Both of them however return with an added boost of energy in the shape of some of this year's most memorable remix treatments.

Fatima Yamaha is the enigmatic artist behind the 2004 lost underground gem "What's A Girl To Do", which became a complete club sensation in the electronic circles last year. Encouraged by the unparalleled success of the blogosphere's most cherished dance record of 2015, the Dutch producer dropped his brand new album "Imaginary Lines" via Magnetron Music last November. "Love Invaders" was an immediate favourite, pretty much guaranteed to become a single sooner than later. The track was remixed by Redinho, Africans with Mainframes and the French Touch maestro Breakbot. It's the Ed Banger Dj that turns this already gorgeously funky number into a summery French House lushness.

Midnight To Monaco are a Los Angeles based "nu-wop" (as they self-define their sound) duo. Their epic synth-pop moment and only 2nd single to date "One In A Million" was quite recently revamped into an erratic electro odyssey courtesy of Com Truise. Right next to Lone's 90's infused remix of Kenton Slash Demon's "Peace" among the strongest contenders for 2016 Remix of the Year so far.

Tweet

CHOON OF THE DAY: "NEGRONI EYES" - Wallace

I first came across Wallace's "Negroni Eyes" back in January when the song opened my first "Crème de la crème" chart in 2016. Few months have passed and my obsession with this incomparably elegant piece of music may have reached its peak with the arrival of this stylish video directed by Grégoire Lière. "Negroni Eyes" captivates with the Sydney based singer's extraordinary vocals, with an array of refined beats, sumptuous jazz references (Bill Evans!) and the ever so attractive medley of neo soul and nu jazz.  Some subtle Erykah Badu or Amy Winehouse reminiscences may spring to mind but the song in its entirety strongly manifests itself as a purely unique composition. This year's most sophisticated 4 minutes, a visual and sonic feast you are all invited to delight in.

Tweet

SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "ELEVATE" - BLISSFUL

After months of meticulous preparations and countless teasers, Einar Egils and Svala Kali from the cult Icelandic synth pop trio Steed Lord, have just launched their brand new artistic project - Blissful. The flawelessly produced first single "Elevate" was worth all the wait and more than we could hope for from the gifted Icelanders. Slick synth arrangements, very current mixture of R'N'B, electronica and electro pop, Kali's impeccable vocals, perfect melody twists and that fittingly stylish video directed by Einar Egils himself. Here's your brand new synth pop anthem. I am already completely hooked. ELEVATE.... HiGHeR!

Blissful on Instagram
Blissful on Facebook

Tweet