Canadian born singer/dance Kiesza makes a sparkling debut with “Hideaway,” a catchy pop interpolation of the NuHouse trend thats been dominating the UK club scene.? It’s a blend of lo-fi synth-pop and classic ’90s house with enough catchy vocal hooks to ingrain itself into your head on first listen.? Imagine Disclosure going back and producing Madonna circa “Everybody” for a reference.? BBC Radio One DJ Annie Mac is championing this record, and the Gorgon City remix is quite amazing (blending their “Ready For Your Love” vibe with a hint of Mr Oizo/”Flat Eric” atonal wah-wah noise), so expect this song to buzz from the indie world all the way up to the mainstream.? Watching the video, you can’t help but fall in love with Kiesza.? It looks like it was shot in one continuous take, and even if it wasn’t, the perfectly-timed choreography is so creative and well-executed that it seems to reference classic videos by Spice Girls (“Wannabe”) and Kylie Minogue (“Love At First Sight”). After watching the video, check out the live performance clip from McClusky’s where she dances and sings, bringing that ’90s hip-house vibe to the kids of today.?? Somewhere in Berlin, I can’t help but think Annie is on the phone calling Richard X.
Image Courtesy of Lokal Legend
Kiesza – Hideaway
Category: Featured
SONG OF THE DAY: Bright Light Bright Light – In Your Care and An Open Heart
How did I miss these songs? Back in November, British singer/songwriter Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light Bright Light) released the five track ‘In Your Care’ EP. The songs continue the journey from his incredible debut album ‘Make Me Believe in Hope,’ as he writes incredibly elevated and complex lyrics over lush synth pop and 90s dance beats. “In Your Care” is a personal song about finding his own way away from his loved ones in a new city in a style similar to Frankmusik or early New Order. “An Open Heart” urges a shy, scared or possibly closeted person to break away from their fears to allow love in their life, produced in the style of Electronic and ‘Behaviour’-era Pet Shop Boys. These two songs paired with the somber “Movement in the Dark” and the infectiously poppy “Same Dream” make the EP an essential purchase for anyone who adores synth pop or Disclosure’s debut album.
Image courtesy of Self Raising Records.
SONG OF THE DAY: Bright Light Bright Light – In Your Care and An Open Heart
SONG OF THE DAY: Korr-A – Fuck Me Like You Mean It
It’s so rare that a dance song captures the true essence of love in such a poetic and emotional way. What could be more romantic than beckoning a suitor to ravage you with purpose? Teaming up with producer Kizzo, the fiyacraka known as Korr-A draws the listener in with soft singing over pretty keyboards and progressive stadium house. The track quickly builds to the aggressive chorus over hard, banging (no pun intended) electro beats with a ’90s techno influence. I first heard the song while performing with her in Chicago and instantly liked the song for the lyrical message. Listening to the final production, what is impressive is how many layers of effects (like the staccato phrase repeats) and complexity flow so well. Even the different tones of voice that Korr-A sings with mesh perfectly. This truly is a brilliant pop song and the clean version substituting the word “touch” for “fuck” could bring this song all the way to pop radio. Club mixes by JoeySuki and Reid Stefan toughen the track up for big rooms while keeping the vocals as a strong focus. At the moment, the video is a lyric video, but after her strong videos for “Fiyacraka” and “Deck the Halls,” I have a feeling that there will be a pretty incredible music video dropping for this song really soon.
Image courtesy of Nabrok.
Korr-A – Fuck Me Like You Mean It