Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: Paul Oakenfold ft Azealia Banks – “Venus”

Pair one of the most respected and legendary dance music producers with one of most promising and buzzworthy vocalists and the results can go in many directions.? Paul Oakenfold is busy finishing up his forthcoming Pop Killer album, which is rumored to feature collaborations with everyone from Red Hot Chili Peppers and One Republic to Gnarls Barkley and B.O.B, so the idea of pairing him with Azaelia Banks is kind of inspired.? Produced by Richard Benyon, the track is fairly typical festival (and radio) friendly stadium house which comes alive with the multiple personalities of Azealia. Her elevated French lyrics (flashback to “1991”) flow into a melodic singing part and a tough (but not too aggressive) rap flow. “Venus” is easily the most accessible song Azealia has done in the two years since her buzzy breakthrough “212,” as her voice sounds fully-realized as opposed to the rushed, ratchet feeling of some of her tracks in the interim.? Seeing as the big-named dance producer and hip-hop artist tracks often lose a lot in translation, “Venus” is one time where a seemingly odd mismatch brings both collaborators to a higher place.

Image courtesy of Warner Brothers.

SONG OF THE DAY: Example – “All The Wrong Places”

On my first listen to “Hooligans,” his sickeningly aggressive raver track with Don Diablo, Example’s personality and flow instantly made me a fan. Through a succession of both energetic and somber singles, as well as collaborations with producers as varied as Skream, Laidback Luke, Calvin Harris, and Flux Pavillion, and his recent appearance as a featured rapper on a Pet Shop Boys album, he has morphed from a party boy MC to an intelligent and emotionally succinct singer with the ability to play both roles and everything in between.? With his new single “All the Wrong Places,” he uses the contrast of old school rave and hardstyle to showcase his rather strong vocal performance.? It’s an interesting way to stage a political statement, especially since a large portion of the listeners might not get the message.? Forthcoming remixes by Starkillers, Quinitino, and Jack Beats are sure to be massive, as will be his new album which is said to be inspired The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, and Faithless.? Now, that’s a ’90s-inspired project I cannot wait to hear.

Image courtesy of Ministry of Sound.

SONG OF THE DAY: BT and Aqualung – “Surrounded”

Have y’all noticed the pattern where producers alternate releases between big room club bangers and more commercial-oriented vocal songs? Of course Brian Transeau has his own unique spin, as he often does, with singles from his forthcoming ‘A Sound Across Wires” album – alternating between instrumental, somber electronic tracks (“Vervoeren,” “Skylarking”) and more commercial-friendly, vocal pop-leaning songs like “Must Be the One” and the new single “Surrounded.” Enlisting the vocal help of British singer/songwriter Aqualung (aka Matt Hayles), the song has an accessible feel with an emotional verse and chorus without veering into cheesy pop. If you are a fan of Armin van Buuren’s “This is What It Feels Like,” or Arty’s “Together We Are,” then “Surrounded” should definitely be on your to-buy list. Like other tracks from ‘A Sound Across Wires,’ you can hear the influences of big room festival sounds reinterpreted by BT with his trademark pristine and exceptional production. If you listen to “Surrounded” and “Vervoeren” back to back, you can hear some of those ideas reinterpreted, along with elements you might expect from a Madeon or Zedd track. Though all the the remixes keep the vibe of the original, they each have a unique flavor that blends two different sound – big room trance and electro (Super8 and Tab), ’80s synth-pop and two-step (Tony Awake), and elements of Zedd and Arty (MK Kirin). “Surrounded” maybe not grab you on first listen, but it is definitely a grower that improves with each listen.

Images courtesy of Armada.