Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: DJ Cova & Steel – Roots (Give It To Dem)

It’s that element of surprise… On first listen to “Roots,” it starts off like any typical big room banger – almost like “Bouncer” by Showtek & Ookay, with a hint of middle eastern music thrown in. The first “Give it to Dem” chant is a signal that the vibe is about to change and the breakdown brings in a reggae beat. The typical reggae toasting has a backbeat added to amp the energy. This kind of genreblending was done with a more commercial, uplifting feel by Trevor Simpson & Kezanmdi “Watching You.” On “Roots,” the track is solely for club play, and being on a label called TweakSpin, that sounds about right. If you’re spinning a set of bangers and want to surprise the crowd with a quick vibe change, “Roots” will definitely give it to dem.

Image Courtesy of Tweak Spin.

SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY FUNDAY): Ace Wilder – Busy Doin Nothin

If the Dutch are viewed as the best in the EDM world, the leaders in the dance-pop kingdom are clearly the Swedes.? From Abba to Ace of Base to Robyn, is there really any competition? Stepping up to the stage is Alice Kristina Ingrid Gernandt, better known as Ace Wilder, who topped the Swedish pop chart with “Busy Doin’ Nothin’,” which she had performed in the Annual Melodifestivalen. Not to say the song is reductive, but clearly she was listening to Avicii’s album and thought “let’s make this into eurodance pop for teens.”?The chorus chant “Don’t Wanna Work” is so infections that the verses don’t even need to be there.? Her song could easily be the slacker anthem for millenials.?? Swedish producer EsQuille channel ’80s/’90s Hi-NRG for just about girliest “hands-in-the-air” twirl since the heyday of Stock Aitken Waterman.? Yes, it sounds modern and current, but something in the bassline might make you smell poppers in the air.

Image courtesy of Warner.

SONG OF THE DAY: Denny Berland ft Alicia Madison – Start It Over

Singer Alicia Madison has been quite busy over the past year or so, working with rising producers like Sied Van Riel, Promiseland, and Dehasse, bringing her powerful and expressive voice to the dancefloor.? With “Start It Over,” she might have found her crossover moment.? Listening to the song, it’s hard not to hear “When Love Takes Over,” it is just that anthemic, beautiful, and emotional.? The “we are, we are” hook sounds so familiar, referencing Hardwell “Apollo,” Icicle Works “Whisper to a Scream,” and Ke$ha “Crazy Kids” brilliantly.? This is commercial yet credible, and highlights both her vocals and the strong work by Italian producer Denny Berland.? If you listen to the acoustic version, you can tell that she can really sing without studio wizardry (which is sadly a rarity these days). Seeing her perform live brings that point home.? While DJs will reach for the Electro or Provenanzo mix, the original radio edit is so solid that with the right promotion this song could become the dance anthem of Summer 2014.

Image courtesy of Moda Music Group.