Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: Patrick Hagenaar ft Saviors and Rebecca White – Tears of Gold

There are certain artists you watch and just know they are going to explode into superstars. Patrick Hagenaar is one of them. Getting his start as a part of the duo Hageaar & Albrecht, he went solo and has been releasing a stream of quality remixes of artists ranging from Kylie Minogue and Haim to Martin Solveig and Cash Cash. His new single “Tears of Gold” might just be the one that makes his career explode. Starting off with the pretty vocals of Rebecca White over a piano backing, the track builds to a stomping pop dance track with progressive house undertones. If someone said this was the new David Guetta or Calvin Harris, I would totaly believe it, as it is that solid and well-produced. For club consumption, the Rezone remix takes the track into a “Tsunami”-ish electro direction while Craft Cole goes uplifting with a pretty yet aggressive stadium house feel. Both mixes keep the vocal intact, which is not only a pleasant surprise but also impressive since the tone and feel of the vocals change as the song progresses. It is easy to see why everyone is supporting this track and it looks to be one that will start in the clubs and build into a commercial crossover track. If you are a fan of Cash Cash “Take Me Home,” definitely check this one out.

Image courtesy of Colour Code Music.

SONG OF THE DAY: Freemasons – Shakedown 3 (EP 1)

Enduring house icons The Freemasons preview their forthcoming Shakedown 3 album with four tracks that show the depth of their sound. Getting the initial buzz is their cover of the 2006 progressive classic “Discopolis” by Lifelike and Kris Menace. The respectful update keeps all of the instrumentation in place, ups the tempo, and gives it that somber yet uplifting house feel which makes it a Freemasons track, in the vein of their hit “Uninvited” cover a few years back. Keeping the somber tone is their track as side project Pegasus “In the Blue.” The retro, darker house vibe follows the template of their Lamb cover “Gorecki,” with a touch more of the Nu-House vibe. On first listen, you might think it is Roisin Murphy on the vocals, but it is actually singer/songwriter Emma Rohan (an Angelina Jolie lookalike who has written for UK pop stars Joe McElderry and Boyzone). Switching from progressive to more hands in the air vocal house, the Freemasons duo bring “Nothing to Lose” and “True Love Survivor.” “Nothing to Lose” is commercial and credible at the same time, with pristine production emphasizing both Hi-NRG house tracks and the soulful vocals of Andrea Martin (best known for the song “Share the Love,” which was sampled by Tomcraft in his track “Loneliness”). Closing out the set is “True Love Survivor,” which melds house, disco, and progressive for a commercial track that is both recognizable and original at the same time. Discovered at an Apple store, singer/songwriter Hana has a voice that encompasses both the ethereal prettiness of a trance-topliner with the power of a soul singer. The lyrics are quite strong as well and could easily be redone as a ballad for unplugged performances. As the first taste of Shakedown 3, these four tracks will whet your appetite for what will no doubt be one of the albums of the year.

Image courtesy of Freemasons.

SONG OF THE DAY: Andreas Rodlund & Matt Hewie ft Roland Richards – Monismania?

In case those 2014 remixes of Zookey (Lift Your Leg Up) left you a little cold, here’s a better song featuring ragga singer/toaster Roland Richards.? When we last heard from the Swedish producers Andreas Rodlund and Matt Hewie, they were working with the powerfully and ethereally-voiced Jonny Rose on “Ultimatum” and “All We Have.”? Keeping a similar EDM production style, pretty progressive verses/drops with a banging big room electro chorus, they switch it up with the reggae singer who sings and toasts over the different sections of the song.? The results is quite fresh and different and unlike anything else out there right now.? The only confusing thing is the song title, meaning “world of money” and coming most likely from a Swedish children’s story about the evils of overtaxation.? How this relates to the “peace and love” vibe in the lyrics, I am not quite sure.

Image courtesy of Uniform Beat.