Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: Gabrielle Aplin vs Rob Searle – “The Power of Love”

Absolutely gorgeous – that’s the only way to describe the original version of Gabrielle Aplin’s cover of this Frankie Goes to Hollywood classic. Originally released during the holidays of 1984, the third FGTH single was a massive chart topper. Angelic voiced singer/songwriter Gabrielle Aplin built an audience by posting videos on Youtube and caught the attention of Parlophone. Prior to the release of her first major label album, she was chosen to record the holiday song for department store John Lewis commercials. A top 5 single in its original piano-led acoustic version, the uplifting trance pop remix by Rob Searle takes it a whole new level. Reminiscent of old-school trance from the mid 90s with pretty synths and air-y pads in the intro, the mix builds with a big kick drum raise before the crescendo of electro beats lifts it to an epic fusion of stadium house and modern trance. The success of the mix comes as no surprise since Rob’s initial industry buzz came from a bootleg he did of “The Power of Love” back in 1999. This new remix is so strong (and such a perfect ending for a high energy club set) that I would imagine it could launch a second wave of success for him.

Image Courtesy of Parlophone/EMI.

SONG OF THE DAY: M’Black – “Crush”

Though the YouTube page says M-Black is back, Israeli producer Matt Schwarz has been quite busy since his last single “Heartbreak” topped the US dance airplay chart back in 2010: producing “Timebomb” for Kylie and releasing projects under his other pseudonym, Dada. As much as “Heartbreak” was a grower of a record, the new single “Crush” is an instant love on first listen. The subtle production of the intro puts the spotlight on vocalist Nicol, who sounds quite incredible. And as soon as it crescendoes into the chorus with “you save me only to crush me,” the energy is full throttle but not in a cheesy way. For such an obvious dance pop record, it maintains a cool, progressive vibe that will guarantee much love from dance radio. For the clubs, there is a mix for just about every genre – electro (Dada), dubstep-ish (Bar9), and euphoric (Alistair Albrecht & Bellatrax). As its release is so late in 2012, watch for “Crush” to last well into 2013 and possibly be one of the big peoples’ favorites of WMC.

Image Courtesy of Robbins/Destined.

SONG OF THE DAY: Audien – “Sup”

What’s up? There are so many tracks showing up on Beatport every week that it takes a lot to stand out. Following up his vocal tracks with Ruby Prophet (“These Are the Days”) and Databoy (“Just Once”), producer Audien aka Nate Rathbun goes right for the jugular and unleashes the massive big room “Sup.” The track starts off like any other with a building, structured beat until
it cuts to an 80s influenced power ballad instrumental. Then it hits, the second time the musical line is played–the massive electrotrance synth that pierces your soul. The hand clap-feeling kick drum comes in and increases the energy to an explosion. A sudden drop to a quick, Middle Eastern rhythm and a sampled female vocal “Hey” (reminiscent of Lords of Acid-era Techno) shakes things up before the full electro madness kicks in. The second breakdown midway through the track is a bit extended yet even more powerful, with an electric guitar highlighted in the buildup that further elevates the energy. DJs looking for an unexpected surprise mid-set should throw “Sup” at their crowd. The results will be mind-blowing.

Image Courtesy of Trice/Armada.