Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: Matt Cerf and Ost & Meyer ft Fenja – Like We Love

In the midst of all these songs about sunshine (Western Disco “The Sun,” The Magician “Sunlight”), here comes a song about saying goodbye to sunshine.? “Like We Love” is a song about the end of the summer sung by Fenja (who should sound familiar from the recent Andy Moor & Lange track “Top of the World,” or from her records under the name of Jaren). The track is a hybrid of three sounds – the deep/progressive sound that is starting to go pop (like the previously mentioned Sunlight), the stadium house sound (a hint, but not too much to dominate), and the reemerging Hi-NRG trance/pop sound of the late ’90s.? All of the elements work together for a melodic, pretty, and chilled out song great for an end of night mellowing or a Sunday afternoon tea dance.??Club-friendly remixes are forthcoming, with Avenue One amping the progressive trance sound while Joshi slows it down further and goes for a deep house vibe.

Image courtesy of Enhanced Recordings.

SONG OF THE DAY: 2Symmetry – Loophole / Nordkapp

Listening to 2Symmetry tracks, I am reminded of a photoshoot from America’s Next Top Model where they tried to capture the edgy concept of “ugly pretty,” or as it’s more commonly known, ‘jolie-laide.’ The music of Croatian duo Jakov Domitrek and Tino Grzunov doesn’t exactly capture that, but more a darkly pretty blend of familiar trance sounds with bits of dark progressive elements that are alternatingly soothing and piercing. If we are going to reach back to the ’90s (like everyone else is doing), “Loophole” is the modern fusion of 808 State and an instrumental track from an indie band on 4AD. In all its beauty and familiarity, there is a dark horn noise that pops up by surprise that throws it off and, more importantly, makes it stand out from everything out there. “Nordkapp” goes a bit more mellow, not completely soundscape/soundtracky, but more of a listening experience with the darker element more in the forefront. Finding this rising duo is another sign of one of Paul Oakenfold’s greatest strengths – strong ears to A&R new talent. Go back and take a listen to 2Symmetry’s mix of Paul’s own take of “Barber’s Adagio for Strings,” and you will see/hear exactly what I mean.

Image Courtesy of Perfecto Black.

SONG OF THE DAY: Groove Addix ft Lady Bunny – Lately

“Lately” was screaming Sunday Funday, but when you realized how much dread comes with the start of the work week, lyrics like “Pussy This Good Don’t Wait Around For No Man” seemed perfect to start Monday off with a smile. Wigstock founder and drag legend (read more about that here ) Lady Bunny is known for her comedic performances and passionate love of vocal disco house. Working with duo Groove Addix, she brings the two together on “Lately,” a modern iteration of the man-done-me-wrong diva anthem. Perfectly fitting with the comeback of ’90s house, the track is happy, bouncy, and sounds classic while being updated with 2014 elements. As a singer, Bunny is surprisingly good, especially compared to the autotuned robotic vocals found on most drag queen-fronted dance tracks. Her voice has a touch of blue-eyed soul (as Dean Ferguson would say), tempered with playful fun. Hearing the robotic and echoed repeat vocal effects, you can picture the live performance (or music video). Just like many classic diva anthems, Bunny moves from singing to talking by addressing the audience, imploring them to take action and pass on the liberating lines, like the mentioned previously “Pussy This Good Don’t Wait Around For No Man.” For club action, a variety of mixes by Nik Denton, Vauxhall Boys, Rick Marshall, and Lam O’Connol will fit any commercial, house, or gay room. “Lately” is a fun, empowering record that is as serious as it is satirical. Good job, Bunny, and I can’t wait to see you perform it live.