SONG OF THE DAY: Anushka – “Never Can Decide”

Soulful synth-pop. A song called “Never Can Decide” seems perfect for Brighton-based duo Max Wheeler and Victoria Port, known as Anushka. Combining the varied elements of glitch, synth-pop, and electro with classic R&B make for a unique sound unlike anything else out there right now. Victoria’s vocals are a cross between Sade and Bj?rk, with a hint of Nina Persson (Cardigans) – seductive, smooth, and soulful with a touch of quirk. The production shares those same qualities as it feels soothing- yet the different elements, when separated out, could easily be quite jarring. These ideas of contrast are highlighted further in a colorful and dynamic video which elevates the song to an even higher level. Anushka are definitely a duo to watch for 2014 and its easy to see why BBC Radio DJ Gilles Peterson signed them to his label.

Image Courtesy of Brownswood Recordings.

Anushka – “Never Can Decide”

SONG OF THE DAY: Borgeous – “Invincible”

One sign of a superstar producer/DJ is the ability to take their big room track vibe and make it work with a full vocal song. Following the massive “Tsunami” (with DVBBS) and “Stampede” (with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Dvbbs), Borgeous is stepping up to the plate on his own to show that he is definitely on the way to the big time. The intro to “Invincible” has a similar feel to the last two singles, with a slightly more progressive and subdued feel.? The drop at 30 seconds goes right to the vocals of an uncredited singer who sings her heart out over the pretty keyboard notes. Granted, the minute of beatless music might be hard to play for commercially-oriented DJs, but this will be massive in the big rooms with people singing along right into the energetic, stadium house-styled middle part.? It’s as if Borgeous realized that “Tsunami” was going to become a massive “Animals” kind of hit and wanted to have a commercial-oriented vocal ready to go.? Or maybe he is following the trajectory of other big room DJs who alternate big room club track releases with vocal songs .? Either way, “Invisible” will be a great end of night record which will easily find it onto the iPods of clubbers around the world (and maybe even radio stations as well).

Image Courtesy of Spinnin.

Borgeous – “Invisible”

SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY?FUNDAY):? Bodybangers – “Pump Up the Jam”

I have to admit that I am huge fan of the German production duo Bodybangers.? From their work with Klaas (“I Like”) to their own tracks (the ‘get get down’ inspired “Tonight” and “Gimme More”), their aggressive electro beats sound great in a club and have catchy enough hooks to work in a commercial room.? Singer Victoria Kern sounds great on every record, channeling the Luciana vibe with the image of an FHM/Maxim model.?? If you know their previous songs, a cover of Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” makes perfect sense.? The spoken vocals, originally by Ya Kid K, are perfectly interpreted by Victoria with a bit more of a sex kitten vibe, allowing her enunciation to bring forth the playful sexual subtext in the lyrics.? The seemingly low budget video is even an homage to the original Technotronic clip and fits the track perfectly.? Put it all together and you got a perfect?Sunday?Funday song to heat up the cold winter .

Image Courtesy of Kontor.

Bodybangers – “Pump Up the Jam”