Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s stunning new single, “Bittersweet,” has finally made its way to the internet, and I must say it was well worth the wait. Building on the U.K. dance artists’ previous work with Freemasons, the discotastic “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer,” they certainly raised the bar with the current collaboration.
This past year the “Murder on the Dancefloor” pop siren has been in the studio with a slew of hitmakers, including Calvin Harris, Groove Armada, Richard X and Armin Van Buuren. Though the forthcoming 4th LP has no release date it is expected in summer or early autumn. Enjoy “Bittersweet” below:
To be honest, U.K. singer Little Boots (born Victoria Hesketh) didn’t do much for me at first. Unfortunately, her debut disc dropped overseas last June in the midst of a surplus of similar female-fronted electropop acts. While many of these artists, including La Roux and Ladyhawke, seemed to carve out a niche for themselves in Britain, it hardly translated to mainstream success on this side of the Atlantic.
Surprisingly, Little Boots looks set to distinguish herself from the pack as Hands was released in the U.S. this week with mostly-positive reviews. I decided to give her a shot when she recruited my beloved Dragonette to serve as her opening act on her brief North American promotional jaunt, which kicks off tonight in Seattle. (Granted, she probably had nothing to do with this.)
So why wasn’t I completely enamored from the get go? She’s worked with top producers like Greg Kurstin and RedOne and she has more talent than many of her club-friendly contemporaries. I suppose I don’t have the answer, but I can tell you that lead U.S. single “Remedy” has really grown on me — which is why I’ve got the Kaskade Club Remix for you today. It’s about dancing getting you through tough times, a theme that suits the Saturday Spin to a tee. Download and dance!
If you’ve not seen it before, why not watch the futuristic, kaleidoscopic clip?
It’s fitting that my pick for today’s pump-up track is called “Spin.” It’s from an Australian electropop group called Cassette Kids and it will definitely get you going before you paint the town pink this evening.
I hadn’t heard of the stylish up-and-coming quartet until recently, but the female-fronted group has toured with Lily Allen, New Young Pony Club and The Presets (which should tell you something about their sound) and they are currently prepping their debut disc, Nothing on TV, due in April.
So check out the Russ Chimes Big House Remix… Download and dance! And if you’re so inclined give the original version a listen (though honestly the remix is superior!) — watch the video below.
I first wrote about Donkeyboy last July when I featured “Ambitions,” which despite an infectious chorus was a bit too somber for the club. Thankfully the Cosmic Dawn remix takes care of that for this week’s toe-tapping Saturday Spin. Download and dance!
In other Donkeyboy news, apparently the group’s record label is going to launch the quirky kids in the U.K. As quick to spoil a party as to start one, Popjustice likened the group to Alphabeat (“They’re basically the same group as Alphabeat”) when in fact the similarities are few. Let’s have a look:
Alphabeat hail from Denmark while Donkeyboy call Norway home. They are on the same continent but they are not the same country.
There are 6 members of Alphabeat — one female — while Donkeyboy numbers five males, technically, with Linnea Dale occasionally providing vocals. These two ladies bear little resemblance to each other in appearance or vocal ability.
And there you have it.
While you’re here, have a look at the campy, over-styled clip the record company has filmed for Donkeyboy’s global assault. I am not terribly impressed, yet honestly outside Norway the odd original clip would have scared off potential tween-age fans (ie the JLS and Miley Cyrus set).
This edition of Saturday Spin is for lovers of across the globe — even though most of you smug bastards can go suck a fuck. JK!
Today I have two takes on Snow Patrol’s “Just Say Yes.” It wasn’t a major hit for the band in the U.S., so you might not have heard it, but the track was used in the trailer for that Amy Adams romantic comedy, Leap Year, if that tells you anything.
Seriously, though, I actually like the song. Sonically it updates the band’s sound a bit, sort of the direction Keane has been heading lately. Yes, the lyrics are hopelessly eager, but the sentimental side of me sort of melts at the same time. Damn you, Mr. Lightbody!
Check out the C-Level remix video after the jump (it’s a bit more club-oriented), or download a danceable but understated version courtesy of Stuart Price below:
Who knew some folks from Provo, Utah, could have such skills?
Meet Neon Trees, a peppy pop-rock act with a killer debut single. “Animal” has all the right ingredients — the bass-driven track forces you to dance, the chorus is simple, catchy yet massive, and there are hand claps. I’m a sucker for those. Lead singer Tyler Glenn also has a mohawk, too. I know some of you think that’s lame, but for me it’s totally the clincher.
So check out the video below, and prepare to be blown away. The band’s major-label debut, Habits, is due in March. I can’t wait to hear more.
Welcome to ¡viva la graham!, a music blog dedicated to top pop, rock, dance, soul and indie from around the globe -- with an occasional dose of pop culture and gossip thrown in for good measure.
Any mp3s or videos shared here are purely for entertainment purposes. Please contact me at vivalagraham (at) gmail.com to request the removal of any content.
Take your time, look around. You'll certainly find something of interest within these pages. And when you do... TURN IT UP!
