"I Wanna Be a Chapter in Your Book of Love"

Felix Jaehn is on a mission to become a household name in House music. Every since he set the hook on the Cheerleader remix, he's continued releasing great single after great single. The latest example came in the form of Book of Love featuring the vocals of Grammy winning singer/songwriter Polina. I wouldn't call it Deep House or Trop House (despite the bubbly samples), it's a much sexier brand of Chill House. The beat is incredibly easy to palate with the smooth guitar chords leading the way. If I've learned one thing this summer, it's that Felix Jaehn isn't going anywhere if you were banking on him being a flash in the pan...#BookOfLove

Felix Jaehn - Book of Love (feat. Polina) [Extended Mix]

"Yeah I Been Dancin' With the Devil"

Chalk another one up for the good guys! And by good guys, I mean yet another successful Hip Hop and EDM collaboration. On Cash Cash's new one they not only got Neon Hitch to provide a stellar hook, but they got top notch verses from Bussa Buss and Bobby Ray. Full disclosure, Devil is just as much pop as it is EDM, but the tempo and build up/drop create a fun mash up of genres and sounds. I'm confident you'll find it head nod worthy and at the very least you'll appreciate the high octane delivery from Busta Rhymes that will take you back to late 90s/early 2000s when he was at the top of his game...#Devil

Cash Cash feat. Busta Rhymes, B.o.B & Neon Hitch - Devil

Kygo Shows How Simplicity Can Be Beautiful

Even though Kygo is becoming known for being the leader of Tropical House, there's a lot more to his talent as an artist. If you haven't seen him play the piano live, then he's still probably one dimensional in your eyes. If you're like me, you get just as much if not more out of a great instrumental than a finished track with vocals. I've always admired the skill of producers and given them the lions share of the credit for a lot of artists' success. It's tracks like Piano Jam, where Kygo was evidently just playing around on the keyboard, that show the depth not usually seen when a track gets released to the masses. Many of you will listen to this and get bored by the 30 second mark because it sounds like elevator music. I love it for it's simplicity and if you're looking for audio that will help you tell a story visually, this track is perfect. My favorite part is around the 2:15 mark when the beat picks up and there's some clapping layered on for added effect. I'd equate this to a great freestyle from a Hip Hop artist. It's not something that would be released on an album, but it's a perfect snack that will keep you wanting more. Now, how about that debut album??...#PianoJam

Kygo - Piano Jam

Videos of the Week August 7th

Slightly Hip Hop heavy week with a sizable dose of silly. Leading the silly wagon is without a doubt the trailer for Zoolander 2. In case you haven't already seen the trailer as a preview for another movie in theaters, it's about as goofy as you'd expect. From the eerie galactic lead in to the absolute lack of intelligence from Ben Stiller's character, it all works quite well. Following up on a similarly goofy note was the creatively spliced Doug Funnie Trap Queen video. If you're familiar enough with the lyrics, you'll be more than a little entertained by how much the animated visuals match up with the audio.

On the music video tip, Drake/The Game came through with their Compton inspired video for 100. Speaking of Compton inspired, Kendrick Lamar had the audacity to make a music video for an interlude on his latest album. Can't say I've seen that happen since the 1990s, so kudos to him for having the huevos and knack for entertainment with the visuals on For Free? Rounding out the week comes from UK's own Calvin Harris who felt the need to show us exactly how deep love can go. And no, it's not a big surprise that his gf's friend was cast for the video...of course she was...#HowDeepIsYourLove
Zoolander 2 (Trailer)

Calvin Harris - How Deep is Your Love (Video)

Doug Funnie Sings Trap Queen to Patty Mayonnaise

The Game feat Drake - 100 (Video)

Kendrick Lamar - For Free? Interlude (Video)

Photo Credit - YouTube

I Want S'More of marshmello

Over the past few months I've played the role of casual observer as marshmello has went from obscurity to the next big thing in EDM. First it was the quick support from Skrillex and now lately it's been the witch hunt to find his real identity. While the current best guess says Chris Comstock, aka Dotcom, is in fact marshmello, the real story here is there's a new song that's been released that's worth talking about.

HoMe is the new best reason to learn about marshmello. It's a bright, vibrant track that you'll remember for the high-pitched synths and quirky samples. If you're looking for an EDM track that personifies happy, then I'd nominate this one to be considered. The rumor was that marshmello's identity would be unveiled at Hard this past weekend, so if you wer like me and itching to finally pin your fandom to a face, you're going to have to wait a bit longer as you listen take in the great music below...#marshmello

marshmello - HoMe

"If I'm Still Growing Up, Up, Up, Up"

Some artists or duos are so genuine that it's legitimately hard to dislike them. Sitting high atop my list undislikable artists is without question Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. If you know anything about their story, you understand how improbable their come up was and how hard they worked to get where they're at today. To sum up their schtick - they write from the heart, their production is unique, and they don't shy away from emotional topics.

Given all that and the fact that Macklemore just had a kid two months ago, it was no surprise that out of nowhere the dynamic duo dropped a new heartfelt ballad about parenting. The track would have been on point without the vocals of Ed Sheeran, but he took it to another level. There's so much good in this track from the lyrics to the open letter to the steadily soulful, piano let instrumental. It's a tall order, but my guess is when all is said and done, we'll be talking about this one in the same breath as Same Love...#SloanesSong

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Ed Sheeran - Growing Up (Sloane's Song)

"Who Am I? Who Are We?"

After a bit of hiatus and plenty of rumors surrounding an upcoming Man on the Moon III album, a new single from Cudi has finally arrived. It's not exactly what I had hoped for as it resembles a rock-flavored WZRD track more than a trippy Cudder classic. There's plenty of crooning over vibrant electric guitar chords on Confused, which will invite you to keep listening. As expected, the hook is repeatable, urging you to sing along with the introspective lyrics. You might like it more than me, but despite being lukewarm on the lead single, I still have high hopes for Speedin' Bullet To Heaven....#SpeedinBullet

Kid Cudi - Confused

"Don't Say a Word While We Dance With the Devil"

There's something refreshingly 80s about Duke Dumont's new single Ocean Drive. I know...I know...I can already hear your eyes rolling since the 80s was such a beloved decade for music. Yet, there's a hint of Deep House in the smooth, synth-pop rhythms that make the track slightly less dated. You better believe it, if you give the track a listen or two, you'll find yourself singing along with the every-so-catchy lyrics. The real question is whether or not you're going to be in attendance at one of Duke's shows this fall. With his new Blasé Boys Club EP: Part 1 due out in about two months, there's plenty more to get excited about in the coming months for one of UK's finest DJs. I'll be in attendance when he comes to the Bay Area, you can count on that much...#BlaseBoysClub

Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive

Dillon Francis & Skrillex Set Fire to the Dancefloor

When Dillon Francis released the track list for his upcoming mixtape, there was one track in particular that everyone collectively circled. This week, his collaboration with Skrillex finally found its way on the internet. With a song name like Bun Up The Dance, there was an obvious expectation for some reggae flavor and it delivered. The rapid riddim, repeatable vocal samples and booty shake inducing bass make for a club favorite. With less than two weeks to go before This Mixtape is Fire drops, this one should continue the momentum that Bruk Bruk created a few weeks back...#ThisMixtapeIsFire

Skrillex & Dillon Francis - Bun Up The Dance

"There'll Be Nothing Left For No One"

The law of averages says that there will come a day where I will not be head over heels for a new Kygo track. That day came this week with the release of his new single with vocalist Will Heard titled Nothing Left. It'd be fair to label the new single as slow jam highlighted by powerful vocals. There's a faint dash of Trop House toward the end of the song, but not so much that you'll feel comfortable labeling it as such. Heck, if this is a filler on Kygo's new album, then so be it, he was batting 1.000 before today, so he deserves to mix in a lazy fly ball to the center fielder every now and again. Fear not Apple Music, you've still got the right guy, but Nothing Left amounted to a bit of a snoozer for me...#NothingLeft

Kygo feat Will Heard - Nothing Left

Videos of the Week July 31

This week's top 5 trends toward music videos, but it features a solid dose of comedy for variety. Led by the talented wedding singers from Phoenix, AZ, Key & Peele opened up our imagination with the help of 2 Chainz. By open up our imagination I mean provided new lyrics and incredibly sub-par vocals, which was more train wreck entertainment than anything. On a similarly silly note, Fallon and Tom Cruise continued a trend of really entertaining Lip Sync Battles. It's tough to top Jimmy's showmanship, but Tom Cruise has been around the block a few times and knows very well how to play to a crowd.

Tough to pick a top video of the week, but seeing that Thomas Jack's new single is my current infatuation, I'll go with Rivers. Bonus points for the tropical scenery as I'm currently blogging from the Baja peninsula and soaking up similar cliff diving experiences in crystal clear water. Following close behind is The Weeknd's addictive new single that I can't seem to turn off anytime it comes on. Despite being decades behind on hits and number one singles, you can't deny he has a similar MJ-esque skill set. And in case you were curious how powerful love can be, check out the super powers that Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley put on display in Major Lazer's new video...#Powerful
Major Lazer feat Ellie Goulding - Powerful (Video)

Key & Peele feat 2 Chainz - Absorption

Thomas Jack - Rivers (Video)

Tom Cruise & Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle

The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

"You Used to Call Me on My Cell Phone"

Man...so much for keeping a low profile! It's been a busy week for Drake who let loose two new tracks to compliment a diss track dedicated to Meek Mill. All that really needs to be said is what did you expect when Meek and Nicki Minaj started seriously dating? Drake and Nicki were closer than the hands of time (#RIP2Pac) way back when. When that changed and egos started prevailing, it was only a matter of time.

Recent silly beef aside, Drake's bouncy new island tune is an interesting development. Featuring the production of Nineteen85, the track is another good sign that he's stylistically getting back to the sing-songy Hip Hop that many people fell in love with a few albums back. It's yet another "who needs someone to sing a hook when I can knock it out myself" type of track. Maybe it's because I'm headed down to the equator, but Hotline Bling was a nice track to zone out to on vacation...#HotlineBling

Drake - Hotline Bling (prod by Nineteen85)

Sam Smith and Disclosure Prove to Be a Good Omen

Last weekend I got married. The first dance I had with my wife was to Sam Smith's acoustic version of Latch. I don't know if it's a good "Omen" or simply a well timed wedding gift, but Sam and Disclosure decided to release a new one last week. Rather than going the traditional Soundcloud route, they skipped a step and went straight to the visuals for their new single...

Yea, it's just as swanky and deep hous-y as you'd expect with stellar vocals from Sam. It's a funk-filled ballad that wobble its way right into your headphones. Whether it's clapping along or a steady head nod, this one is hot and will be getting worn out on my honeymoon this week. Shout out to two of UK's finest acts for proving an on-point, surprise wedding gift...#Omen

Avicii "Can't Go No Sleep" All Over Again

There's an undeniable allure that goes along with current artists mixing classic tracks. Hip Hop seems to be the genre of choice when it comes to dusting off the cobwebs on tracks, but EDM is finally at a point where the new generation of up and comers feel the need to pay homage to timeless singles that fans of EDM today may not know much about. Like for example Faithless's Insomnia, which was released waaaay back in 1995 when most people were still referring to EDM as "Techno" music. The chord progression on the original will take you back and any fan of electronic music will immediately recognize it. The word trance comes to mind when listening to it because of how melodic and formulaic is sounds compared to a lot of new EDM.

Last week it was announced that Avicii was going to take a swing at the classic by releasing an Insomnia 2.0. I'll admit, it doesn't sound like a huge departure from the original, but there's a bounciness that Avicii is able to bring to the original that is really cool. Better yet, the drop is even more exaggerated to meet today's standards. The ominous vocals on the track sound even more eerie on the new version too. I'll put it this way, if you like the original and like Avicii as an artist, your expectations won't be too far off with this updated version of a track released two decades ago...#Insomnia20

The Only Tude You Need is Hermitude

It's a valid question, why haven't there been more Hip Hop and Future Bass collaborations? You'd think that with the amount of bass injected into Hip Hop there would be more examples of artists reaching out to up and comers like Hermitude. For those of you who haven't heard of Hermitude, they are an Aussie duo who have been cranking out a lot of great music lately.

For exhibit 1, I offer you their most recent album Dark Night Sweet Light, which has rocketed up Australian music charts. On that album, you'll find the track below featuring one of my homegrown Hip Hop favorites, Big K.R.I.T., as well as a new one with my favorite Cool Kid, Chuck Inglish (Hijinx). Their music offers an accessible, chill dose of Hip Hop with every listen. It's a heavy, but soft and palatable way to indulge in Hip Hop and I appreciate that. Those of you who will be heading to Lollapalooza and Hard in the upcoming weeks, make it a point to check out Hermitude's set while you're there...#DarkNightSweetLight

Hermitude feat. Big K.R.I.T., Mataya & Young Tapz - The Buzz

"Why Don't You Wanna See, I'm a Sinner Like You"

Here's a great example of how one feature can set you up for a successful debut album. By now you're keenly aware for my affinity and also Apple's affinity for Kygo. His most recent single, Stole the Show, featured a vocalist by the name of Parson James. I really like that track, so when a new debut single called Sinner Like You from Parson flew by my neighborhood on the internet, I'm not biting. Before I get into why, give it a listen...

If you're into comparisons, I'm going to throw out Bruno Mars. Parson has a great voice and similar throwback delivery. The bluesy sound of the track meshes well with the soulfulness of his vocals on Sinner Like You. Simply put, the track has serious potential to do some damage on top 40 radio and you can count me in on those who are lining up to jump on Parson's bandwagon...#SinnerLikeYou

A Clutch Def Squad Mini-Reunion 17 Years Later

Talk about a blast from the past! Nostalgia to the max with this mini-Def Squad reunion from out of nowhere. Let's rewind back to the summer of 1998, when I was just getting into my teens and Hip Hop was coursing through my daily being. Def Squad's El Niño was one of those unforgettably classic albums that I'll never forget no matter how old I get. Follow me for a minute back to when Redman, Keith Murray and Sermon were at the apex of their game..

There was a time when I could recite every bar from Full Cooperation in my sleep, love that track. So now here we are today, seventeen years later and two-thirds of the unstoppable trio are back at it (sub in Method Man for Keith Murray). Clutch won't blow your mind by any stretch of the imagination, but it's more of a vehicle to take you back in time to the glory days of Hip Hop. Meth hasn't lost a step over the years, so for those of you wondering if age is the reason, think again. If your appetite for more E Double hasn't been quenched he's got a new album coming out on August 28th titled Perception E.S.P...#PerceptionESP

Erick Sermon feat Method Man & Redman - Clutch

Videos of the Week July 24th

Downright strange is what the top five videos brought to the table this week. Other than Pharrell's inspiring video for Freedom and Timeflies' adorable video for Worst Things Than Love, there wasn't much normal about this week's offering. Starting off with Dillon Francis's short movie that satirically documents his life as a doughnut. And no I can't make this stuff up, it's literally a fun filled fifteen minutes about Dillon being a doughnut.

If you've seen the movie Trainwreck, you got a recent refresher on Judd Apatow's crude, dead-pan delivery humor. Evidently he's getting back into stand-up, which is good news for all of us because he showed off his recent act on Fallon this week. Don't expect the world, but the Bill Cosby impression at the end is pretty damn funny. And last, but definitely not least, how about a new Flosstradamus video where a motivational speaker leads a turnt up rally. There's nothing quite like seeing people dressed up in nice clothes wildin' out, smackin' asses like they won the lottery...#PrisonRiot
Dillon Francis Exit Through the Donut Hole (Short Movie)

Timeflies - Worse Things Than Love (Video)

Judd Apatow Does Stand Up on Fallon

Pharrell - Freedom (Video)

Flosstradamus feat GTA & Lil Jon - Prison Riot (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Ever Wondered What Reggae Frank Ocean Sounds Like?

Have you ever listened to someone cover another artist and thought to yourself, "I never would have ever imagined liking this track as much as I did the original." Especially when you're talking about one of the best R&B vocalists in the game like Frank Ocean, as the covering artist you've got a snowball's chance in hell to match the original. BUT MØ, with the help of Major Lazer, did exactly that. Together they flipped Lost into a dreamy, reggae ballad, offering a complete 180 degree shift in sound from the original while maintaining the same quality. To put things in context, the song has been posted on Soundcloud for a few days and already has well over 700,000 plays. Again, no small feat and further confirmation that they did everything they could to give Frank's version a shiny new take...#LostCover

Major Lazer - Lost feat. MØ (Frank Ocean cover)

"I'd Rather Be On My Own"

As a growing fan of TroyBoi, I'm finding myself more and more excited about him with each new song. I still don't feel like I have a real grasp on what to expect from him, but then again I don't mind being pleasantly surprised. Cue the new track featuring NEFERA, which sounds like a 90s R&B song with a whole lot of extra bass. The mysterious harp chords at the beginning of the track are mesmerizing and by the end of the track I'm wanting to hear more from NEFERA. Call it love trap or chill trap, whatever it is, it's choppy, heavy and crazy awesome. I see you TroyBoi, keep the heat comin'...#OnMyOwn

TroyBoi Feat NEFERA - On My Own

"I'm Afraid of Not Being Able to Laugh Anymore"

It's a sad and sobering fact that Robin Williams passed away about a year ago. Last August 11th the world lost a source of laughter that it will never be able to fully replace and that's a tough thing to wrap your mind away. In an attempt to "laugh the pain away" here comes Cee Lo with a tribute to Robin Williams and a few other notable actors/comedians (Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Belushi, Phil Hartman) who have passed away. If you've got an appetite for the heartfelt, press play below...

Better yet, please go to this link and watch the rapid Google search aided interactive video via Cee Lo's website:

Interactive Video
Pro tip: if you get bored watching, then switch between the Web, Images, Shopping and Videos in the top right as the video is playing. I'm struggling a bit to understand the benefit of the rapid Google searches other than to show off a unique way to create an interactive video. Maybe there's a bigger message that's being delivered, but it's lost on me. Whatever the case, it's nice to hear a new Cee Lo single and it never hurts to reminisce over impactful people who have touched the lives of millions of people before it was their time...#RobinWilliams

Slaughterhouse Adds Another Jab to Southpaw

You wanna talk about a star studded Hip Hop lineup? All I needed was to see produced by Just Blaze & araabmuzik to get me to bite, but having Slaughterhouse execute the verses takes it to another level. RNS is yet another dope addition to the Southpaw Soundtrack that already has two Eminem singles leading the way. With Joell setting leading the way with the first verse and hook, the rest of the track fell into place nicely with Joe Budden and Crooked I stepping up to the mic swinging. Not sure where Royce was in all of this, but the end result was sufficient enough that I can give the absence a pass...#RNS

Calvin Harris Goes Real Deep With Disciples

Whoa, where did this funky Deep House side come from Calvin Harris? I don't know whether it's reaction to the growing demand for Deep House or if DJs are into the game of one-upmanship and having this tool in your bag is becoming a necessity. Either way, I am appreciating the variety of festival bangers, club anthems and funky house that have been showing up of late.

If you're wondering where the low bassline is coming from, look no further than Disciples who are featured on the track. The London's trio mix well with generally excitable production that Calvin brings to the table. Special shout out to Ina Wroldsen who co-wrote the track and chipped in the vocals for good measure. You want a good example of a lot of different styles and sounds coming together to form a beautiful marriage? Look no further than How Deep is Your Love...#HowDeepIsYourLove

"Make Ya Ass Shake Like a Waterbed"

If I've learned one thing, it's to expect the unexpected from The Chainsmokers. Just when you start thinking they're going slow and melodic, they leave a hand print on your ass from smacking it so hard. That's what Waterbed is in a nutshell. It has a similar melody build up to their previous single, but post-drop is a bubbly, hard-not-to-repeat hook from Waterbed. And that's now a type on the feature, the male/female duo from LA (Cat and Chad) are named Waterbed and who better to feature on a track called Waterbed.

I enjoy the fact that most people will probably nitpick Waterbed and play the "this isn't even electronic music" card on this one. More power to Alex and Drew for dabbling in Indie twerk music and continuing to carve our their own unique path. I'd much rather be surprised by something original and new that I didn't expect than hearing constant formulaic releases. Don't be shy with this one y'all, get to answering the question of what the "official" waterbed dance will be...#Waterbed

The Chainsmokers feat Waterbed - Waterbed

Videos of the Week July 17th

This week was a bit of a grab bag of epic, funny and interesting. Leading the way is the epic trailer for Batman vs Superman. With such a star studded cast and a plot line to lure any type of superhero fan into the theaters, it will be hard to limit the expectations of the highly anticipated flick. Speaking of limiting expectations, anyone who has been to a Jack U show knows exactly how crazy their set can get. For those of you who haven't caught them live, feel free to check out their 90 minute Toronto set from last week.

If EDM and funny are on your list of things you enjoy, then you'll get a kick out of the long line of people dropping DJ names to try and get backstage. DJ Jumpsuit? Really? In other music news, Timeflies just put together another mush up of awesomeness in this week's Timeflies Tuesday. Cal always brings his A game and he did his thing with some Eminem, Jay Z bars to compliment the "bye bye miss American Pie" hook. Rounding out the week in a classic form is Eminem's new video for Phenomenal. I don't know much about Southpaw, but early indications are split on the Rotten Tomatoes score. The real question remains, will Apple Music be releasing a new exclusive video every week?...#AppleMusic
Batman vs Superman (Trailer)

Jack U Full Flex Express 90 Minute Set in Toronto July 11th

Comedy Central Social Scene Makes Fun of DJ Names

Timeflies Mashes Jay Z, Eminem & American Pie

Eminem - Phenomenal (Video)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Eric Prydz Unleashes a Symphony of Electronics

In electronic music 99% of music could be labeled a new hit or even an anthem if it's really good. But then there's this completely separate neighborhood of songs that I'd classify as musical compositions. Those tracks that every so slowly build up and continue to add and subtract parts so flawlessly that you can't help but admire the craft that went into it. That's exactly where I would put Eric Prydz's new awe-inspiring single Opus.

Why is it called Opus? Well if you're wondering that, you didn't listen to it. The comparisons to Deadmau5's Strobe are completely on point because of how the arrangement of synthesizers go from very simple and slow to incredibly complex and fast paced. While some may not have the patience to wait through an entire 9 minutes of music, I think it's extremely awesome and now have a ton more respect for Eric Prydz as an artist. There's beauty in the boldness of going where other artists dare not go and for that I salute you Eric Prydz...#Opus

Eric Prydz - Opus

Tiesto Won't Let The Chainsmokers Go

Who would have thought! A few months after The Chainsmokers finally had their big break Tiesto would be remixing one of their singles. For me, it's a coin flip between Let You Go and Roses as the best original Chainsmokers single to date, but Tiesto put in some work on the the former. Where the original was smooth and melodic, the remix takes a turn toward a bigger, bouncier, rhythmic sound. Post-drop the track goes from calm pop to crowd starter at the drop of a dime. I wouldn't say it's anywhere near my favorite Tiesto remix, but the sheer fact that he took on a track by Alex and Drew makes this one worth sharing and raving about...#LetYouGo

The Chainsmokers ft. Great Good Fine Ok - Let You Go (Tiësto Remix)

Big, Clangy, Mad Decent Trap From NGHTMRE

I'm not always in the mood for it, but loud, raucous Trap music. You know, that special brand of electronic music that you actually turn down a bit because you feel kinda bad for the speakers. Tracks like NGHTMRE's new one STREET are what I'm referring to because they're so all over the place that all you can do is steady bounce and try to keep your eyelids from flying off. It's yet another heat rock from Mad Decent who seem to be monopolizing the Trap game. There are a lot of festival goers that have been steady refreshing the internet waiting for this one. I know how it feels to hear something live and not feel complete until it finally comes out weeks later. Don't hesitate homie, get on over to iTunes and cop this heat rock...#NGHTMRE

NGHTMRE - STREET

"Don't Let it Go, When You Feel This"

If you were wondering whether Young Money's EDM darlings were going to keep dipping their toes in Hip Hop, the answer is not going to shock you. Following up on singles that featured Lil Wayne and T.I., the Stafford Brothers are back with a new one with Jay Sean and Rick Ross. My reaction on first listen was excitement when Jay Sean came in over the building synths. As much as I wanted to continue liking the track, the beat came in a bit too strong, overpowering his stellar vocals. Make no bones about it, the beat goes hard with a heavy clap, but Rick Ross wasn't meant for electronic music. It's one of those "I love peanut butter" and "I love ketchup", let's try them together sort of things. Lesson learned, some things are tastier when not mixed together and not all Hip Hop/EDM collaborations are going to succeed...#WhenYouFeelThis

Stafford Brothers feat Jay Sean & Rick Ross - When You Feel This

"Why You Wanna Be My Love? Is it Just for Show?"

As much as I throw shade at some of the OVO acts like ILoveMakonnen and PARTNEXTDOOR for their lack of creativity and/or talent, Majid Jordan is proving that there is still plenty of hope for OVOSound. Following the release of Apple Music, Drake debuted the first episode of the "OVO Sound" Beats1 radio show with the help of his OVO co-founder Oliver El-Khatib and Eric Dingus. He finished off his portion of the set with Majid's new single that he is featured on (below).

My Love is more of duet than anything and gets back to Drake being in "full on R&B mode." Featuring the piano led production of 40, the two OVO label mates put together a dramatic, emotion dripped ballad. If the new single is any indication that there's more new Majid to come, I'm not going to stop you from allowing your excitement to spill over...#OVOSound

Majid Jordan feat Drake - My Love (prod by Noah "40" Shebib)

"We Can Make It, Into Something Wonderful"

A year ago when the whole Tropical House movement was just starting to take off, I had high hopes for it's expansion into mainstream music. Thanks in large part to the continual stream of Thomas Jack's Tropical House mixtapes, the genre has continued to gain momentum with each new feel-good track house track. Most people will point to Kygo headlining festivals and becoming the rock star of Apple Music as shining examples of how far Tropical House has come, but I've been on the mindset that the genre needs more original singles to truly plant it's flag as a mainstay in contemporary music. Up until this point Thomas Jack has been a master of reimagining existing tracks by injecting his own Tropical House flair. Despite his growing popularity, he's been in the same place that The Chainsmokers were last year when they continued to promise new, original music on the horizon as fans kept yearning for something that originated from them to hang on to.

Yesterday, that all changed for Thomas Jack as he released his first truly original debut single, Rivers. To say that it hit the mark is an understatement. It's one of those five or ten songs I hear per year that leave me saying "WOW!" as I press play again...and again...and again. It's a perfect harmony of Newgrass acoustic guitar and bubbly Tropical House synths that will leave you shaking your hips and nodding your head. Shout out to the previously unheralded vocalists Jack McManus and Tim Woodcock for stellar vocals that will suck you in from the start. In summary, Rivers resulted in the same visceral reaction that I had on first listen of Kygo's Firestone, which is why it will firmly be planted at the top of every playlist I'll be making this summer...#Rivers

Thomas Jack - Rivers

Videos of the Week July 10th

Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to have Jerry Seinfeld interview Stephen Colbert? No, of course you didn't wonder that, but now that I've planted the seed, doesn't it sound interesting? Well it was a full fifteen minutes of interesting conversation that gave me a different, more human view of Stephen Colbert. I also had no idea how closely he resembled a sea captain!

In other non-comedian news, The Chainsmokers did not disappoint with their new video for Roses. Evidently they have fun on tour, who would have known? If you've been a reader of this blog you know of my infatuation with the Holy Ship musical festival on a cruise ship. In case you're wondering, it's still on my bucket list and I continue get super jealous when I see the recap video every year. In other EDM news, it was cool seeing Skrillex add another Hip Hop collaboration to his expanding list of hits. And finishing out the week we've got the first of many Drake/Apple Music exclusives in the form on his video for Energy. Was it just me or was it more than a little weird to see him super imposed onto other peoples' bodies?...#Energy
Jerry Seinfeld Interviews Stephen Colbert on Krackle

The Chainsmokers feat Rozes - Roses (Video)

Holy Shit 2015 Recap Video

Yogi & Skrillex feat Pusha T, Trollphace & Moody Good - Burial (Video)

Drake - Energy (Video)
Photo Credit: YouTube

'97 Never Sounded so Smooth

Is it me or is this chill EDM movement really starting to gain traction? Nearly every single day it seems like there's a new track that mixes synths and sax in way that makes you want to tilt the seat back and roll the windows down. The movement wouldn't have quite the momentum that it does now without the strong push from GRiZ. On his new one with Muzzy Bearr, there's a palpable funk in the mix that is amplified by the subtle Hip Hop/Soul samples mixed throughout. If you're asking me, the Matthew McConaghey sample and saxophone is icing on the cake because there's more than enough chill rhythms to keep a constant head nod going for the duration of the track...#Summer97

GRiZ feat Muzzy Bearr - Summer '97

Waiting For Love Got Autograffed

One thing I know to be certain is that when you remix an Avicii track, you had better come correct. Oh and you better not expect to top the original, your best shot is reimagining a track and taking it an entirely new direction. That is exactly what Autograf did to Avicii's Waiting For Love. He deconstructed the beat, picked and chose elements and rearranged them in a slightly new way. Where the original was more of a sing along pop dance track, Autograf's remix was slightly funkier and much more bouncy. If you're wondering what I mean, fast forward to the two minute mark where the track sounds vaguely like the original, but with a more bubbly chord progression. If you're looking for an example of an artist taking on a herculean challenge and completely owning it, give this one a listen...#LeaveYourAutograf

Avicii - Waiting For Love (Autograf Remix)

Don't Remember? Blame it on Ratatat's Nightclub Amnesia

The new hotness train continues to roll down the tracks with Ratatat's latest release. Nightclub Amnesia is a bit more jagged and edgy compared to their previous singles Cream on Chrome and Abrasive. Still, the funky chords are very much so in the mix as the track ebbs and flows for a full six plus minutes. There's even a legitimate lull in the middle of the track that serves as halftime for those who want to take a mid-track intermission. It's hard to believe, but Magnifique is only ten long days away. I'm struggling to find another album coming out this summer that I'm as excited about...#Magnifique

Ratatat - Nightclub Amnesia

Mondays After Long Weekends Require Chill House

Getting back into the swing of work after a long holiday weekend is always a challenge. No matter how hard you try to be alert in the morning, it's always an uphill battle until the afternoon. There are enough challenges to getting back on the horse that I always find myself zoning out to some Chill House music to get me back into a work rhythm. The most recent addition to my growing list of go-to zone out tracks is ODESZA's remix of Emancipator's Eve II. It's pure instrumentation that mixes bright piano chords with dashes of quirky percussion that spans across a variety of tempos. The track is versatile, but incredibly easy to palate. Feel free and head on over to Bandcamp to donate whatever amount you see fit for the right to own the track...#Emancipator

Emancipator - Eve II (ODESZA Remix)

"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You They Ain't Big Enough"

Since early January, I've been waiting for another single from Life of Dillon. Their debut single, Overload, was a perfect mix of feel good lyrics and unique instrumentation, which left people like me patiently waiting for the next hit. This week that came in the form of Dreams. Check out the audio for the track below before I actively try and convince you to feel a certain way about the track...

Where Overload was more Tropical House, Dreams feels a bit more Newgrass/Folk-y. The vocals are as uplifting as you'd expect, but delivered with a country twang. The one common element from single one to single two is the banjo. Good heavens the banjo! Prior to this year it would have seemed out of place, but now I'm wondering why nobody experimented with it before 2015. You can find both tracks as well as three other potential gems on the UK trio's recently released #PrologueEP.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th y'all! Stay safe and by all means, have some fun!

Videos of the Week July 2nd

I'm going to refer to this week as music sandwich week. It's a music sandwich because there's a whole lot of high quality music making up the middle of this post. There's a new videos from K Dot, Disclosure and even a tasteful video from Jack Ü with the Biebs. Hard to pick a favorite between the three, but I'm partial to Kendrick's Bay Area flavored video for Alright that has an added two minute and 30 second intro and minute long outro.

The most novel video by far goes to the public access TV debut of Stephen Colbert. It's a full 41 minutes with some random guests, one of which is Eminem who stops by to sing along on a few Bob Seger favorites. Random really doesn't do it justice, all I know is I would have been a mix of confused and strangely entertained if I lived in Monroe, Michigan and saw this come on. Finishing out the week on an even lighter note is Jimmy Fallon and Mark Wahlberg's entertaining game of Headshots. Those darts were no joke, I wouldn't have blamed either of them for flinching...#Headshots
Stephen Colbert Interviews Eminem on Public Access TV in Monroe, MI

Kendrick Lamar - Alright (Video)

Disclosure - Holding On (Video)

Jack Ü feat Justin Bieber - Where Are Ü Now? (Video)

Mark Wahlberg & Jimmy Fallon Play Headshots

Photo Credit: YouTube

"Wait for Me the World is Changing"

Earlier this week I posted Avicii's latest Newgrass creation. Now, just two days later we've got another cross collaboration from EDM, this time with Country. In my eyes, Audien's new one with Lady Antebellum has more of a Pop sound than Country, but it's definitely not as folk-y as what we now call Newgrass. Give it a quick listen to see what I mean...

Yes, it's still a little odd that EDM and Country make such compatible bedfellows, but the sound is definitely growing on me. It doesn't matter whether the vocals are Country, Folk, or R&B...good vocals are good vocals. Meaningful harmony will always play well in EDM, so I can't say it's a surprise that Pop music is sucking tracks like this in like a black hole. Unfortunately, the track isn't out for another week, but I think the key takeaways are that Audien is a name you need to know and EDM/Country continue to work well together, which means we're going to continue to keep hearing stuff like this in the future...#SomethingBetter

Pharrell Gives Apple Music Its First Exclusive Single

Boy, if you thought Pharrell was only spending his time trying to help resurrect helicopter dad of the year's career, think again. He's back at it with a new single Freedom that he debuted at Glastonbury last week. Check the video with plenty of background provided by Pharrell pre-song...
Yep, that's right, a whole lot of take-em-to-church, finger snapping soul is what makes Freedom so addictive. The jazzy piano and percussion control the ebb and flow of the energy that reaches a boiling point at the hook that will have you screaming "FREEDOM!"

If you're wondering why your iPhone continues to keep buzzing with updates tonight, it's because Apple Music has officially arrived. You can find the premiere of this track on the platform that is more or less merging with Beats Music (Beats1) and leaving little doubt that Apple will ever let us forget that you can pay them even less money to stream music rather than buying it on iTunes...but by all means feel free and do one of the two...#AppleMusic + #PrintingMoney

Pharrell - Freedom