Electronic | Volaris Drops “Close To You” on New Label HORIZN

Posted by on January 17, 2024

Breakout artist Volaris steps into 2024 with a bang in “Close To You,” the first release on his brand new label imprint, HORIZN. “Close To You” is available now.

“Close To You” is an alluring journey through synth-told stories. Clocking in at just under six minutes, the track showcases Volaris’ signature style – a fusion of scintillating synths flanked with raw energy that has become a true sonic trademark for the rising star. “Close To You” is followed by a Simon Doty remix on February 15 via HORIZN.

“HORIZN is a platform to push boundaries and redefine the melodic house and techno experience,” said Volaris. “’Close To You’ is about making the most of each day and realizing one of the most important things in life is the connection with others: family, friends and the music community.”

Listen to “Close To You” on Spotify.

Albums | Classic French house meets modern stutter house in the latest cut from Tobtok & farfetch’d

Posted by on August 24, 2023

Continuing the countdown to the forthcoming ‘My Friends’ EP by super Swedish talents
Tobtok and farfetch’d, the duo now reveals track number three. Sharing its name with the
EP title, ‘My Friends’ is another quality release, oozing freshness in its modern stutter
house production with inspirations of the classic French house scene. It’s out now on leading
indie, Perfect Havoc.

When long-time friends Tobtok and farfetch’d sat down to write the six-track EP – due for
release in September – the only plan was to make music that they liked.
From the experimental ‘I Like When You’ that packs in breaks, glitch house and 90s piano
rave to the high-energy stutter house track ‘So Good’, the EP has already proven to be a
diverse and exciting body of work that goes all out with technique, micro sampling and
vocals manipulation.
With supporters in Auntie Flo and Sam Divine to being on seriously heavy rotation on KISS
Dance, this fresh new project is already having the desired impact.
With a vast catalogue of work that precedes them, it’s important to remove all
preconceptions of what you think you know about Tobtok and farfetch’d. Forget their
platinum-selling records, streaming numbers and chart positions and just listen to the result
of when they start producing for the pure fun of it.
Tobtok has always worked in his own lane, from his early nu disco signings to highly
respected French label Kitsuné – who released his only EP to date, ‘Savanna’ – to his more
dancefloor-geared signings to Selected as heard on ‘My Carousel’. There have been plenty
of nods to the Swede’s talents over the years, from specialist spins from Pete Tong and
Zane Lowe, to being asked to curate Toolroom’s Miami Poolside compilation.

Although still early on in their career farfetch’d aka Jerry Sjödin and Johnny Bergström
have been making waves of their own. Taking influence from old-time childhood heroes and
fusing the feelings of the past with those of today, their music spans genres and is always
drenched in love and happiness. Just check out their releases on Spinnin’, Axtone and
Soave for evidence.
Tobtok and farfetch’d go way back to when they first bonded over their love of nu disco and
French house when meeting at a student club night and have since produced together on
singles for Selected and Perfect Havoc.
Speaking about how the latest single ‘My Friends’ came together, Tobtok explained,
“It started out with an obscure rap sample that said, “my friends”, which gave me French
house vibes like the Justice vs. Simian track ‘We are your friends’. We played around with
the vocal and used a Mellotron String – a tape replay keyboard – for the chorus. It needed
more vocals, so Jerry sang on it – the first track he’s ever sang on. While we wanted to
keep the track clean, we also wanted to avoid it being repetitive, so we introduced the
phone call section in the middle, which has classic nu disco vibes.”
With each new release from the My Friends EP, Tobtok & farfetch’d continue to show that
they’re on the most creative and accomplished streak of their careers so far.

Albums | Joe Smooth presents ‘Hush Money’ with Irene Michaels

Posted by on September 20, 2022

Chicago’s house music icon Joe Smooth and Irene Michaels pair up for “Hush Money” out now on legendary house label Trax Records.

In the words of Joe Smooth ‘When Rachel Cain of Trax Records approached me to work with Irene Michaels of “I On The Scene” and one of Chicago’s first ladies, I was intrigued as to her plan for Irene.  In steps Arny Granat, Irene’s husband, top event promoter and theatrical producer, with the fun song “Hush Money” by The Heels. I thought, with Irene’s classic voice, style and the song’s rock vibe, I would give it a “Chicago House” treatment reminiscent of the underground classic “Black Betty” by Ramjet. Ramp up the dance vibe with a rock edge, add Irene’s classic vocals and it’s a party!!! Keep “House” Rockin’

Streams this soulful and propulsive funky house concoction below, written by buzzworthy Canadian country trio The Heels, and co-produced by Screamin Rachael, who was dubbed ‘the queen of house music’ by Billboard Magazine, this release also contains an alternate mix by acclaimed soundtrack composer Michael A. Levine

DO SOMETHING

Albums | BARRON Taps Into Porter Robinson & Odesza’s Lane on “Feel Love”

Posted by on August 21, 2022

BARRON is shaping up to be one of my favorite up-and-comers on the rise. The Nashville, TN based talent is clearly influenced by the likes of Porter Robinson, Odesza and other producers in that space who create emotionally evoking electronica and he is on to something here with this project, specifically this new track “Feel Love”. It’s well worth diving in to, so do yourself a favor and keep a tab on this dude. Check out “Feel Love” by BARRON above now and read a quote from him on the release below!

‘Feel Love’ is a unique track for me in that it’s more upbeat and dance-able than my previous releases. It could definitely be classified as a house track which is a genre I don’t normally write, but I enjoyed the experience of meshing my more euphoric/melodic sound with a style that you would normally hear at a night out at a bar or club. It definitely opened up a world to me that I plan to revisit again in the future.” – BARRON

Deep House, House | BMW Kenny – ‘Wipe It Down’ (STIKMATIK & Mike Renza Remix)

Posted by on December 1, 2020

Putting deep house flare on an already bustling single, STIKMATIK & Mike Renza take on BMW Kenny’s “Wipe It Down” for 10Eighty Records. Their dancefloor ready remix is out now for eager ears.

Tactfully chopping up BMW Kenny’s signature vocals, STIKMATIK & Mike Renza flip the track with a driving kick and heavy 808s. Burgeoning house synths propel this 2 minute and 30 second official remix, putting the rework in a prime position for the next wave of TikTok virality. After all, BMW Kenny’s original track tallied nearly 4 Million TikTok videos, including videos made by Will Smith and Jason Derulo.

House | Money Money – “Spend It”

Posted by on September 16, 2020

Purveyors of promiscuously energetic sound, Money Money burst onto the scene with their debut single “Spend It.” The NYC-born-and-raised duo take Fergie’s iconic lyrics from The Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” and craft it into their own whirlwind of a track. Featuring pulsating basslines and hot 808s, “Spend It” is quite the powerful way to step onto the worldwide scene.

You’re going to want to turn your speakers up way loud for this one.

There’s no better way for us to introduce ourselves than with the pulsating baseline in ‘Spend It.’ We channeled our love for the raw energy of house music into this track, and we are thrilled for this release that represents the beginning of this new musical journey.” – Money Money

Future Funk, Nu Disco | Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love” Receives Facelift From Disco Inspired Artist Sparkee

Posted by on April 4, 2020

Released as a bootleg of sorts, DJ, producer, and instrumental-influenced persona Sparkee has put his signature touch on a pop classic from a legend. “Stupid Love (Sparkee Remix)” grooves on with plenty of positive vibes delivered.

Known for instrumental talent that Sparkee is able to translate well to the digital world, the solo act ends up being one of the easiest to stick to with a well-rounded showcase of posts and music content that give fans the opportunity to remain entertained. A feat easier said than done.

The guitar-shredding Sparkee isn’t slowing down online regardless of what the future holds, with more releases planned for April.

Sparkee has found popularity on social media channels from Reddit to Spotify, a quick search resulting in content millions have scene and commented on.