Albums | P.O.U x Scott Forshaw drop progressive house rework of “Castles In The Sky”
Posted by VMan on July 2, 2024
Melodic house duo P.O.U have teamed up with Scott Forshaw (Armada / Toolroom) to
deliver a progressive house rework of ‘Castles In The Sky’. Originally a No.3 UK hit for Ian
Van Dahl in 2001, this powerful new version is darker and more club-ready than its predecessor
and lands on the chart-topping Perfect Havoc, just in time for summer.
P.O.U – formerly known as Product Of Us – are Damion Hess and DAYL, two formidable DJs
and producers in their own right. As P.O.U, the duo coined their progressive sound on signings
to Anjunabeats, Nora En Pure’s Purified Records and Miss Monique’s Siona Records,
culminating in three Beatport No.1’s. Their underground sound has been a hit with the
respected outfit, Tale Of Us, who regularly dropped P.O.U’s ‘Just A Little More Love’ at their
Afterlife residency at Hï Ibiza. With residencies this summer at Destino Pacha Ibiza, Eden
Ibiza, and Ministry Of Sound, P.O.U will have crowds in the palm of their hands when they
arrive with this new single.
Joining P.O.U on ‘Castles In The Sky’ is Scott Forshaw, a DJ and producer who stands outs as
one of the foremost artists in the Middle Eastern dance music scene, thanks to his long standing
residency at key Dubai nightspot, Zero Gravity. Scott’s festival-sized productions have
streamed over 15 million times on labels also including Ultra and Perfect Havoc, clocking up
support from KISS FM to David Guetta. Beyond his solo endeavors, Scott has co-production
credits with renowned artists such as John Newman, Altego, Black Caviar, and more, further
enhancing his quality studio prowess across the industry.
As can be expected from these current artists, ‘Castles In The Sky’, takes a fresh approach from
its commercial trance origins. The vocal is used in subtle, hypnotic doses, allowing the focus to
remain on the track’s reverberating bassline and euphoric horns. With both hands-in-the-air and
head-down dancing appeal, this progressive house version will no doubt find its way into sets
this summer across the White Isle and beyond.
With a bigger sound and bigger energy than ever before, an exciting year lies ahead for the
independent label, Perfect Havoc, as it also lines up cuts from Oliver Nelson & Tobtok, Charlie
Hedges, and more. Now in its 9th year, Perfect Havoc continues to define crossover house
music and to build on over 10 billion global streams, six UK Top 20 singles and multiple
platinum, gold, and silver awards.
Albums | PS1, Jack Kelly & Bertie Scott create deep house magic on ‘After Dark’
Posted by VMan on May 31, 2024
New York City native and hitmaking producer PS1 joins forces with rising Belfast talent Jack Kelly on the emotive deep house cut, ‘After Dark’. Released on their label and management home, Perfect Havoc, ‘After Dark’ features the sublime vocals and writing talents of BBC Introducing “one to watch”, Bertie Scott and is altogether a stunning piece of work.
Starting out aged just 15, the Belfast-born music producer Jack Kelly began his journey by remixing the hits of the moment and uploading them to Soundcloud. Fast forward to the present and Kelly has coined his own distinct sound; a modern and futuristic style of deep house music, coupled with melodic lines and indelible toplines. Success came with singles ‘Backwards’ and ‘Driving’, earning him fans in Nicky Romero, R3HAB and Sam Feldt, and radio support from BBC Radio 1 and KISS FM. Most recently, his debut on acclaimed label Selected, ‘Into The Bloom’ with Tobtok, crashed the 3.5million streams barrier, pushing Kelly further on the trajectory to becoming his nation’s brightest rising star.
PS1, also known as Peter Conigliaro, experienced a remarkable ascent in his music career. He made history with his debut single ‘Fake Friends (feat Alex Hosking)’ on Perfect Havoc in 2020, as the sole debut artist release in the UK tosecure A-list placements on Radio 1, KISS, and Capital, going on to chart at No.19 in the UK Official Charts. This infectious vocal house track set the stage for a series of high-quality singles, including ‘Life Goes On’ which achieved BPI Silver status, plus releases on Sony, Spinnin’ and Selected. With over 62m global streams and club residencies across the States, PS1 has also gone on to collaborate with Mistajam and Digital Farm Animals, and remix for Elton John & Dua Lipa, Nathan Dawe & KSI, and Becky Hill.
For alt-pop artist and producer Bertie Scott, he’s no stranger to working alongside Jack Kelly having appeared on Kelly’s 2023 single ‘Backwards’ on Perfect Havoc. Described by BBC Introducing as “electro-pop with hooks you’ll be remembering for weeks”, Bertie Scott clocked over 34 million Spotify streams in just one year with releases via Ultra, Monstercat, and the Nitro/Sony released ‘Whistle’; Scott’s fresh take on Flo Rida’s hit alongside Laidback Luke and Tribbs. With support from Martin Garrix, KSHMR and Don Diablo, and more exciting collabs in the pipeline, the Bertie Scott sound looks to keep on spreading.
Together this trio have created some dance music magic on ‘After Dark’. Its minimal, pulsating rhythm is captivating from the very opening as Bertie Scott’s vocals take centre stage. It pushes forward with a slow and hypnotic beat, gently building up the smooth grooves into a beautifully constructed deep house arrangement, like only Jack Kelly knows how.
There’s lots more in the pipeline from Perfect Havoc for the rest of the year with tracks landing from P.O.U & Scott Forshaw, Tobtok & Oliver Nelson and much more. Now in its 9th year, Perfect Havoc continues to push the envelope of crossover house music and to build on over 10 billion global streams, six UK Top 20 singles and multiple platinum, gold, and silver awards.
Electronic | Volaris Drops “Close To You” on New Label HORIZN
Posted by VMan 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 VMan 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 VMan 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
Albums | BARRON Taps Into Porter Robinson & Odesza’s Lane on “Feel Love”
Posted by VMan 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 VMan 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.