Browsing Tag

Disco Pop

B!TEZ advocates uninhibited authenticity in her alt-pop hit, Be Like You

Posted on 17 February 2023
https://soundcloud.com/bitezhearts/be-like-you/s-x2BfzMy4Je3?si=5ef857d702054d8abca2db5663d4b746&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

It’s time to let the dust settle on the archaic records from New Order and The Stone Roses and lock into the viscerally fresh talent from Manchester-based artist and poet B!TEZ, who has been taking the rainy city by storm.

For her latest single, Be Like You, B!TEZ (Princess Arinola Adegbite) reinvented the 80s pop wheel with her afro-futuristic edge that is sharper than any papercut. The infectiously melodic earworm is a stellar hit based on the instrumentals alone. When the socially conscious lyrics are thrown onto the stabbing synth lines, it is impossible not to get wrapped up in the vindicating euphoria.

“The first single on Vintage Destiny is ‘Be Like You’. A self-love disco pop anthem integrating rock, and funk elements encouraging listeners to be their authentic “exceptional” selves despite living in a comparison-driven world.”

After finding influence from a broad range of artists, including Nina Simone, Mazzy Star, FKA Twigs and Bjork, the songstress carved out her niche and thrived in every arena she threw her multi-faceted talent into.

The multi-award-winning poet, filmmaker and BBC Words First artist has won Manchester Young Creative of the Year and been commissioned by Selfridges, the BBC and the University of Cambridge. In addition to performing in  Manchester’s most iconic venues, including Blues Kitchen, Soup and Band on the Wall. She’s definitely one to watch.

Honestly, I’m inspired by her after just one hit on Be Like You. Eat your heart out John Cooper Clarke.

Be Like You will officially release on February 17th. Hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lyfe created a disco fever endemic with the euphoric soul in his latest funk-pop single, Tonight

Posted on 16 December 2022
Lyfe

For his latest single, Tonight, the up-and-coming artist, Lyfe, served a potent cocktail of pop, funk, disco, and soul. Rather than evoking nostalgia from one era, the artist, who is dominating more and more of the metaverse with every subsequent release, simultaneously took us to the 60s, 70s and 80s in a dizzying feat of sonic time travel.

While you time-hop through the funk-chopped guitars, glistening piano glissandos and heady four-to-the-floor beat, Lyfe creates collaborative alchemy with the celestially timbered backing vocalists who pour a profound level of euphoric soul into the feverish with disco track.

Each song from Lyfe’s 20-track debut album has its own virtual world in the Metaverse. Before the debut LP, Lyfe founded YXY ODY Studios to create a series of NFT drops and The Odyssey Metaverse. He also deployed one of the biggest virtual concerts yet, with over 40,000 attendees.

Watch this space because Lyfe is about to revolutionise it.

Tonight will officially release on December 16th. Check it out on his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dante Beverley lets the good times roll in his latest funk pop earworm The Party Never Dies

Posted on 10 August 2022

After garnering tens of thousands of streams with his feel-good grooves released since his 2019 debut, the euphorically provocative pop sensation, Dante Beverley has declared The Party Never Dies with his latest single.

The 80s-inspired rhythmic riot exhibits a brand-new sonic signature that you’re going to want scribbled across your playlists; it also sets the tone for his forthcoming EP, due for release in early 2023.

The 22-year-old Rotterdam-hailing singer-songwriter takes influence from the likes of Bruno Mars, The Weeknd and Michael Jackson; notably, his inclination to enliven through disco and funk textures led the way in The Party Never Dies. Oscar Wilde would be proud of his revival of 80s synthy hedonistic pop.

The Party Never Dies is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MACY looks at heartbreak through a sticky-sweet prism of optimism in her latest single, Pink Bandana

Posted on 28 April 2022

Nu-disco meets funk-pop in the latest single from the UK pop luminary, MACY. ‘Pink Bandana’ pops the bubblegum pop bubble with the overdriven guitar riffs, funk-laced bass guitar and vocals that will leave any Marina and the Diamonds fan with the inclination to make the perennial pop earworm a playlist staple.

Pink Bandana, which was produced by Owain Felstead, runs you through the early stages of heartache, seen through a sticky-sweet prism of self-empowered optimism. The emboldening energy reads through the high vibe hook-filled instrumentals and MACY’s playfully fiery vocal charisma. Together, they’e a powerfully infectious combination.

Pink Bandana is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Conor Latcham gets into the insidious underbelly of manipulationships with his self-deprecating disco track, Running

Posted on 1 March 2022

The Cardiff-based luminary, Conor Latcham has crooned his way back onto the airwaves with his latest spacey, synthy indie-disco pop track, RUNNING. The single was remotely recorded during lockdown with Marc Hughes (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Odell) on drums and Barry Grint (Beatles, Madonna, Prince) behind the mastering desk.

With the surfy angular guitar motifs around the mash of cosmic pop 80s nostalgia paired with Conor Latcham’s cooler than Alex Cameron vibe and the Arcade Fire-style catchy hooks, Running is infectious from the first hit. Despite the euphoria that effortlessly bleeds from Running, the essence of the single is far darker as it delves into the insidious underbelly of one-sided relationships. It is a masterclass in how to use your wit for closure. Grab a notepad and hit play.

You can feel the self-deprecating disco love for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Dutch queer pop icon, Tom Tom Park brings cool indie-disco grooves in his pop track, Déjà Vu, featuring Will Burton.

Posted on 28 October 2021

Tom Tom Park proved that he was more than worth a spot on our radar with the release of his sensually hypnotic pop track, Déjà Vu (Tomorrow, Tomorrow), featuring UK vocalist Will Burton.

While the solid danceable beats bring the structure, the moody synths flood the track with a slick yet cosy atmosphere that Tom Tom Park lays his up-vibe indie-pop vocals into. Instrumentally, Déjà Vu delivers the perfect pop formula; but the real magnetism in Déjà Vu comes via Tom Tom Park’s instantly arresting charisma that pulls you into the cool indie euphoria.

Remember how Scissor Sisters gave us no choice in falling in love with them? You’ll find all that affection and more in this vibrant anthem by the Dutch luminary. Coincidently, one-half of the Scissor Sisters’ duo has already given his seal of approval on Tom Tom Park’s last single ‘Adore Me’; who could argue with Jake Shears?

Déjà Vu hit the airwaves on October 22nd; it is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Christopher George goes ‘All the Way for the Win’ in his debut single.

Posted on 24 September 2021
Christopher George

Pop artist Christopher George is set to release his optimistic floor-filler, All the Way for the Win, which carries the untainted soul of Bananarama along with elements of funk and disco to ensure that the euphoria really flows through this stridently enlivening release.

Before you even get to the chorus, you can tell that Christopher George has a soul of gold. His technical ability is one thing, his ability to appeal to human emotion in such a visceral and compelling way is quite another. His his Jazz degree and years of experience as a professional session musician allowed him to be primed and radio-ready for his solo debut. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Check out Christopher George on his official website, Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom Tom Park embraces authenticity in his single, ‘Adore Me’, featuring Disc Eyes.

Posted on 10 July 2021

For his latest feat of hyper disco-pop, Netherlands-based songwriter and producer Tom Tom Park teamed up with vocalist Disc Eyes to create a vibrant funk-riding hit that surpasses energetic and moves into the realms of mania – in the best possible way.

The dancey beats, dizzying synths and funky basslines are reminiscent of what you will find on Daft Punk and the Weeknd records. But Adore Me comes with an even deeper sense of soul which is where the influence from artists such as Donna Summer comes into play.

Given that Tom Tom Park has already received praise from one-half of the Scissor Sisters (Jake Shears), he scarcely needs our approval. Yet, notably, his boldly eccentric approach to disco deserves to be met with rapturous acclaim internationally; digging authenticity out of disco in 2021 is no easy feat.

Adore Me is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lizzie Hosking sends us grooving back to the 70s with her latest pop single, ‘Lose My Mind’.

Posted on 29 May 2021

After making an unforgettable 2020 debut, Adelaide’s quickly ascending pop artist Lizzie Hosking has amassed a loyal fan following with her reflectively poignant lyrics and her soulfully funk-infused instrumentals that send you grooving back to the seventies while you listen to Hosking bring in a new era of pop.

Her latest single, ‘Lose My Mind’, starts with an ethereal ballad-style intro before the acoustic instrumentals lace the soundscape with enlivening melodies that allow Lose My Mind to unravel as a feel-good feat of pop. Even if you spent all day listening to the radio, you would struggle to find better instrumentals in a contemporary pop track. Even the most pretentious music fan in your life couldn’t turn their nose up to the delicious guitar licks in Lose Your Mind.

We can’t wait to hear what else Lizzie has to offer with her upcoming material. She’s definitely worth a spot on your radar.

Lose My Mind is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Oh No! – Royals’ Dylan De Bono is ‘Feeling S**t Right Now’

Posted on 3 May 2021

‘Maltese singer-songwriter’ isn’t a phrase you get to use all that often as a music reviewer, but when it comes to Dylan De Bono it’s one that we can fully expect to become much more common in 2021 and beyond. As one half of pop duo Royals, Dylan’s no stranger to musical acclaim, but with this – the first single from forthcoming solo album ‘Loose Wire’ – De Bono brings us an absolute belter of an electro-pop banger.

Dark yet humorous, edgy and sexy, with one eye on that perfect pop mix of accessibility and catchiness whilst avoiding cliché or ‘throw-away-ness’ (is that a thing?) and the other on an absolutely spot on understanding of dancefloor groove and pop-radio immediacy (aided, no doubt, by the writing and production collaboration with maestro David Vella), ‘Feeling S**t Right Now’ is a superb melting pot of clubby dance stunner and autobiographical songwriting, a mix of 70’s disco, 80’s club classic, and totally up-to-date electro-pop killer. Prince and Bowie mix with the Pet Shop Boys, Years & Years, and David Guetta here, to produce what may be one of the first ‘spot-on’ pop songs of 2021. The sound of the summertime might have just landed.

Check out the official video for ‘Feeling S**t Right Now’ on YouTube, and follow Dylan De Bono on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes