Browsing Tag

Disco Pop

Perry Michael Allen brings us jazzy old-school groove with ‘Just Like That’

Posted on 2 May 2021

If a career working as a producer, song-writer, arranger, and session man for the likes of Albert King, the Memphis Horns, Wilson Pickett, Boz Skaggs, and Al Green (yep. Read that list again) amongst others isn’t enough for you, let’s add in works on multiple RIAA Certified Gold and Platinum albums, a highly coveted Memphis Blues Foundation ‘Blue Note’ Award, and music licensing to multiple films and TV shows (including ‘House’, ‘C.S.I.’, ‘JAG’, Ally McBeal’, ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Munich’, and ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’), and tutoring at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music. That’s one heck of a resume all in itself, except that now, as if by magic, Allen brings us ‘Just Like That’. A mix of Jazz-inspired motifs set over Hip Hop beats and breaks, with – of course – a huge Memphis-inspired feel.

We’ve got old-school TR-808 style electro beats and punching, hard-driven bass, sitting behind some chilled, grooving hip hop-styled vocals, a little funky syncopated guitar fill here and there, and a beautiful piano riff that reprises the Mission Impossible ‘tension’ music, hinting but never quite being a straight lift. The drums and guitar build through the track, until we get proper Stax-style horn fills, a little sax riff here, a clarinet there, building up the track until…too soon…and it’s over. It’s a killer track, all smooth-groove, funky without being over-the-top in that laid-back Al Green/Marvin Gaye kind of way, with a definite jazzy feel but a hugely modern vibe from the beautifully sung, soulful vocal and those Hip-Hop beats. It’s quite simply excellent.

Check out the video for ‘Just Like That’ on YouTube; follow Perry Michael Allen at the Clubhouse on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Josh Hernandez – Dance Alone: Disco Pop Empowerment

Posted on 20 April 2021
Josh Hernandez

As clubs tentatively open their doors this summer, it is going to take euphoric hits to get people who have picked social awkwardness during lockdown moving. The unifying funk grooves in Josh Hernandez’s debut disco-pop track should do the trick.

The tribally-compelling rhythms and melodies which make an earworm out of Dance Alone bring the danceable energy as the female vocals verse the empowering lyrics that divert from the usual dance-pop tropes. The lyricism is sure to resonate with anyone who has found comfort in their independence in recent months. If you can endure lockdown alone, you can dance alone, not that you’ll need much convincing to be arrested by the Latin and Reggaeton-inspired mix.

Dance Alone released on April 16th. You can check out Josh Hernandez here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Conor Latcham brings realism to romance with their disco-pop track, ‘Do You Think You’re in Love?’

Posted on 14 April 2021

If you’re still sore from Daft Punk’s disbanding, the sonic indie disco pop grooves in Conor Latcham’s ‘Do You Think You’re in Love?’ brings all of the funk-laden consolation you could possibly ask for.

With Luke Marc Hughes (Tom Odell, Lewis Capaldi) on drums and Barry Grint (Bowie, Prince, Beatles & Oasis) in charge of mastering, the production matched the talent exhibited in the subversively relatable track.

Given the number of love songs hitting the airwaves (probably every second at this point), it’s nice to hear an almost-lovesong. It’s passion-driven; it grooves away from the sickly sweet proclivities of pop that allow all tracks alluding to love to sound like the lyrics were written by Disney screenwriters. We can see how Latcham came about their ‘blue-collar poet’ reputation. We can also see how he is going to take the scene by storm in 2021 and beyond.

You can check out Conor Latcham’s track, released by Trident Records, via Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Don’t Blame It On The Boogie; Blame It On Rebelsuns. Dancefloor Anthem ‘Over Again’

Posted on 21 December 2020

Hot on the heels of their previous single ‘Hues’ comes this absolute banger of a dancefloor-ready hit from Indonesia’s Rebelsuns., all mixed-up disco-funk synth-pop in the vein of the Scissor Sisters, Jean Tonique, or Flamingo Pier.

Whereas previous single ‘Hues’ was a more solemn, ballady affair, ‘Over Again’ takes no prisoners in its aim to get booties shaking and feet moving, a total-fun, no-holds-barred party track with Nile Rodgers-Esque funk guitar riffs atop thumping bass, splashed piano chords, and a drum pattern which just invites all those late-seventies open-collar and white suit dance moves.

Taking its cues from K-Pop, J-Pop, and funk/fusion, ‘Over Again’ is all soft, playful vocals, multi-layered chorus harmonies, and inescapable dance grooves. It’s nostalgic yet contemporary, uplifting and wicked, wicked fun, as much Twice’s ‘Fancy’ as Childish Gambino as Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz, the Bee Gees, or Chic. It’s that perfect mix of funk, dance, disco, and modern alt-synth-pop, colourful, upbeat, tongue-in-cheek, and with a completely unavoidable boogie; it’s truly impossible to listen to ‘Over Again’ and not want to get up and dance. That’s the mark of a proper future classic right there.

Listen to ‘Over Again’ on Spotify. Follow Rebelsuns on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

 

Jeffrey Chan proves why he’s a worthy contender for breakthrough artist of the year with his single ‘Try’

Posted on 15 December 2020

‘Try’ is the latest sultrily slick, amorously entrancing Pop single from singer-songwriter Jeffrey Chan which follows on from the release of his instant 2020 hit ‘Glow’ which garnered over 100,000 streams shortly after the release.

Many artists had their worlds turned upside down during the lockdown, but with their soulfully resolving approach to punchy danceable Pop, it’s no surprise that so many people were drawn to the magnetism within Jeffrey Chan’s sound.

Timelines converge in Try as the romanticism of 80’s Synthpop coalesces with the futurism in the Australian artist’s signature sound. It is so much more than a meeting of past and future, it’s a testament of ingenuity and the artist’s ability to get dopamine pumping as hard as the rhythmically ensnaring beats. With their distinguishably seductive vocals and euphorically-crafted sound, Jeffrey Chan definitely has what it takes to be the breakthrough artist of the year.

You can check out Try for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jirko has made their Disco Pop debut with ‘I Feel You’

Posted on 7 December 2020

Finnish-born UK-based artist Jirko brought a potent serving of captivating authenticity to the Disco Pop genre with their debut single ‘I Feel You’. With sharp instrumental hooks and seamlessly transgressions, you’ll be rhythmically hooked from start to finish.

With the entrancing grooves, the distinction within their vocals which ooze sonorous magnetism, I Feel You is sure to be hit with any EDM fan who appreciates electronically expressive beats paired with raw, realistic emotion. If it was possible to fill dancefloors in the UK right now, I Feel You would definitely have people writhing to the ardent energy.

You can check out I Feel You via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blow Pop effortlessly stroll in with the brilliant indie-pop ‘Nobody’

Posted on 17 August 2020

Set for release on the 16th August, this is Blow Pop’s time to shine as they return with the brilliant indie-pop laced present ‘Nobody‘.

This is all about feeling that you are nobody in this big world of ours. A reflective story of being able to leave a situation quickly if need be. You have a low opinion of yourself and also blame yourself easily for things you really shouldn’t.

Blow Pop have such a stylishly sharp way about them from the ear blessing vocals and fine production. There is indie, pop, dance and disco all fused together like a delicious wrap of lip tingling goodness here. I love everything about this glorious piece of articulate art on this new track.

‘Nobody‘ from Blow Pop is a lovely indie-pop peach that gives you a pure feeling inside. An 80’s inspired song that is a self-reflection that lots of us feel like even though we shouldn’t. We are all special and somebody.

Stream this fab track here on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Lilo is due to make her debut with her resoundingly powerful Baroque Dance Pop single Turned to Glass

Posted on 14 July 2020
Lilo

Up and coming Pop artist Lilo is set to make a resounding debut with her first officially released single “Turned to Glass”.

The progressive hit kicks off with a moody prelude which will ensnare any fans of Lorde. Yet, the soundscape quickly picks up momentum and bursts into an effervescent offering of high-octane Baroque Dance Pop. If that wasn’t enough, there are also the feel-good Disco Pop vibes which will leave you feeling higher than the notes Lilo can easily stretch to vocally.

The energy will leave you psyched while the ingenuity will leave you floored. Lilo’s powerful vocal dynamics are one thing. Her unapologetically experimental style puts her leagues apart from any other Pop artist I’ve heard this year. She’s definitely one to watch.

Turned to Glass will be available to stream via all major platforms from August 7th. For more info, head over to Lilo’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast