Some talented people have released some great songs or EPs recently, and there’s a chance you might have missed them.
First up, I’ll mention that the velvety-voiced Rationale has released his third single since blowing our minds earlier this year. On “Fuel to the Fire,” the Brit eschews the 80s-era Lionel Richie sound of June’s “Re.Up” and goes for a more soulful, modern approach. That said, the man still plays up those delightfully emotive synth pads in a way that Toto would love. His poignant musings on justice are decidedly of our times.
His four-song EP is coming soon.
The Colder Sea (AKA Sarah and Daniel Egger) is a duo out of Germany who sound like a mix between CHVRCHES, mid-80s Depeche Mode, and Zola Jesus. There are also moments that remind me of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins album, Adore.
They lay on some big synths and cold, reverberated drum machines, but even bigger hooks. This is some always atmospheric, often dark work that features gorgeous vocals from both players. The duo has told me that they are at least in part influenced by Chromatics, which doesn’t surprise me. That dark disco vibe is also resonant in their work. This song is one of my favorites from the Eggers, but you should probably just buy all of it. Keep them in business.
Clairity’s “Velcro” is a fun club track that interpolates the catchy synth riff from Yazoo’s “Don’t Go.” The 17-year-old’s smooth and deep vox aren’t far off from those of Yazoo singer Alison Moyet, which makes that co-opting a particularly smart move.
The track, which is on her new Alienation EP, is produced by pop hit-makers Kinetics and One Love, and Kara Dioguardi. You might remember Kinetics and One Love for their work on the B.o.B./Hayley Williams song “Airplanes.” Most recently, Kinetics was a co-writer of the ROOM8/King Deco gem, “No Hard Feelings.”
