Did anyone else notice that new music releases in recent weeks were increasingly littered with dance-floor bangers? Without a doubt, dance anthems are back in vogue at the moment. April 2023 has seen Kylie Minogue, Mutya Buena and Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj quick to hop on dance-floor-worthy anthems. And this is a trend that will unquestionably pick up pace as summertime arrives. In fact, if we cast our minds back to February to the official launch of pop newcomer Samira and her debut solo single “Like This Like That.” I note she was ahead of the curve and did right to strike out early.

In the follow-up release, “That’s Not What My Friends Say,” Samira is even more determined to prove she is ready to take on the queens of pop and of the clubs. Without hesitation, sharing sassy, powerhouse vocals, she declares herself ready to let the world know what she is capable of. What I have heard from her so far. The result is that Samira’s bouncy signature style dance-pop candy is on par with what the best of the best can deliver.

Unleashing, “That’s Not What My Friends Say,” Samira said:

“Like it is for most girls my age, dating is… interesting! And so I wanted to write a semi-autobiographical girl power anthem that was spicy and full of personality, that celebrated friendship and the role your friends often take in spotting the red flags before you do!”

“That’s Not What My Friends Say” held my attention. Whereas a lot of other dance-pop music does not. In part because Samira spent the past year in the studio honing her craft alongside some of the industry’s biggest hitmakers. However, none of that would matter if she wasn’t a high-calibre artist in the first place. The proof of these credentials lies in the music. You will not have to go far into her tracks before noticing how notable in the dance-pop arena Samira is set to become.

Watch this space. Since we’ve heard there’s more irresistible new music on the way, this year from this rising pop star.

Connect with Samira
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MightySamira
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samiramighty/

The post Listen to “That’s Not What My Friends Say” by Samira appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Dear EQ Music Blog readers, recently, I have had some suspicions. I am beginning to think that the producer/DJ community is lining up summer as one we won’t forget. The idea occurred to me after Oliver Heldens and Kylie dropped their collaboration “10 out of 10.” And yet it appears even more of a plausible suggestion now since Laidback Luke is following hot on the heels of that release, teaming up with Sugababe Mutya Buena on the track “All I Own“.

I am familiar with hearing about the most talked about singers in the pop charts and newcomer artists hopping on high-profile dance tracks to raise their profile. Therefore it is doubly cool to hear about two legendary pop queens lending their vocals to dance tracks, particularly when considering these arrived one after the other. Since it just doesn’t occur, except in the case of remixes.

About “All I Own“, let’s be under no assumptions. It is a massive electro-house track exhibiting a white-isle sensibility. A dance track where Laidback Luke masterfully conjures up images of beaches with pristine golden sands and azure blue seas. Also, neon-lit bars and festival crowds. However, Mutya’s soulful vocal is so unmistakable that I feel the pop world will also pick up on this track, especially when the Sugababes reunion is in full-throttle mode.

The pace of summer bangers arriving earlier this year is a timely reminder that festival season is about to return to full force. After the grey and miserable weather of the last few months, the prospect of summer sunshine teamed with being outdoors experiencing the uplifting feeling of euphoria surging through a crowd of festival-goers is an endorphin-raising idea just thinking about it alone.

Oliver Heldens and Kylie, Laidback Luke & Mutya Buena led the way with their collaborations. They instil in us the power of dance, and dance music is more important now than ever. Particularly when bearing in mind the world is still pretty dreary, post-pandemic, unfortunately.

Connect with Laidback Luke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLaidbackluke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaidbackLuke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laidbackluke/

Connect with Mutya Buena
Facebook: https://facebook.com/rosa.buena/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mutyabuena21
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_mutyabuena/

The post Listen to “All I Own” by Laidback Luke & Mutya Buena appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Remember this? It’s our EQ Music Blog playlist:- “This Beat Is Poptronik” – January 2023. Admittedly, it has been a while since we updated the playlist. However, as it is New Year. We thought we would take another shot at it. While recognising that we posted about some incredible songs on the blog lately. We have compiled a new list for ourselves and for you, also, our readers. To ultimately assist us all with avoiding an unwelcome dose of the January blues.

Recap begins…

JANUARY 2023 features…

In November, with the arrival of his new song, “Satisfaction,” Darin turned the heat up with a different level of hotness. As a matter of fact, the track is not only, hotter than hot, but it is also a pivotal transition in his life and music career.

The Sugababes (Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchannan) dropped their album “The Lost Tapes” on Christmas eve. These are much spoken-about and sought-after tracks that have lain in the Sugababes vault for years. To celebrate. We felt it suitably fitting the MNEK co-write “Drum” gets a prominent feature on “This Beat Is Poptronik” -January 2023.

Ava Max’s latest electrifying pop cut. “Dancing’s Done” exhibits an epic dance floor sound. And owns a stylistically strong 80s electro-pop vibe. It is a track that makes no excuse for what it is. A song about love and lust. (Although, not necessarily in this order.)

Whatever you do, you should not miss these gems from ALMA, Nic Billington, JORDY, Initial Talk ft Sam Sparro, PJ Brennan and Zac Poor.

Put these emerging artists on your radar: 

In my opinion. In “Hey Cowboy,” Devon Cole, an alt-pop singer-songwriter from Toronto released only the second funniest song of 2022. She showed that powerful lyricism paired with a fun-loving dose of playfulness creates a powerful and addictive mix.

Adam Evans is in his infancy as an independent artist. Yet the signs are good as his burgeoning pop career takes off. As a result of sharing raw and honest vulnerability while soul-searching in his songs. In the tracks “Hypothetically” and “BITE ME!,“ Adam Evans demonstrates his undeniable talent. This, in my opinion, is proof positive why he is an artist to watch.

Musically drawing comparisons with Kate Bush and Foxes. The album “The Words” demonstrates Liz Cass as one of the most promising intelligent pop acts to break through this year.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. With Sam Short, we see beyond the TikTok hype. Listening to “Taste It,” is a slice of heartbreak pop art. Equally. The details that are so intense and raw.

With every release, Alexander Stewart creates, even more, one- to-watch buzz. It isn’t any wonder he applies his craft to heartbreak and sad pop songs. Since he is blessed with a super emotive vocal. In addition, his delivery is extremely moving. In fact, almost every song he releases is sent viral within days, if not hours. His talent is undeniable. Look out for him. Since with a handful of tracks to his name, he is only warming up.

However, please do feel free to explore the playlist. Discover a new favourite track and/or artist for yourself. Tell your friends about our playlist if you like. An even better idea would be to nudge them toward subscribing. (It would make us stupidly happy if you did this) Check back for more “This Beat Is Poptronik” news and an updated playlist sometime soon.

The post Stream It! “This Beat Is Poptronik” Playlist – January 2023 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Browsing the internet during the holidays. I am surprised to discover not everyone is talking about the miracle that happened at Christmas. The fact that not one family argument broke out at my home on Christmas day is not what I speak about. Instead, I refer to the Sugababes (Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchannan), who dropped their album “The Lost Tapes” on Christmas eve. These are much spoken-about and sought-after tracks that have lain in the Sugababes vault for years. (Check out the fab article HERE about these tracks written by Raj from back in the day).

In a statement released by them, the Sugababes said…

“This has been a year of incredibly positive moments for us as a band. We wanted to do something to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We wrote this album almost 8 years ago, and we remember the magic we felt at the time. For various reasons beyond our control, it didn’t get an official release. So it’s with great pride that “The Lost Tapes” gets a fully independent release from us today. Available now on all streaming platforms – listen here https://songwhip.com/sugababes/the-lost-tapes – A very Merry Christmas, love Mutya, Keisha & Siobhan x

As much as I appreciate this special gift from the ladies. More importantly, the release is, at last, paving the way for some even more up-to-date material from them. Since in, 2020, it was once again reported the ladies were working with MNEK. Truthfully I wanted to get behind the remixes that were released as part of the “One Touch” (20th Anniversary Edition) last year. My only regret is that I found it difficult to fully engage with the extended versions used as promotion for this milestone release.

Although on the contrary, picking out favourites from “The Lost Tapes” is moreover, a difficult task. It is just super satisfying, no matter how long it took, that these songs eventually have seen the light of day. For the purpose of this blog feature and also for the sake of the pure pop aesthetic exhibited. I have selected “Summer of ’99” as a focus track.

Subsequently, after gifting this enormous treat. Sugababes also issued an alert that we remain vigilant to their incoming updates saying…

“Santa might have a few more tricks up his sleeve before the years up, so watch this space”. (i.e, keep an eye out for further notification on any or all of the links below).

Connect with Sugababes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSugababes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sugababes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugababes/

The post Listen to “The Lost Tapes” by Sugababes appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

What an exceptional month, February 2020, turned out to be for new music. It well and truly lived up to its promise and brought an avalanche of new pop tracks tumbling into our lives. Most of the time it felt as though the shortest month of the year was zooming by at fast-pace, just because of having one/two days less, there was just so much to cram in. And now, we get to take a look back at the crazy month in music, that was February 2020, because the latest edition of our “This Beat Is Poptronik” – March 2020 playlist is now out, ready and waiting for you to download or stream, (whatever you prefer really) and pop into your ears.

Subscribing to the “This Beat Is Poptronik,” playlists means there really is no excuse not to enjoy and support electronic, pop, and indie music, be it from established or newly, emerging artists.

Who is featured?…

She was cutting it fine right up until the last minute but in the end, Lady Gaga comeback track “Stupid Love” showed everyone else how pop needs to be done and as you would expect, the queen of pop grabs the top spot.

Equally, between them, Dua Lipa (“Physical”), Harry Styles (“Falling”) Greyson Chance (“Dancing Next To Me”) and Dagny (“Come Over”) released the best new music videos, for their A1 pop songs.

It’s the 20th Anniversary year of the Sugababes, and we know they are busy recording music. But we had a sweet surprise of a release from Mutya Buena with Electric Pineapple on the track “Black Valentine.” You would be crazy, mad to let the song fly under your radar.

Betty Who doesn’t just get one feature, but turns up on the playlist TWICE.

Newcomers to note:

Dallas-based synthwave duo, PRIZM really piqued our interest with their 80s styled nu-retro vibes.

It’s fair to say we’ve become a touch obsessed with Raissa. We feel her eclectic stylings are a little bit similar to that of early MARINA.

It is the second time in 2 months that we have featured KOOLKID. He has songwriting credits for BTS, the latest for “Inner Child” from “Map of The Soul: 7“

Please DO go and explore the playlist and discover a new favourite track and/or artist for yourself.

We’ll update you again on “This Beat Is Poptronik” news next month.

The post Listen to “This Beat Is Poptronik” March 2020 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Sorry to disappoint. Meaning, you might have noticed I did not react to the Pussycat Dolls new video that everyone else is talking about. To those who thought I might wade in, making a comment or two about the girl groups steamy promo clip, you are just going to have to settle with a great big fat nada from me. In truth, I am far more interested in diving in, to speak on “Come Over” by Dagny.

Another truth. I have had my eye on the Dagny release for weeks. My plan all along was to share my love for the track when it dropped on Friday. Furthermore, I have been sitting here, salivating over the delicious pop morsel for days, thanks to team Dagny who kindly sent the clip over the earlier in the week. What can I say, events took a sudden turn and plans got ripped apart. We were approached about the single release by Electric Pineapple featuring Mutya of the Sugababes, and being that you’ve read the feature that went out on Friday, you’ll know all about that.

It has been some journey getting to write about “Come Over,” but now I can share my thoughts…

Before hitting play on the track, I found myself pondering…has Dagny ever released anything other than a great pop song? The excitement was already there with me before I had even heard a beat of it. As soon as, I went in on my first listen, I became swept up in the tracks magic and was hit by the immediate feeling of how gloriously wonderful this song is. “Come Over” is classic Dagny, made of what she does best. A pattern which follows the course of, somewhat, delicate, and vulnerable, softer verses leading to big rousing choruses. Seems to me, she’s made this her speciality. And I do think continuing in this style will help to make a good debut album when it arrives later in the year.

The video is super fun. The clip has such a joyful vibe. I am loving it. Dagny is a vision in fuschia pink. Appearing like a proper little miss sunshine with her cute grin and smiling eyes. How can you not feel good when either listening to or watching her perform? She’s been a bundle of cheeriness ever since I first noticed her on “Backbeat.” I feel sure the trend will not stop here but continue into the album, which I am now immensely looking forward to.

Connect with Dagny
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dagnymusic
Twitter: @dagnymusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dagnymusic/

The post Watch “Come Over” by Dagny appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Forget the leak of the Lady Gaga track “Stupid Love” the other week. The real pop emergency of 2020 is the return of the Sugababes. Well, today we at least have one of them out on a new original track, (and nice though it was,) not a cover of a UK garage classic like the last time. The one and only charismatic, Mutya Buena has teamed up in collaboration with the London-based production duo of Electric Pineapple on a brand new track. If records are correct, I understand “Black Valentine” is the singer’s first solo vocal appearance since the 2011 collaboration with Paul Morrell, on “Give Me Your Love.” (Although, she has featured on tracks alongside other vocalists as well, in the meantime.)

The voice is unmistakably Mutya. Smoky, seductive, and masterfully soulful. Flanked by the dance beats, and polished production of Andrew Kingslow and Trina Smith from Electric Pineapple. It is super, nice to have such a huge, pop banger coming at us, for once. And, one which is massively deserving, of all the playlist domination it is certain to gather up in the coming weeks.

I want to shoot back to my earlier comment, where I mentioned “Black Valentine” marks the solo vocal appearance by Mutya, and further add, the backing vocals sound curiously like those of MNEK, to me. (This wasn’t confirmed to me at the time of writing, but come on, listen… it is MNEK isn’t it? And, we’re all good with this aren’t we?) It is also not really a secret that the Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer has again, been working with the Sugababes on their much talked about, new album. Along with the “Black Valentine” release, adds some believable validation that at least one member of the band has been recording with him.

Sugababes fans will seriously go bonkers when they hear this track. What a way to kick off the celebrations of the band’s 20th Anniversary year.

Connect with Electric Pineapple
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricPineappleClub/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElecPineClub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electricpineappleclub/

Connect with Mutya Buena
Facebook: https://facebook.com/rosa.buena/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mutyabuena21
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_mutyabuena/

The post Listen to “Black Valentine” by Electric Pineapple and Mutya Buena appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Here’s a familiar face to the pages of EQ! Albeit we’re more familiar to seeing this particular lovely young lady flanked by three further foxy females! Asami’s name might not be one that you instantly recognise but you should of course recollect her as being one quarter of popular feisty girl band Neon Jungle.

As Neon Jungle the girls gave us one of our complete favourite albums of last year and sadly all too thereafter, it came to an end.

Heavyhearted were we when the announcement came, but we are now done grieving over the demise of Neon Jungle and are eager to see what comes forward from each of the talented ladies.

So it is Asami who is first up on the billing in looking towards establishing a solo career. Currently the singer is working on and recording material for her first solo efforts.

And clearly Asami is eager to keep on singing her little heart out, since before anything original comes out she’s picked out three of her favourite songs and is presenting them as a trilogy of live covers.

First to debut is Asami’s rendition of “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by either Neil Young or St Etienne – more importantly in whichever version you might remember it most. We’re taking it that to mean that it’d be the St Etienne version, which most springs to mind with the EQ readers, naturally!

Asami’s interpretation actually doesn’t stray too much in difference from that of St Etienne’s. This being said, it also fully brings to light that Asami absolutely has the purpose of vocal command which is required of solo artiste.

Hopefully it isn’t just me that’s picking up on the feels of a certain Mutya Buena going on here, either. Like totally!

The post Emerging Artist: Asami Zdrenka appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

As originally reported by Music News

The original Sugababes, Keisha Buchanan, Siobhan Donaghy and Mutya Buena, have reformed and have signed with Polydor records but cannot use Sugababes name.

The original members all left the group and were replaced but new members and the current line-up of Sugababes is still together.

Siobhan Donaghy was the first to leave in 2001 after the first album. Mutya Buena left in 2005 and Keisha Buchanan left in 2009.

The three original members are yet to announce their group named but The Sun reports they have already signed at £1 million record deal with Universal's Polydor Records.

The old new group has been in the studio recording with the Xenomania songwriting and production team (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys). The album is being produced by their original record producer Cameron McVey. The girls are managed by Felix Howard, the songwriter of their Sugababes hit 'Overload'.

The post Original Sugababes Sign One Million Quid Deal on Polydor / Can’t Use Sugababes Name / Working with Xenomania appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

by Raj Rudolph

As soon as I saw MNEK's tweet this morning about him working with the original Sugababes, that sort of sealed the deal for me in confirming that Sugababes 1.0 are in fact recording together.  There has always been something quite attractive about Sugababes 1.0 as an original lineup and how they were rough around the edges, streetwise, while still remaining utterly sophisticated.  Through all the line-up changes and dilution of the Sugababes as a brand to something that seems just a little bit too plastic now, it makes perfect sense for Keisha, Siobhan and Mutya to re-form and set the world world straight on their strength as one of the best pop girl groups of all time.

Can you really blame the girls for splitting up whilst so young though?  Siobhan Donaghy has bucket-loads of extraordinary talent which is evidenced by her two stellar solo albums.  Mutya Buena was always a bit of free spirit, but her smoky voice is undeniably entrancing.  Keish Buchannan being the quintessential mother glue of the group really had it's role and as young girls brought up in the industry, it was only fair enough for them to go out – live life on their own and comeback even stronger.  Needless to say, I am excited by all the internet chatter about Sugababes 1.0 coming back.  If they bring back the energy and exuberance to tracks like "Overload", "Run For Cover" and "Freak Like Me" whilst still banging out quality new tunes, then I'll be one of the happiest pop pimpers around.

When girl groups like Girls Aloud and The Saturdays in all of their glossy airbrushing and hairspray currently defining what girl groups are these days, it will be nice to see Sugababes 1.0 come back and bring their unusual and quirky aesthetic and energy back to the girl group pop culture – this time hopefully with a bit more womanly wise, maturity and importantly, REAL TALENT into this upcoming year. 

Confession – I wouldn't be too bothered either if both Sugababes groups merged into one big super girl group too…that will never happen, but how amazing would it be as a one-off single or pop music event on the grand scale of let's say, a Spice Girls Reunion Tour?  Food for thought.

The post The Only Thing Worth Talking About Today Is Sugababes 1.0 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.