Flashback Friday: Maywood - If You Wanna Be Free

"Take your chance, don't blow it"

Ah, Maywood... how I love thee. I first wrote about these sisters way back during the early months of this blog. Back then, it was a post on their biggest hit (and still excellent) Late At Night. Since then, I've delved deeper into the girls' back catalog and compiled a best-of album of all of my favorite tracks. The thing about Maywood is that when they're good, they're really good. But they've also got a lot of downtempo filler to sift through. Most of their uptempo numbers are completely awesome in that "guilty pleasure" way, though. Their music is a mix of pop, eurodance, country, and disco. You really can't go wrong with any of their singles, but I chose to post this track because I'm feeling in an especially discotastic mood. And this definitely fits the bill. The girls certainly know their way around a melody. I'll try to remember to post the tracklist of my best-of in the comments later so you can check out Maywood's highlights for yourself. But if you don't get that far, be sure to at least youtube "Distant Love" and "Standing in the Twilight" after listening to this song.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy their greatest hits here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Nervo & Avicii - You're Gonna Love Again

"It's starting with you, it's starting with me"

I can't believe I haven't posted about Nervo yet. They're an Australian dance/DJ duo that just happen to be sisters. As their career has gone on, they've stepped forward as vocalists. While their music remains undeniably planted in Clubland, I feel like they're also getting a little poppier with their melodies and production. This new track sees them teaming up with producer of the moment, Avicii. That alone is guaranteed to get them some radio play. It helps that the song itself has the type of hook that easily positions it as a Summer dance anthem. It's very of the moment, but has enough meat on its bones to stick around after the sun's gone away.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the track here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

The Killers - Runaways

"Why you wanna fight it?"

After what seems like a long hiatus, the Killers are finally back with a new single! Those hoping for a sound that hearkens back to their debut are bound to be a little disappointed, since Runaways sounds a lot like a missing track from Sam's Town. In other words, it's a dramatic stadium rock number with a heavy Springsteen influence and some big guitar riffs. I'm not complaining, as I personally loved Sam's Town. Still, on first listen this is no When We Were Young. It might sound very similar, but I'm not sure the hooks are quite as strong. I don't know... maybe it's a grower. I suspect so. The song is from their upcoming album, Battle Born. If the rest of the tracks are more-or-less in the same vein as this one, I think I'll be satisfied.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy their previous albums here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Amelia Lily - You Bring Me Joy

"I'm done with all the pain"

I don't generally like to post radio rips or incomplete tracks, but I'm too excited about this one to let it go without a few words. Amelia Lily was my favorite contestant of last year's UK X-Factor. She certainly had the most interesting journey, being voted off at the start by the judges and then voted back in by the public. Despite loving her, I didn't have high hopes for the music she'd make afterward. I really just expected a UK version of Kelly Clarkson. Then I heard that she was working with Xenomania and my interest was instantly piqued. I was hoping for something that sounded like one of their Girls Aloud tracks and, lo and behold, that's exactly what I got! You Bring Me Joy is an epic pop/dance track. What it lacks in complicated melody it more than makes up for in pure oomph. On first listen, it's incredibly simple, almost to the point of thinking: is this it? But give it a few more plays and you'll be fist pumping along with it. Also, she sounds fantastic--so sleek and confident. I can't wait to hear the complete, HQ version.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. No album to preorder yet, but keep your eyes out! Follow me on twitter and facebook.