When The Lights Go Out On Scarlet Soho

The first thing that I thought of when I heard Scarlet Soho's latest single When The Lights Go Out is just how much about the first minute sounds like Denice Williams' "Lets Hear It For The Boy." Wow...it's a crazy comparison I know...but musically it was 1984 all over again. After that blast from the past the single exploded into a New Order like synth frenzy. After catching my breath and catching back up to modern times, I realized that When The Lights Go Out is one heck of a single.

Taking synth pop back a couple of decades and getting all dark with it, Scarlet Soho manage to find the perfect balance between retro-cool, futurism, and camp. With pop hooks in hand (as I've mentioned) and a smoky, slightly gothy approach the whole thing comes off as some of the more intriguing Depcehe Mode moments put to record. From the depressing, "What You Need," to the jumpy, "Retail Therapy," and the remix of WTLGO by Tokytron this single has a bit of electronic darkness to suit every taste. A dance floor destroyer waiting to be unleashed, Scarlet Soho stands to conquer the world When The Lights Go Out.

Romain Virgo Masters The System

Romain Virgo within the credits of his latest album The System states that he chooses to do positive music for the people. Undoubtedly a rarity now days, Romain's positive attitude toward music and life shines through every song on The System and makes it a worthwhile listen. This is reggae music with sunshine and positive vibrations layered on top of positive vibrations and it's the sort of thing that's destined to lift spirits wherever it is played.

Taking a more laid back approach to reggae, Romain Virgo lets the groove take us away and allows his vocals to steer the story of every song with a unique enunciation that makes the whole thing just sound cool. The System is a strong record filled with songs about love, knowing better, and not falling into cliches. Romain seems to be a good guy and his songs reflect an attitude that quite honestly is refreshing to hear.

Firmly in touch with pop influences, Romain Virgo creates reggae that's easy on the ears, huge on hooks, and almost like a more tropical version of R&B. The System is chilled out stuff that's as bright and beautiful as Jamaica itself. If you're not singing the nearly acapella title track after one listen there might be something wrong with you...it's that catchy and to think it's just Romain Virgo and his voice is amazing.

The System is a very good record and Romain Virgo is a unique talent. From his voice to his approach the guy clearly is in love with love and reggae and every song here illustrates that passion.

Irene Jacob Melts Hearts

Irene Jacob should be known to many of you as an acclaimed French Actress but did you know she's also a singer as well? Teaming up with guitarist Francis Jacob the two sat down by the sea and began to write song. This is nothing new for the pair as they've known each other for decades as siblings, and lifelong friends who've shared apartments, games, and an intense love of jazz, film, and philosophy. It only made sense then that the pair took their love of all that and channeled it into something musical.

Known as Je Sais Nager the Jacob's together create a intimate, gentle, airy album that's a bit chanson, a bit jazz, and a bit folk music. Quiet and serene, the album is chilled to perfection and so utterly gorgeous that Irene may just be slightly prettier than the songs she's written. Je Sais Nager, which translated into English means I know how to swim, is mostly acoustic with just Francis strumming guitar along to Irene's fragile voice. Its beautiful stuff that's alluring and hypnotizing and Irene's vocals are so pretty you can't just help but be mesmerized by every word of French she says. For someone who has spent most of her career acting, it's nice to know that she's got an activity that will see her through retirement.

Je Sais Nager is a minimal work of exquisite songwriting. With slight vocals and guitar work to match, siblings Irene and Francis create a work of delicate pop that's easy on the ears and heart. You might not know what Irene is singing about, but as Eddie Murphy once pointed out, "everything in French sounds romantic." These could all be songs about the plague...but in Irene's hands they all sound beautiful and warm hearted. Je Sais Nager is a fantastic record that's alluring, seductive, and an absolute joy to listen to.

Parlotones Journey Through The Shadows

With a name like Journey Through The Shadows you'd think that the Parlotones album would be some dark hearted slightly metallic rock and roll record. Well if you thought that, you would be wrong as this is truly a case of not being able to judge a book, or CD, by its cover. Rather than being heavy and metallic, The Parlotones are trad and somewhere between the Stereophonics, indie rock, and the middle of the road. They're pretty good and their diversity of styles allows them to kind of head off into a million directions and make them all work at the same time.

Journey Through The Shadows is really more like a Journey Through The Styles as there are no shortage of influences or ideas that make their presence known on this record. There's indie, power pop, rock and roll, jam band, and even country coursing throughout the songs here. While that generally spells doom for an album, amazingly, the Parlotones are able to harness each of them and write songs that are consistent and very listenable. There's a whole host of potential singles on this record that could be stadium anthems given half the chance. A song like, "Brave & Wild," has that anthemic soaring vocal style, instantly memorable chorus, chiming guitars and a wave of rock and roll energy that could elevate the emotions of a million people; It's a huge tune just waiting to happen. And Journey Through The Shadows is loaded with moments like these.

The Parlotones can play and write songs with the best of them. Journey Through The Shadows is proof of that and it's a record that taps into their inner Coldplay as much as their inner Stereophonics. From twangy guitar to lofty riffs, pleading vocals to heavenly highs, jumpy drums to slowed down tempos it's all here and done well. They might have a bazillion influences but they've managed to concoct the correct formula which allows them to overcome the pitfalls with each. The Parlotones maybe be journeying through the shadows but their destined to wind up in the sunshine.

Soca Gold 2012

Soca Gold 2012 Collection is yet another spectacular compilation in the uber long running series. This is an absolutely killer one CD and one DVD set featuring eighteen of the hottest tropical tunes under the sun coming from every corner of the Caribbean this year plus music videos and live performances from Trinidad. Designed to pack out a dance floor and then some, The Soca Gold 2012 Collection is a rump shaking experience from the first note of disc one to the final note of DVD.

This is a compilation that proves that down in the Caribbean the heat never dissipates and the dancing never stops. Soca Gold 2012 Collection is the sound of an endless summer and the sound of Carnivale year round. With something for everyone and from so many different artists, Soca Gold 2012 Collection is impossible not to like even if you have no idea what Soca even is.

From Iwer George’s, "Jab (No Pain)," to Skinny Fabulous', "Rumble," this is a record that never stops moving and is overloaded with Afro-Caribbean and South American influences; in fact it's bursting with tropical flavor. Awesome in every aspect of the word this gargantuan record of grooves is the sound of the paradise on repeat. With us in the middle of the summer and stuck in the middle of nowhere, there's no better way to pretend to be somewhere else than with Soca Gold 2012 Collection.

Casting Shadows On Stars

There's something equally frustrating and exciting about receiving something in the mail from a band with no information tied to it. Who are you? Where are you from? Why are you here? I wish I knew...but I don't. What I do know is that Shadows on Stars sent me their self titled debut and that it is a lo-fi indie dance pop platter of perfection.

There’s not much to go on but Shadows On Stars sounds as though it was record in a bedroom by the band's two members as they jumped around having the time of their lives. The songs are lo-fi-ish, fizzy, energetic, and seductively sweet. Listening to this is like eating a huge slice of cake and enjoying the sugar rush that comes with. This is indie pop that's in love, smart-alecky, and sweet as can be. If you can imagine The Drums, Vivian Girls, and Calvin Johnson in a 10x10 bedroom with lots of equipment in it you have an idea of where Shadows on Stars are coming from. This is joyous stuff and so much fun I had to listen to it three more times.

While the vocals sound a bit warped and the whole production sounds as if it was recorded through a boom box, the purity of each song here overpowers any discrepancies with the recording. Shadows On Stars are brilliant and there's not a duff tune on their debut. They've totally hit a grand slam with this record and it's one of the most fun, sweet, and huggable records I've heard this year. If you like indie pop then you need to see Shadows on Stars.

I Heart Sharks In The Summer

No folks, it's not Shark Week on Discovery Channel...it's just British band I Heart Sharks who are so vicious, deadly, and brutal that they've written a frivolous song to everyone's favorite time of the year, Summer. Aaaaaaah. Watch out. In all reality though, "Summer," is an absolutely killer tune of angular uptempo post synth pop. With a high degree of danceability, sinewy synths, and a darkish tinge the record goes for all right angles, easily memorable choruses and throbby rhythms and that's just the first tune.

Aside from the title track, Summer comes with a whole heap of remixes that covers a variety of styles that are all guaranteed to get the dance floor at your local club moving in one way or the other. From the electro mayhem of the Captain Capa Remix to the four to the floor face melting drum and bass rework of the Brazed remix, I Heart Sharks apparently like all kinds of dance music as well. There's not one duff mix amongst the four here and the whole single is wrapped up by the stunningly moving and aptly titled "Aerobics." Another synth stormer, the song proves that I Heart Sharks are a force to be reckoned with and that their ability to write dance floor devourers is almost second nature. These guys are good and this single only scratches the surface of just how good they are.