Tag: indie electro pop

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Andy Korg Shares Cinematic Yet intimate “Echoes of Yesterday”

Jürgen Oman, a.k.a. Andy Korg is an Austrian electronic music producer and artist, who made a name for himself his homeland’s and the international house and pop scene as a member of A.G Trio and as the co-founder of Ages.

Alongside his bandmates Roland von der Aist and AKA Tell, A.G. Trio landed a number one hit on Austrian Radio FM4. The band was named Soundpark Act of the Year and received three Amadeus Music Award nominations. The trio also landed several tracks on international dance charts. Adding to a growing profile, the trio supported their material with international tours between Mexico and South Korea. But after some time, the trio went through a massive change in sonic direction that necessitated a rebrand.

As Ages, the trio of Oman/Korg, von der Aist and AKA Tell released the critically applauded Roots. But when they artistic paths diverged, the trio went on hiatus.

After a several year hiatus, Oman felt the itch to create again. “The most important thing for me is that I‘m enjoying producing again,” he says. This time with new energy and a fresh approach, Oman is stepping out into the spotlight as a solo artist, who refuses to be pigeonholed into a specific genre or style.

Oman’s latest Andy Korg single “Echoes of Yesterday” is dreamy and meditative track that to my ears sounds a bit like a synthesis of Pavo Pavo and Depeche Mode — and in some way as though it could have been released sometime in 1983. The track is anchored around a lush production that pairs layers of glistening synth pulse, skittering beats, some remarkably catchy hooks paired with a dreamy falsetto, creating a song that’s both cinematic and intimate.

As Oman explains, the song “is a meditation on memory, time and the fleeting nature of moments.” Throughout the lines between dreams, reality, the past and the future intertwine and blur creating a sense of experiencing a vivid yet half-remembered dream.

The accompanying video follows a beautiful Black man as he heads to the dance studio where he elegantly dances to the song.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Moonbird Shares Lush and Yearning “Silence”

Rising French electronic producer Pierre Charmot, best known as Moonbird emerged into the scene back in 2021 and he quickly established his sound, which sees him pairing hard-hitting techno beats with ethereal vocals. That same […]

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Thaïs Shares a Club Friendly Bop

Rising Paris-born, Montréal-based singer/songwriter and JOVM mainstay Thaïs specializes in an atmospheric and delicate pop sound, which compliments her ethereal delivery. Thematically, her work typically focuses on melancholy, loneliness and dysfunctional, confusing, heartbreaking love.

Now, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, you may recall that 2022 was a breakthrough year for the JOVM mainstay: She signed with Bravo Musique, who released her highly anticipated full-length debut, Tout est parfait.

Since then the French Canadian artist has had busy couple of years: She has expanded upon her growing profile, opening for KYO, M, Arianne Moffatt, Dumas and Suzane while working on her Blaise Borboën and Thaïs co-produced sophomore album Personne. The album also features contributions from La Faune’s multi-instrumentalist Jay Essiambre and bassist Émile Farley.

Slated for an April 4, 2025 release, the rising JOVM mainstay’s sophomore album will reportedly be “extroverted music for introverts” — energetic tracks that lead towards self-affirmation while allowing listeners to delve deeper into her universe.

Personne’s fourth single “Taxi” is a slickly produced, dance floor friendly bop that sounds as though it were inspired by Robyn. And while arguably being the most club ready songs of her growing catalog, the song is anchored by her penchant for pairing introspective lyrics with remarkably catchy hooks. The song’s narrator is on her way back from a night out, sitting in the backseat of the titular taxi, when she’s caught the ghost of a past relationship — through a favorite song or a passing by a place that reminds of her this past lover or something along those lines.

Directed by Alexis Boudrias, the accompanying video introduces us to a bruised and battered Thaïs waking up from some sort of accident and then performing the song in a bare studio. We also see the rising French-Canadian heading to a party and when she arrives, quickly realizes that she doesn’t belong. She makes an attempt to leave and winds up in the studio, where she presumably feels more like herself.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Alain Void Shares 80s Synth Pop-Inspired “Roba de pecore”

Italian electronic musician and producer Alain Void emerged into the synthwave/electro pop scene back in 2022 with his solo recording project, Empty Essence, which meshed elements of post-punk, electro pop and darkwave with lyrics that tackle philosophical themes.

Over the past year, Void stepped out into the spotlight as a solo artist, writing and recording under his own name. He was inspired by the need to spread awareness and awaken consciences through music.

His latest single “Roba de pecore” brings Violator-era Depeche Mode to mind with Void’s Dave Gahan-like vocal being paired with glistening synth arpeggios, thumping beats and some remarkably catchy hooks.

The accompanying video is a gorgeously cinematic shot, black and white fever dream.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Adrian Jean Shares Sultry Bop “Cachaça”

Adrian Jean is an American-born, Brazilian-based R&B and pop singer/songwriter and producer, who currently splits his time between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Influenced by Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean and Teena Marie, he quickly established a sound that blends old school with contemporary sounds with the release of his debut single, 2019’s “See The Stars,” which lead to his being named as a Bandsintown Big Break Artist. Jean has become a TikTok sensation with his work amassing over 25 million streams on the platform.

Since relocating to Brazil, Jean has built a strong connection with the country, collaborating with renowned local artists like Carol Biazin, MC Du Black, Ebony and YOUN, as well as production teams like Los Brasileros and Htimaker. Here in the States, Jean has collaborated with Jimmy Burney and Janette Sewell, best known as the co-writer of the Grammy Award-winning, smash hit “Empire State of Mind.“

The American-born, Brazilian-based artist’s highly anticipated EP King Size, which is slated for a May 2025 release. The EP’s first single is The Hitmaker — the production team of Andre Vieira, Wallace Vianna, and Breder — produced, show-stopping “Cachaça,” a seamless synthesis of contemporary pop and R&B, trap and Brazilian funk paired with Jean’s soulful crooning describing a universal sentiment — the desire to drink and dance away your heartache.

“Cachaça” can trace its origins back to a wildly successful songwriting camp hosted by Jean in Petrópolis, Brazil in 2021. He gathered a team that included Jimmy Burney, Carol Biazin, DAY, Limns and Hitmaker

Cachaça” was born during a songwriting camp hosted by Adrian in Petrópolis in 2021, and it continues to deliver hits today. For this track, he gathered an impressive team: Jimmy Burney, Carol Biazin, DAY Limns, and Hitmaker. “I didn’t sit in the studio thinking ‘today we’re going to make funk,'” Adrian Jean says. “My approach was: ‘today we’re going to create good music.'”

“The result was a song that, to me, sounds like a major label release; something I could hear on the radio,” he adds. “That made me feel great, knowing I produced this record. After working in Brazil for four years and immersing myself in the culture, I feel this is an inevitable reflection of my musical journey here.”

Directed by Junior Scoz and choreographed by Flávio Verne and Nayane Fernandes, the accompanying video for “Cachaça” was filmed in a bar in São Paulo emphasizes the song’s sultry, buzzing energy — while capturing the narrator’s desire to obliterate his pain with booze and dancing.

“Cachaça” was also part of the soundtrack for the Raphael Montes-written soap opera Beleza Fatal, which premiered on HBO last month.

singer/songwriters by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Maga Córdova Shares Sultry “Lluvia (LIKE YOU)”

María Gracia Córdova, best known as Maga Córdova is a Guayaquil, Ecuador-born singer/songwriter, who can trace the origins of her career to her childhood: Her parents taught her that music was arguably the most genuine form of human expression.

Back in 2016, Córdova was a participant on La Voz Ecuador, where she acquired a number of valuable tools both professionally and personally, which helped her to start a solo career, which led to signing with a local record company.

Córdova released a handful of singles, including 2018’s “No Me Dejes Sola,” “Te Lo Buscaste,” “Amor Camuflado,” her hit “Error Tras Error,” and the 2021 international collaboration with Martina La Peligrosa “Cuando Nos Encontremos,” have helped her win a dedicated fanbase in Ecuador. Adding to a growing profile, she has shared stages with Morat, Greeicy, Gian Marco, Noel Schajris, Piso 21, Sebastián Yatra, Mau y Ricky and Luis Miguel.

After a years’ long hiatus, the Ecuadorian artist released three singles last year “Mil Gracias (KARMA),” “Vuelvo a Volar (HIGHLIGHTER)” and “Soy Otra,” which reflected her own evolution as a person and artist, while highlighting female empowerment. Those three tracks topped the Ecuadorian charts, demonstrating both her talent and the connection she has with her fans.

This year, the Ecuadorian artist plans to release a batch of new material that includes her latest single “Lluvia (LIKE YOU),” a slick, dance floor friendly synthesis of Larry Levan-like house, Latin music and Afrobeats anchored around the Ecuadorian artist’s sultry delivery.

The single is accompanied by a gorgeous visual shot at lakefront party that features some incredibly sexy dancing.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Amira Jazeera Shares Flirty “Luv U Down”

Amira Jazeera is a queer Palestinian-American artist and producer, who currently splits her time between Chicago and Los Angeles. Raised with a fervent love for pop music, Jazeera’s work sees her pairing powerhouse vocals, catchy melodies and contemporary R&B and pop production with 80s and 2000s influences, 00s Arabic music samples.

Her work is often characterized by an emotional depth uncommon in most contemporary pop, sultry undertones — but anchored in empowerment.

Jazeera’s latest single “Luv U Down” is a fun, flirty electro pop tune along the lines of Janet Jackson‘s “When I Think Of You,” Madonna‘s “Dress You Up” and contemporary Finnish pop act Beverly Girl that evokes the thrill of finally having an intimate moment with that person you’ve longed forever for, or that lover, who knows how to touch you in the right spots. It’s an expression of the playful yet knowing level of lust, obsession and anticipation that are the best — and most fun — part of romantic affairs.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Terciopelo Shares Brooding Yet Radio Friendly “Rise”

Terciopelo is the solo recording project of a mysterious and emerging Costa Rican-born and-based electronic music producer and artist, who blends diverse instrumental elements, trap beats, jazz and soulful melodies into a unique and moody sound that has been described as thought provoking.

The mysterious Costa Rican-born and-based electronic music producer and artist’s forthcoming full-length debut, The Breakaways sees him collaborating with a talented and diverse group of female vocalists. Thematically, the album focuses on women and their journeys through life — with each vocalist singing lyrics that detail the trials, tribulations and joys of their life through their perspective. The album’s material delves into the depths of passion, love and all of the various aspects of human life. 

“This album represents a significant chapter in my musical journey,” the Costa Rican producer and artist says. The Breakaways is not just a music album, it’s a celebration of life, love and the magnetic power of music. We poured our hearts into every note, and we hope it resonates with our audience on a profound level.”

Over the past handful of months, I’ve written about three of the album’s singles:

  • “Your Love . . .,” a brooding and slickly produced synthesis of Portishead-like trip hop, trap beats and contemporary electro pop paired with yearning vocals and evocative lyrics. The song thematically is a deep dive into the lives of women trapped in abusive romantic relationships. The song’s narrator paints a poignant and haunting picture of the internal and external struggles that domestic abuse victims face with a seemingly lived-in specificity. 

  • “Nothing Can Stop Me,” a slickly produced track that pairs contemporary pop with trap beats, shimmering acoustic guitar, bursts of twinkling Rhodes with a soulful vocal, pop starlet delivery. Much like its predecessor, the song captures the interior world of its narrator with an uncanny attention to psychological detail.

  • “Hey Boy,” a slick mix of strutting Brazilian and Latin jazz, featuring some fantastic solos paired with skittering trap beats and a coquettishly sultry vocal. The song — and in turn, the video — sees the woman boldly taking change, and shooting her shot.

The Breakaways‘ latest single “Rise” features a brooding Massive Attack-like trip hop inspired production and trap beats, bursts of Middle Eastern-styled instrumentation and electro pop to create a radio friendly bit of global-tinged pop anchored by a gorgeous, soulful vocal.

The song and the accompanying video tells the story of Anya Petrovna. Born into poverty in a small Eastern European village, Petrovna dreams of becoming a world-class ballerina. With no formal training and only an old pair of ballet slippers handed down from her grandmother, she teaches herself to dance by watching grainy videos on a borrowed phone. Every night, she practices in secret, her movements graceful yet raw, fueled by determination. Anya’s life changes when a traveling ballet instructor, Madame Kovalenko, visits her town and notices her extraordinary talent. Against all odds, Anya is given a scholarship to a prestigious ballet academy in the capital. There, she faces fierce competition, cultural barriers, and the ever-looming threat of failure. Struggling to keep up with wealthier, better-trained peers, she battles self-doubt and exhaustion. Yet Anya refuses to give up. With relentless perseverance, she wins over skeptics, perfecting her technique through sheer willpower and passion. When she is chosen to perform the lead at a world-renowned theater, she knows this is her moment to prove herself. On opening night, Anya dances as if the stage were the only world she’s ever known. Her performance captivates audiences and critics alike, placing her in an elite class of ballerinas of which only a handful exist. Yet her journey is not just about success—it is about resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of a girl who dared to dream beyond the limits of her world.

The accompanying visualizer features a dancer dancing in outer space with the celestial bodies behind her.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Total Fucking Darkness Shares a Banger

Besides being an awesome band name, Total Fucking Darkness features:

The trio’s latest single “Desolation Boys” is a slick yet chaotic synthesis of Tweekend-era Crystal Method and Come With Us-era Chemical Brothers-like big beat, LCD Soundsystem and deep house with glistening synth arpeggios delivered with a nihilistic, tongue-in-cheek absurdity. And it slaps so fucking hard that it sounds like it could be played at clubs in Manchester and Berlin back in 1999-2006 or so.

Created in the final hours of a manic, 72-hour writing spree with McFall flying in London, “Desolation Boys” encapsulates the band’s volatile energy. The song is anchored around spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness-like lyrics and a raw vocal take where Campbell can be faintly heard yelling “go fuck yourself,” mid-chorus. Who is he yelling at? Himself, perhaps?

The song reflects the band’s ongoing exploration of themes like the futility of existence, the exciting pointlessness of class war and the rejection of everything that doesn’t BANG.

The accompanying video features edited footage of a concert somewhere in Berlin, pro Palestine protests and UCLA’s dance team, a country dance team, an old pun rock show and other pop detritus.

singer/songwriters by William Ruben Helms
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Live Concert Photography: Winter Jazzfest 2025: Lion Babe at Baby’s All Right 1/11/25

Live concert photography of Lion Babe performing at Baby’s All Right during Winter Jazzfest.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Super Plage Shares Breezy, Dance Floor Friendly Bop

Jules Henry is a Montréal-based singer/songwriter, electronic music producer and creative mastermind behind the acclaimed recording project Super Plage.  And if you’ve been following this site over the past couple of years, you’d recall that I’ve written about the acclaimed Montréal-based artist a bit over the past couple of years.

Last year, he released two singles:

  • “Ton chien,” a flirty bop anchored around a breezy and summery production featuring glistening synths and skittering beats as a lush bed for Henry and Parsian artist Sainte Nicole to trade ethereal and dreamily delivers verses. It’s the sort of song that’s perfect for hanging out in the park — or the beach — with the pretty someone, who’s got your heart skipping beats. 

  • A cover of  Jimmy Hunt‘s 2013 hit “Nos corps,” with longtime collaborator Virginie B and Nectar Palace that turns the disco-tinged yet atmospheric original into a New Wave-like tune that reminded me a bit of Blondie-meets-Soft to the Touch-era Jef Barbara with a Robyn-like disco groove, some squiggling funk guitar.

Henry’s fourth Super Plage album, GROSSE MAISON is slated for a May 16, 2025 release through Montréal-based label Lisbon Lux. The album’s second and latest single “Tip Top” continues a run of breezy, 80s-inspired dance floor friendly bops anchored around squiggling funk, glistening synths and a relentlessly infectious groove serving as a lush and woozy bed for Henry’s dreamy falsetto. “Tip Top” is a track that invites you to get up on that dance floor and shake your ass — while dreaming of the summer.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Jody Vukas Teams Up With Ariana Celaenio on Lush and Plaintive “Fade”

Since the late 90s, electronic music label head and artist Jody Vukas has been a mainstay in the American electronic music scene for a sound that features elements of tribal house, progressive house, tech house and techno.

Vukas’ begins 2025 with “Fade,” a lush, pop-leaning club and lounge friendly collaboration with Ariana Celaenio that pairs her plaintive and ethereal delivery with glistening synths, a driving groove and skittering beats.

As Vukas explains, the song tells a young woman’s story of the fallout from a ad relationship — and it’s done with a verisimilitude that feels as though it comes from lived-in experience.