Listen to the podcast and stream all 10 selections from the special Summer 2017 edition of the our sister publication In Tune Monthly’s Listening List.
Here’s a tentet of tunes that are capturing our attention right now. Scroll down for commentary.
Java — Stanton Moore
Kygo performing live. Photo courtesy of The Come Up Show.
Stole the Show — KYGO
Kygo’s brand of “tropical house” music broke the Internet in 2013 with his more tempered take on EDM. The Norwegian DJ topped charts around the globe with numerous singles before releasing his debut LP, Cloud Nine. As the summer began, he offered Stole the Show featuring American singer Parson James and at this point, he has indeed made off with the attention of fans and critics alike.
Middle of the Night — The Vamps
Since their forming in 2012, Britain’s The Vamps have made the stylistic transition from pop-rock to dance-rock. However, their infections melodies and slick guitar hooks remain fully intact despite a higher level of production and the addition of sparkling synths and EDM beat drops. The young foursome enlists Danish DJ Martin Jensen to help lead the group’s latest album release, Night & Day, featuring the electronic ear worm Middle of the Night.
Sun Comes Up — Rudimental
London-based drum and bass band Rudimental has successfully blended dubstep, R&B, house, and pop into an award-winning career that has yet to peak. The four piece gets tropical on Sun Comes Up, a summery tune with steel drums and iron pipes courtesy of fellow Brit James Arthur.
Slow Burn — Daley
The Spectrum is the sophomore album from Manchester-based singer Gareth Daley. The 27 year-old with fiery red hair and seasoned vocals is a breath of fresh air, performing well- produced jazz/rock with R&B flair. Check him out on Slow Burn, a tune from the new album, which, fit with a lively bass line and sparkling horns, is anything but…
Moonlight — Grace VanderWaal
13 year-old Grace VanderWaal exploded onto the scene by winning the 11th season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, inking a deal with Columbia Records afterward. The real test begins now. However, now that the dust has settled, it would appear that this youngster has truly got the goods. Try Moonlight, her newest single, from this impish but gifted songwriting with tweety but appealing vocal stylings…
Location — Khalid
Texas singer Khalid Robinson has a voice made for classic soul, but his handle on today’s R&B and alt-rock allows for an interesting blend. Location is the 19 year-old’s breakout single from his 2017 album, American Teen, still finding its audience a full four months since it dropped. He’s got a signature sound, that when you hear it, is clearly, and can only be, Khalid …
Shoe Shopping — Old Dominion
If it weren’t for Matt Ramsey’s drawl and the occasional guitar twang, Old Dominion’s newest single, Shoe Shopping, could be mistaken for a Sara Bareilles love ballad. It should come as no surprise, though, then that Old Dominion’s members are all songwriters who have written for some of the biggest names in the biz. Anyway, this is a fun one that shows that song ideas are all around us.
Java — Stanton Moore
New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore found fame with the celebrated funk group Galactic, but in his acclaimed career he’s played in a number of bands and genres. This time, Moore returns to his jazz roots on With You In Mind, his seventh solo album, and teams up with Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison Jr., and Trombone Shorty for Java, a frisky, New Orleans-styled ditty.
Tuyo — Romeo Santos
Romeo Santos got his start as the lead voice of the world-famous boy band Aventura, but he launched a solo career in 2011. Since then, he’s released two records that topped the U.S. Latin Albums chart. He now aims for back to back to back No. 1’s with Golden. There are a number of standout songs here, but see if you don’t swooning over the romantic Tuyo…
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”: III. Scherzo. Molto Vivace — Sibelius: Finlandia – Chineke! Orchestra & Keven John Edusei
Chineke! bills itself as Europe’s first professional black and minority member orchestra, and it aims to inspire change and diversity in classical music. The group’s first recorded release is Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” which highlights African-American melodies and is led by German conductor Keven John Edusei. It’s all good, b try the blazing III. Scherzo. Molto Vivace for starters.