Watch “Solitude of Heart” by AMPERSOUNDS ft Rufus Wainwright

Published

10 months ago

July 19, 2021

Da Mixx

More often than not, we have come to recognise French DJ Fred Falke and LA-based Zen Freeman for their electrifying electro house music. Linking up as the duo AMPERSOUNDS sees the legendary “DJ/producers branch out from their realms to explore dreamier soundscapes on their curiously non-titled debut EP. We are more used to seeing Fred Falke’s name flag up on remixes or collaborate with some of our most loved pop artists. An endless list, that covers Robyn and Bastille through to Luciana and Ellie Goulding. Wanting to expand their sound, Fred and Zen go with a more theatrical vibe on their new project. AMPERSOUDS are joined by GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist Rufus Wainwright for two incredible tracks, “TECHNOPERA” and “Solitude of Heart“.

On paper, this seems like an exciting collaboration. Brought to life in music and vision, it is a lush and blissful interaction between three esteemed artists. They are delving into a magical elixir bound by all of their skillful artistry. On “Solitude of Heart“, AMPERSOUNDS and Rufus are actually interpreting the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore. This being used as the lyrics of the track. Rufus‘ steers the emotive verses penned by Tagore with a dreamy vocal performance befitting of the golden-voiced singer. Poignant. Intoxicating. Intensely heartfelt.

Speaking about the new track. Rufus Wainwright comments,

“I love sometimes working with existing lyrics, and “Solitude of Heart” by Rabindranath Tagore seemed incredibly fitting for our time. There is something very laid back about the track but also deep at the same time. I think it is the perfect track to listen to in the middle of the night. And we all know those can be very long, so one can listen over and over again.”

The lyrics have somewhat of a spiritual feeling about them. Words that build a sense of enlightenment and being uplifted. A softer kind of euphoria as if the first light of dawn is about to break on an azure blue horizon. With it comes a sense of new hope and optimism. The track is supported by a Glass Battles directed animated visual. Using soothing shades of colour and torchlight like embellishments. The clip taps into the rejuvenating sensibility of the track.

When the stresses of the day pile on. Give yourself a break. Live in the moment with “Solitude of Heart“. It works like, a remedy, Will, bring the heart rate right down. And you will feel a sense of well-being take over.

Connect with AMPERSOUNDS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampersounds/

Connect with Rufus Wainright
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rufuswainwrightofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rufuswainwright
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rufuswainwright/

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Listen to “Horsey” by Alex Chapman ft Kim Petras

Published

22 hours ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

For Valentines this year, Kim Petras dropped off her “Slut Pop” EP as a treat for her fans. The not so little aside project took off rapidly. It is seemingly stealing some of the thunder that began brewing with tracks “Future Starts Now” and “Coconuts” for Kim’s forthcoming debut album in partnership with Republic Records. Kim is such a tease. She also knows best what her fans want and craves of her on a music footing. When the invite came along to drop some guest vocals on “Horsey” the latest dancefloor filler from LA-based songwriter and DJ Alex Chapman. The link-up made sense.

This is not the first time Alex and Kim appeared on the same billing. Previously, he opened up to Kim on her North American and European tours. Quite possibly, this collaboration may have resulted in them being impatient to start Pride month. As Alex is DJing at this year’s NYC Pride’s Pride Island next month, we can hedge a bet the link up with Kim on “Horsey” will heavily feature.

I see no need for an explanation from me of the tongue-in-cheek anthem. They just are celebrating the joy and ecstasy of doing the deed. Nothing wrong with doing that. Delivering fun music that celebrates queerness and being who you are. Fun will be had to promote this release, no doubt. In the lead-up to Pride, there is no way to blame them for trying to fix “Horsey” in our heads. Applaud.

While I do not support dance anthems per se on this blog site. This one snuck in and earned my favour. It is time for the clubs and the Pride events to bounce back in a big way, this year. I know already the anthem will go down a bomb. I fully expect it to top every Pride playlist.

There’s more to come from this Alex and Kim team up as well, he is co-writing on her forthcoming debut album.

Connect with Alex Chapman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexchapmannn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexchapman/

Connect with Kim Petras
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimPetras/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimpetras
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimpetras/

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Review: xPropaganda – The Heart Is Strange

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

xPropaganda - The Heart Is Strange review — xPropaganda – The Heart Is Strange review

Nearly 40 years after A Secret Wish, Propaganda’s frontwomen reunite with their producer to reclaim their rightful place among synth-pop’s finest…

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” These words taken from an Edgar Allen Poe poem opened Propaganda’s 1985 debut album, A Secret Wish, regularly considered by many among the finest German pop records ever made. And it certainly seemed a dream when Susanne Freytag and Claudia Brücken, alongside their debut’s producer, Stephen Lipson, announced they would rekindle the band’s spirit – albeit without Michael Mertens and Ralf Dörper – under the legally cautious name of xPropaganda.

It’s not the first time that a follow-up’s been attempted. Co-founder Mertens used the name for 1990’s underwhelming 1234, though Freytag only appeared on two tracks, Ralf Dörper co-wrote just four, and Brücken was absent altogether. A 1998 reunion without Dörper proved unsuccessful, too, despite Martin Gore and Tim Simenon’s involvement, and leaked tapes confirmed they were right to quit. But now – finally – there’s a successor similarly seeped in the monochrome beauty of Fritz Lang’s films but glistening with the sleek lustre of contemporary technology.

They stake a claim to this territory from the outset, with The Night’s roar of synths evoking ZTT’s mid-80s glory days and its stabs of synthetic strings, not to mention Terry Edwards’ muted trumpets, surely intended to recall the tense feast that was their debut’s opener. Chasing Utopia’s simmering keyboards prolong this pleasure, too, with Lipson’s guitar another nod to earlier production styles and muttered German texts underlining the band’s Teutonic roots.

Don’t (You Mess With Me) returns us to more industrial sounds, its stern, snarled, one-note melody packing a disciplined punch, while The Wolves Are Returning asks “When history repeats must we take it in our stride?”, its windswept drama lamenting the far right’s rise in a manner more Pleasuredome than pleasure. Only Human and No Ordinary Girl, it’s true, fall short of the high bar A Secret Wish set – though it’s unfair to judge them against a record quite so old – but Beauty Is Truth’s shimmering synths, tyrannical beat and patient crescendo compensate.

The closing Ribbons Of Steel, moreover, feels like the Omega to Dream Within A Dream’s Alpha, its spoken word tale of separation a high-tech riposte to Prefab Sprout’s masterful I Trawl The Megahertz. It seemed too much to hope for, but this truly is a dream.

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Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody (2022 Remaster) OUT NOW

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

SPONSORED POST

To mark its 35th Anniversary, @rickastley is reissuing his classic debut album Whenever You Need Somebody.

Remastered at Abbey Road, it’s out today on CD, 2CD Deluxe and Digital. Deluxe Edition includes 21 bonus tracks including b-sides, remixes, reimagined versions plus sleeve notes compiled from a new interview with Rick.

Get yours now.