Little bright lights are we

Random music tidbits:

As part of promotion in Germany, Jesse McCartney is giving away a minute and a half clip of his demo of "Bleeding Love" (well, all we technically know is that it's him singing it, but I would imagine it's a demo) when you sign up for his German newsletter. I've been on record before as having a fascination with demos even when I don't expect them to be better than the original, so of course I had to have it. It's not as amped up and epic sounding, but I'm still so glad we got to hear it for curiosity's sake (and would love to have the full version eventually). If you're interested and don't feel liking signing up, I'm sure it'll be easy to find. Thanks to PubliSpain for the heads-up! I'll be writing more about other songs from him in a little bit, hopefully.

Speaking of minute and a half clips of songs, there's now a clip of the extended mix of Kate Ryan's "Ella Elle L'a" out there (as well as another remix apparently, but I would presume the extended mix gives a better idea of what the actual radio version is going to sound like than any other long remix is going to). Thankfully, it's sounding better than that first remix we heard; the whole thing may end up better than I expected.

Infernal's new single...is different than what I expected. Not a stomper (though not a ballad either). An interesting/odd choice for a lead single. It starts off with some slightly choral but also slightly spooky vocals and makes you think it's going to be huge (that is, if that's really part of the single--the version I'm listening to has an odd gap in it), but it's surprisingly subdued.

Oh Linda Kiraly--I'm still not over "Can't Get Over" not being a smash hit. I'm not sure why, but she's now uploaded a dance remix to her YouTube account. It's not something I'm suggesting you all go listen to, but given how much I love "Can't Get Over," I feel obligated to still report anything having to do with this project. Once again, credit for the news goes to PubliSpain.

Belgian singer Katerine of "Here Come All The Boys" and "Catfight" has a new single coming out. "Shut Your Mouth" follows up the non-smashes "Live Wire" and "Don't Put It On Me," both of which I liked much more than "Shut Your Mouth"...which I have to say I don't really like at all at the moment. It's got a dancier bleepier backing for her; you can listen to it at this MySpace.

Baby, let me show you how to do na na na

Did I ever mention on here that a few months ago I got to watch that Jon documentary I wanted to see and mentioned a few times? I did (and can confirm that though it's in Danish it has the option of English subtitles)--and I thought it was really interesting (especially for someone like me who's so into pop and loves so many popstars who quickly rose to fame through a reality TV show). It certainly doesn't make him out to be some perfect person, but it's very...humanizing, and though there are times you want to shake him and get him to, say, stop being so stubborn, there are (more frequent) times when, given what he's going through and what he's saying, you just want to let him know everything'll be OK and find him a really good friend. I really am going to go into more detail about it eventually...but not today. Writing about Infernal has reminded me of a Jon song they remixed that I'm posting today. This song isn't Jon's only connection with Infernal: he's also the singer on (well, at least one version of) Infernal album track "Ultimate Control" (which I've written about before). Today's song, though, is technically a Musikk feat. John Rock (John Rock being an alias of Jon) track that was released as a single a few years ago. Jon's collaborated with Danish dance producers Musikk several other times: on another Musikk feat. John Rock track, a cover of "Love Changes Everything," and on the "Jon vs Musikk" remixes of Jon's songs "Every Girl I've Ever Wanted" and "Falling."

Summer Lovin' (INF:RMX Radio Edit)--the song opens just with Jon's voice (albeit enhanced to echo around), but pretty quickly very Infernal-esque electronic beats come in (you'll know exactly what I'm referring to when you hear them). Those beats take what, in its original version, was a nice summery beachy dance song and make it pounding and intimidating and, even though those electro beats couldn't be more pure, kind of dirty--a lot like "Ultimate Control," actually, which is probably why I love this remix so much. If the original mix takes you to a sunshine-filled beach, the Infernal remix gets you alternating between the center of the dancefloor and some dark and dirty corner of the club. I know I've said it before, but Jon's voice is so fantastic for this kind of dance music--well, music in general, but I literally cannot get enough of it over these kinds of beats.

You can buy the Musikk feat. John Rock single "Summer Lovin'" (which has a bunch of remixes) here (physical) or here (digital). It's also available on iTunes here.

(Also, I need to take a moment to curse DSTP for introducing me to Jon--it's cost me way too much money!)

Next up: maybe that Belgian singer.

Left me longing for you

Been waiting for new music from Danish group Infernal? Apparently the wait's almost over--they're filming their new music video in New York right now and the single, "Downtown Boys," will debut April 12 (via a performance on Danish TV channel DR1; the show they'll be on starts at 8 PM Danish time) and be on sale (in Denmark) April 14 (I think) [edit: oh, wait, maybe it's just that the video debuts April 14? But that seems too early if they're filming it now--well, the single or the video comes out that date anyway edit again: it's the single].

(News/heads-up via PubliSpain; confirmed via here, here, and here.)

#51 Infernal, "I Won't Be Crying"

I won't be crying when I'm lonely
'Cause I'll be making sure I'll have a good time
Ain't nothing wrong when I'm alone now
'Cause I'm alone and I'm proud

I've never truly become a complete fan of Danish group Infernal. I'm glad they're out there and can't wait to hear the new material they've said they're working on, but I really only have a strong fondness for a couple of their songs. Luckily, when they're "on," they're really on, and "I Won't Be Crying" is one of those cases. It's a hard-hitting dance-pop song (there seems to be a lot of those around this section of the chart, doesn't there?), though this time sampling Depeche Mode so as to create a song designed for miming and gesturing (with lots of big hand gestures--the video's really missing out by not including more of those, though luckily they begin to pick up once we reach the midway point) along to in perfect make believe music video-style fashion. Irresistibly catchy and punchy, it's also got some great attitude going on--an empowerment anthem for the wronged partner in a breakup.

Find it on: From Paris To Berlin

You gave your heart, you gave your soul, you gave me ultimate control; it's not enough, girl

Further on the me being behind the times front, I spent a lot of the time I disappeared off the face of the blogging earth listening to the following song. Danish dance group Infernal have been written and raved about everywhere--Don't Stop The Pop, Dirrrty Pop, Poplicious, Popjustice--but "From Paris To Berlin" somehow passed me by without inspiring a desire to seek out the album. "I Won't Be Crying" changed, that, though, as it had me perfecting dramatic brush-off gestures in the mirror and just generally dancing around the room. In case there's anyone out there like me who's taken so long to get on the Infernal bus, I thought I'd share another of their songs. As mentioned before, Infernal are Danish and, though they may have hit the UK hardest back in 2006, they've been releasing albums since back in 1998. The following song features guest vocals from someone I have written about before, though: Jon Nørgaard (here under the alias John Rock), Danish Popstars winner who, last I checked, was off releasing Danish language acoustic ballads in association with the documentary about him that I still really want to see ("Lidt Endnu," to be specific).

Ultimate Control (feat. John Rock)--I hate calling songs sexy; I think I've only ever done it once before over the course of this blog, that time in reference to the Attic's "In Your Eyes." But I can't help it here--because this song is. Desperate it may be as well, but there's no other word for it. It's driven by this repetitive thumping, almost revving-like beat that should get dull through repeated plays but doesn't, instead just getting more and more addictive. All Jon really has to do is speak over the top, but his distinctive voice suits this sort of dance music perfectly (actually, his voice seems to suit all sorts of dance perfectly, as the Jon vs. Musikk mix of "Every Girl I've Ever Wanted" was decidedly lighter in tone but still fantastic). Though the song still has a certain shininess that all Infernal songs I've heard have, it's also got a dark sheen that, when mixed with this danceable a beat, is irresistable.

There are multiple versions of Infernal's album From Paris To Berlin, but you can buy some versions here (physical) or here (digital).

Next up: maybe a Swedish duo or American singer.