October’s crop of new dance techno songs takes on an international flavor with new hits from the UK’s La Roux, Sweden’s Agnes, Canada’s Mstrkrft and Deadmau5 featuring Australian vocalist Rob Swire, Iceland's Steed Lord, as well as some very different American acts including The Prairie Cartel, Wax Tailor and Stacey Q.
New Songs from La Roux, Agnes and Steed Lord
La Roux have been riding a wave of 80’s synth-pop since emerging earlier this year to become one of the UK’s hottest exports. On their fourth single, “I’m Not Your Toy”, La Roux examine the trials of love over their pure gold mix of keyboards, hooks and shrilling vocals. “It's all false love and affection / You don't want me / You just like the attention,” Elly Jackson tells the one playing with her emotions.
Swedish pop princess Agnes also washes out her relationship issues on first international hit, “Release Me”. This sweeping pop dance track soared to the upper echelons of the UK charts and is now breaking North American dance clubs.
Iceland's Steed Lord on the other hand, bypass all the niceties of Agnes’ pleasant pleas and revert to name calling on “Dirty Mutha” infused with biting techno by Crookers, the geniuses behind Kid Cudi’s “Day & Nite”.
New October Dance from Yes Giantess, Mstrkrft and Dizzee Rascal
Yes Giantess continue the synth craze on “You Were Young” the lead single from their new EP dripping in 80’s cheese keyboards and a healthy dose of over-the-top fun.
Hitting harder with deeper beats and a silky vocal by John Legend, Canada’s Mstrkrft release “Heartbreaker” from their second album, Fist of God.
On a sweeter note, Dizzee Rascal teams up once again with Calvin Harris to go on “Holiday”. Missing the summer by mere weeks, “Holiday” leaped to the top of the UK charts upon its September release making this rap/house fusion his third number one in a row following “Bonkers” and “Dance Wiv Me”, his first collaboration with Harris.
Techno Dance from Royksopp, Chicane and Stacey Q
Royksopp’s third album Junior sees the band departing from their dreamscapes and instrumental ambient in favor of poppier, more experimental tracks such as “This Must Be It”, a slice of icy electronica featuring vocals from The Knife’s Karin Dreijer-Andersson. Perfect in its original version, “This Must Be It” has also been remixed by Thin White Duke.
No stranger to remixes, Chicane, the electronic dance act who digitalized Bryan Adams, hit a wall of controversy with latest track “Poppiholla”. Essentially a dance remake of the well-loved Sigur Ros track “Hoppipolla”, fans of the original ethereal yet incomprehensible song detest the version spun through the disco machine. Meanwhile club hoppers get to bop to this classic from Sigur Ros, the trippiest act to come from Iceland not named Bjork, or Steed Lord.
Speaking of trippy, it’s been 21 years since Stacey Q hit the charts, that’s when “Don’t make a Fool of Yourself” from her dynamite album Hard Machine dented the Billboard Hot 100. Back on the dancefloor once again, Stacey Q delivers “Trip” a song that walks the fine line between remaining faithful to her 80’s “Two of Hearts” roots and sounding completely modern.
Dance Grooves from Deadmau5, The Prairie Cartel and Wax Tailor
Just in time for Halloween, Deadmau5 teams up with Rob Swire, lead vocalist from Australian drum and bass outfit Pendulum with a new version of “Ghosts 'n' Stuff”.
Chicago heavy drinkers Scott Lucas, Blake Smith and Mike Willison formed The Prairie Cartel after months of boozing it up in Mike’s basement and listening to dance tunes. While the band’s name sounds a little too country, their sound mixes heavy beats, filtered vocals and a heavy baseline. “No Light Escapes Here” won’t burn up the dacefloor but fans of early New Order will clearly see influences shining through.
On the verge of releasing his third album, Wax Tailor continues to blend Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Jazz and 60’s Pop on his latest single “Say Yes”. Perfect for the after-party, this track mixes strings, horns and a funky vocal over a jazzy/hip hop back beat.
October 2009’s New Dance/Techno Playlist
- La Roux I'm Not Your Toy
- Agnes – Release Me
- Steed Lord – Dirty Mutha (Crookers Remix)
- Mstrkrft - Heartbreaker
- Yes Giantess – You Were Young
- Dizzee Rascal – Holiday
- Royksopp - This Must Be It
- Chicane - Poppiholla
- Stacey Q Trip
- Deadmau5 - Ghosts 'n' Stuff
- The Prairie Cartel – No Light Escapes Here
- Wax Tailor – Say Yes
All tracks listed on October 2009’s new dance techno music playlist are available at digital retailers.
James W. Coates - A nomad at heart, James W. Coates has been combining his passion for music, writing and traveling ever since his father packed the family ...
