In this week’s instalment of What’s Going On, we’re going straight to the dancefloor. Despite bars and nightclubs still largely being closed in most places, there is no shortage of great dance music being produced. From dark melancholy grooves to uplifting house bangers, there’s something here for everyone that likes to move. Until it’s safe to venture out to the clubs, add these 5 songs to your living room dance party playlist.
Lynks Afrikka – Named after a beloved deodorant scent, Lynks Afrikka is something of a living spectacle. Lynks Afrikka is the moniker of producer Elliot Brett. Praised by The Guardian & NME, critics are loving Afrikka’s queer industrial pop. With high concept looks that draw inspiration from 90s club kids & 80s icon, Leigh Bowery to DIY music videos, the visuals surrounding Lynks Afrikka are sure to pull you in. Their debut EP Smash Hits, Vol. 1 is full of catchy synths, big beats and witty lyrics. A queer star is born.
Listen to ‘How to Be Successful’ from Lynks Afrikka’s 2020 EP Smash Hits, Vol. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uvSgjHM4aI
Annie – Norweigan pop star Annie is back on the scene. Annie broke through internationally with her ‘Chewing Gum’ single in 2004. This past June, Annie announced that she would be releasing her first full-length album in 11 years, Dark Hearts. Annie recorded the album over 3 years, a lot of which was recorded while she was pregnant. A chilly slice of dark dance-pop, ‘The Bomb’ features Annie whispering the distress signal “SOS” and vocal samples taken from the 1988 film about nuclear war Miracle Mile.
Listen to ‘The Bomb’ from Annie’s forthcoming album Dark Hearts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl2Jkt547rA
Hard Ton – Formed in 2008, Hard Ton consists of DJ Wawashi and metal singer Max. The Italian duo met on a chat site for bears and the men that are into bears. Their music is reminiscent of the 80s Hi-NRG mixed with modern booming basslines. With hard bounding beats and raunchy lyrics, Hard Ton makes music that is perfect for sweat-soaked nights out. On Beats for Straight Boys, their first release on Balkan Vinyl, Hard Ton are coming out of the gate hard with a tight 4 song EP including the standout title track.
Listen to ‘Beats for Straight Boys’ from Hard Ton’s 2020 EP of the same name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svFgdmhjyVE
Kiesza – Canada’s very own dance diva is still going strong. Born and raised in Calgary, Kiesza was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy before embarking on a career in music. Her 2014 hit ‘Hideaway’ cemented her place in dance music history. After suffering a traumatic brain injury in an Uber crash in 2017, Kiesza took a 2-year hiatus from music. Since the top of 2020, Kiesza has been releasing singles from Crave, the long-awaited follow-up to her 2014 album Sound of a Woman. The latest single is ‘Love Me With Your Lie’, another banger that is sure to get you dancing.
Listen to ‘Love Me With Your Lie’ from Kiesza’s forthcoming album Crave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF0gRnXsoNM
Jodie Harsh – London nightlife legend Jodie Harsh loves to make the people move. Starting in club promotion before eventually having her own club nights to DJing and producing, Harsh’s star continues to rise. Harsh’s new single ‘Fascinating Light’ from her soon to arrive EP Beats N’ Pieces is a certified club banger. With a thumping house rhythm and uplifting lyrics about the thrill of dancing in the clubs, ‘Fascinating Light’ was designed to be a dancefloor filler and it’s safe to say that it definitely will be once the clubs are full again. The bassline is sure to be your new earworm.
Listen to ‘Fascinating Light’ from Jodie Harsh’s upcoming EP Beats N’ Pieces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2ewuEY_R-A
Twitter handles:
https://twitter.com/lynksafrikka
https://twitter.com/annieponannie
