The debut from the modern bachata duo Carlos y Alejandra has been all over the tropical charts thanks to the mid-tempo melodic bliss of La Introduccion’s first single, “Cuanto Duelo.” Judging by the tracks on this debut album, you can expect to hear a lot more of the group’s unique rhythms and sensational vocal work. “Explicarme” is another strong, rootsy offering but with Carlos and Alejandra giving a contemporary RB twist to the vocals.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Owl City is the stage name of Adam Young, a Minnesota native plinking out dreamy tunes that meander down clever lyrical sidestreets. “Fireflies” melds a partly-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-clearing attitude to a trance-pop beat. The result: an invigorating, feel-good electro-pop experience. Young has a bit of Death Cab for Cutie in his vocal timbre that, when pressed up against a synthesized beat, is so effervescent it could levitate Stonehenge. “Fireflies” appears on Owl City’s latest album, Ocean Eyes. If you like the track, check out the album which is now available exclusively on iTunes for next two week for just $7.99.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Last week we showed our appreciation for the efforts of Natalie LaFourcade when we spotlighted her new work with Los Amigos Invisbles. This week, we take our new love a little bit further and spotlight a track from her new album, Hu Hu Hu. “Ella Es Bonita” is a bright slice of sunshine pop where Ms. LaFourcade comes across like a nouveau folk-singer with a penchant for horns and organic disco-pop. In a perfect world, we would spend our weekends in the forest frolicking to music like this.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Meese is a Denver-based group that’s ready to send its debut album, Broadcast, out into the world. We’ve got the band’s new single, “Next In Line,” available for you to check out for free. Meese has a solid, slightly synth-touched rock backbone that drives its songs forward. A mixture of soulful harmonies within rough guitars and electronic textures gives the band a distinct feel. This summer, you can catch Meese on tour with the Fray and Jack’s Mannequin. If you like the track, check out the album.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
A signee to DJ Khaled’s We the Best/Def Jam imprint, Ace Hood is riding the shockwaves from the success of “Overtime” with a brand-new single, “Loco Wit the Cake.” Ace Hood shows off his flamboyant lifestyle (“Spend 30 in the mall/Five cars sitting tall”) over a treacherous Schife beat. “Loco Wit the Cake” reveals that the cards are in Ace Hood’s favor. If you like the track, check out the album.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Any recording that begins with an old-fashioned walking double bass line already sounds like a winner to us. Add suave yet understated drumming, crisp acoustic guitar comping, and, most importantly, singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist Leslie Mendelson’s spirited voice, and one gets a song that does indeed, as advertised, “Hit the Spot.” The bluesy piano and boozy horns that come in later fortify the song’s adult-pop brilliance, which will make listeners frequently click “repeat.” If you like the track, check out the album.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Robert Avellanet spent his youth as a member of Menudo in the late ’80s, and honed his rock skills throughout the ’90s as a part of bands like Euphoria, El Reencuentro, and Los Ultimos Heroes. Now he’s back as RoBA and with a new album, Jet Privado. “Laberinto” is a smooth pop track on the surface, but it rocks with gusto – a blazing guitar kicks the tune off which helps bring RoBA into a new level of rock ‘n’ roll sincerity. If you like the track, check out the album.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Mayer Hawthorne’s music is a throwback to a time when sweet, sweet soul ruled the airwaves and solid backbeats were recorded without any digital enhancements. “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” is from the school of Impressions-era Curtis Mayfield or Miracles-era Smokey Robinson — it’s got Hawthorne’s falsetto vocals ruling over a minimal bit of funk (also provided by Hawthorne, who plays all the instruments). Did we mention he’s a 29-year-old white kid from Ann Arbor? If you like the track, check out the single.
Free iTunes Download: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.