I was first made aware of songwriter/producer Chris Malinchak sometime last year when one of my DJ friends turned me on to popular UK singles, “So Good To Me” and “If U Got It” (listen BELOW). When I learned that Malinchak was getting ready to release a new single, “Stranger” (out today, July8th via Ultra Music/Sony Music UK/RCA Records) featuring one of my favorite up & coming male vocalists, Mikky Ekko, I obviously got a little excited. Check out the Mark Seliger-directed video, BELOW. The clip transports its viewers back to New York City in the early 1980s. Absolutely stunning.
“Stranger” premiered on Pete Tong‘s BBC Radio 1 show, becoming Chris Malinchak’s third “Essential New Tune.” The new single sees Malinchak crossing into uncharted waters, musically speaking, blending in disco and funk elements with more traditional house vibes heard on previous releases. In talking about “Stranger,” Malinchak thinks that the new sound will come as a surprise to fans. The track was written by Malinchak and soulful singer/songwriter Mikky Ekko (Rihanna’s “Stay“) and produced, mixed, mastered AND engineered by the producer himself.
Previous releases, “If U Got It” and “So Good To Me” made waves last year in the UK, with the latter peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and topping 25 million YouTube views. Malinchak wrote “So Good To Me” while working part-time as a gas station attendant and pharmacy deliveryman. The talented multi-hyphenate musician started studying classical piano at the age of 3, going on to explore jazz and composition in elementary school and middle school. By high school, Malinchak found himself playing in a number of bands then in 2009 he got his first big break. Approached by Toronto-based DJ/producer, Leon Oziel (blogger and electronic music tastemaker at music blog French Express), Malinchak was asked to join his French Express record label, whose roster included Jonas Rathsman and Isaac Tichauer.
Malinchak is planning on taking his show on the road later this year. Check out the recently released video for “Stranger” featuring Mikky Ekko BELOW. You can download “Stranger” on iTunes (U.S.) today (July 8th) and on iTunes (UK) on August 3rd.
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