In my latest Promising Pop feature I’ll be introducing you to three exciting new discoveries you might not have heard that I think are worth a listen. On the docket today, we’ve got a British electronic trio, a Vancouver-based DJ/producer and an LA-based singer/songwriter/producer originally from North Carolina. Sounds like an eclectic mix, doesn’t it? While I don’t typically have themes for my Promising Pop features, this one sort of accidentally has one. In addition to all being synthpop or dance music, each track features a strong, lead male vocal—something I probably wouldn’t have covered on the blog a few years ago. Back in the day, I was 100% focused on big-voiced female pop divas, that’s all I listened to. It used to take a lot for a male vocal to connect with me but what can I say, times have changed and tastes have changed. Let’s dive right in with the first artist, an Oxford-based electronic trio called Pixel Fix.

PIXEL FIX

“I Want You The Same” by Pixel Fix is a sweeping electronic epic of a song,  which serves as a glorious introduction to the band if you were previously unfamiliar. The song also makes for a long-overdue RE-introduction if you happen to be familiar with either of their 2014 EPs—Fall or Running Thin, or perhaps their self-titled debut EP which came out in 2013. Now, admittedly I’m feeling quite guilty because this is the first I’m hearing of the Oxfordshire, England-based trio. That being said, there’s an advantage in discovering an act late in the game, as they already have a collection of songs available to listen to, as opposed to a brand new artist with only one song online. Pixel Fix has three EPs worth of material out there which is an entire album’s worth! After having listened to new song, “I Want You The Same” as well as some tunes from their last EP, Pixel Fix appears to be sticking with what they know, sonically speaking—Crisp, clear male pop vocals soaring over sparkly layers of dense, electronic production, shimmery synth ripples emanating throughout. Talking about the new single, the band said

“I Want You The Same’ has been with us for a while, and has taken many different forms over time. It started out as more of a minimal electronic vibe, But when Clem wrote the main guitar line, the song really just went from there. The meaning of the song lyrically is kind of self explanatory in the name. It’s a song about someone changing into a different person, into someone they’re not and not wanting that to happen.”

Pixel Fix is headlining a sold-out gig at The Waiting Room in London December 7th and at Barfly February 10th (tickets). Listen to “I Want You The Same” below.

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PAT LOK

Next on my list, “Your Lips,” an infectious disco-infused house cut by Vancouver dance music producer Pat Lok. Featuring the smooth vocals of fellow Vancouver-based singer/songwriter DiRTY RADiO, “Your Lips” has all the necessary ingredients required for a certified club smash, including floor-filling, funk-infused dance beats and a soaring anthemic, hands-in-the-air chorus.  The song isn’t out until November 13th (via Hear This Records), but that’s not stopping DJs worldwide from showing support, with endorsements already rolling in from the likes of Tensnake, Moon Boots, Goldroom, Just Kiddin, Nick Catchdubs and more. As if peer support wasn’t enough, “Your Lips” is already getting radio play over on BBC Radio 1Xtra. To support the new single, Pat Lok kicks off a 10-city tour November 14th in Seattle at ReBar. Be sure and check out the full list of tour dates and stream the new song below.

• November 14 | Seattle, WA | ReBar
• December 3 | Los Angeles, CA | Sound
• December 4 | Costa Mesa, CA | The Wayfarer
• December 10 | Austin, TX | Kingdom
• December 11 | Boston, MA | Wonder Bar
• December 12 | Montreal QC | Newspeak
• December 15 | Miami, FL | Bardot
• December 17 | San Francisco, CA | Audio
• December 18 | Denver, CO | Church
• December 31 | Toronto, ON | The Black Eagle

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JAKE TROTH

“Everybody Loves You” by LA-based North Carolinian, Jake Troth is a musical paradox of sorts. Lyrically “Everybody Loves You” is a sad song, but with its rousing, euphoric synths, a smattering of crashing drums and a big, beautiful “EVERYBODY LOVES YOU” chorus, you feel anything BUT sad. The song features in an upcoming short film, Double Black Diamond (due early next year), co-written by Troth and director Stewart Yost, as well as on the film’s accompanying soundtrack. After the duo had written the film, they combed through Troth’s vast catalog of songs written over the past 8 years to decide what to include in the film itself and on the soundtrack. According to the press release;

“By harnessing the many moods conjured in the film’s visuals, Troth and his co-producer Alex Goose and executive producer Shama Joseph have given the warmly melodic songs on Double Black Diamond, the album, an extra emotional resonance — the same way a great soundtrack does.”

In addition to being lauded as “creative and innovative” by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, Jake Troth has a pretty impressive resume, working with major talents including Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez, Erik Hassle among others. It was his 2014 collaboration with Big Boi, “Apple Of My Eye” from the album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, that really boosted Troth’s public profile, thanks to a series of live TV performances including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and his “booty-rattling” (via Rolling Stone) turn on the Late Show With David Letterman. “Everybody Loves You” is available now (Spotify) via Kakalak Records but you can listen to it below.

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