Stream Lo-Fi-Fnk "Steppin' Out"

It is okay to be gay and Swedish pop duo Lo-Fi-Fnk give support to queers and others who break the mold on their new single "Steppin' Out." Leo Drougge and August Hellsing, both 23, have written the ultimate coming out anthem with empowering lyrics like "I think you should tell us. Don't you think we noticed? We just want you to be straight up. We're gonna defend your pride now." Obviously lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, but I like to believe that the guys from Lo-Fi-Fnk are stepping up for tolerance. A good reason to make them my latest pop crush.

Musically, "Steppin' Out" is a catchy hybrid of '80 styled electro pop and down-beat dance rhythms that give the song a very nocturnal feel. Its slightly abrasive intro serves as an alarm that causes you to sit up and listen. What I particularly like about Lo-Fi-Fnk's production is that it is free of slick soundboard bells & whistles that results in an authentic, homemade sound.

"Stepping' Out" is out in Sweden today and available for download here. It is the second single from the duo's debut album
"Boylife" that also delivered the hit single "Wake Up" that was a top ten hit in Sweden. The maxi single features remixes by grime/trance jock Juuso Pikanen, Mylo protégés Dada Life and Kitsune's Popular Computer. II'd suggest you get your hands on this disc pronto. (Thanks to Leo and August personally for giving me permission to stream this track. Tack så hemskt mycket!)

Stream "Steppin' Out" by Lo-Fi-Fnk:

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Keane to Release New Single
Ever since I met up with Tom Chaplin of Keane and received an advance of the group's album "Under The Iron Sea," I can't stop listening to it. It is haunting, heartfelt and meaningful all at the same time. Knowing more about what drove the guys' bleaker songwriting for this new disc makes me appreciate it even more. I will write more about that later. "Under The Iron Sea" will be released worldwide on June 20.

Universal Music has released the formal audio stream of the trio's "Is It Any Wonder" that serves as the first single from the album. It introduces a more vibrant sound that was inspired by the group's life performances. Tom told me they wanted to capture the energy of their gigs and put it all in one song. Mission accomplished. "Is It Any Wonder" borders a full on arena sound that neatly fits Tom's choir boy vocals. The song also exposes some of the angst the band felt when writing the lyrics for the song.

It is interesting to note that the group's new album was produced without a single guitar. "Is It Any Wonder" shows off how Keane has used vintage synths and other techno gadgets to mimic big sound guitar riffs. (Click here to pre-order "Under The Iron Sea" at Amazon.com.)

Stream Keane "Is It Any Wonder" [real]

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Uffie Featured on FabricLive28
Attention hipster kids around the world. Your new darling Uffie is featured on the "FabricLive 28: Evil Nine" dance compilation that drops on July 25. This upcoming installment of the popular dance brand is produced by Brighton breakbeat masters Evil Nine. This new record is describes as "a raw, scorching view of breakbeat in the wide-open eyes of Evil Nine." Tracks include Uffie "Pop The Glock" (Dub), Daft Punk "Technologic" (Digitalism Highway to Paris Mix), The Clash "London Calling" and Franz Ferdinand "The Fallen" (Runied By Justice Mix). After listening to the entire advance of the disc, I must say that this is by far one of the top dance compilations to come out this year. Excellent track selection that is craftfully put together as one eclectic mix. [source]

Stream samples of "FabricLive28"

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Stream Madison Park "I'm Listening"
Atlanta dance pop duo Madison Park
is storming up the Billboard dance chart with their new single "I'm
Listening." The song is charting at number 37 in this week's Billboard Dance/Hot Club Play Chart. The track is taken from the group's forthcoming album "In The Stars" that will hit stores on June 20. Madison Park are married couple James and DeAnna Cool.

"I'm Listening" is a welcome progression from the duo's signature chill out house grooves that garnered them a loyal fan base around the country. The catchy Euro pop stylings of this new single indicate a change of direction for Madison Park that emphasize melodic, radio friendly pop formatting while staying true to their dance floor sensibilities.

The action-packed maxi-CD single includes the Lenny B Club Ready Extended Mix, the Grooveoholics Deep Dub, an '80s flavored Deep Electro remix, the Rock 'N mix, the formal radio edit and a piano & strings version. As a bonus, the disc also features the "I'm Listening" video.