Lena – Looking For Love

German Eurovision legend Lena returns with a soulful and disco-tinged bop this week. ‘Looking For Love’ has a classy production and a big choir-like feel to the anthemic chorus. Think Justice meets Dua.

Lena · Looking For Love

Bright Light Bright Light – Cry At Films (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman 808 BEACH Main Remix)

We are loving the extended party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bright Light Bright Light’s legendary ‘Make Me Believe In Hope’ album. There are all sorts of goodies happening including digital and physical reissues with plenty of bonus tracks. This latest remix for the classic ‘Cry At Films’ is absolutely gorgeous. It takes Rod into pastel pop synthwave territory and we hear a bit of Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Circle In The Sand’ with those West Coast ocean drive vibes shimmering above the track. John and Bill pull a beautiful blinder, giving new life to a track we already loved to pieces.

Bright Light Bright Light · Cry at Films (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman 808 BEACH Main Remix)

David Harks – State Of The Art

It’s been a while since we heard from Mr Harks and it’s fair to say he’s had a lot of life going on. However from first listen to his new track ‘State Of The Art’ we realised how much we missed him. ‘State Of The Art’ is woozy new wave with alt-dance leanings and a gentle funkiness percolates throughout. The epitome of chill. Also…..the artwork is not a state at all (see what we did there), it’s a dreamy feast for the eyes.

Paco Versailles – Soy Gitano

It’s always an uplifting feeling to listen to new Paco Versailles music. Those boys know how to bring the summer vibes and ‘Soy Gitano’ is a brassy bop and a welcome addition to their funky yachtpoppy back catalogue. As always the production is exemplary. Dancemenco indeed.

Solardo, Vintage Culture and LOWES – Adidas & Pearls

We’ve been enjoying all things LOWES this year, with their edgy take on the London Grammar sound. However, we were so not ready for the explosion of noise that is the brilliantly titled ‘Adidas & Pearls’ made in collaboration with Solardo and Vintage Culture. Those early synth throbs in the intro go intergalactic as the track unravels and by the end you’ll be pogo-ing hard at your imaginary festival of choice. Euphoric and epic dance music (wait for those beats around 1m 45s).

SOLARDO · Solardo x Vintage Culture x LOWES – Adidas & Pearls

Anna Yvette – ScarS

Anna Yvette is settling in very nicely to a place at the top table for all things synthwave. She’s promised to be extremely prolific this year and living up to her word with a flurry of recent releases. On Friday she shared the very powerful ‘ScarS’ which brings a surge of nostalgic emotion as well as bombastic stadium sized production. Anna’s vocals and the synths battle each other and we call it a very fair score draw and the close of play!

Ivy Eye – On My Mind

Happy weekend my lovely Teases and Darers! First proper day off for us and we are keeping the tunes bright and uplifting. First up it’s the cracking newbie from Ivy Eye. They crank up the disco vibes but also have some gorgeous bubbling synths alongside the best production on one of their tracks so far. The vocals really pop on the chorus too. Definitely one for fans of Miami Horror or Paco Versailles.

Ivy Eye · On My Mind

Maya Vik – Swipe

We let out a little squeal when we saw Initial Talk’s Instagram post earlier mentioning his involvement in a new single by Maya Vik. Our Maya fandom has long been secured and ‘Swipe’ is everything we have always loved about her catalogue of tunes. Squelchy Scandi electropop with lashings of uptown Prince funk and all done with Maya’s exuberant charm and energy. Such a welcome return.

Maya Vik · Swipe

Denise Van Outen – From New York To L.A (including Steve Anderson Extended Disco Mix)

Teases & Dares is on holiday!!!! A week away from the day job means you should expect lots of blog posts over the coming days. We couldn’t think of a better feel good track to kick things off than this one. Co-produced by the legends who are Steve Anderson and Terry Ronald, this was always going to be delicious. Denise Van Outen brings the theatrical showgirl to this take on ‘From New York To L.A’ and we vote now to add her to the Mighty Hoopla line up for 2023. As well as 7th Heaven mixes the words “Steve Anderson Extended Disco Mix” have NEVER not ended well so this 4 track release will keep you bopping and twirling for days. Let the glitter positively burst forth from your speakers right now – that final minute when Denise lets rip is our favourite thing in the world right now.

Denise Van Outen · From New York to L.A.

Denise Van Outen · From New York to L.A. (Steve Anderson Extended Disco Mix)

NeverMann & Dana Jean Phoenix – Living Without You (Silk Version)

‘Living Without You’ is the stunning musical return from NeverMann and featuring synthwave frontrunner Dana Jean Phoenix (sounding like classic Debbie Gibson on those vocals at times). With Opus Science Collective on production duties this one can’t fail. The single version of the track is special enough but we are drooling over the Silk Version which gives mid 80s electro-soul feels in the slickest of fashions. We’re also hearing a bit of Sunshine Anderson’s summer jam ‘Heard It All Before’. A new poolside soundtrack for your listening pleasure!