OK this is awesome. We really need to start writing about more Turkish pop stars because Nazli is our new favorite. Yesterday the singer dropped this clip for "Saygı Duruşu" and it's basically hypnotic. The song was produced by Volga Tamöz'ün (at leat we think we got that right) in conjunction with Yazz Records. The tune translates to "homage" or similar and the guy who wrote the lyrics told this website that the song is an "homage to the high energy of a full summer." And then it gets kind of odd (or maybe just Google translate is terrible?): the tune is also about "love on the eve of departure, such as those in the pharmaceutical future," the songwriter (think his name is Güven Baran) says of Nazli's new tune. Anyway, excellent electro-infused beats cross-checked with live instrumentation and eastern-leaning modalities...what's not to like? Check it.

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Today, Danish band The Asteroids Galaxy Tour debuted their latest clip and it's a stylish winner. "Major" was shot inside Funkhaus Berlin Nalepastrasse, a legendary 1950's building complex designed by architect Franz Ehrlich and originally commissioned as a broadcasting centre with self-contained infrastructure on the site of a partially destroyed veneer factory in Berlin-Oberschöneweide. Today, the site is a a recording studio and boasts band rehersal rooms (and more). Anyway, great looking clip for a fantastic song by the act, who we first wrote about last year just as their Heineken commercial was going viral in Europe (it took a bit longer for that ad, and subsequently the band, to get known in the U.S.). After touring America last fall, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are now a known quantity in hipper indie circles Stateside (America is their biggest market now, incidentally). This new clip will only help.

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Not everyone in Scandinavia has blond hair. And not everyone is perennially perky, either. Take, for example, darkwave goddess Karin Park. The Swedish singer-songwriter who has lived in (and maybe still does) Norway has had some Scandi success the past few years with less-than-sunny material that might appeal to Depeche Mode fans or even a few fans of Goth music. But Lady Gaga lovers will also like her. Her latest is "Restless" and it's a dark pop masterpiece, with chilling synths and standout vocals. Per her bio, her latest record "combines electronica, industrial, dubstep and synth pop with her unmistakeable, truly unique voice." Her forthcoming album (Highwire Poetry) drops May 28th and "was influenced by her strict religious upbringing in a remote Swedish town and the three years she spent in a Japanese missionary school," per England's Guardian. Barry Barnett and Christoffer Berg (The Knife etc) produced the set. Not sure if she's joking or not, but she claims this video was shot in her current house, a church (spooky yet awesome).

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OK so they aren't really sweeping Switzerland, but we did discover Eklipse on a Swiss website. And they are getting popular, at least amomg German and Swiss press outlets, who can't get enough of Miss E. (violin), Scarlett (violin), Viola (viola) and Helen (cello): the four mysterious ladies who make up Berlin-based string quartet Eklipse. Their debut music video, a cover of Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me A River," is now approaching 100,000 views and the act has been touring with Nightwish across the Atlantic. Anyway, they also cover Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, David Bowie and Kate Bush (the gals have a new video dropping soon and they are managed by the same German firm that handles Guano Apes). Eklipse randomly met in St. Petersburg at the White Nights Festival. Check out their soon to go viral clip below. (h/t hitparade.ch)

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Here's a welcome return to the scene from Dutch singer Esmée Denters. We last wrote about her in 2010, when she was cold kickin' it with Justin Timberlake and she's been active on Twitter and on You Tube in the meantime over the past few years, she just hasn't been releasing many actual music videos (aside from covers, that is). However, now the singer has just dropped a little gem on her twitter followers (like us): a promotional video for UK-based make-up company 17 Cosmetics. The brand has made this song by Esmée their "summer anthem." Every time a new product comes out, the company releases a new '17 make up song' and sometimes a video. What you'll see below is one of those promo clips. Super summer vibe, check it.

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Bulgaria's Vessy is back with another clip, hot on the heels of a video just released a few months ago, her in English "Work Of Art." This new song is in Bulgarian and "Свързани" translates to "related" or similar. Per her bio, Vessy is Vessy is "known as one of the most talented and productive young Bulgarian artists." The bio continues: "she sings in the top famous clubs in Bulgaria and is well known for private parties and events, having performed with international artists such as Inna, Robin S, Cece Peniston and Kelly Rowland." The actors in the video are Fahradin Fahradinov and "Heaven" Peeva. Check out her latest below, produced by Seeves Music.

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There's a new dance diva in Sweden and she's ready to take over, friends. Nikita Nox hails from Malmö and has previously worked as a dancer for artists such as Arash, touring the world with him. Now, she's launching a solo career and "What Would You Do" is her deubt music video. The song has been out since last year, but she just uploaded a clip for it today. She also signed a licensing deal with Playground music Scandinavia. Check out her first music video below....really pretty good!

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OK so maybe Minsk's Litesound will not win the Eurovision Song Contest (now nearly underway in Baku), but at least they know how to make a decent video that's not deady dull. The band, who we wrote about five months ago, just debuted an energetic clip for "We Are The Heroes" where things blow the fuck up. Planes explode, friends! Now this you don't see in your typical Eurovision clip, we can assure you. Because of the complex and well-documented politics of Eurovision voting, don't expect this band to win this year, but they will surely win over a few new fans with this song and new today promo. Check it below.

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So remember last year when we wrote about the dance act R.I.O. (German producer team Yann Peifer and Manuel Reuter aka Manian) that ended up doing very well in Germany both sales wise and on the radio (their most recent "Turn This Club Around" went Gold in both Germany and Austria)? Well, they're back with a hopeful summer anthem and it's called "Party Time." Naturally, a video had to be filmed in one of the premiere party captials of America, Miami. The video features the tune's singer, L.A.-based Nicco (who we just wrote about yesterday) and is a bit racy in parts, but hey, it's summer in Miami. Nothing we all haven't seen before. The most remarkable part of this song is that it seems to borrow the hook from eurodance classic "We Like To Party" from Holland's Vengaboys. Is it an homage? Theft? Decide below.

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So there's this duo in Norway named Cir.Cuz. If they were from California instead of Norway, they'd be big worldwide. Last year we became obsessed with their song "Radio," which they sadly never made a video for. That song was a monster in Norway, a five times platinum smash (granted, that means only about 50,000 downloads in Norway, but still!). More recently, Cir.cuz did shoot a video for a track called "Diva."Their next single drops May 28th and sounds even more pop (called "Gatelys," a video for which will drop soon....a teaser is here). Check the freshness below.

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You know who's really good and doesn't get enough love in Europe? Lisbon-based DJ Diego Miranda. You know where he does get love? Brazil. Accordingly, the producer/DJ went to South America late last year and early this year to tour and also to film a clip in São Paulo with Antonio Eudi, who is "considered one of the greatest names of musical production in Brazil," per his own bio. The pair also looped in a singer named "D'Queen," who sings "Take Your Time" in English. Really a nice house track, check it below.

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Austrian duo Darius and Finlay are back with another cheeky video. A few days ago the producers dropped this fun (and funny, if you're Austrian, we guess) clip for "Do It All Night 2k12" which is a tweaked/updated version of their 2009 offering of the same name (the Michael Mind edit of that was popular). This brand new take on the tune is better, however, and features a rap from Germany's Carlprit. The two main characters in the clip are Darius & Finlay. Nicco does not appear in the promo, yet his voice is the main vocal hook. Just the latest in a long line of crazy videos from these two, who have a penchant for exotic locations (they must like to travel and/or be wealthy as this video was filmed on an island in Spain...Punto de Jandia). Check it.

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For those who obsessively follow the Swedish scene, there's no question who the most exciting new alt rock/pop act is from Stockholm. The answer is Urban Cone. We first wrote about this band last year (see their fantastic "Freak") and each new single is progressively better. "Kings & Queens" is no exception. The five piece (Rasmus Flyckt, Magnus Folkö, Tim Formgren, Emil Gustafsson, Jacob William Sjöberg) recently played a few shows in Canada and are set to electrify fans in Europe this summer. We only pray that Goldenvoice/Coachella books them for 2013 to play the Miike Snow slot (they deserve as much and are every bit as good as Miike Snow, despite the fact not as many know this Universal Music Sweden/Warner Chappell publishing signed quintet, yet). Just genius songwriting. See below for proof (brand new video).

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Ready for a simply fantastic under-the-radar new track? Good. Because Paris/Los Angeles based duo The Stereo Flow are gonna give it to you. The act just released a video for their new song "All The Things You Do" and the promo features a singer we knew was a true talent in early 2011 when we met her for an interview here (that sadly never ran) in Los Angeles, England's Shirin. Perfect understated pop-leaning house/trance track to showcase the singer, who we like better than Dev, by the way. Looks like this new video was shot in Paris and we may have to buy the debut disc from The Stereo Flow, entitled Electro Magnetic Love Reaction. Really dreamy new tune. Check it below.

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If you had to choose one song over the past year or so that has had the most impact in dance and pop music lately, it might have to be Avicii's "Levels." In Germany and now Poland the synth riff from "Levels" is now either consciously or subconsciously influencing all kinds of dance/pop crossover material. The latest case in point? Polska radio smash "Without You." No, not David Guetta and Usher's "Without You," mind you. We're talking about DJ Remo's "Without You." The tune has proven a big hit on large Polska radio stations such as Eska (Top 20) and it features a rap (in Polish) by Doniu as well as an (in English) topline vocal by Amila. Per her bio, Amila’s own music "fluctuates between pop, dance and R&B." She also "writes her lyrics herself." DJ Remo, real name Remigiusz Łupicki, has been around forever and is not better known as an artist because, according to his bio, his day job is Head of EMI Music Poland's Pop division (!). Oh, he's also the owner of a very popular label in Poland, My Music, which released this track (surprised?). Check it below.

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Guess who speaks Spanish and speaks it rather well? Romanian dance/pop diva Inna. The singer went to Costa Rica to film the video, where her and producers of the tune, Play & Win, also did a bit of writing. The singer told us exclusively earlier this year here in Los Angeles how she "loved" Costa Rica and her entire team were taken with the island's charms. Inna is becoming very popular in Mexico and all over South America, so this is her proverbial love letter to Spanish speaking fans. Check out the new today promo, shot on both the Caribbean and Pacific beaches, of Costa Rica. The video was directed by Edward Aninaru, her favorite photographer and the man who handled her last video, the wild "Wow." Cameo from Brazilian DJ (who used to sleep with Madonna) Jesus Luz as well in this clip.

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Today, legendary Russian girl group Reflex returns via a brand new video filmed partially in Malibu here in Southern California. For those who don't know, Reflex ruled the pop/dance scene in Russia a few years ago and remain one of the better known girl groups from Moscow (they have had success all over the world, even in places such as Dubai). Now, the women are a bit older but are no less awesome. "Я буду небом твоим" ("I'll be your sky" or similar) is their latest and it boasts a much more mature style/look from the gals, which is a welcome change. Great song and it must be said the group's Irene Nelson looks and sounds lovely here. The group recently performed at FHM magazine Russia's 10-year anniversary and caused quite a stir in Moscow media circles due to their racy outfits. But here in this clip, it's all class. Have a look below.

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How do you take over the under 25 scene in Latvia? It's easy. Just make high energy rap music that leans pop and make vibrant low budget videos. That's been the recipe so far for Proekt Koza and it's working for them again with their latest single and video, "Я взял телефон." Already the clip has racked up over 200,000 streams in just a few days (a big number for any Latvian clip) and the promo bursts with energy, just like the tune. "Я взял телефон" translates to "I picked up the phone" or similar and boasts shots of Riga, where apparently their filming drew the attention of a lot of young female fans. Wrote about these guys before and they are a lot of fun. Check out their latest clip below.

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Norway is fast rising as Scandinavia's top music-producing nation and it has already surpassed Sweden in at least one genre: rap. But what Norway really excells at is pop-leaning rap and Sirius is one of Oslo's hottest at the moment. The Norwegian won “Norway's Got Talent” in 2010 and his first single “Fuck Up” went to #1 in the Nordic nation. He released a few tracks via Sony Norway last year and not sure if he's still with Sony (looks like he is at least still managed by them), but this new song and clip by the Larvik native is quite nice indeed. "Save The Moment" has anthemic qualities and it features the vocal talents of Johnel, aka John Lundvik (who lives in Sweden but is British). Great tune, produced by Simen Fjeld and written by the artists. Check the clip from last month below.

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You just can't make this stuff up. This is like a bizarre joke that starts out like this: "So Snoop Dogg, Jean-Roch and Karl Lagerfeld walk into a bar." But it's not a joke. This exists! Jean-Roch somehow got Snoop AND Karl Lagerfeld to appear in his just-released video for "Saint-Tropez" and the clip is gorgeous. One small problem, however, in that the song is basically awful. And this is from an artist we like and have written about many times before. Still, "Saint-Tropez" is simply no "Welcome To Saint Tropez" and the tune just never really takes off. But I suppose it's good in parts (at least Snoop's rap is ok). Anyway, have a look below. Très bizarre.

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