europopped

Sony music understands synergy and they've got it in Germany, of all places. The label, in a coup, managed to get Tove Styrke's "Call My Name" as the theme song of new Vox TV show "Das Perfekte Model" and they have timed everything perfectly around the show. "Call My Name" dropped as a single in Duetschland last week, just as hype around the new reality show began in earnest. Styrke's full album gets a German release next month, just as the show is in hit mode (VoX TV and Sony hope it's a hit, anyway). To top it all off, she plays a high profile gig in Berlin Feb. 25th (last month the Swedish singer was in Berlin on NRJ playing "whatever she wanted" for an hour, per her twitter feed). Yes, I know the "Call My Name" video came out a few months ago, but it was not possible to embed/watch it in America until recently. AND it's a killer song that I must have on this blog and many Americans have still never seen this clip, which was directed by the always excellent Mats Udd.

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Been trying to embed this video since last week but it has been difficult as it only recently has hit You Tube after premiering on viewable-only-in-Germany outlets. Deichkind are a very popular group amongst twentysomethings (especially men) in Germany and their latest, "Bück Dich Hoch," takes the act in a more pop/electro direction after previous more straight hip-hop (or "tech-rap" as they call it on their Facebook page). The song, as explained to me by two nice Austrians who work for Red Bull yesterday in Frankfurt's airport, is about people who "suck up" at work to get ahead. The video is kind of insane, as you'll see below. UPDATE 2/2/12 UMG has pulled the clip. Only viewable in certain countries now but trailer is below.

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Let's face it, Berlin is still the coolest city on the planet. You can get anything, anytime in Germany's nexus of now. It's a magnet for all kinds of expats and many go there just to make music. Case in point? New duo Kool Thing. The band consists of Julie Chance and Jon Dark (from Dublin and Sydney). But they live in Berlin and their vibe is 100% Prenzlauer Berg chic. Earlier this week they released a video for "Light Games" and only 75 people have watched it on You Tube. But that will change soon, because the music and video is just too good (and also there are some rather sexy bits, so watch out and mark it NSFW for hot lesbian action). Don't know much else about the band aside from the fact they cite Robyn, Cocteau Twins and The Knife as infuences on their FB page. Good enough for me!

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I'm fascinated with how German major labels can just crank out new dance divas at the drop of a hat. EMI Germany last year threw down with Ava Rocks. Now, Sony Germany is introducing a woman named Djane Housekat. Seriously. That's her name. Anyway, she didn't exist early last year as far as I can tell. Now, all of the sudden she has a Facebook page (with no bio information up yet). But she does have a brand new video for a song called "My Party." So who's invited to Housekat's party? For starters, über producer Axel Konrad, the genius behind tracks for Groove Coverage, Baracuda and many more. Also an American guy is at the party, a rapper named "Rameez." The track is back engineered from several other club classics and uses a bit of disco classic "Let's All Chant " for its hook. Check it...it's almost like something off of a 1994 eurodance compilation, updated for the 2012 masses.

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The Disco Boys have reclaimed a German Eurodance winner and done it with style. The Hamburg-based duo have covered ATC's modern eurodance classic "Around The World (La La La La La)" which is back in vogue after several notable recent updates and samples (see J.R Rotem 's take on the track in 2010 and Sexion D'Assaut's usage of the track, too, etc). Earlier this month they dropped a video for their update on the song and it's a pulsing electro-disco winner for 2012 that will serve a new generation of clubbers nicely into the summer. Check it out below. You cannot go wrong with this song. Make sure to check this post I did two years ago to see five different versions of "Around The World."

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