What I Missed Whilst In Spain (Kyle Brylin, Christopher, Derek Darker, Nick Hagelin)

Here I go, here I go, here I go again - girls, what's my weakness? (Shouts) MEN! Ok, then... and if you get that pop culture reference, you get a prize. Well done you. Anyway, while I was sunning myself and getting my feet nibbled in sunny Spain last week (see here), lots of my favourite fellas were busy being musical and creative. So in a tribute to men in general, here is what some of the singing dudes have been up to...

THE EP:

Kyle Brylin ~ The System: Christ on a crosstrainer! I seemingly only have to blink and I've missed amazing new music from young Kyle Brylin. He really is a machine with his output of quality electro-pop songs (occasionally mixed with amazing pop frippery such as FizzyPOP of course...) This week he's not only donned one of my favourite fashion accessories (a bow tie; bow ties are cool) making him look hotter than ever, but he's unleashed his beast (ooer) of an EP, The System, onto gagging for it pop afficianados. The title track is a glorious, throbbing slice of dance bliss with a saucy yet seductive synth riff running through it. His voice flows over the mayhem, oddly reminiscent of Tommy Page before the track pulses to an orgasmic climax. Elsewhere That Bad sees a sparse percussive handclap and casio-inspired groove create a simplistic yet engaging 3 minute romp that comes with an entirely gratuitous but entirely amusing & pleasing video (above). In it, Kyle shows off how amaze he looks in a bow tie, some tongue in cheek vainery as well as strutting his stuff. I love a bloke who doesn't take himself too seriously... Go Hard or Go Chrome continues the dark, pounding nightclub theme of the EP with more intoxicating beats & a hypnotic vocal from the fella himself. Brand New Love is a spiralling, optimistic plea for perseverence set amidst an Ibiza-esque club track and some lovely keyboard enhancements that just make you want to let go of your inhibitions and shake your moneymaker til you can shake no more. It's all finished off with Stereo, which brings your club hopping adventures to a close; seemingly about the allure of music, the pop world and all the good and bad that go with it. All tracks equal a sweaty good time, but do pay attention to the lyrics and dig a little deeper. It's confessions on the man-floor...

THE SINGLES:

• Christopher ~ Against All Odds: Brilliant hair? Check! Amazing cheekbones? Check. Dreamy but powerful voice that would get him to the final 3 in x factor? Check! Hurrah! It's new popstar Christopher. He's from Denmark and his debut single is a mid-tempo ballad that is very good indeed. Think a somewhat updated That's My Goal - the type of winner's song that the aforementioned X Factor used to put out before they got obsessed with cover versions. It's infinitely catchy with a chorus that just won't quit, a swirling beat that enchants and a oh so delightful ay-oh vocal hook that somehow makes the song a million percent better... If that wasn't enough, do check out young Christopher's version of Robyn's Call Your Girlfriend and check his webpage too. Aces.
• Kyle Brylin ~ Revenge: Well flap me sideways and bugger me gently! At the same time as whipping out his EP, Kyle also has a separate single out called Revenge. And that's very in at the moment isn't it? It's doing well as a tv series for ABC (it's a sudsy good time) and now it's a rollicking good pop tune for Mr Brylin. I love a tune full of bitter recriminations and this is brimming with them (love "you're a gutter whore chasing fortune and fame". Ouch!) I can picture a suitably dark and malevolent video where Kyle chases a hooded fella throughout the song (showing his crimes of course in flashback), knocks him out and as he pulls the hood off the poor tied/gagged fella in the final scene, it turns out it's Kyle! He's seeking revenge on himself! Psychological!

THE COVERS:

• Derek Darker ~ Lego House/Waiting For A Chance To Come: I must say I do appreciate this current trend of upcoming singers hawking their wares via cover versions on the internet. It's like the x-factor being played out right on youtube. Derek Darker (along with Nick Hagelin below) is one of my current faves for doing this. fresh from his triumphant cover of Ur Love (the only version of the Cher Lloyd song I can stand), Derek now has two fine acoustic versions of current pop classics for your perusal. Not only does his voice make me melt ever such a little on Lego House, but he's also all poppified (well done young sir) in the video. On Waiting For A Chance there's a nice cute moment at the start where he's checking out his hair in the mirror, before allowing the (quite hot) guitarist to commence about the business of music. Both tracks shine with a charm and Derek's genuine love for the songs shine through in his performance. More please, more!
• Nick Hagelin ~ Stereo Hearts: The thing I like about Nick Hagelin cover videos is that there seems to be so much thought and effort gone into them. Each one takes a new setting, new characters and an interpretation of a modern classic & gives a visual spectacle to go with the aural treat. This time it's the Adam Levine/Gym Class Heroes track. In a playground. With shapes. And Nick's posse throwing shapes (ie A DANCE ROUTINE!!). And a random person walking past with child. All this on it's own would be amazing, but the acoustic version really is a treat. Nick Hagelin is the real deal. it's about time the world sat up and took notice...