Turning Into Something Of Another Kind

Tanya Stephens “Need You Tonight” – When this single first came out, I passed it over in favor of Ce’cile’s “Rude Bwoy Thug Life,” which was also based on the Cure Riddim. At the time, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me to feature two songs with essentially the same backing track. “Need You Tonight” didn’t stand much of a chance up against “Rude Bwoy,” but that’s no comment on its quality. That Ce’cile song is probably one of the top 20 or 30 best songs that I’ve ever posted on this site. The Cure Riddim is essentially a remixed version of The Cure’s “Close To Me,” and with or without Robert Smith’s lyrics, the music can’t help but to convey a strong sense of romantic anticipation. Tanya Stephens runs with that general theme, but darkens the tone by making her version about anxiously planning an adulterous rendezvous. (Click here to buy it from Germaican Records.)

Tahiti 80 “Changes” – Okay, so now we know what Phoenix would sound like if they became obsessed with the Neptunes. This track is utterly immaculate 00s pop, and seems almost like a musical tribute to two or three years ago while still sounding like it could be from two years from now. The voice is thin but pleasant, the beats are crisp, the hooks won’t let go. Unsurprisingly, people in Japan love this song. (Click here to buy it from Juno.)