CANADIAN artist Sydney Blu has just dropped her dancefloor-driven new LP, Conviction.
Following her early releases on Deadmau5’ Mau5trap label which broke boundaries for female electronic artists to her more recent work alongside artists like Kevin Saunderson and Hot Since 82 the album follows a move to Berlin from her native Canada.
After starting writing Conviction in Berlin, the pandemic hit. Sydney was on her way back to North America for a tour in March 2020 and got stuck there, in a small Canadian town called Thunder Bay where she finished writing and recording the album. The resulting long player is two lifestyle extremes combined into a single body of music.
“From disco queen to quarantine queen, this album is a combination of the last two years of my life. I went out a lot in Berlin because I would always get inspired for the studio after a big night of dancing at Katerblau, Panorama or Sisyphos. I then, spent the pandemic hiding out in isolation finishing Conviction. Such an extreme change of life, but the one thing that stayed constant through it all has been the music.”
The first single Monologue with Fritz Helder on vocals features in a selection of music from Sydney, ready for post-pandemic dance floors and which she talks us through below.
Booka Shade – Jan Blomqvist
“This track has a classic Booka Shade sound that gives that deep melodic hypnotic feel. Also the vocals are a nice touch and the baseline makes you MOVE.”
Miane – You Belong To Me
“Proper groovy tech house and the vocal seduces you into the track even more. I think this is a perfect set opening tune and know I’ll be playing this when clubs open.”
Sydney Blu & Fritz Helder – Monologue
“An 80’s synth driven melodic indie dance tune, with a great vocalist on it named Fritz Helder. Fritz was one of the lead singers of Azari & III who sang the famous house track ‘Hungry for the Power’.”
Spencer Parker – Radio Waves (After Dark)
“This hypnotic synthwave driven record was released on Rekids, Radioslaves label last month and I’m here for it! I can not WAIT to play this in front of people. It’s also a record that crosses over into several genres.”
Dennis Ferrer and Disciples – Whisper featuring James Yull
“I love the bass line in this track. It makes you move immediately when you hear it. I also love the live guitar addition to the tune.”
Hannah Wants – Lift Off
“This is a great record. The vocals are absolutely epic and the music gets me moving every time I hear this track.”
Sam Dexter, Mallin – Live By The Rhythm
“This track is proper deep house with a vocal that gives you a nostalgic feeling. I love the bass line and the groove of this track.”
Ladebare – What Are You Gonna Do? featuring Jenai
“This track is on Danny Howard’s label ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and I LOVE it. It’s got that 80’s, indie dance synth vibe and every time I hear it, it gives me total ENERGY!”
Kinky Sound – Feel So Right (HIGHLITE Remix)
“Another indie dance vibe here which is a sound I’m loving. This one gets deep but the main synth is so hypnotic and takes you on a journey through the record.”
Dennis Quin – Chante
“Chante is a classic tune remade and the vocals are so fierce. I think Dennis Quin did a bang on job at remaking this tune for current times so kudos to him!”
Sydney Blue – Conviction is out now. Grab your copy HERE.
