Holiday season is in full swing, and between scrambling to find presents for family and friends, booking your travel, and trying to sneak past all the Salvation Army Santas, the holidays can be stressful.   On the radio, Sam Smith and Taylor Swift are hawking their latest albums while every retail shop you walk into is blaring Mariah and all the other yuletide ballads from their loud speakers.  If you need a break from all the inescapable holiday racket and crave something fresh and hi energy to listen to, try some of these gay dance floor-approved gems.

By: Kristine W

Kristine W returns to the dance floor with "Stars," the second single from her soon-to-be released album. With soaring vocals, an infectious beat and heavy bass line, "Stars" is the definition of party track. However, listeners who peel back the high energy layers will hear a deep and important message beneath its surface. The song is about coping with life’s difficult transitions: a good friend moving away, children leaving to chase their dreams, or a loved one dying. Change is inevitable and in "Stars," Kristine reveals the emotional rollercoaster she has been going through with her recent divorce.  The song is a beautiful reminder that like the stars that fall from the sky, the people who disappear from our lives will always remain in our hearts. We should celebrate the light they brought — and always will bring — to our lives.

By: Ricky Rebel

The second single from the glam rocker’s The New Alpha album is a rock ballad about the sanctity of time how it shouldn’t be wasted on arguing and fighting with loved ones.  Inspired by a horrific car accident from when Rebel was a child, where he nearly lost his mother, the song opens with a bell chime and simple guitar riffs in the background and showcases Rebel’s voice in a vulnerable and poignant manner.   The second verse is more instrumentally layered than the first and the tension keeps building, hitting a slight pause in the bridge that leads to an explosive climax.  Rebel says he felt it was important to include "Time" on his album because being a true alpha means having the strength to express feelings of fear and sadness.  He does so beautifully in the song, proving an artist can jump genres while still maintaining his individual artistry.

By: Emily Perry

Move over Katy, there’s a new Perry in town.  In this, her second dance track, the down under newcomer mixes today’s electronic and acoustic sound with late 80s house to conjure up a feeling of love, power and hi-energy fun.  Produced by Grammy award winning powerhouses The Jackie Boyz, "Boom" is a Bruno Mars inspired club groove with an explosive chorus that will stick with listeners for days.  Like the other Perry, Emily finds power in juicing her libido with the hottest dance-floor beats.  What sets her apart is her songs celebrate girl power in a way that encourages her millennial fans to embrace the fun of young romance.  The Dave Aude mix is a particular standout.

By: Billy Winn

"Crash" is the first single from out artist Billy Winn since he split with his record label two years ago. Written and produced by Billy and Mark A. Barrie of the production team Madscience, the song is a super intense, emotional, and dynamic electro pop record, similar to his previous hit records, "Cruel Intentions" and "He Won’t Do," but with less of a dance focus.  The song marks a true evolution for Winn as he begins to explore deeper topics of love that he says he has been experiencing as he’s grown older and, supposedly, wiser.   "Crash" is about the complications of love, especially when it’s one sided.  It poses the question:  What is one supposed to do when feelings develop for Mr. Wrong?  It’s a question many of us ask, especially today when casual hook-ups are as easy as picking up your phone.

By: Kendra Erika

After climbing to #6 on the Billboard dance chart this summer, Kendra Erika could’ve written another "Under My Skin" and been complacent in her role as dance floor’s reigning diva. Instead she takes the high road with a brand new song packed with substance and emotion that works both on the dance floor and on the radio.  Once again, Erika unites with Grammy Award winning producer Damon Sharpe, but this time, they create a psychedelically poetic single about taboo love.  The song is Miami in a bottle with a sensuous vibe-y lounge groove, built around a continuous tempo and looming ghost voice that harkens back to early 80’s house music.   New remixes are expected in early 2018.

By: Black Stereo Faith

House music legends Ultra Naté and Quentin Harris are back with the first package of remixes from their alt funk collaborative album, Black Stereo Faith.  The collection features "I’m Too Sexy (Touch This Skin)" and "SNL," reworked and reimagined by some of the biggest DJ/producers on the planet including David Morales, Benji Candelario, Vjuan Allure and Craig C.  The standouts are David Morales’ dark, subby, and full-of-attitude version of "I’m Too Sexy" and Benji Candelario’s Frankie Knuckles-esque version of "SNL" (featuring Inaya Day and Darryl D’Bonneau).  Also, have to give props to Vjuan Allure for serving some raw, dramatic Baltimore beats for the ballroom queens in his version of "I’m Too Sexy".

By: Music Bear Tony Banks, Featuring EarthTone and Yo! Majesty’s JwlB

The second single from the hip hop bear’s upcoming Yes, Homo album has a driving beat that is meant to move booties while enlightening hearts and minds.  Produced by the artist and featuring out rappers EarthTone and Yo! Majesty’s JwlB, the House infused Hip-Hop jam was inspired by today’s racially charged climate. Music Bear Tony Banks uses rhymes to urge fans to get up and do something: create community programs, get to the polls and vote for politicians that are going to unite municipalities and stop police brutality and harassment once and for all. It’s a message for the black community, the muslim and LGBT community, as well as all communities that are feeling victimized by the heavy and often unfair hand of the law.

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Contributor Jimmy Newsum |

Person Billy Winn | Black Stereo Faith | Emily Perry | Kendra Erika | Kristine W | Music Bear Tony Banks | Ricky Rebel |

Topic Music Review |