the partae

Niloo Farahzadeh is a musician, singer-songwriter, and visual artist whose work is as captivating as it is genre-defying. Based in Lekwungen Territory (Victoria, BC, Canada), Niloo blends shoegaze, dreampop, folk, and Iranian pop into a soundscape that feels both otherworldly and familiar, like stepping into a dream laced with nostalgia. Her music transcends borders, reflecting her rich cultural heritage as an Iranian-Canadian woman, while exploring themes of ancestry, migration, and diasporic identity.

Through her project Niloo, she creates a sonic space that honors her roots, weaving together elements of western psych, dreampop, and shoegaze with the smooth, melodic rhythms of 70s Iranian pop. Her work is deeply personal, offering a bridge between her past and present, and inviting listeners into an intimate exploration of memory and belonging. With every note and brushstroke, Niloo brings her unique perspective to life, creating a tapestry of sound that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the pull between different worlds.

niloomusic.com

More than four decades after its original release, Eartha Kitt’s flamboyant 1983 club anthem “Where Is My Man” receives a spectacular revival courtesy of internationally acclaimed house music maestro Joe T Vannelli. Set for release on April 25, 2025, this remix is not merely a nostalgic rehash—it is a vibrant, floor-filling reimagination that effortlessly bridges the glamour of the past with the sophistication of modern house production.

The original track, penned by Bruce Vilanch, Jacques Morali, and Fred Zarr, marked Eartha Kitt’s triumphant return to mainstream music after a 14-year absence. With its sharp, witty lyrics, Euro-disco finesse, and Kitt’s unmistakable purr, it captivated audiences and soared to No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart. It quickly entrenched itself as a cult favorite, particularly within LGBTQ+ club circles, where its bold, campy opulence resonated deeply.

Joe T Vannelli—renowned for his genre-defining productions and a discography boasting over twenty gold and platinum records—approaches the remix with palpable reverence and unmistakable flair. Known for iconic hits such as Robert Miles’ “Children” and Spiller’s “Groovejet”, Vannelli applies his signature deep house touch to Eartha Kitt’s classic. The result is a track that shimmers with contemporary energy without diluting the theatrical grandeur of the original.

From the opening bars, Vannelli’s craftsmanship is evident. The remix kicks off with a driving bassline and shimmering synth pads that instantly signal its dance floor intent. Eartha Kitt’s vocals—cleaned up, isolated, and re-layered—cut through with hypnotic clarity, her sultry intonation sounding as commanding and sassy as ever. The drop introduces punchy house beats, crisp hi-hats, and warm analog synth layers that swirl around Kitt’s timeless voice, enhancing rather than overpowering her performance.

One of the remix’s triumphs lies in its dynamic arrangement. Vannelli cleverly plays with tension and release: extended breakdowns give Kitt’s spoken-word verses ample space to breathe, before launching dancers back into irresistible grooves. Subtle nods to the song’s original Euro-disco roots—like glimmering arpeggios and bright stabs—are seamlessly woven into modern deep house textures, creating a remix that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Early reactions from international DJs have been overwhelmingly positive, with the track already making appearances in sets from Berlin to New York. Club-goers are responding enthusiastically to its rich, bass-heavy production and the iconic allure of Eartha Kitt’s vocals, proving that the diva’s charm remains ageless.

Vannelli himself summed up the spirit of the remix aptly: “Eartha was elegance and defiance personified. I wanted to honor her charisma while giving today’s dancers something euphoric to lose themselves in.” It’s safe to say he’s succeeded.

Available on all major streaming platforms as of April 25, 2025, with exclusive vinyl editions and club remixes via Dream Beat Records, “Where Is My Man (2025 Remix)” is poised to be both a summer anthem and a staple in DJ sets for months to come. More than just a remix—it’s a stylish tribute to Eartha Kitt’s indelible mark on dance music culture.

Verdict: ★★★★★ (5/5)
A flawless blend of vintage diva glamour and modern house mastery. Essential listening for club enthusiasts and Eartha Kitt fans alike.

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Three decades after his iconic Love Parade hit “It’s Our Future,” Tom Wax – one of the defining figures of the electronic music scene – returns with a bold new album. The Future Is Now, set for release on 2 May 2025, showcases his enduring passion and versatility across 21 tracks that explore a wide spectrum of electronic sounds.

Featuring collaborations with Drea Perlon, Sikøra, Kevin Dukes, and Bill Brown, The Future Is Now is a body of work of impressive scale and ambition.

The album takes listeners on a dynamic journey, moving from cool, minimalistic textures through darker, harder-edged productions, and culminating in a series of surprising, genre-defying compositions. With The Future Is Now, Tom Wax not only honours a remarkable career but also offers a glimpse into the next chapters of his artistic evolution. More than just a collection of tracks, this album stands as a powerful statement on the past, the present, and the possibilities ahead – a project that will resonate with longtime fans and newcomers alike, proving that Tom Wax remains firmly in touch with the pulse of the times.

PLAY/LISTEN

Tom Wax: https://www.instagram.com/tomwaxofficial/

New Orleans’ Jamie Bernstein has JUST dropped his brand-new acoustic LP, Zeus—and it’s unlike anything you’ve heard before (partly because it was literally recorded on a boat with legendary producer Mark Howard).

When singer-songwriter Jamie Bernstein got wind that Howard wanted to record an album aboard a sailboat, he didn’t hesitate. In June 2024, he hopped on board the Zeus, a sailboat anchored in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas, and spent a week sailing the Sea of Abaco with Howard and Captain Johnny O’Brien. Each night, they’d drop anchor in a hidden cove, fire up the mics, and let the ocean’s rhythm play co-producer—wind, waves, rain, all part of the soundscape. The result? A raw, immersive album that feels both intimate and epic.

Zeus is a total vibe. It’s got that rare, magnetic kind of soul—honest, unpolished, and emotionally rich without ever getting too heavy. You can feel the salt in the air and the stories behind every lyric. There’s no AI gloss or overproduction here—just Jamie, his guitar, and a lived-in voice that carries years of transformation, recovery, and joy. It’s the kind of record that makes you want to text your most poetic friend and plan a road trip—or better yet, a sailing adventure.

Jamie’s roots run deep. Raised in rural West Virginia on a steady mix of folk, reggae, and old-school radio via his mom’s mixtapes, he landed in New Orleans in 1996, where he soaked up the city’s jazz, funk, and soul. He started with spoken word and evolved into a multi-album artist, producing four records (including two with his band J the Savage), and now performs with Future Cowboys—a project as genre-defying as Jamie himself.

Now settled in New Orleans with his wife, visual artist Muffin Bernstein, Jamie continues to channel his journey through music. And with Zeus, he’s hit a new high water mark. This isn’t just an album—it’s an experience.

www.jamiebernstein.com

“Change” is a powerful and introspective track by Montreal’s Marthe Halvorsen, reflecting on the state of the world and the urgent need for a shift in direction. Written several years ago, and JUST released now, the song feels more relevant than ever, echoing the struggles and challenges we face today.

With lyrics like “Call out the spirits from the gutter / And feed all those left out to die,” the song acts as a gentle yet firm call to action—a “counter-reaction” to the times we live in. Marthe describes it as a “rebellion song” wrapped in soft, evocative melodies, offering a comforting yet empowering message. The song invites us to reflect on the importance of hope and the power of kindness, urging us to come together, gather the “good forces,” and take part in shaping a better future. It encourages us to remember the past while looking forward, drawing strength from those who came before us and believing that change is not only possible, but necessary.

Musically, “Change” is a dreamy blend of indie folk and folk pop, with a minimal production that lets the lyrics and Marthe’s heartfelt vocals take center stage. The song is a testament to the artist’s ability to create music that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. Marthe, a Montreal-based Norwegian artist, brings a unique sincerity to her work, with a sound that’s inspired by her upbringing in the rugged landscapes of Northern Norway. Her music often draws from the natural world, reflecting its raw beauty in both her songwriting and production choices. As she prepares to release her sophomore album, Feed the Fire, Breathe the Night, Marthe continues to evolve as an artist, delving deeper into the role of producer and perfecting her own distinctive sound. In these turbulent times, her music serves as both a reflection and a call to action—a reminder of the power of art to make sense of the world and inspire change.

www.marthehalvorsen.com

Photo: Tim Cotton

Fast-rising New Zealand indie-rock outfit NO CIGAR are showing no signs of slowing down – with ‘Best Behaviour’, their 2nd single for 2025, dropping today. 

The single comes at an exciting time for the band, who have just finished up a sold out tour across their home-country. With all eyes on the band as they quickly grow in popularity at home and abroad, each release seems to go from strength to strength – with ‘Best Behaviour’ showcasing the band at the top of their game. With a reasonably simple but effective chordal progression that continually builds throughout the track; ‘Best Behaviour’  is adorned with wailing, dynamic guitar fills and a charismatic vocal performance from frontman Willy Ferrier that demands attention right from the opening bars.

Lyrically, the track details that first meeting with a significant other’s parents – and all the anxiety that comes along with it. 

“Meeting the parents will always be a tense moment, laced with trepidation. To be on one’s best behaviour is the expectation. To be nervous is understandable. To be perfect is unlikely. The rawness and fragility reflect everyone’s mind-state in such moments. Being an artist can’t even prepare you for moments like these.”

WILLY FERRIER, NO CIGAR

Recorded between Auckland and Ashburton in New Zealand with producer Conor Jaine (Mako Road, Summer Thieves), the track came to life during a songwriting session in Chantilly, France. Although the track was originally written a few years back, the atmosphere during that writing session helped get it across the line, the band explains; “Willy had brought it to us a while back, but with a dollop of Chantilly cream, it was ready to serve.”

NO CIGAR formed in 2019 and has had a rapid rise to recognition as one of the country’s most promising acts. They have toured the world with their signature blend of psychedelic rock and groovy guitars, all the while drawing critical acclaim for albums such as 2023’s THE GREAT ESCAPE, which featured the #1 rock radio smash hit, ‘Concubine’. The track also debuted at #10 on 2024’s The Rock radio annual yearly countdown – the highest debut for a new band. THE GREAT ESCAPE continues to chart in the top 20 on the Aotearoa albums chart, where it has remained for 65 weeks.

Their debut album BIENVENIDO, released in 2022, and their 2020 EP RADICAL ROAD have also earned them critical acclaim.

The band have gone on to sell out shows across the world, including a night at Islington Assembly Hall in London which entertained a crowd of 900. They’ve made numerous trips over to Australia now, most recently to show off their wares and the 2024 BIGSOUND showcase – which saw the band pack out rooms across the Valley with their impressive live-set. 

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PRAISE

“With their blend of indie rock and narrative-driven songwriting, the Kiwis have built a loyal following over the past five years.”

ROLLING STONE

“They recently sold out Islington Assembly Hall in London (which holds a hefty 900 patrons), having done the same at The Landsowne Hotel in Sydney just prior to their showcase at BIGSOUND in Brisbane. Their recent European tour also saw sold-out shows in Paris, Amsterdam, and Manchester. With 300k monthly Spotify listeners alongside 20M total streams of their music, the future is sonically bright for NO CIGAR”

SCENESTR

“Each performance is a journey guaranteed to envelop you in romanticism, to the ever-evolving backdrop of a thumping sonic experience. With elements of alternative, folk, and indie rock, they also utilise groove-based rhythms with psychedelic undertones to keep your feet moving & your shoulders rolling.”

TWICE THE HYPE

“No Cigar has noticeably little banter, and are mostly here to play their music, which they do very well. The crowd was wild and some people climb onto their friends’ shoulders to see over the rowdy room full of music lovers. Anyone who’s not on someone else’s should is awkwardly pressed together as the venue was clearly at capacity, if not over”

13TH FLOOR 

LISTEN

NO CIGAR: OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIK TOK 

Love is a force that binds, but what happens when devotion becomes a tether?

In his latest single, Chained, Alwyn Morrison captures the weight of commitment, the longing for freedom, and the quiet ache of sacrifice. Delivered with Morrison’s signature blend of anthemic pop-rock and raw emotional intensity, Chained speaks to anyone who has ever felt caught between their own desires and the unrelenting pull of love.

Known for crafting music that pulses with the heartbeat of city life, Morrison blends the melancholic urgency of The Cure with the emotional depth of Oasis. Produced by Michael Carey (Escape The Fate, Pablo Alborán) and composed by longtime collaborator Michael Ales, Chained is both intimate and expansive—an anthem for those who have given everything for someone else.

“Sometimes love demands more than we expect,” Morrison shares. “It’s a beautiful thing, but it can also be very isolating. Chained explores that tension: the push and pull between devotion and the need to live for yourself.”

While Morrison’s own journey as a loving caregiver for someone struggling with depression informs the song’s emotional core, Chained isn’t bound to one story. Instead, it leaves room for interpretation, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love, duty, and self-sacrifice.

A former music journalist turned songwriter, Morrison has spent years shaping stories—both his own and others. From interviewing icons like BRIT Award winners Scissor Sisters and acclaimed singer-songwriter Rita Ora to collaborating with some of the industry’s most respected musicians, Morrison has honed a sound that bridges rock’s raw energy with pop’s soaring melodies. His music isn’t just heard—it’s felt.

With Chained, Morrison delivers a song that lingers—not just in melody, but in meaning. Love can hold us together. Love can hold us back. And sometimes, love leaves us wondering whether we should stay or break free.

LINKTREE

ABOUT ALWYN MORRISON

Alwyn Morrison is a New York City-based artist crafting emotionally resonant pop-rock that captures the tension between personal struggle and universal experience. Morrison blends anthemic energy with introspective lyricism, drawing influence from the likes of The Cranberries, The All-American Rejects, and Counting Crows. His music transforms personal narratives into city-wide anthems, making him one of the most compelling voices in modern rock-pop.