Anyone looking for a post-Halloween treat?

I’ve always had a thing for Blake Lewis, be it his fanboy-like devotion to electronica, his open embrace of the gay community, or that cherry blossom tattoo on his forearm.

On October 6, Lewis unleashed his sophomore attempt, Heartbreak on Vinyl, released through Tommy Boy Records.

Like his previous effort, Heartbreak on Vinyl is an album of music about music-making, riddled with gadget-speak and geeky computer tech talk: “Sensory overload, define original, seductive frequency coming to me in stereo. It seems that you were made for me,” he sings off the bridge of “Binary Love” as computer blips and the sounds of dial-up modems pepper the speakers.

Heartbreak on Vinyl makes use of a variety of dancefloor sounds, including radio-ready ‘modern’ stompers (“Afraid”), harder hitting, dark grinders (“Freak”), slow burn torch ballads (“The Point”), and ’80′s-inspired grooves (“The Remedy”): “The sound could save our life if we follow the melody / When love is on the line, this is a remedy,” Lewis urges atop a flare of killer synths, surpassing any and all songs released under the name “Remedy” this year. Yes, Little Boots…I’m referring to you.

“Heartbreak on Vinyl,” the album’s title track, is also one of the strongest selections, bringing to mind the warbling delivery style of The Killers‘ Brandon Flowers. “I waited for you at the record shop, walked through the doors and the record stopped. Heartbreak on Vinyl was the name of the store, now the store is gone and we can’t meet there anymore,” Lewis coos atop a twinkling electronica undercurrent.

For anyone previously turned off by Blake Lewis’ well documented over-enthusiasm for his human beat-box skills, fear not: The focus of this album is on actual instruments, not Lewis’ turntable tongue work. That is, aside from the album’s interlude, “Superscratchavocalisticturnatablelicious,” which is apparently where Lewis chose to channel the energy of his oral acrobatics. Don’t like it? Skip over it, and you’re right back into the set of dancefloor gems.

Rest assured, Heartbreak isn’t ‘just another Idol album’ by any stretch of the imagination. It’s well-crafted, cohesive and seriously danceable; the obvious product of a sincere adoration for the medium. As an album, Lewis’ second effort works to unite both the tech nerd within me and the dancefloor enthusiast, bringing both elements together to provide a stellar set for dancing the night away.

To enter to win one of TEN copies of Blake Lewis’ new album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, send a blank e-mail to blake@muumuse.com by Friday, November 6. The first ten entries will win! This post will be updated once the contest has ended.
Contest is now closed…thank you to all the entrants!

Purchase Heartbreak on Vinyl on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

It’s a 5/10 sort of deal.

Blake Lewis has a new single out.

It’s called “Sad Song,” and it’s due for proper release on July 21.

The song is indeed a sad song (“This is a sad song”), even if the background music seems to suggest otherwise.

It reminds me a bit of another sad song called “(This Is A) Song For The Lonely,” mixed with a touch of that new mall-punk-electro sound a la 3OH!3.

Generally, I quite like it.

But just where does he get off referencing a “battlefield” so near to Jordin Sparks‘ album release tomorrow?! I mean, he’s clearly trying to steal her thunder.

“Sad Song” will be streaming for 24 hours, so listen now while you still can.

Lewis will be releasing his sophomore album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, on October 6. Click below to hear more from Blake Lewis.

Hot of the heels of the last post on Blakey boy, another Darude and Blake Lewis collaboration has entered into my peripheral.

This one’s called “Selfless,” and according to Darude, was penned entirely by Blake himself while Darude produced the track on the road. It’s a drifter of a track, teeming with Ibiza-like electro chills and ambient synth surges. Blake’s delicate delivery blends effortlessly with the music and, never one to disappoint the fans, includes Blake’s signature beat-boxing skills. It’s clear now that Blake needs to maintain this faithful dance sound…It’s in his blood, I tell you.

More importantly, “Selfless” (Non-ironic title!) is rooted in an important cause: The track is featured on Dance4Life, a compilation album which is part of a worldwide project to actively inspire young people to get involved in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. For more information, please be sure to check out the official site of Dance4Life to learn more about the organization’s programs and events!

To purchase Darude’s track with Blake or check out any of the other tracks featured on the Dance4Life compilation CD, please click here.

You can’t say you didn’t see it coming. After the bombing of his debut album Audio Daydream and its subsequent singles, Blake Lewis had no choice but to retreat to the warm embrace of the dancefloor after he was dropped from his label.

So Blakey’s back, coming at us with a cover of the classic Flock of Seagulls hit, “I Ran (So Far Away),” with production by Darude, the creator of “Sandstorm.” Yes…you know the track. It’s that gritty, machine-gun burst of techno perfection that dominated every Bar Mitzvah playlist over the past ten years. Remember?

To be honest, I quite like it myself. I’ve always liked Blake’s sound, so I think the song fits his voice nicely. Solid production, solid delivery…It’s a proper club track. Sure it’s not the original, but it’s not as though I maintain a high regard for Flock of Seagulls in the first place.

DL: Blake Lewis – I Ran (So Far Away) (Flock of Seagulls Cover)

It’s that time again to take a spin around the blogger block and see what’s happening all across the world! Or at least what’s happening within my extremely limited view of blogs…and GO!!

8/1‘s got another track from Joan As Police Woman, this time in duet form with Antony of Antony and the Johnsons. It’s called “I Defy,” and it’s a real jazzy number. Quite nice.

ArjanWrites blogger Arjan did a fabulous job covering the first ever MTV Logo NewNowNext Awards. You’ve got to head over and check out everything that went down backstage, on stage, and after the awards show!

ElectroQueer‘s been going gaga over the dance diva, Doe Deere lately. He’s got her latest video for “SF Disco,” as well as a quirky little home renovation side project. Someone’s got a thing for antlers.

PopMuse has posted its annual Disco Globes compilation, a collection and celebration of ace remixes that the author’s been fancying over recent months, including hits from Ri-Ri, Blake Lewis, and Madonna. I’ve really been loving it, especially the Kelly Rowland remix of “Work.” Do–do do it, shake it baby! Head over and grab it while you still can!

XO is spreading his love around. What? Get your head out of the gutter, pervert. No, in the Prince way, by listing off his top jams in honor of the man’s 50th birthday. And don’t let the grammar confuse you–he’s just being Prince-esque.