Connecticut never stops surprising with its immense pool of talent, musicians of all genres, ever-growing. Paul Michael is swimming in that pool, and boy does he set himself apart with a delicious brand of EDM that is mint-modern and scented with touches of the French invasion of DJs that included David Guetta and Bob Sinclar. In his record Pain & Love, Michael showcases tracks like “Real Fantasy,” which are sensuous, silky, and powered by heartbeat-like rhythms to close your eyes to and surrender. Tributes are alive and well in songs like “Keep” whose synths peacock the pseudo-futurism of the ‘80s. “Some Things You Cannot Hide” has hints of pop, sticky-good, and very 2020. The record is an escape route that beckons; stream “Let Go of Me” below for a taste of something uplifting. – Rene Cobar
