KOLAJ Takes On Two Of the Biggest Vocalists Of 2015, Raises the Bar

As 2015 draws to a close, it’s important to reflect on what’s gone on in the past year. Fans, blogs, and producers alike are all looking back on the biggest break out acts, albums, and tracks to see just how far the scene has come over the past 52 weeks; these year-in-review lists, while entertaining, struggle to go beneath the surface to really show you the juiciest of goods that music now has to offer. They’re the SparkNotes of the industry, if you will. I want to take you one deeper (deeper than a DJ Hanzel joke) and cap off 2015 with something special: KOLAJ.

You may recall the birth of the certain power duo back in July, with the release of their debut single, “The Touch,” and since then they’ve done nothing but break the mold. Their story is the epitomic example of quality over quantity, with only 3 other releases under their belt since; each of these offerings landed onto the scene harder than a Tyson jab in the 80s. While their feature with Kaskade is a beauty to behold, the tracks in questions are their standard shattering covers.

The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face (Kolaj Cover) | Download

2015 was undoubtedly a year of incredible covers. Representatives in the likes of Jasmine Thompson and Angelika Vee are two excellent examples of what a rework in the vocal department can bring to a song, but KOLAJ took things to entirely new heights with theirs. Accompanied by a performance video, their cover of the Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” added a whole new layer of emotion and depth to the global hit. They’re year-end send-off though…well that’s another story all together.

Adele’s junior album, 25, has done nothing but break records (many of which initially held by her previous work). “Hello” has taken the world by storm, and has reigned supreme on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks straight. Honestly if there was any new track that could knock it off, it’d be this one. The KOLAJ cover of “Hello” combines the best of crisp and refined production efforts with reimagined soaring vocals, quickening the pace, and raising the energy of the heart melter. We could go on about how impressive this rework is, but instead we implore you to give it a listen below. On a much broader scale however, this cover in conjunction with the Weeknd cover is indicative of the success ahead of the Mighty Mike and Teesa; they’ve taken on two of the biggest hits from two of the biggest artists in the modern age, and absolutely nailed it. Their renditions take the raw power and soul of Adele along with the creamy smooth sultriness of the Weeknd, and fuses them for a pretty potent audible cocktail.

Limited if only by their own creativity and ambition, these two are on the track for the spotlight and maybe a Grammy or two. We’re excited to see what 2016 holds for these two, and we’re sure there’ll be plenty of originals to come. Until then, enjoy the stream below.

Adele – Hello (KOLAJ Cover) | Download