Io Echo teams with Tokimonsta for cover of Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker"

Los Angeles-based producer Jennifer Lee has been making forward-thinking music as Tokimonsta for years, but 2014 has seemed like a game-changer for her, a hint that she could easily become a bonafide star.  She released an impressive album, Desiderium, through her new self-run label Young Art.  She's got an ongoing collaboration with Kelly Rowland in the works.  She's also been rubbing elbows with the likes of Jessie Ware, Just Blaze, and Isaiah Rashad.

For Lee's latest endeavor, she's contributed production to a cover of Mariah Carey's track "Heartbreaker, by L.A.-based duo Io Echo.  This isn't a just-for-fun one-off, though, their version is stunning.  It's been 15 years since the Jay Z-featuring original came out, so understandably it sounds a bit dated.  Tokimonsta and Io Echo take the sunny pop tune and turn it into a somber affair more suitable for the subject matter.  Mariah never even sounded very heartbroken, while Io Echo's vocalist Ioanna Gika gives a devastating performance here.  So, add that to the list of Tokimonsta's 2014 achievements; outdoing Mariah Carey, Jay Z, and original "Heartbreaker" producer DJ Clue.  Jennifer Lee's days of being the underdog are just about over.  Io Echo also prove here that they're an act to be reckoned with.  Their incredibly titled new mixtape, I've Been Vaping Your Tears, is available as a free download at the I Am Sound Records site, and includes the "Heartbreaker" remix.

Mariah Carey

"Heartbreaker" (Io Echo x Tokimonsta cover)

• I Am Sound Records
• 'I've Been Vaping Your Tears' mix tape out now

• Io Echo on Soundcloud
• Io Echo on Facebook
• Io Echo on Twitter