Taking his years of playing in folk/rock band The Jaybirds and applying that style to future bass electronica isn’t an easy feat, but California producer, singer and songwriter Jay Bird has achieved it with “Up Here”. It’s a song that requires multiple listens to embrace its authenticity around the need for escape and fantasy in our lives. We’re still the same people even if we dive into our hobbies and interests for a while, despite what others may think, and you can always find the ‘real’ us – if you really want to. The production is smooth and top notch, you’ll definitely want to sway away to “Up Here” while you hold your significant other tight. However the vocal is raw, not what you’d expect in this kind of production, and you’ll understand why when you listen closely to the lyrics. Jay Bird’s “Up Here” is an out-of-left-field indie alt.electronic charmer and you can add it to your inspiring mid-tempo dance playlist using the Spotify link above. It’s also available as a free download at the Soundcloud link below.
Edition #527 of my chart, now in its 20th year, begs the question: What do you do when you enjoy all of the songs at the top of your chart so much?
The answer: You put them on hold! But something’s gotta give in two weeks 🙂
There are three debuts, including the one right below:
The Top 10
So in a BILLCS Top 30 chart first, songs 1 through 7 remain the same.
Miguel’s “Pineapple Skies” gets its 3rd appearance (6th week, above) at #1, while Billboard Top 40 hit “Sky Walker” stays steady at #3, and “Told You So” (below) rises 20-17. They’re all from the compelling and enjoyable War and Leisure album.
YEBBA’s “Evergreen” (above) holds tight at #6, while her duet with Sam Smith, “No Peace”, inches up to #12. This compelling new singer continues to be one to watch, and more proof is available in the form of a song recorded live called “My Mind” (below), which is available for free download, or you can make a donation, with proceeds going to Bring Change To Mind, an organization to assist people with mental illnesses. It’s availablefrom her website right here. Its video has over a million views.
Nora En Pure’s gorgeous “Tears In Your Eyes” climbs 9-8, and I’d love to see this song set to some lovely choreography 🙂
New to the Top 10 is SoCal production duo waitwhat with “Alive” rising 11-9 featuring a provocative vocal by Rielle.
Movin’ On Up
The songs just below the Top 10 are kind of stuck this week, slinking up the chart by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 positions, save one song, the fastest riser.
The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Mako’s “Breathe” which jumps 25-19. And this is just as Alex’s tour kicks off, with a stop this week in Toronto on Friday January 26, as before, at The Velvet Underground 🙂
“Moves” will keep you dancing courtesy of Italy’s Big Fish featuring American singer Mike Gomes, rising 26-21.
It’s a 2-for-4 deal with River Tiber’s “Patience” (above) climbing 24-20, while K-POP stars BTS are up 27-23 with “DNA” (below).
Keeping the doors wide open is Mika with the jaunty and inspiring “It’s My House” climbing 22-18.
Three Debuts
Putting a huge wrinkle into the chart which will ultimately play out in two weeks is Troye Sivan’s new single “My My My!” (at the top), which soars into the chart at #16. It would have been higher had most of the songs above it not been frozen this week. This is the breakthrough single that everyone had hoped for, a joyous mid-tempo dance song that sees Troye flashing his moves in the fun video. It was immediately followed up this week by the more pensive “The Good Side” (below performance from Saturday Night Live).
Arriving at #26 is NYC singer Reigen with “Dreams”. I wrote about this cover of The Cranberries 1994 hit shortly before the sudden passing of its singer, Dolores O’Riordan. Reigen recorded it as an ode to the marriage of his friends. While his version has suddenly taken on a bittersweet quality with Dolores’ passing, Reigen’s cover should always be regarded for what was intended. It’s Reigen’s second chart appearance, following 2014’s #2 “Come Back To Me”.
Debuting on the chart as lead artists rather than remixers are L.A. duo Two Friends with “Just A Kid” at #27, featuring a playful vocal by singer Kevin Writer. Matt and Eli have already been to the Top 10 twice with their fine remixes of Mako’s “Way Back Home” (#10) and MAX’s “Lights Down Low” (#3), which looks to finally crack the Billboard Top 40 after nearly two years on release!!
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs
If mid-tempo emotional dance pop is going to be a big thing in 2018, then leading the way out of the gate is “Together We’re Screwed” by Montreal’s Robotaki (aka Preston Chin) and featuring another winning vocal from Nevve, heard most recently with DNMO in the dark track “Hollywood”. This one is an enjoyable slice-of-life song that keeps the arrangement rather simple, with intermittent dazzles of synths, allowing things to focus most appropriately on the bittersweet humour of the song as well as Nevve’s gracious vocal. We can all be ‘beautiful losers’ at times in our relationships and stand there staring at each other knowing we have totally screwed up. Robotaki’s “Together We’re Screwed” allows us all to wear those moments unashamedly. Check it out at the link above.
A singer/songwriter who is very passionate about his craft is L.A.-based Ron Kaufman. His songs would usually appeal to those who enjoy James Blake or Jean-Michel Jarre, with influences back to 80’s new wave and other progressive electronic artists. The music of Kauf is highly cinematic and begs for accompanying images, but “100”, from his recent album Regrowth, is edgier and more suited for club goers. Its pulsating melody with sharp guitar riffs and layers of synths is well-suited to Ron’s expressive voice and his songwriting, which tends to remind me a lot of Depeche Mode’s late 80’s and early 90’s heyday. Kauf can acquit itself nicely in band format – keyboards, guitars, drums – as I witnessed again this past Friday in concert in Toronto. Check out “100” at the link above, as well as the entire Regrowth album, available onBandcamp right here.
“Last Call” is a slick collaboration by former ‘bedroom’ producer, Germany’s LO, along with Norwegian singer Elouiz. It’s a key song for clubs to play as the evening is peaking, and I guarantee you that patrons will stay past last call just to make a point 🙂 Elouiz’s on-point and often sassy vocal will appeal to those who enjoy singers like Rozes or Verité or maybe even Katy Perry. LO keeps the pace swift with some ear-catching effects that make the song go by in a breezy three minutes. “Last Call” plays to club and bar goers but also has loads of pop potential. Add it to your playlist of late-nite songs on Spotify using the link above.
From the first few vocal notes of “Sandpaper”, you know that you’re in for something special courtesy of Belgian producer on-the-bubble Taska Black. It features promising vocalist Ayelle – you heard her recently on “Desensitize” by OPVS, and she has more appearances coming soon. Ayelle’s compelling and often breathy vocal is often the star of the song, but you have to give major props for Taska Black’s layered production which includes some heavy rock guitar elements. The lyrics have a disconnected approach though I assume it’s about taking away the rough edges of a relationship on the wane. All in all, “Sandpaper” is a peculiar but attractive mix of emotional dance music, awaiting your playlist add at the Spotify link above.
5 AND A DIME featuring YASHAR GASANOV, “Flying High”
Philadelphia producer 5 And A Dime returns with a 90’s-influenced song that sounds like no other right now with “Flying High” from none other than Lowly Palace. It features the distinctive vocalizing of Russian singer Yashar Gasanov – distorted, mysterious, not always on key, but ever-so-flowing with the chilled out vibe of the song. What’s beautiful about “Flying High” is that its melody gets between your ears by not really letting up in its under three minutes length. If offsets what could be initially a quite polarizing vocal style, making it an intriguing late night alt.rock-flavoured track. “Flying High” isn’t for everyone, but if you like your dance music on the adventurous side then 5 And A Dime is out to make you soar right along with it.
Seattle producers Solstis are out to convincingly make their mark with “Open Your Eyes”, their latest original song from their upcoming album Nowhere. It’s a busy, crunchy instrumental that fuses trap with old school industrial electronic dance music. You can hear classical influences as well as 80’s inspiration that alternately recalls The Art Of Noise and Ministry, not quite what you would expect in one song. “Open Your Eyes” is indeed an aggressive dance track, not suited for every club. But its complex and unpredictable arrangement will compel you to listen, and at the end of its 3:26 length you will want to hear more. Download “Open Your Eyes” by Solstis for free at the link above.
PAUL VENICE & DAN BOUJEE, “My Time Will Come” (free DL)
New German production duo Paul Venice and Dan Boujee are off to a great start out of the gate with “My Time Will Come”. It’s an inspiring slice of folk story pop that happily marries dance rhythms to a memorable guitar-driven melody rather than the usual dose of synths. What it also offers is an inspiring story of confidence and determination, which no one can get enough of these days. The vocals are a bit on the raw side but after repeated listens you realize they totally suit the production and the approach of the song. Best of all it’s a free download. Add it to your story-telling dance playlist on Spotify or download itright here.
At times sometimes sounding a bit contrary to its lyrics, “Second Guess” comes confidently from French producer Khamsin, who, along with Kidswaste and Rusty Hook, is another member of the collective Slow Hours. With a major bonus, it features vocalist Anuka, who you’ll remember from her persuasive singing in last year’s “Heavy Hearted” by Murky. When the song is quiet, the arrangement surrounds Anuka’s voice like a velvet envelope. But when it’s loud, it’s almost a future bass battle cry complete with knights, catapults, and castles all a rage in your head. “Second Guess” has a big movie soundtrack with a fairy tale love story of uncertainty. It will make you shiver and then want to cheer. Khamsin isn’t about to leave any stone unturned in in this majestic production. He is definitely one to watch with “Second Guess”. Add it to your big and loud electronic playlist using the Spotify link above.
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