Right now I have so many favourites out there. Just a little insider information – I have a new music playlist of about 60-70 that includes these 30, which I play regularly during the week. To keep track of my submissions and new songs I want to hear, I have a Spotify playlist – at least for those songs on Spotify. So I’m usually always checking something out that’s new in the week when I’m not writing!
The new chart has a lot of smaller moves and songs holding steady that I enjoy, but in two weeks that’s likely all to change, with so many new faves waiting in the wings.
Ukrainian dance group Kazaky hold tight at #1 with the Depeche Mode-influenced “Push”. The song doesn’t sound like much out there right now, which makes its 80’s and 90’s influences all the more refreshing.
So what is wrong with US radio? “Higher Love” by Kygo and Whitney Houston should be one of the year’s biggest hits, as it is worldwide, particularly in England, where, like on this chart, it has reached #2. The dance music crowd loves it though and it is topping dance charts everywhere. Check out the recent video for the song above.
The cool synths of “Monday Blues” by Eric Sharp and Zhao allow it to continue to move up a notch to #3.
“Tough Love” by Avicii, Agnes and Vargas & Lagola climbs 9-5. It’s both Avicii and Agnes’ second Top 5 on this chart. Avicii got to #3 in 2013 with “Addicted To You”, while Agnes reached #1 back in 2009 with “Release Me”.
Canadians Loud Luxury lands in the Top 10 for the 4th time with “I’m Not Alright” (12-8, above) with US vocalist Bryce Vine, while Australian producer Throttle gets his first – outside of his #1 remix of Troye Sivan’s “My! My! My!” – with the thoughtful “Dreamer” rising 13-9 (below). Also below, you can check out Throttle’s latest release “Japan”.
The fastest riser on the chart belongs to US production duo Midnight Kids with “Those Were The Days”, which soars 18-10. In the past few weeks, vocalist of the song, Jared Lee, posted a video of him singing the song live in the studio accompanied simply by piano, always a true test to find the great singers behind the complex production of many songs. Check out the original above, and the acoustic version below.
The deep bass beats of “Give Me Love” continue to climb the chart for producers Ken Summit and Eric Kupper with vocalist Amy Douglas. The throwback to late 90’s club music rises 16-12.
Another thoughtful song with a really terrific vocal and honest lyrics is “Graduate” by singer/songwriter/author Simon Curtis. It moves up 17-13. I can’t tell you how I love that Simon is back making great music after a protracted absence.
All of the previous five debuts move up steadily, and are still led by the fun OKJAMES remix of “Like Like” by UK indie singer/songwriter Lostchild. It moves up 23-19.
Right behind it is the song that uses a Finnish acapella performance to sample and form its key hook. It’s called “Run Wild” by L.A.-based producer PLS&TY, and it rises 24-20.
The chart had room for three debuts, and they changed a number of times when creating the chart. While there are a slew of fantastic new songs that will help last out the year, the three that premiere have all actually been on release for a number of weeks.
First up at #27 is British singer/songwriter Benedict Cork with “Breaking Hearts”, which I have been playing for months and richly deserves more attention as the highest debut. Benedict has one of those instantly likeable, pristine voices that can make short work of just about any song. And this original quickly gets stuck in your head.
Next up is the first entry by TheKnocks in 2019, the fun charmer that is “Awa Ni”, featuring singer Kah-Lo, which arrives at #28. “Awa Ni” appears to be an expression of praise in Kah-Lo’s native Nigerian. The song’s lyrics have an interesting disconnected train of thought about them, but it all comes together as summery, festive, and joyous. It’s also The Knocks’ 7th entry since 2012. The prolific duo have released another four singles since “Awa Ni” first appeared in July.
The last debut is a dark and progressive song for late nights that club DJ’s will totally dig. It’s “Flicker” by NYC-based producers (and brothers) Anden at #29. Pete and Tom previously appeared on the chart back almost three years ago as remixers of Satchmode’s “Undertow” (#12).
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
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