BILLCS Top 30 #599, October 26/20

It doesn’t happen often, but three out of four debuts on the new chart are by my fellow Canadians, who have all charted multiple times.  I often wonder when the great divide between having success in Canada and elsewhere will end.  Though we have more artists who are international successes than ever, Canadian artists still have to go through needless traditional hoops within our own country to get major label deals which release their music outside of Canada.  Change is needed to introduce more great new music to the world.

At #1 once again, it’s the glorious banger “Undo My Heart” by British artists Karen Harding and Digital Farm Animals.  Watch for her new song “Let’s Get Together” in collaboration with producers Illyus and Barrientos, on Friday October 30!

With eyes on #1 in two weeks is Mr. Stan Sax, the creator of the wondrous and riveting instrumental “House Is Happiness”.  Sure to put some extra enthusiastic zip in your step, “House” climbs 3-2.

She’s a regular in my Top 10, so it’s no surprise that the title track of Jessie Ware’s album What’s Your Pleasure glides 10-6.  In fact, I saw her hypnotic performance in concert six years ago to this very day at The Great Hall in Toronto.

Leading the three new arrivals in the Top 10 is Troye Sivan, who keeps his streak intact, now with 8 songs that have reached my Top 10 (including two #1’s) with the title song from his EP In A Dream, which moves up 12-8.

L.A.-based indie alt.pop trio Fames zips into the Top 10 with their earworm “scared of the dark”, jumping 13-9.

One of the most infectious deep house songs out there right now is “Type Like That” by Sweden’s Pawl & Discrete, and it flies up the chart 16-10.

Three of last week’s debuts land in the Top 20.  The first of these is The Blue Nile redux, “Tinseltown In The Rain” by German producer Matt Mancid with vocals by American producer Color Theory.  Its “Big Rhythm remix” makes waves, climbing 21-14.

Then there’s “Fantasy” (above) by German producers Saxity featuring NYC-based vocalists Victor Perry and Robbie Rosen, which rises 23-16.  One half of Saxity is Mr. Stan Sax, whose “House Is Happiness” now sits at #2.  Victor Perry’s “What I Deserve”, from his EP Rewind, will exit the chart after reaching #2 and the maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks), sitting now at #20.  Check out Victor’s latest release which dives deeper into electronic dance music called “On The Low” (below) with new production duo Dubio.

 

Last but not least, there’s the Fastest Riser on the chart, which soars 25-17, and it’s “Diamonds” by Sam Smith, from his upcoming album Love Goes.

I also can’t go without mentioning that Illenium has already followed up “Nightlight” (26-21, above) with “Paper Thin” (below) which features vocals by Tom De Longe, ex-Blink 182 and Angels & Airwaves.  It’s an interesting mix of talents which may grow on you.

 

I only wrote about the Highest Debut last week, but I am so keen on it and the new music forthcoming by Toronto-based singer/songwriter Justin Nozuka.  He teamed up with British singer/songwriter Mahalia for the romantic R&B of “No One But You”, which bows at #24.  It’s Justin’s first indie release, and first appearance on this chart since 2010.  His debut single “After Tonight” got to #1 in 2008, and I’ve seen his excellent work several times in performance.

As “Bad Decisions” departs after peaking at #5, so arrives “Late Night Love” (#25), the ribald and exciting latest release from Toronto’s Francesco Yates.

British Columbia-based singer/songwriter Tyler Shaw, in partnership with fellow artist FeFe Dobson, was responsible for the top notch recording of “Lean On Me” by an assembly of Canadian performers billed as ArtistsCAN, which was released back in the Spring.  Tyler’s latest release is the percolating pop dance of “Remember” (above), which debuts at #26 and is his third chart entry.  You can also check out its version française below featuring 18 year old French Canadian singer Lili-Ann De Francesco.

 

The fourth debut at #27 is the second recent entry for Austin duo Tritonal with “Electric Kids”.  It follows the enchanting and mystical “Shivohum”, which reached #1 back at the top of the year.  “Electric Kids” features the vocals of L.A.-based singer and co-writer Linney, who also appeared on the chart earlier this year singing “Yesterday” by Gareth Emery, which climbed to #3.