“Makan” is one of the rare songs that feeds both your feet and your head. Brought to you by Beirut-born producer Imad along with Chicago-based, Beirut-born vocalist/co-writer Samia, “Makan” offers a scintillating, hypnotic mix of deep house and techno, with luscious, dark synths – the kind of song a club DJ would play in a heartbeat. All of this fantastic, layered music surrounds some thought-provoking, lyrics about having to leave home for a better life – an emotional, often traumatic upheaval that Lebanese people have faced after living amid strife every day. Samia’s soothing vocals brighten the song and at one point she sings Arabic poetry where home is not forgotten.
Imad says, “The past year living in Lebanon has been extremely tough, with constant blackouts, wifi crashes, fuel crisis, economic collapse, it was very challenging to keep productive and be inspired. But it’s through these moments where you learn the most about yourself, your craft and appreciate the small things in life.”
“Makan” is an edgy and beautiful release, one which the open-minded dance community should fully embrace.
Irish folk music is hardly a sub-genre that I often write about, but when it crosses over with pop flavours and an intriguing story, then I know my readers will enjoy the song. Niall McNamee is a singer, songwriter and actor, who has worked with Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan and Bono on-screen and offers a sad but hopeful tale in “All I Need”. Because the song is arranged as a celebratory anthem of life, you won’t know till you dig in deeper after a couple of listens that the song is about a man seeing his life flash before his eyes before he passes. Niall’s personable and engaging voice draws you in, in a similar way to Mike Scott of The Waterboys, which makes the lyrics ring true and softens the emotional impact, and in turn you are more inclined to cheer a life well-lived rather than mourn it. “All I Need” is a song that’s hard not to like and enjoy. A radio edit of the song is also available at the link below.
“Sun” is indeed a bright, optimistic light in the world of independent alternative pop music. The singer/songwriter is Berlin-based Jamila Al-Yousef who offers a cool chamber pop arrangement to reinforce the positive message behind “Sun”, which is not to fight yourself, just show up, and get on with making your day the best that it can be, using the sun rising and setting as food-for-thought imagery. Jamila’s vocal is likeable and could easily be inspired by legends like Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Joan Baez. But she brings another dimension to that inspiration through her culture as a daughter of Palestinian immigrants, and she was in fact born on the day the Berlin Wall fell. Known in Germany as a cultural and political activist and also as a teacher, Jamila Al-Yousef brings a lot of perspective to her music which we can enjoy and appreciate.
“Mysteria” is an instant earworm that takes you there and back to that individualized enigmatic place of fantasy and fun. The singer/songwriter is Windsor, Ontario based MELØ, whose appealing vocal and easy-to-digest songwriting style go a long way – you’ll have no problem singing along to the hook of “Mysteria” after a few listens. While the goal is purely contemporary pop, “Mysteria” is full of early 80’s melodic vibes – which seems very in vogue now for some reason – that draw perhaps from strong, memorable songs by Hall & Oates, David Bowie, and Cyndi Lauper. MELØ knows what he’s doing and has a full album called Songs From The Spirit Box coming that will put his diverse influences on display. For now “Mysteria” is convincing pop candy that you’ll have on repeat.
Despite having the music scene all abuzz back in 2015-16 with his acclaimed album Indigo, working with Daniel Caesar at the inset of his soon-to-be-storied career, and being sampled (uncredited of course) on a Drake song, Toronto’s River Tiber has only released a half-dozen songs since that time. “Sent From Above” is his first release in a year, and like many songs in his repertoire, makes the best of us scratch our heads upon the first few listens. The artist otherwise known as Tommy Paxton-Beasley must have a whirlwind of influences in his head, as he taps into pre-rock era pop music, gospel, classical, and perhaps even 1930’s motion picture scores, which might form a shell of what the song covers musically. Lyrically, the song is sparse, with Tommy singing only a few repeated lines about a miraculous event, making it rely heavily on its piano melody and the lush harmonies. “Sent From Above” is certainly a unique record for these times. To me, it fits more in the “traditional pop” category rather than the past more progressive work of River Tiber, so I’m curious to find out what others who have enjoyed his work will think of it.
Following up their Fall 2021 release “Six Feet Under”, 19 year old Singapore producer Foxela and the immensely talented Robbie Rosen return together with the wickedly fun deep house of “Think About You”. Both artists are extremely prolific, but “Think About You” manages to stand out thanks to a spicy story (in a co-write with Jessica Lattman) and deft, creative production which effectively pitches down Robbie’s voice in spots, which would really resonate well on huge nightclub speakers. The deep house groove of “Think About You” packs a wallop, and it holds up well next to any darker house track that is meant to stake its claim and keep a DJ set thriving.
The 80’s seem to be popping up as a recurring point of inspiration in some pop songs, particularly those from Europe. “Careless” by Italian producer Eternuit and Nashville singer/songwriter Gabriel Eli has it down in spades in an original, uplifting release. Its carefree, lilting melody and soulful backdrop with saxophone and guitars is a tight production feast for pop music lovers’ ears, while those looking to sway and groove need listen no further as “Careless” has plenty of bounce in that department. Gabriel’s vocal is ear-catching and powerful, and the song doesn’t let up, actually leaving you wanting more in the end, in a solid collaboration that works like a charm.
Occasionally a new voice comes along with the right song for the moment, and that reassures my hope that such independent artists can do well in this strange business. Steven Thad is a new singer/songwriter from the DMV (Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia) area who comes from a family of musicians and singers, and debuts with “(Sometimes I Feel Like) Nothing”. Don’t be daunted by its title – the song is about moving on into another part of one’s life (in this case, leaving university and moving on to what’s next) and feeling useless while life moves on a little too quickly. But writing this song came to his rescue and replaced those feelings with hope, satisfaction and positivity. The impression it leaves with you is of a gracious, confident young man who wants to do the right thing. The DIY production and arrangement are simple but authentic for the song. And Steven’s voice is the star, he has a reassuring, versatile tone that can likely cross genres with ease. So we’ll wait to hear what’s next, but in the meantime take “(Sometimes I Feel Like) Nothing” for a spin. Listen to Steven talk about the song in his introductory video below.
Last year’s songs have been put to bed, time to move forward with more great new music for 2022! A bunch of favourites departed the last chart after reaching the maximum of 10 appearances (20 weeks), so I have four debuts for you. Let’s see what music trends and perhaps revivals 2022 has in store for us.
Make sure you read about myONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES(see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
While there’s plenty of movement on this new chart, the Top 3 songs remain the same. Darin’s beautiful ballad “Holding Me More” (above) has a third appearance (sixth week) at #1, after finishing #6 for 2021. It’s followed by “To The Top”, the formidable anthem by Natixx, Lyonbrotherz and singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen at #2, after finishing #19 for 2021, and “Play It Cool” (below) by Menrva and Island Banks steady at #3 after finishing #31 for 2021.
Positioning itself accordingly up 5-4 is TELYKast’s national dance radio number one song “Unbreakable” featuring singer/songwriter Sam Gray. Will it crack through the Top 3 in two weeks? Stay tuned!
The first of three arrivals in the Top 10 is the second Top 10 for Bay area producer Jay Bird who is teamed with fellow producers TWSTD ZOO and vocalist Harley Bird for “Float”, which zips up the chart 14-6. Jay Bird’s first Top 10, “Escape”, finished #34 for 2021.
Brandyn Burnette & Charlotte Sands’ heartfelt duet “Everything” continues into 2022 after finishing #78 for 2021, by rising 10-7 on the chart.
Up 13-8 is “Out Of The Dark”, the third Top 10 on this chart for Austin electronic dance music favourites Tritonal. Their electronic ballad “Broken” (with Adam Lambert on vocals) reached #4 in 2016, while “Shivohum” (with Henry Dark) was #1 exactly two years ago. “Out Of The Dark” features vocalist EMME in a Morgin Madison remix.
The Fastest Riser for the second chart in a row is an exuberant song that just sparkles, and I hope will get more attention with the start of 2022. It’s “Sweet Talker” by Years & Years and Galantis, which leaps 18-9, becoming Y&Y’s 8th Top 10 and Galantis’ 2nd. Watch for Y&Y’s new album Night Call before the end of the month!
Keep your eyes and ears on “i don’t wanna talk about love” by L.A. singer/songwriter Michael Medrano, as it climbs 20-13.
Buffalo NY native Grabbitz offers a happy mix of dark electronic synths with brooding alt.rock vibes on “Pain Killer”, which rises 25-17.
It’s a classic ballad in many shapes and forms, which is what makes it work so well. British electronic producer Louis La Roche got best bud Darren Hayes to sing “Cold To Me”, which moves up 26-19, from Louis’ recent album We’re Not So Different.
Georgia electronic producer Paraleven had his recent album Apollo released by Rüfüs du Sol’s new label, Rose Avenue. Along with vocalist Fractures, a standout track from the album is “In My Head”, which climbs 27-20.
The Highest Debut on the chart is by Swedish pop/rock band Louis Pax, bringing back a lot of 80’s flavours (including saxophone) on their new single “Bad Things”, whish arrives at #24.
As if one song wasn’t enough, Karen Harding gets a second song on the chart this week with the riveting house track that is also the title of her recent EP, Sweet Vibrations, and it debuts at #26. Karen had four songs in my Top 100 of 2021, so she will undoubtedly continue to be a regular visitor to the chart!
If you enjoy Paraleven’s “In My Head”, then you’ll also like the similarly dreamy “Locked Out” by Boston duo Tall Heights, from their recent EP Flyin’ Overhead, and “Locked Out” bows at #27.
Rounding out the debuts at #29 is the edgy rock-flavoured dance track “Pulling Me Down” by Emirati duo Revelries. It’s the guys’ fifth appearance on the chart, which includes two Top 10’s.
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.
Radio GTA– listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
Halton Hills Online– “Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!
Planet Radio Canada (returning on January 4)– I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the Week on the “3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.
My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Wednesdays at 11:15 pm EST, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST! The segment has also been picked up by Mix88.ca and details about when it will be played will be coming soon!
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