While most of Canadian producer Chet Porter’s releases thus far have focused on outstanding, gorgeous melodies, Chet wraps up his new song “Secrets” with all that and big beats too. Thus, we have a new winter music festival favourite in our midst. Between the choir-like vocals, the old school European melodic house styled backdrop, and some truly wicked synth work with futuristic house elements. “Secrets” will reel in not only Chet’s many fans, but club DJ’s and house music fans too. Don’t let this one slip by – “Secrets” is a winner!
Compilation albums seem to be coming a thing of the past. After all, aren’t streaming playlists essentially the same thing? I’ve long been of the mind that these compilations should be focused on similar styles of dance music to appeal to those who enjoy it. But for those who want to taste a little bit of everything in the dance music scene and still like to purchase their music, Ultra 2020 is definitely for you, and you’ll almost always find something you really enjoy. So for me the highlights here are:
“So Blue” by British duo Sondr, likely the best of the 22 songs within, which could be a surprising floor filler thanks to the use of some of the lyrics and a pitched down melody from Eiffel 65’s “Blue” (and thankfully minus most of the ‘Da Ba Dee”‘s)
Steve Aoki’s second high-powered collaboration with South Korea’s BTS, “Waste It On Me”
Sofi Tukker’s playful “Swing”, for fans of songs of theirs like “Batshit”
The slick electronic pop of “25 Miles To Vegas” by The Tribe Of Good
The deep down and dirty “Tits On A Tricycle” by SNBRN, which reminds me of something Showtek would record
The dreamy electropop of Dutchkid’s “Flight”
“GOMF” (featuring BRIDGE), which has already become a hit for DVBBS in our native Canada
“Pica” by Deorro and Henry Fong, spiced up with an Elvis Crespo vocal
The rest I could take or leave. But regardless if you’re looking for an enjoyable stocking stuffer for your dance music-loving friend or family member, you can’t go with an Ultra compilation like 2020.
Continuing with his successful blend of progressive electronic music with gritty alt.rock music, deep house, and trap, Los Angeles-based producer PatrickReza is back with “November”. After repackaging last year’s first forays into this stylish mix with “Tip Toe” and “The Wall” into the EP Strung Out (featuring the title song), as well as his white-listed remix of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” (which she shared in her socials and has acquired 3.5 million plays on Soundcloud alone), “November” offers a herky-jerky Nine Inch Nails melody, downbeat guitar work, and a disaffected semi-spoken vocal. It’s a taut blend that gets revved up briefly about halfway through, but it all works quite well. Modern rock radio would have fun with this one as would clubs for late night play.
It’s not a cover of the Britney Spears smash, but “Toxic” will certainly appeal to fans of that song as well as anyone who likes their deep house with a mysterious side and a burbling synth melody underneath. I wrote about Miggy Milla’s “Tragedy” not long ago, and this is quite a different turn from the Austin singer of Filipino heritage. Miggy definitely turns on the charm again with his soft, provocative vocal, which easily draws you in while the rich synth work and production take care of the dancing department. “Toxic” is an ear-turner that’s definitely a step in the right direction for Miggy Milla.
It’s the second last BILLCS Top 30 of 2019 already! Unlike others I don’t tally up my year end chart until after my last chart is published. In the meantime, I have a new chart that is chock full of debuts… in fact, there are six of ’em, with another lineup of songs waiting to join them in two weeks. So this blog post will be focused on the newcomers!
A reminder that the music from my chart and blog will be featured regularly on the new online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m driving Russ Horton crazy each week by sending him lots of new music from the blog and chart to join the mix too!
It’s amazing how pop music can cause you to shift styles and genres at the drop of a hat. So while I’ve been caught up with Illenium’s music these past few months – and he’s still on the chart with “Broken Ones” joining the Top 10, and another collaboration, this time with Canada’s own Ekali, on deck in two weeks – all ears are now on Harry Styles as “Lights Up” (above) continues at #1. Not only that, but “Watermelon Sugar” debuts at #25, and the third single from Fine Line, “Adore You” (below, if you haven’t seen it yet) has arrived with a triumph of a video and is also in waiting for the chart for two weeks from now.
Talk about staying power! Lostchild’s “Like Like” in its OKJAMES remix gets a fourth appearance at #2 (that’s eight weeks).
Slow-burners “Breaking Hearts” by Benedict Cork (4-3, above) and “Flicker” by Anden (6-4, below) both move up to new peaks.
The remaining new arrival in the Top 10 is also the Fastest Riser on the chart. It’s the intense, provocative, and joyous banger “Shivohum” by Tritonal and Henry Dark, which soars 21-9, with designs on the top of the chart!
There are several songs waiting to make their big moves mid-chart, but the ones making the most noise on their own are Sam Smith’s jolting cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” (17-13, above); Peter Foldy’s pensive and positive ode to today with “Toxic World” (19-15, also above); and John.k’s delightful “if we never met” (27-21, below).
And I have to get a quick word in about Sam Fender, who is selling out shows across the UK thanks to the success of his album Hypersonic Missiles. “Will We Talk” is from that album and climbs 20-17. And one of the happiest moments on Twitter that you will see this week is Sam greeting a really young fan backstage. That’s what magic moments are made of!
Leading the six debuts at an impressive #20 is “Flames” by R3HAB, Zayn and Jungleboi. Dutch legend R3HAB is having a monster year, with one of his biggest club hits being the cover of the A*Teens’ “All Around The World”. And on “Flames”, his second chart entry here following “All Into Nothing” with Mokita (#15), he and Jungleboi manage to pull out what I believe is Zayn’s best vocal to date. “Flames” isn’t really a dance song, it’s definitely more pop radio friendly, and a nice follow up on Zayn’s underrated Icarus Falls album.
It seems that it’s time for alt.rock and dance music to become friends again, and I’m hearing more successful blends of these genres for the first time in many years. Is it the ‘new’ new wave when songs like “The Best” by Los Angeles group AWOLNATION start to get my attention? It’s the band’s first appearance on the chart, bowing in at #22.
The Weeknd is back and has been listening to a lot of 80’s new wave, if the keyboard riffing in “Blinding Lights” is any indication. The song arrives at #26 – a far cry from his other single “Heartless”, which I don’t care for at all – becoming my Scarborough neighbourhood boy Abel Tesfaye’s 6th chart entry. The Weeknd got to #1 on the chart in 2016 with “Starboy”.
Battling it out for the last two positions on the chart are: “Dirty Mirrors” by Scotland’s Ben Davidson and England’s Sean Smith in a smashing duet that lands at #29 in its Matt Pop edit (above). It’s Ben’s debut on the chart, while Sean has got to the Top 10 twice, with the Andy Sikorski remix of “Magic” in 2017, and last year with Peter Wilson in another duet called “Verona”; and at #30 is “Ain’t Deep Enough” (below), slick Chicago house from production duo Autograf featuring a fine vocal by Jared Lee, who just left the chart with Midnight Kids on “Those Were The Days” (#5).
View the full BILLCS Top 30right 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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs
In quite a contrast to other recent and often darker releases, Germany’s ANIQO – singer, songwriter, producer, and film-maker – returns with “LoveLife”. The song is an alt.pop celebration of freedom, people, and of course love of life. And what better way to convey a message with a smile and a hug, just for no reason at all? As the video shows, most people are receptive to a few moments of unbridled joy, while others still resist. And in Europe, a 30 year celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall shouldn’t go unrecognized, so “LoveLife” captures the anniversary of a triumph of freedom and democracy too. The video is well shot with many humorous moments and ANIQO shows off her video-making skills as well as creating her most positive and diverse song to date. Be sure to check out “LoveLife” above.
“Here” has an interesting blend of lyrics and music which is atypical to the dance music genre. For me, it’s a terrific song first and foremost, with touching lyrics that are brought to life warmly with yet another fine vocal by UK singer Cammie Robinson, who you know from songs by MonoVerse and Blinded Hearts. It’s augmented by futuristic synth work and beats courtesy of San Francisco-based producer Saw Gent. While only appearing in 2019 as a dance music artist and lead act, Saw Gent is a music industry professional after many years in the biz during which time he ‘ghost’ produced several songs. That expertise and prowess really gets a showcase in “Here”. And as much as dance music lovers will enjoy this one in clubs, I’d love to hear an acoustic version of it.
“Lost To The Night” is a compelling song that asks the question: What would you say to a loved one in your immediate family who you haven’t spoken to in many years? The answer lies in the chorus “brother, come home”. Chuck Shirock is a singer/songwriter who divides his time between Nashville and Los Angeles, but “Lost To The Night” is hardly what I would call conventional of either music city. Influences here come from U2 – C.SHIROCK sounds a lot like Bono at times – Coldplay, Peter Gabriel, and too many others to think of, particularly from the 80’s. The big production in contrast to the emotion of the song is consistent with U2 or Peter Gabriel records. C.SHIROCK’s vocal will definitely move you, and a good companion song to it is the recent and deeply personal single by Cobi called “Island In My Mind” which I wrote about a few weeks back. C.SHIROCK definitely holds a lot of promise and with songs like “Lost To The Night” clearly has a lot to offer.
In their second collaboration together, German producer ZEROBADDAYS (also known as Mr. Stan Sax from the duo Saxity) and New York-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry have concocted a smooth and silky retrotastic R&B ballad with the original “Starlight”. This one has many shades of 80’s R&B/pop present recalling songs like Smokey Robinson’s “Just To See Her” and Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”. Perhaps “Starlight” is a sign of a mini-revival of those delightful songs, which in turn were succeeded by the styles of Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige, and many other less popular singers in the 90’s. I could go on naming names, but Victor’s golden voice hanging on to every note under the lovely lyrics is so suited to the sparse arrangement with ZEROBADDAYS’ saxophone of course holding court. Create your own private quiet storm with “Starlight”.
DANNY TOEMAN, “Give It All Up (Mr. Showtime)” and “She’s Got Something About Her” (video)
Offering up old-school styled soul with in a vibrant and fresh way, UK singer Danny Toeman brings you two new songs for your immediate attention! First up is “Give It All Up (Mr. Showtime)” (above), where the singer’s voice recalls the tones of Al Green via Bobby Womack with a theatrical side that likely comes out loud and clear in concert. You can easily get lost in the song through his performance which just doesn’t let up. Next up is another original, “She’s Got Something About Her”, and in the video (below), Danny courts a trio of lovely ladies only to meet his comeuppance at the end. The song is fresh and funky and will appeal to those who like Danny’s larger than life vocal with Sly Stone and Prince-ly undertones. Music like Danny Toeman’s never goes out of style, and he will only build on these and other releases to tap into the audience at large that will be taken by his songs.
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