Aside from the single release of “Lost” two years ago, we haven’t heard from John Vesely, otherwise known as Secondhand Serenade, since his his 2016 indie release A Naked Twist In My Story, essentially an acoustic update of his best known work, 2008’s A Twist In My Story, which featured his huge hit “Fall For You”. The San Francisco born singer/songwriter is back with a strong pop song that his many adoring fans will love called “Not Enough”, co-written with his wife Veronica Ballestrini. The song has a terrific arrangement, building from a piano/vocal combo, and gradually introducing harmony vocals, drums and guitar into the mix. The lyrics lay everything on the table after a relationship has just ended – “when were we not enough?” being such a heartfelt question to ask. Hopefully this fine release, which should be a highlight in live performance, will keep the Secondhand Serenade fan base growing.
Just when you thought his 2017 EP LøVë was a one-shot fluke of a comeback for the man who sold millions as a pre-teen at the start of the last decade, the Aaron Carter story continues through his music with his newly released independent single called “Pyro”. As with songs from LøVë like “Fool’s Gold” (delightfully remixed last year with hip hop singer 3letterznuk) , which were as on the mark as any other soulful pop/dance release two years ago, “Pyro” brings us a sophisticated, well-produced groove with interesting lyrics that will all resonate well alongside music by Bruno Mars or Sam Smith. Aaron’s vocal glides along in his head voice most of the time, with some well-placed harmonies that reinforce the chorus of the song. It’s time to dispense with so many of those preconceived notions and thoughts and let Aaron Carter’s music speak for itself. And for those of you producers, remixers and vocalists who are interested in getting in on his music, he’s posted three instrumentals with which you can be creative, as free downloads at the link below.
“Eleven” is the most engaging song that I heard at Will Bowes’ debut performance as a solo artist this summer. It’s a jazz-flavoured, funk-filled slice of fun that will keep your toes tapping and hands clapping along. Will’s vocals get a real workout as he exercises his falsetto in Prince-ly ways. The bouncing beat is familiar enough, and “Eleven” is enhanced big time by the appearance of some well placed saxophone work. Already known as a singer with the Toronto pop/R&B/jazz collective Gold Complex, “Eleven” is an infectious must-add for your Fall playlists that would sound terrific on the radio, and a big taste of what’s to come when Will Bowes releases his first album in the near future.
It was just about two years ago that UK-born, Australia-based producer Latchmere dropped the very fine but overlooked EP “Lovedrunk”, which contained a couple of positively amazing house tracks in “Need Your Heart” – a #1 house zinger on my chart – and “Monster”. Latchmere – aka Shaun Galvin – took a sidestep after Lovedrunk to record under another name (which I shan’t reveal but I wrote about this alias, too) to showcase his indie singer/songwriter side, sometimes quite successfully.
With Latchmere’s return back to electronic music, Rule The World is an intriguing if moody set of songs that don’t propose to fit into any dance sub-genres easily. Opener “You Were Right” is a tight blend of pop and house that focuses on when you’re wrong about something but can’t do anything about it – except maybe dance the night away. “I Was Wrong” is a sullen-sounding instrumental ‘answer’ to “You Were Right” that veers towards the progressive side of electronica. “Fired Up” is a Latin flavoured groovin’ fiesta of deep house. But it’s the title song that is perhaps the most accessible, featuring a heartfelt, sparse-sounding vocal that goes a cappella to draw you into its chorus: “What does it take to rule the world around you?” “Rule The World” has a lovely, gentle mid-section which Latchmere lets simmer until the chorus arrives again. I might be wrong but I think Latchmere used his own vocals on this EP unlike the previous one, and quite successfully too.
Rule The World shares the pains of the head and the heart, and fuses them all together with synths and beats for the good of body and soul.
It’s only their second release, but I’m liking what mystery production duo No Thanks have in mind with “To The Top”. It’s one quick and tidy banger that will keep club goers on the dance floor, a swift mix of trance and future bass that will draw in fans of producers like Morgan Page, Madison Mars, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. It’s 2:12 of sheer fun and playful vocals. And the guys even get their name in there too! “To The Top” will lift you up and keep you there for a while.
21 year old Adam Kahati is a new name for dance music fans and DJ’s to get to know if “Let You Go” is any indication. Sung with an affecting uncredited female vocal, the story that unfolds recounts a gal, out with her friends at a bar, waiting for her guy to call, or do something, anything… and she makes the brave decision to move on. The tropical vibes turn celebratory if bittersweet because so many of us know the feeling when a relationship has to end. “Let You Go” is definitely brisk enough for clubs to spin, I’d suggest either early evening or very late for best effect.
September marks a big change-up on the new chart. Not only is there a new #1 which more people need to discover, there are five new entries. And it was a tough decision as to which songs debuted as there is quite a line-up of chart-worthy recent releases. So while leaves will begin to tumble and the cooler air sets in where I am in Toronto, the music on the chart is free-flowing and most deserving of your attention!
It’s Ukrainian dance ensemble Kazaky who reign supreme on the chart now with “Push” and its stunning video (above). It’s rare that you will see such physical choreography, and much of it danced in stilettos, so these guys must be so disciplined and committed. Plus it’s a great song with early 90’s Depeche Mode all over it married with modern synths.
Kygo’s redux of Whitney Houston’s 1990 recording of “Higher Love” climbs to #2. I must say I’m calling out radio in North America for not supporting such a great record. The rest of the world indeed has much better taste these days, and so do dance clubs, where it’s already been a #1 hit.
“Time” is my favourite song from the Emanate album by EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette). He’s been in my Top 10 numerous times over the last five years, but “Time” rises 9-6, his first time this high on the chart since “Run” got to #4 a little over a year ago.
Three songs climb into the Top 10, and they are Sam Dickinson’s joyous “All We Are” (11-7, above – all of Sam’s charted songs have reached the Top 10!), Avicii’s “Tough Love” (13-9, also above) and Italian musical mirth-makers Eric Zava & DJ Mirko B with “Even In Confusion” (12-10, below).
There’s lots of activity immediately below the Top 10, as the dark and mysterious deep house of “Alone Again” (above) by Mahalo and Polish producer Milkwish climbs 16-11. Right behind is Loud Luxury and Bryce Vine with their huge Canadian radio hit that deserves to spread worldwide, “I’m Not Alright” (below), moving up 18-12.
The fastest riser on the chart is the highest debut from two weeks ago, “Dreamer” by Australian producer Throttle, which soars 22-13. I’m hoping this is Throttle’s breakout record – dance music radio really needs to jump all over its refreshing sound.
The other debuts from the last chart also make progress. Nashville duo Apollo LTD have one of my favourite albums of the year called Out Of Body, and their song “On The Way Up 2.0” (above) rises 24-20. Then the unexpected dream team of Tiësto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora move up 26-21 with “Ritual” (below).
The highest of five premieres this week belongs to England’s Lostchild with the charming and fun “Like Like” in its OKJAMES remix arriving at #23. Lostchild reached #5 last year with the equally engaging “Blacklist”, so watch for great things for “Like Like”. Both OKJAMES remix and the video for the original version of the song are above.
Someone else who is no stranger to this chart is Florida-born producer PLS&TY, whose latest engaging single “Run Wild” bows at #24. Its repeated sample of a Finnish acoustic song is infectious and refreshing. The Morgan Page of PLS&TY’s “Down For Me” got to #6 last year.
Chicago’s Win & Woo make their debut on the chart as lead performers with possibly their best single to date so far, which is the biting “Here U R”, featuring and co-written by singer Sara Skinner. It arrives at #26. Win & Woo’s other chart appearance was in 2016 providing a good-natured remix of Brandyn Burnette’s “Made Of Dreams” (#5), which I still play a lot.
Australia’s Peter Wilson returns to the chart after getting to #2 last year with Sean Smith in the unique duet called “Verona”. It’s the Stormby edit of “Don’t Break My Heart Again” that bows at #27 from the EP of remixes for the song. You’ve also seen Stormby on this chart before, with one of my favourite remixes of this decade, Kaden’s “Black Light”, which got to #1 in 2013.
The fifth debut will keep the heat of the summer continuing, in music anyway. It’s the soulful, lazy melody of “Poolside Vibe” courtesy of two gents usually known as producers, Pretty Sister (Zak Waters) and MarcLo (Marc Lomax of The Monsters & The Strangerz collective), entering at #29.
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
It’s been a while, but the 10/10 (or tenoutoften) feature is back! In it, I write about 10 hot and fresh songs in no particular order, for your kind consideration and attention.
I continue to write individual blog posts about certain songs. That does not mean that songs in the 10/10 lists are any less than those featured individually.
Writing 10/10 features means I can cover more songs in one shot. So you get to learn about more new music that I hear but don’t always get a chance to write about.
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NIKKI’S WIVES, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”
Fans of the Cyndi Lauper classic may be certainly taken aback by how Canadian trio Nikki’s Wives interprets “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, but don’t be worried, it’s a slowed-down version that will snuggle up to you. I was fortunate to see the band perform it live back in the Spring, and the audience ate it up. Nikki’s Wives taps into the lyrics of the song, wrestles emotion from the gleeful setting, and gives the song a completely different point of view.
HELLBERG & ALOE BLACC, “Punching In The Dark”
Swedish producer Hellberg is back with his best release since last Fall’s “Headlights” (with Leona Lewis). His way to craft a seamless melody jibes so well with the graceful, invested vocal Aloe Blacc provides in “Punching In The Dark”. Aloe has been popping up everywhere lately, from singing on fine songs from Avicii’s “SOS” to Mathieu Koss’ “Never Growing Up” to Lost Frequencies’ “Truth Never Lies”. “Punching In The Dark” is anthemic without being overpowering, and you’ll find it stuck in your head more often than not.
YOUNG BOMBS, “Don’t Let Them”
Martin and Tristan started off 2019 with a big bang after signing to Astralwerks, home of Halsey and Illenium, and watching their first single “Starry Eyes” become a club and dance radio hit. The Vancouver producers followed it up with two singles already, the more recent “Loyal”, an emotional electro-ballad, as well as the tropical-tinged “Don’t Let Them”. They’re both solid, but “Don’t Let Them” has an edge for me with its celebratory vibe amid encouraging lyrics making you think twice about letting people walk all over you and to take a stand instead. It’s guaranteed to make you bounce and feel so good!
BRUCE WIEGNER, “Malicious”
Philly bred, L.A.-based Bruce Wiegner is a new name to get to know as a singer/songwriter/producer with his third solo single “Malicious”. The song is a sophisticated, melodic electro-pop delight, playfully calling out a former lover amid vibrant synths and percussion. Backed with a killer funky groove, “Malicious” may very well cause a spontaneous singalong, so don’t say you weren’t warned.
PARTY PUPILS and MAX, “Bite My Tongue”
Although his name doesn’t appear on the artwork, I need to point out right away that MAX is the vocalist on “Bite My Tongue” by his fun side project with his very talented buddy Ryan Siegel, Party Pupils. Fans have seen Ryan supporting MAX in his solo shows where they often add a few Party Pupils performances that truly energize the crowd. “Bite My Tongue” allows MAX to sink into that comfortable, soulful place where he has ventured successfully on earlier singles like “Wrong” and “Ms Anonymous”, this time set in an appetizing house setting to which dance club DJ’s should direct their attention.
DIFFERENT HEAVEN and ROSEANNA BROWN, “Strangers”
Spanish producer Different Heaven (and pro-gamer aka Alvaro Perea) will brighten up your day with a story about falling in love, and wanting to become “Strangers” again just to feel what it’s like all over again. “Strangers” is instantly likeable and most of us will identify with it. Sung with vigor by Roseanna Brown, “Strangers” has a dynamic hook which will sell it home to you if the lyrics and melody somehow don’t grab you. It’s perfectly suited for dance music radio play anywhere.
ALEX MALI, “Start It Up”
Alex Mali is a relatively new R&B/pop singer from Brooklyn whose music has quickly been getting traction throughout the US. That’s not at all surprising, with a voice that is as convincing as Normani and pointed lyrics that recall a less complex H.E.R. What’s most attractive about Alex’s voice is her sweet tone, which prevails throughout “Start It Up”. The song is about what you feel you should do when you think you might get hurt before a potential relationship even begins. This can be frustrating when your heart tells you that someone might be ‘the one’, in the way that past lovers were not, and your head tells you otherwise. Despite a tough topic, the melody is soothing and the song goes down easy. It’s from Alex’s new EP Sweet & Sour, and check out the video for “Start It Up” above.
DISCO FRIES, “Family Affair”
After the smashing #1 dance club hit “Concrete Heart” which they recorded with Vassy, New York City’s Disco Fries (otherwise known as Nick and Danny) are back this time on Spinnin’ with “Family Affair”. It’s a pumped up house take on the Mary J. Blige classic from 2001 but this time with uncredited male vocals. “Family Affair” is such a recognizable song and one that needs to be covered in the right way. Disco Fries put it on a pedestal, not taking too many production liberties with it, and make their version shine, and club play reaction will be instantaneous. I look forward to seeing “Family Affair” follow “Concrete Heart” up the dance charts.
FLIGHT SCHOOL and LAURELL, “Come & Go”
Toronto production duo Flight School (Guillaume and Conor) surprised everyone in Canadian music land earlier this year by scoring a highly rare out of the box Top 20 national radio hit, after winning an iHeart Radio contest, with “Figure It Out”. The likeable, rough-around-the-edges sound of “Figure It Out” has been succeeded by the more enigmatic deep house of “Come & Go”. One of the co-writers of the song with Flight School is its singer Laurell, who won a Juno Award as the vocalist of Nick Fiorucci’s “Closer”, and has recorded with other prominent dance producers like Ummet Ozcan, Quintino, and Steve Void. Her rich and captivating performance should help guarantee “Come & Go” more radio play and garner attention from outside of Canada. “Come & Go” is international in its accessible dance flavours and sound. Check out the video above.
RYAN SHEPHERD and HEATHER JANSSEN, “Who’s Gonna Love U”
“Who’s Gonna Love U” is a stylish slice of deep house from Canadian producer Ryan Shepherd, whose music has been featured in this blog a number of times over the past few years. Whereas a number of Ryan’s songs have slammed hard and were tailored for clubs and festivals, in his latest for Armada, “Who’s Gonna Love U” should easily find favour on the radio. Canadian singer/songwriter Heather Janssen’s voice is alternately delicate and alluring, all the while delivering a strong message to a previous lover – “who’s gonna love U if I don’t love U, nobody else could”. Some spicy remixes could also help “Who’s Gonna Love U” get the green light from club DJ’s too.
PLS&TY, “Run Wild” (original and Luca Lush remix) and “Feeling Forever”
For about the last two years, I’ve been frequently touting the praises of L.A-based, Florida-bred producer/remixer PLS&TY. With originals like “Down For Me” and “Good Vibes”, the artist also known as Tommy Leas is coming into his own, and he’s garnering so much attention that major labels are seeking him out. He’s also just landed on an upcoming south-west US tour opening for Elephante.
His most recent ‘double A-sided’ release of “Run Wild” and “Feeling Forever” (both above) actually came out in June but I somehow missed it until remixes of “Run Wild” recently came to my attention. These songs are PLS&TY like you’ve never heard him before. “Run Wild” samples an acapella Finnish folk track called “Käppee” and creatively uses it as both hook and chorus of the song. The song is indeed a pretty wild future bass concoction that will both take you aback and bowl you over. Luca Lush will also make your ears perk up with a fun drum ‘n bass turn (below) that punctuates the chorus. “Feeling Forever” is more chill but still futuristic, and explores an Indian-influenced sound with unique vocal-sampled hook. The song has lots of bright moments with percussive highs and flute-y sounding synths.
Both “Run Wild” and “Feeling Forever” show off the many talents of PLS&TY and he is definitely someone for whom you should keep your ears on in the next year or so to hear where he goes next.
“Silica” is essentially an instrumental track with soulful vocal effects that are reminiscent of the early UK 2000’s house scene. It’s brought to you by relatively new Dutch producers Neverglow and FineRefined, who offer plenty of late night club atmosphere (in keeping with their label’s name, Neon Fruits) along with a killer keyboard hook that makes “Silica” stand out. The song will appeal to those who like their house music with classic flourishes and club DJ’s will find it easy to keep their patrons dancing with “Silica” in the mix. I’d highly recommend an extended remix to prolong that late night dance floor vibe.
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