Lilting, compelling “Overwhelm” by @Bridesmen (aka @itsKenton) encourages us to confront and embrace our feelings

BRIDESMEN, “Overwhelm”

It’s not an easy sell at first listen, by “Overwhelm” by L.A.-based electronic artist Bridesmen is a beautiful song that encourages us all to confront and embrace our feelings.  With a slant on mental health and well-being, the song is supported by a compelling and lovely lyrical dance video for you to check out above.  Bridesmen is the recording name for Kenton Chen, who some of you may know from TV’s “Sing Off” a number of years back, when he put together an impromptu acapella group that sang in the finale.  Kenton’s career has been mainly focused on jazz and acapella, so Bridesmen offers another avenue for him to raise awareness about a variety of issues as well as his own barriers he has faced as a Gay Asian American.  “Overwhelm” has a classic song structure that allows it to be both affecting and relateable.  You can hear vocal and songwriting styles of artists like Joni Mitchell and Carole King in the story, as well both classical and modern influences in the music which perhaps reminds me of tauter songs by electronic artists such as ZHU or Odesza.

#BILLCSTop30 #564 – June 24/19

There’s lots of change afoot on the new chart.  The lower rung gets cleaned out and replaced with six debuts which have loads of top-of-the-chart potential!  And speaking of the top, a new #1 has taken over from a bunch of strong favourites, which will all have difficulty leaving the Top 10 any time soon.

The new #1 is also the fastest riser on the chart, something that doesn’t happen often!  And it belongs to Illenium and Jon Bellion with the stunning “Good Things Fall Apart”, soaring 9 to 1.  During the last week, Illenium announced a North American tour and I’m happy to be attending in Toronto on September 28 🙂

M-22, Cedric Gervais and DubVision & SYZZ all slip down as a result of “Good Things Come  Apart” now ruling the chart, and only Mokita’s “Kiss And Tell” (above) and Lost Frequencies & Flynn’s “Recognise” (below) can also move up within the Top 10, advancing 6-5 and 10-9 respectively.

The progressive electronica of Mako’s “Coyote” rounds out the Top 10 moving 11-10, becoming the singer’s 4th Top 10 on this chart.

With the Top 10 pretty much locked down, songs below can only make limited movement and some will break loose of that in two weeks.  That leaves three of our debuts from two weeks ago to get recognized with bigger jumps.  “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” by Mark Ronson featuring American singer YEBBA (above)climbs 23-17, while Switzerland’s Eurovision entry “She Got Me” by Luca Hänni (below) leaps 25-19 , and the soulful pop of “Where Did You Go” by Nick Peters and Jamie Grey (also below) rises 27-22.

So it’s the debuts that do most of the talking this week.  The highest debut at #23 belongs to the dynamic pairing of Don Diablo and CiD, who I saw dropping this song together in Miami in March, a fun grower called “Fever” (above).  Next at #24 is an album track – and I like saying that because it’s from the first full album by EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette) also called Emanate.  The song is a nice mix of pop and electronica called “Time” (below) and it’s a standout from the album.  It follows lead off single “Amen” onto the chart, which peaked at #15 earlier this year.  At #25 is a returning pair to the chart, US producers and musicians Eric Sharp and Zhao with the catchy “Monday Blues” (also below).  These guys previously charted together in 2016 with “The Thirst” (#7), and Zhao is also the vocalist on both.

I’m not done just yet!  Like Don Diablo, another veteran appearing on the chart for the first time is Borgeous, who arrives with vocalist RUNAGROUND with “Better Anyway” (above) at #26.  Then there’s a delicious slice of melodic deep house courtesy of Italy’s Eric Zava and DJ Mirko B at #28 with “Even In Confusion” (below) featuring the vocals of newcomer Daniel Gorash.  The final debut is yet another entry from the prolific Mahalo this time with Poland’s Milkwish for some more dark deep house “Alone Again” (also below) at #30.  Mahalo and MŌZ are also at #27 with “Go Ahead”, which recently peaked at #4.

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

 

 

 

 

“Truth Never Lies” brings together Lost Frequencies @LFrequencies with a warm and urgent vocal by @AloeBlacc

LOST FREQUENCIES and ALOE BLACC, “Truth Never Lies”

Following up the more pop-oriented and anthemic “Recognize” featuring Flynn (currently #9 on my personal chart) is Belgium’s Lost Frequencies with “Truth Never Lies”.  The song gets deep down and personal with a warm and urgent vocal from Aloe Blacc, who you heard recently on Avicii’s “SOS”.  Because of this “Truth Never Lies” draws you in within its first 30 seconds and keeps your breath bated as the rest of the story unfolds.  It’s a solid dance song too that will make you sway and clap along.  But I think it’s the bluesy anchor that Lost Frequencies provides to compliment Aloe Blacc’s tones and range that makes “Truth Never Lies” instantly memorable.

“Beast” by @Puraridj and @MAKJ easily takes command of the dance floor

PURARI & MAKJ, “Beast”

“Beast” definitely has a lot of firepower for the dance floor in just under two minutes.  That’s because it’s a collaboration of two well-established young producers, New Jersey’s Purari and SoCal’s MAKJ, who caught Hardwell’s ear for release on his own Revealed Recordings.  “Beast” is an easy progressive house festival banger to be sure but it’s also an extremely well-crafted piece of music.  Lush synths go really big then quiet, and there seems to be some techno inspiration that recalls the work of past big names such as Josh Wink.  Quite simply there’s a lot that happens and the powerful chorus will truly take command of the dance floor when it plays.  “Beast” goes for the big bounce and leaves you wanting even more.

You won’t get it out of your head: “Shotgun” is jazzy pop from Canada’s @MonkeyHouseband

MONKEY HOUSE, “Shotgun”

It’s a bit off the path from a lot of today’s pop music, but that’s probably what makes it refreshing:  “Shotgun” is new jazzy pop from Canadian band Monkey House.  Canadian radio listeners will be familiar with them from the 90’s and early 2000’s with such songs as their cover of Steely Dan’s “Lazy Nina” as well as the original “Big Money” receiving regular airplay.  Led by pianist, Emmy Award winner, and Juno Award nominee Don Breithaupt, Monkey House’s “Shotgun” has an 80’s vibe about it that will appeal to fans of artists of that era such as Matt Bianco.  But it’s the summery chorus that you won’t get out of your head and can easily be earmarked as a great summer driving song.  It comes from the forthcoming album Friday with a video to follow that will be directed by Oscar winner Miles Dale.  Don’t let this one slip by – definitely one fine summer bop!

Russian producer #Bertello has a future house winner with “Honest”

BERTELLO, “Honest”

“Honest” is one of those songs that straddles the sometimes moving line between being a solid pop record while still one tailor-made for the dance floor.  Deep house, future house and pop all meld together in a fine mix from Russian producer Bertello.  Add to this solid and convincing vocals and synths that at times will seem like a throwback to late 90’s Chemical Brothers, and “Honest” becomes three minutes of tightly-wrapped dance music that’s an easy fit in any club DJ’s mix.

“Show Me Love” is uplifting pop-rock from UK band #BewareTheBear featuring a change of pace for singer @SeanSmithsolo

BEWARE THE BEAR and SEAN SMITH, “Show Me Love”

“Show Me Love” is proof positive that sometimes it just takes a solid vocal to take a song to the next level.  And UK band Beware The Bear – who seem to be rather elusive in social media circles – have given the vocal showcase to Sean Smith on this particular occasion.  Of course readers of this blog know Sean well for his own songs like “Magic” and his recent unique dance collaboration with Peter Wilson called “Verona”, and fans of pop music in the UK also know him from his Same Difference days.  “Show Me Love” is a different setting for Sean from his recent music, and perhaps in some ways leans back to more straight-forward pop-rock of Same Difference.  In any case, Sean’s voice is the right fit for this song and allows him to exercise his range and versatility.  “Show Me Love” has wide appeal and is a worthwhile addition to upbeat pop-rock playlists.

Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” becomes reflective and @YearsandYears’ “Desire” full of intense longing, both in ballad form by @JonMclaughlin

JON MCLAUGHLIN, “So Emotional” and “Desire”

As readers of this blog are aware, I am not big on cover versions and they really have to impress me to write about them.  So when a singer/songwriter like Indiana’s Jon Mclaughlin decides to release a cover version – or two – then some undivided attention is a must. 

Jon boldly takes on Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” (above) as a reflective ballad, and its transformation is a brilliant success.  It’s not sombre by any means, it has become a story about a past lover and the resulting feelings from that relationship.  Ballads can be sped up and dance songs can be slowed down, but it has to be done right.  And with his on point vocal and piano playing, “So Emotional” is given real credibility as a ballad. 

Also be sure to check out Jon’s cover of Years & Years’ “Desire” (below), which is the second part of this double-A sided single release.  I’m still a bit too attached to the original of four years ago but slowing down this particular dance song fleshes out the intense longing of the lyrics.

Revel in the fun and joyous debut album by @EMAN8 called “Emanate”

EMAN8, Emanate

He did it his way and the results are in:  Brandyn Burnette’s transformation into EMAN8 as a performer is now complete with the release of his debut album titled Emanate (Brandyn’s actual middle name).  And while it is now years away from some of my favourite songs by him such as “I Wanna Be (Free)”, “Nothing At All” and of course “Thanks For Nothing”, a new and adventurous chapter is unfolding.  And I’m pretty certain it’s going to be an enjoyable ride.

As I’ve already mentioned in past posts about the songs that preceded the release of Emanate – “Amen”, “Inspired”, and “Grateful” – Brandyn-as-EMAN8 is now focusing on the joyous and fun aspects of his music, while continuing to be the humble and intriguing artist we have grown to enjoy.  And while “Amen” and “Grateful” to me are two of the album’s better songs, there is still a third within and it’s called “Time” (featured above).  The song veers away from the blues-influenced progressive soul of most of the tracks on Emanate and into progressive electronica, not surprising considering Brandyn’s involvement in dance music over the past few years working with artists like Elephante, Two Friends, Vicetone, Win & Woo, and more.  Also very successful are “Sympathy”, hip hop inflected dance music featuring Kelechi, and “Stir”, featuring more words of positivity.  The only song that doesn’t work for me is “Reese’s Pieces”, which has a great rhythm track but doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the songs.

Be sure to check out EMAN8 if you haven’t already for some mighty fine songs within the album Emanate brought to you by a very deserving artist who is creating his own path his way.

It’s 10/10 #04: @DJSAVI @TarynManning #TobiasBergson @MichaelShynes @AdnanVeron @ShayceOpal @PaulHofficial @BenedictCork @weareApolloLTD @Beticalmusic @KenSummit @EricKupper @AmyDouglassings @ValenciaJamestw #Homestead

10/10 #04

10/10 (or tenoutoften) is back and is once again this blog’s new feature where 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. 

tenoutoften

tenoutoften 04

  • SAVI & TARYN MANNING, “Bring Me Back To You”

“Bring Me Back To You” is a future house fan’s delight from L.A. producer SAVI and long time dance club favourite, singer/actress Taryn Manning (“Orange Is The New Black”, “Hawaii Five-O”).  This Strange Fruits release is a well-produced mix to keep dancers on the floor, with a nice trappy mid-section that draws you back into the latter part of the song.  It’s great to hear Taryn in this slightly different, more progressive setting, so with her track record on the charts – two #1’s “Send Me Your Love” (with Sultan + Shepard) and “GLTCHLFE” – club DJ’s will easily fit “Bring Me Back To You” to their mid-evening Saturday night sets.

  • TOBIAS BERGSON & MICHAEL SHYNES, “Keep Trying”

“Keep Trying” is one of those positive slices of deep house music that’s destined to be a crowd pleaser.  Brought to you by the new Dutch label Diepgraven, Austria’s Tobias Bergson surrounds the lyrics with bright sounds and a riveting rhythm to allow the fine voice of US singer Michael Shynes to anchor the song.  This one’ll getcha in the same way that Armin van Buuren & Trevor Guthrie’s “This Is What It Feels Like” or Dave Edwards & Mark Asari’s “That’s What We’re Made Of” created timeless, effortless good vibes.

  • ADNAN VERON & SHAYCE OPAL, “Without You”

Anytime is the perfect time for romance in “Without You”.  Adnan Veron is a new producer out of Indonesia and he’s got a fantastic British singer named Shayce Opal to carry the song for him.  It’s a delightful combination of stunning high vocal notes with mid-tempo electronica, and it lilts along at a comfortable pace with wistful lyrics setting the tone.  “Without You” is a gorgeous Neon Fruits release that deserves attention.

  • PAUL HETHERINGTON, “Touch”

Australian producer and vocalist Paul Hetherington follows up his first release in a number of years called “When I Lost You” with the atmospheric and taut “Touch”.  The song seems to take cues perhaps from 80’s new wave and late 90’s and 00’s pleasures from the likes of fellow Aussies Darren Hayes and Savage Garden.  Paul crafts an intriguing and memorable melody while the provocative synth beat throbs along.

  • BENEDICT CORK, “Funny How Things Change”

It came out a little while ago now but I don’t want “Funny How Things Change” by British singer Benedict Cork to slip away without notice, in the same way that I immediately latched on to YEBBA’s “Evergreen” in late 2017.  This is indeed a happy marriage of a wonderful new voice and a splendid song, which Benedict co-wrote.  He has a radiant tone that immediately impresses and cuts through the lyrics like butter.   Benedict Cork is definitely one singer to put on your list. In fact he’s released another song since “Funny” called “Breaking Hearts” so I’ll have to get to that one soon too.

  • APOLLO LTD, “Misfits”

Nashville duo Apollo LTD returns with “Misfits”.  It strikes you instantly with an urgent vocal and a snappy melody with well thought out words to which anyone can relate.  It has a slightly soulful backdrop that could have found its way out of a 70’s Boz Scaggs or Steely Dan record, but mainly “Misfits” is a solid, contemporary pop release that stands out.

  • BETICAL, “Runnin'”

French brothers Max and Martin, aka Betical, offer up late night deep house grooves with “Runnin'”.  It’s a bit different from their more recent releases but should have no problem drawing folks out on to the dance floor with its atmospheric vocal and booming house beats.  The song hopes to strike a chord with the younger crowd about being independent and free-thinking.  DJ’s might find themselves making “Runnin'” a go-to for late hot summer nights.

  • KENNY SUMMIT, ERIC KUPPER and AMY DOUGLAS, “Give Me Love”

“Give Me Love” has one mission – to make you groove long and hard.  This is big sounding deep house at its best thanks to US producers Kenny Summit and Eric Kupper featuring the classic, soulful voice of NYC’s Amy Douglas, who most recently appeared on Horse Meat Disco’s “Let’s Go Dancing” (which got to #14 on my personal chart).  There’s simply no denying the power of a song like this in dance clubs.  It draws heavily from 90’s house – a nice companion piece in my opinion in fact to its namesake late 90’s classic by Alcatraz.

  • VALENCIA JAMES, “Flames”

Australia-based, NYC-bred singer/songwriter Valencia James is a newcomer with a fierce voice to remember in her debut single “Flames”.  It’s a powerful song with an expressive and compelling vocal that uses the imagery of playing with fire when a relationship is about to be permanently damaged.  There’s no doubt when you hear Valencia James that you will think of another very famous NYC vocalist – Lady Gaga.  “Flames” is a great introduction to Valencia James and I’m sure we will be hearing much, much more from her.

  • HOMESTEAD, “Runaway”

“Runaway” was a nice surprise to come my way as the debut single from two super and talented fellow Canadians calling themselves Homestead, producer/guitarist Liam DeBoer and vocalist Joël, who previously reached #12 on my personal chart with 2016’s “You Fucked Up”.  This alt.rock flavoured dance track has a hypnotic melody led by Joël’s at times unique and mysterious-sounding vocal.  I haven’t figured out what it’s all about but “Runaway” is chock full of interesting imagery and warrants multiple listens.