#BILLCSTop30 #563 – June 10/19

I’m so glad my big faves from very early Spring have carried over to make my birthday week a very happy place where ever I play the Top 3!  And the rest of the Top 10 is quite active, with three debuts rounding out the chart.

They are of course M-22’s “White Lies” (above), Cedric Gervais & Just Kiddin’s “Good Things” (disco edit) featuring vocalist Kyan (also above), and “Enlighten Me” by Dutch producers DubVision and SYZZ (below) giving the chart the zing it needs at 1-2-3!

MAX is back in the Top 5 for the first time as a lead artist since “Lights Down Low” got to #3 in its Two Friends remix in 2016.  Was I just an early bird on that one, or were y’all late heads?  Anyway, “Love Me Less” (featuring Quinn XCII) climbs 7-4.

Nashville’s Mokita is on his way to the Top 5 for a second time this year with “Kiss And Tell” rising 9-6.  And then there’s his new one “Inside Out” too so watch for it in this space in the near future…

The Chainsmokers acquire their 10th Top 10 since 2015 with “Do You Mean”, featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Canada’s Juno Award-winning bülow moving up 11-7.

The fastest riser on the chart had its video debut today.  Soaring up the chart 20-9 is Illenium & Jon Bellion’s “Good Things Fall Apart”.  This is Illenium’s third Top 10 entry since the late Fall.  Check out that intriguing video above.

Rounding out the newcomers to the Top 10 is Lost Frequencies’ magnetic “Recognise” featuring vocalist Flynn and rising 12-10.

Closing in on the Top 10, with no surprise, is the progressive and experimental “Coyote” from L.A.’s Mako, zipping up the chart 17-11.  This one draws you in with each listen so don’t miss it.

Halifax’s Famba just signed to Sony Canada proper, and he’s on his second radio hit for them.  Easily accessible to dance clubs in its Dallerium remix above is “Swear To God”, advancing 19-12.

Timmy Trumpet’s new anthem “World At Our Feet” finds itself soaring 23-15 in its second appearance.

“Adore You” by Jessie Ware is a quiet, sexy, funky grower and it moves up 22-17.

Taking its cue from a lot of 90’s pop and hip hop music is “We Found Love” by Canada’s Sultan + Shepard who collaborate with Showtek for this reboot of the Heavy D. & The Boyz hit.  It climbs 26-18.

They say some DJ’s don’t dance but in the video for his song “Atypical”, you’ll find Manila Killa busting some impressive moves.  Led by the vocals of GiGi, “Atypical” rises 25-19 culled from Manila Killa’s 1993 release.

The first newcomer is by recent Oscar and Grammy Award winner Mark Ronson who brings along Grammy-winner YEBBA for one of three songs on his album Late Night Feelings.  The sensational “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” arrives on the chart at #23.  Somehow it’s only Mark’s second entry on the chart, the first being “Valerie” with Amy Winehouse in 2007.  YEBBA’s previous 2017 “Evergreen” got to #4, and I expect similar things from “Lonely”.

Next up is the debut entry for Switzerland’s Luca Hänni, who was so fun and engaging with his Eurovision performances with “She Got Me” arriving at #25.  The song ranked 4th overall in Eurovision and deserves to be a worldwide smash.  It’s pretty darned irresistible.

The third new entry of the week at #27 belongs to French producer Nick Peters with a lyrical dance gem in “Where Did You Go”, featuring UK vocalist Jamie Grey.  Nick’s visited the chart before, in 2017 with “No Love In Brooklyn” getting to #4 in partnership with Frank Pierce and Scott Vega.

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 🙂

 

 

 

“Inside Out” is more new must-hear pop from @thisisMokita

MOKITA, “Inside Out”

Can Nashville’s Mokita do any wrong with his slew of singles since the start of the year?  Right now, I simply cannot get enough of his songs! Following “London”, “Kiss And Tell” (currently #9 on my personal chart), and the brief taste of “Til I Don’t”, is another thoughtful release in “Inside Out”.  This one goes straight for the same songwriting camp as fans of Lauv might enjoy.  It’s a reflective song about the frustrations of self-doubt when you’re in a relationship and someone could find out how you truly feel.  It’s mainly an acoustic pop adventure where the production emerges at the bridge but does not intrude, and instead reinforces the strong emotions of the song.  With a few more winners like “Inside Out”, Mokita will have enough songs for an incredible album or EP release.  They all need to be packaged together and heard consecutively.  Listen to “Inside Out”, as well as the others I’ve mentioned, and find out why.

UK pop/soul singer/songwriter @SamDickinson is back with From The Glass House Pt. 2 and lead single “All We Are”

SAM DICKINSON, “All We Are”

The evolution of UK pop/soul singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson began late last year after a five year absence with his EP From The Glass House Pt. 1 and its infectious single “Wild Sun”, which got to #5 on my personal chart in its Handbag House remix.  His new single from Pt. 2 of the From The Glass House trilogy is “All We Are”, which you already heard in Pt. 1 in its acoustic form.  To me, if you can sing a great song well in its acoustic version, then you’ve already won me over as you’ve presented a song in its rawest, least produced form.  So now we have “All We Are” in its more well-rounded and shaped variation, and its touching words about unity radiate through the production.  It will make you think of Erasure in their “A Little Respect”/”Chains Of Love” late 80’s days, and what more of a sparkling throwback can there be than that?  Sam’s voice stays in his effortless higher register, and the pointed phrase of “all we are is blood and skin” resonates through to the end.  “All We Are” is a beautiful song with perfect timing and I hope many of you will take the time to enjoy it multiple times, and check out the video above.  For those of you in northern England, you can watch for a Sam Dickinson live show closer to you very soon.

“Blue” is tight deep house with a few twists from Netherlands-based producers @Revelriesmusic with L.A. producer @thisisRobTirea and vocalist @Kayraelien

REVELRIES & ROB TIREA and KAYRAE, “Blue”

With every single they release, Netherlands-based Emirati producers Revelries put a unique twist on dance music, usually in the house or deep house sub-genres.  This time with “Blue” they work with L.A. producer Rob Tirea and vocalist Kayrae, who co-wrote the song.  An urgent and expressive vocal is set against a driving house rhythm, with a few impressive pauses along the way, that command your attention to make “Blue” not your ordinary-sounding dance track.  The producers spike it with elevated bass synth work  and everything works well together.  “Blue” is a bit left of centre and may not be an immediate draw, but stick with it and you’ll look forward to hearing it more and more.

“Better Anyway” partners @Borgeousmusic with vocalist @Runagroundmusic for a genuine feel-good anthem

BORGEOUS and RUNAGROUND, “Better Anyway”

Pair up a fine, consistent vocalist in Runaground (aka Andy Kirk) and world-famous producer/DJ Borgeous and you have a winner in “Better Anyway”.  The song grabs you instantly with its hook and draws you in with its genuine feel-good, anthemic qualities and endless positivity.  Following “Famous” from earlier this year, Borgeous should make himself a presence again at dance radio with “Better Anyway”.  And you’ll recall Runaground from a few years back with “Chase You Down”, a pop/dance release for Robbins Entertainment.  “Better Anyway” is one of the better releases of late – it just works, making it an easy sell to even the most casual music fans.

Another great graduation song: “Those Were The Days” by duo @usMidnightKids with vocalist @JaredLeemusic

MIDNIGHT KIDS and JARED LEE, “Those Were The Days”

“Those Were The Days” is one of those poignant lyrical pop songs that can easily find its way into the dance genre with some remixes.  Over the last year or so, US duo Midnight Kids have played to both genres with their releases and the remixes that they have done, so with this strong original release, the marriage of the two comes as no surprise.  Midnight Kids are Dylan Lee (he’s one of two sons of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson) and Kyle Girard.  “Those Were The Days” is exceptionally radio friendly with loads of thanks to the gleaming vocal of Jared Lee (no relation to Dylan), who I’ve written about before and is also poised to break out because of it.  And it’s a great end of school/graduation song as well with its uplifting vibe which makes it okay to reminisce because memories help make us who we are.  Be sure to listen to this one this summer and I can only bet that remixes will put it onto the club charts too.

midnight kids

The team of @EricSharp and @Zhaomusic return with smooth house of “Monday Blues”, and Zhao’s “Magic” gets a playful remix from South Africa’s @Kususaofficial and @ArgentoDust

ERIC SHARP and ZHAO, “Monday Blues”

ZHAO, “Magic” (Kususa and Argento Dust remix)

Here’s a fine one-two punch post about two releases that feature the voice of L.A. singer/musician Zhao.

First up we have Zhao reteaming with producer Eric Sharp for some smooth house with “Monday Blues”.  You’ll recall his distinct vocal in Eric’s 2016 immensely catchy deep house release “The Thirst”.  Here the setting is easily reminiscent of Camelphat and Elderbrook’s huge “Cola”.  Like “The Thirst”, “Monday Blues” is heavy on atmosphere and it’s a great track for DJ’s to lead into the wee hours.  It also has terrific lyrics which will definitely help take away any Monday blahs.  

Zhao’s single “Magic” has a number of remixes on release, and the best of them is the playful and imaginative one from  South African producers Kususa and Argento Dust.  It benefits from nicely layered harmonies, Zhao’s higher register, and creative synth work to take the song to a different level.  

Both songs are true delights and well worth your attention.

#BILLCSTop30 #562 – May 27/19

Some innovative and entertaining songs make their debuts this week.  One artist continues to find himself with two songs at a time on the chart, while another appears on the chart – twice – for the first time in over 5 years.  And they both join another artist who has one song on the rise and one which peaked in the Top 5 a few weeks ago.

But first the Top 10, in which we find two songs snug comfortably at the top 🙂

It’s “White Lies” that reigns supreme for a second week for German/UK producers M-22 and featuring the songwriting talents and uncredited vocal of British singer A*M*E.  It kind of goes hand in hand, for me anyway, with Cedric Gervais’ disco edit of “Good Things” in collaboration with Just Kiddin and singer Kyan, which stays at #2.

A third frenetic house track joins the top two to keep you dancing away.  “Enlighten Me” is by the fine Dutchmen that are DubVision and SYZZ, and it soars 8-3.  They bypass Mahalo and MŌZ who remain at #4 with the deep house of “Go Ahead”, as well as “Sucker” by The Jonas Brothers, which still climbs 7-5.  Although Joe Jonas found himself in the Top 5 previously as a solo singer with “Make You Mine” (#3, from his underappreciated Fastlife album) in 2012, and again with DNCE with “Cake By The Ocean” (#2) in 2015, I don’t think I ever fathomed the Jonasei gracing the upper reaches!

Every release by MAX that has hit my chart has made the Top 10, and “Love Me Less”, featuring Quinn XCII, rises 10-7.  Mokita’s third entry on the chart becomes his second Top 10 hit.  The Nashville singer/songwriter moves up 11-9 with “Kiss And Tell” as “London” tumbles to #15 after peaking at #3.  The second newcomer to the Top 10 is “Wild” by German producer Final DJs and featuring Bright Light Bright Light on vocals.  “Wild” moves up 13-10 and becomes Bright Light Bright Light’s 17th Top 10 entry!

Three other recent entries are advancing well on the chart.  French producer Kidswaste’s delightful “Sleeping Pills” featuring vocalist KOLE climbs 21-16, and right behind is progressive electronica from L.A.’s Mako with “Coyote” moving up 23-17.  The fastest riser on the chart, however, is “Swear To God” by Canadian producer Famba, which is making short work of the chart by leaping 27-19.  It’s also Famba’s second Canadian radio hit following “Wish You Well” (featuring Trove).

It’s definitely an interesting chart for debuts.  Although he continues to move up at #13 with “Crashing” (featuring Bahari), the prolific Illenium has singer/songwriter Jon Bellion on deck this time for the quite amazing and thoughtful “Good Things Fall Apart”, which makes an impressive debut at #20.  Then there’s Timmy Trumpet’s commanding “World At Our Feet” which becomes the Australian producer’s first entry on this chart at #23.  

And last but not least, there are Dutch producers, the brothers Showtek.  This is the first time that Showtek has appeared on the chart since 2014, when “Cannonball (Earthquake)”, with Italian producer Justin Prime and US vocalist Matthew Koma, went to #1.  They are back two-fold, first at #26 with Canada’s own Sultan + Shepard bowing for the first time on the chart with “We Found Love”, an update of “Now That We Found Love”, a huge 90’s hit for Heavy D. & The Boyz, originally recorded in 1979 by reggae band Third World.  And then there’s the story of remixing a fun 4 year old song – but when a remix by A-Trak is among them you know it’s going to be great.  Showtek and vocalist Leon Sherman’s “Listen To Your Momma” arrives at #28, and A-Trak’s is one of five remixes on the EP.

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 🙂

 

Australian producers @Feenixpawl make for a wondrous pairing with NYC’s @RicoandMiella in “Play With Fire”

FEENIXPAWL x RICO & MIELLA, “Play With Fire”

After offering up trancey vibes with MarLo recently in “Lighter Than Air”, veteran Australian duo and Grammy nominees Feenixpawl take on progressive house with “Play With Fire” which features the always listenable team of NYC’s Rico & Miella.  In some ways the sound is kind of a throwback to about 2013-14 when Zedd emerged with “Clarity” and “Spectrum”.  It goes pretty big and stays there but Miella’s voice does not get lost in the song.  Rather, you wait and be intrigued by what is a romantic story.  After other well-done collaborations and some worthy original releases a few years back that I wrote about, Rico & Miella fit perfectly into Feenixpawl’s plan, and “Play With Fire” is a vibrant centrepiece that should work well in clubs and at festivals. 

Summer fun is here and with France’s @RetroVision clearly “We Like To Party”

RETROVISION, “We Like To Party”

RetroVision is a French producer and protege of Don Diablo, whose music came to the fore last year with the much played “Get Down”, which I heard all over Miami Music Week before its official release thanks to featuring a key sample of the incomparible “Lola’s Theme” by The Shapeshifters.  Out to instill in everyone the same kind of contagious fun, “We Like To Party” perhaps liberally borrows from Daft Punk, Avicii and Martin Garrix, cobbling various notable and similar sounds together as a one-man party machine.  There’s little to dislike here, and when the dance floor beckons you’ll be well prepared to let loose to “We Like The Party”.